Monthly Archives: July 2014

This entry was posted in shingles on by | Open »

Shingles is a disease that is also the same virus responsible for chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus) having had chicken pox in earlier years it appears the virus that courses shingles stays within the body without any complications that is until you get older when at a time you are stressed or taking medication that lowers the immune system even a condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV or AIDS .It is not possible to catch shingles from someone or chickenpox if they have the condition but strangely you can catch chickenpox from a person who has shingles if you have not had it before so be aware. Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk.

shingles

shingles

The symptoms of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe. Rashes or blisters appear anywhere from one to 14 days later. If shingles appears on your face, it may affect your vision or hearing. The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months, or even years after the blisters have healed. A rash will soon appear forming blisters and the patient feels a lot of pain with a fever. An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks.

TREATMENT

Firstly try to cover the infected area with clothing or non stick dressing to minimize the risk of someone else contracting chickenpox. Taking pain killers would be helpful to ease the pain also a G P may recommend a course of antiviral medication in most cases shingles will last up to two to four weeks. Complications may occur when the immune system is low as in the elderly  in the form of severe nerve pain which can last for months  after the rash has gone The use of calamine lotion can help ease the itching Some creams that contain capsaicin  may be useful in reducing pain caused by shingles. Capsaicin is a pepper extract, and it has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever these creams may make it less painful and easier to tolerate.

This entry was posted in impetigo on by | Open »

Impetigo is a very contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters. If treatment is quick the infection can be dealt with within a week. There are two main types of impetigo non-bullous and bullous.

Non-bullous impetigo will infect the mouth and nose area as sores that will burst and form a crust like scab yellow and brown in its appearance.            impetigo

Bullous impetigo on the other hand will form around the trunk of a patient the waist and lower neck regions forming blisters that readily burst also forming crusted areas both are painless but may cause itching and redness in the infected area.

In some rare cases impetigo can become severe where large sections of the skin are effected leading to a fever and the person feels ill with diarrhoea making them become weak. At this point medical help would be advised so consult a G P.

Impetigo is so contagious it would wise not to come into contact with other people so staying at home and not going out would be the best idea to limit the spread of the infection .When at home do not share towels or flannels or even sheets if possible . Always  after use wash these in a very high temperature. High heat will kill the germs and reduce the chances of further out breaks. To wash the infected area instead of using a flannel use cotton wool balls, by dipping the balls into a diluted solution of Miltons baby sterilizing  liquid wipe each area once discarding the ball each time so using a clean cotton ball for one area only (as in dip-wipe-discard ) always do a test area first to make sure there is no complications.

Avoid touching the sores and do not scratch them as this will lead to more damage to the skin as to cause scarring and will spread the infection further. If at all possible when every you touch something try to clean it as someone else could come into contact with that object and become infected. Most people are no longer contagious after 48 hours of treatment or once their sores have dried and healed.

TREATMENT

Antibiotics in the form of tablets or cream are the quickest way to  resolve the problem For mild cases of impetigo that cover a small area, antibiotic cream is often recommended. This will usually need to be applied three or four times a day for seven days. Antibiotic tablets are usually prescribed if the cream has little effect If a course of oral antibiotics is prescribed is it is important to finish the course even if the symptoms clear up before you have taken all the tablets .If  the symptoms persist after antibiotics have been used then it would wise to seek more medical help.

Impetigo is rarely serious but sometimes it can become just that .

ECTHYMA

Ecthyma  is a skin condition that has all the signs of being impetigo (it is also called deep impetigo) but in appearance is smaller but it penetrates deep into the skin it often starts on the legs it forms a harder crust that is thicker to than impetigo. If the crust is removed it will  reveal an ulcer that may be  swollen and oozing with pus if a patient is lucky this can resolve its self and go as quickly as it came but in other cases it remains and may even grow. These lesions many become swollen and painful. This condition is common if Poor hygiene is present and living in hot and humid places along with impetigo not being treated .

TREATMENT

As like impetigo treatment is a course of antibiotics either in the form of cream or tablets if hygiene is improved and washing with antiseptic soap or cleanser this will greatly aid in reducing the spread as will changing the laundry clothes and linen frequently also Using separate towels and flannels to prevent spreading infection. Unlike impetigo, ecthyma may result in permanent scarring because the crust has to be removed in order to treat the lesion. If you carefully clean the skin after an injury such as a bite or scratch do not pick or scratch at scabs or sores to prevent such an infection occurring.

 

 

This entry was posted in ABOUT on by | Open »

Chemicals are not always the answer to skin problems so natural skin remedies can sometimes be the only option. Just the cost alone can put people of creams and ointments so we have tried to come up with some natural skin remedies to combat skin complaints. Some products can be harmful to sensitive skin types where others might not do a great deal to help at all .Natural skin remedies are a place a lot of people are beginning to look at more to be far trying a more natural way may benefit you more so why not take a look. First  of all try to keep your skin clean wash as much as possible at least twice a day for oily skin. Always fragrant free soaps like simple soap or citrus soaps like lemon or orange among simple soapothers. After washing  it is a good idea to dab dry then apply some thing like lemon juice this can remove oils from your face and  body preventing bacteria from growing again always apply with a cotton wool ball or a dry  pad. When the areas are dry then one of the best things to do I put aloe vera gel by gently rubbing it into your face aloe vera can also be used to reduce wrinkles .Aloe  vera is a good moisturiser too if you want to use a mask a good tip is to put honey on your skin it soothes and helps to remove scarring as well as pimples . Leave the honey on your skin for about 15-20 minutes then rinse with cold water . Ice cubes dipped in milk then gently rub on your face will freeze the bacteria and soothe a red and irritated pimple. Cider vinegar is a great natural skin remedy for reducing pimples and scars from acne mix with water and apply over night for the best results . For dry skin try mashing up two bananas in a bowl add two table spoons of honey and mix then apply to the dry skin with drinking-cotton balls or a pad after 15-20 minutes clean with warm water. It is important to drink lots of water during the day as this will aid your in keeping hydrated which in turn keeps your skin healthy.

There are creams and oils that are available that are made from nature cocoa butter is one .

COCOA BUTTER

Cocoa butter is on the lips of most pregnant women in the fight against stretch marks. Many women claimed regular use of cocoa butter was what kept their stretch marks away. Cocoa butter is obtained from the cocoa beans which are fermented, roasted, and then separated from their hulls. It is edible and is used in the making of chocolate but for skin care it is considered an ideal base for medicinal uses The velvety texture, pleasant fragrance   properties of cocoa butter have made it a popular ingredient in products for the skin, such as soaps and lotions. Cocoa butter has great moisturizing properties and is said to be  widely used to prevent dry skin  it is high in fatty acids and hydrates the skin deeply. Also cocoa butter has been said to help skin complaints such as eczema and dermatitis.: Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids and hydrates the skin deeply.

TEA TREE OIL

Tea tree oil is also made rom natural means an is derived from Australia where the where Aborigines have been using it as an antiseptic to treat cuts and burns for thousands of years. the oil is distilled from the leaves of a tree called Melaleuca alternifolia, you can find tea tree oil in everything from your shampoo to your deodorant, and it has the potential to improve your skin by treating acne, psoriasis, eczema and many other conditions. Tea tree oil kills microorganisms that can cause diseases, and that makes it useful in treating everything from acne, burns and cold sores to fungal infections, insect bites and inflammation. Experts believe that he anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help treat acne and histamine-induced inflammation caused by many allergies. Tea tree oil is widely used by many but be sure to test an area first to make sure there is no reaction.

Another natural ingredient is Turmeric.

TURMERIC

Turmeric is a spice used mainly in Asian cooking, specifically Thai and Indian. You might know it as more commonly known as curry powder believe it or not turmeric is beneficial to your skin when used as a face mask. Simply combine it with yogurt and a bit of honey and apply to their skin for 20 minutes before washing off. It is said to be great at healing acne and reducing scars coursed by acne if used on a regular basis. Just a word of warning turmeric can in some cases temporarily stain the skin but sating that it can be used as a skin toner if used frequently .

This entry was posted in decoid lupus on by | Open »

Discoid Lupus is a condition that body’s immune system attacks its own tissue this in turn causes the skin to inflame and will be damaged as a result .The rash is more common in the summer months, as it tends to flare up in response to sun exposure.  With this in mind the use of protective sun wear such as hats and the application of sunscreen is very helpful preventing more damage to the skin.

There are several types of lupus :discoid lupus erythematosus  and systemic lupus erythematosus Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a condition which generally affects only the skin and is less severe than systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which can also affect kidneys ,eyes, lungs and joints. Another form of the disease is subacute cutaneous lupus(SCLE) this is a milder form and is similar to psoriasis.

discoid lupus

discoid lupus

DLE can usually be successfully controlled using medication and by avoiding exposure to direct sunlight.

The symptoms of discoid lupus are the skin becomes red and scally sores which are round in there appearance.

The symptoms of SLE can range from mild to severe even mild cases of SLE can have a big impact on a persons quality of life as it may cause pain and fatigue and this leads to feelings of depression.Thanks to advances in treatments, now most people with SLE have a normal, or near normal, life expectancy both these diseases are more common in women The condition can be difficult to diagnose as there are many other common conditions with similar symptoms. Diets play a part in the control of the disease a low calorie, low fat diet with small amounts of saturated fat is recommended.Have plenty of green raw and steamed vegetables, chicken, and fish. Eating oily fish such as salmon or sardines packed in sardine oil three times a week helps to fight inflammation and heal the skin manifestations of lupus. drink plenty of water this keeps your body hydrated which is essential in having healthy skin. Try to avoid such foods as tomatoes and peppers .Eliminate from your diet animal fats and oils high in omega-6 oils, such as corn, safflower, and sunflower oils. These promote inflammation.

Medication also plays a big part in the fight against Discoid Lupus and SLE Hydroxychloroquine is a medicine previously used to treat malaria but is also effective in treating some of the symptoms of SLE, such as skin rashes, joint and muscle pain and fatigue it helps to prevent flare-ups and to prevent development of more serious problems from lupus. Immunosuppressants are a type of medicine that suppress your immune system this kind  of medication is usually only prescribed if you have severe SLE. Even ibuprofen is used as an anti-inflammatory .Often, a person with discoid can control the severity of his or her lesions by applying cortisone ointment or having a physician administer cortisone injections. Injections are usually the more effective option. Also, creams that are calcineurin inhibitors will assist in treating lesions, such as pimecrolimus cream and tacrolimus ointment.

This entry was posted in psoriasis on by | Open »

PSORIASIS

You are at a higher risk of contracting psoriasis if you smoke

smoking leads to psoriasis

smoking leads to psoriasis

Smoking has a massive effect on your skin it reduces the oxygen flow which in turn causes wrinkles and lines around your mouth and eyes called crows feet it is said that tobacco smoke has so many chemicals they are known to damage collagen and elastin components of your skin which makes the skin sag and droop also accelerating the aging process. But the worrying thing is seems that a heavy smoker has a greater chance of developing psoriasis. a skin condition that causes scally red  flaky crusty patches on the elbows knees back and feet.

The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some people, it is just a minor irritation, for others it has a major impact on their quality of life.Psoriasis occurs when the process by which the body produces skin cells is accelerated. Skin cells are normally made and replaced every three to four months, but in psoriasis this process only lasts about three to seven days. The resulting build-up of skin cells is what creates the patches associated with Psoriasis

The immune system is your body’s defence against disease and infection, but in people with psoriasis it attacks healthy skin cells by mistake. psoriasis can run in the family it is said to be genetic the  symptoms of the disease can be brought on by many ways where if a person has had an injury or even some kinds of medicines(always read the labels first before taking any medication) in a lot of cases creams and ointments well clear it but in others more serious cases a treatment called phototherapy may be used. Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light for most people applying creams and ointments to the effected area is enough to solve the problem but there are some who have a real problem and this in turn brings other complications like low esteem and confidence issues then the treatment has to be diagnosed by a G P or dermatologist.

psoriasis

PSORIASIS

Speak to your GP or healthcare team if you have psoriasis and you have any concerns about your physical and mental wellbeing. They can offer advice and further treatment if necessary. There are also a number of support groups for people with psoriasis, such as The Psoriasis Association, where you can speak to other people with the condition.