Information
on Skin Care Definitions:
Acne
Allergies
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Eczema
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Information
on Causes, Methods of Treatment and Long Term Prognosis.
Acne is a skin disorder commonly distinguished by the appearance of
pimples and inflamed and infected lesions resulting from clogged skin pores.
Acne is associated with poor diet, depression, anxiety and unemployment.
Equally affecting both sexes in adulthood, women are more likely to be
concerned about it due to the affect on facial appearance. Numerous treatments
are available. Foods to avoid include excessive amounts of chocolate, fatty /
junk food and sweets.
An Allergy or an allergic reaction is the term given to the
over-reaction of the bodies immune defense systems to a normally harmless
substance. A substance or allergen which produces a certain reaction in one
individual may or may not produce the same reaction in another. Common
Allergens include food, pollen, bee stings, ant bites, dust mites. Some people
may have fatal reactions to such common foods as nuts and pineapple and common
insect bites. In addition over time an individual may become sensitized so that
repeated allergen exposure results in a more severe response. For example being
bitten by a number of wasps may initially result in no more than discomfort and
a headache. A second, later exposure, may result in a severe allergic reaction
where the throat swells up and respiratory failure occurs. Sensitization is not
limited to naturally occurring Allergens. Domestic and industrial detergents,
degreasers and formaldehyde, petrol and many other industrial chemicals may in
the long term with repeated exposure result in contact dermatitis and severe
skin and other problems. There may also be synergistic effects where repeated
exposure to one or a number of Allergens may predispose increased sensitivity
to any number of Allergens
The bodies natural defense systems normally protect us from infections and disease. In the presence of an allergen these same systems go into overdrive as White Blood cells produce histamines as they fight the invader. Histamines in turn produce various reactions from sneezing, irritated and weeping eyes, to itching and rashes.
Treatments commonly include removal of Allergens, better ventilation of workplace, anti-histamines, gloves, barrier creams, medicated creams, substitution of alkaline soaps with balanced ph detergents, low irritant shampoos, and improved diet and exercise.
Dandruff is also called ‘pityriasis capitis’and is an uninflammed form
of seborrhoeic dermatitis
Normally the human body continuously produces and sheds skin replacing
the entire skin. In fact some 80% of household dust is shed skin. Normally this
process is not noticed. In the case of Dandruff the process speeds up and
excessive production and shedding of skin particularly to the scalp results in
the shedding of silvery flakes of dead skin or Dandruff. In severe cases the
skin shed may not be dead.
The causes of dandruff are many and varied including genealogy, exposure
to stress, lack of sleep, poor diet such as excessive fats, sugars and starch,
sensitivity to hair colorants, shampoos, hair gels, sprays and deodorants.
Generally skin specialists associate dandruff with a Pityrosporum ovale
yeast fungus's (also known as Malassezia) which is naturally present on the
scalp but for unknown reasons stimulates overproduction of skin. Dandruff
commonly occurs in the scalp, eyebrows, beard and can migrate to face and neck.
Dandruff is aggravated by poor diet and bad hygiene and may be affected
by allergic reactions to chocolate, nuts or shellfish.
Dandruff cannot be cured but can generally be controlled with over the
counter products such as coal tar shampoos to cleanse and inhibit excessive
skin production and salicylic acid shampoos to loosen and remove scales. In
severe cases consult your medical professional for a prescription product such
as zinc pyritheone, selenium sulfide, anti-fungal agents, hydrocortisone cream
or topical steroids.
Commonly available over the counter products include Neutrogena, Head
and Shoulders, Pantene Pro-V Dandruff Formula, Pert Plus, Selsun Blue, Tegrin
and Nizoral.
Nizoral contains a patented active ingredient known as ketoconazole
(discovered by Dr. Paul Janssen in Belgium). This is active against
Pityrosporum ovale fungus's and is long lasting.
Internal consumption or external use of garlic and oregano oil are
believed beneficial.
The terms Dermatitis and Eczema are often used interchangeably.
If
you have troublesome dermatitis, consult a dermatologist for advice.
Dermatitis my be acute or chronic
Acute Dermatitis- a rapidly evolving red rash which may be blistered and
swollen
Chronic Dermatitis - a long standing irritable area often lichenfied or
thickened and darker than surrounding skin
Varieties include:
Atopic Dermatitis -
Associated with family history or hay fever or asthma (often hay fever,
asthma and dermatitis or eczema go together) appears as acute flares with
inflamed, red, sometimes blistered and weepy patches. In between flares, the
skin may appear normal or suffer from chronic eczema with dry, thickened and
itchy areas. Affects ~ 15 -20% of children and ~1-2 % of adults.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis -
Often results from the combination of atopic Dermatitis and contact with
industrial or domestic cleansers and chemicals, hair care colorants or farming
insecticides and fertilizers.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis -
Results from contact with allergen that most people are not allergic to
e.g. rubber
Dry Skin -
usually found in lower legs
Nummular Dermatitis -
Sometimes called Discoid Eczema usually set off by an injury named after
typical disc or coin like shape. Size of each patch varies from millimeters to
several centimeters in diameter and may last for months. Often infected with
staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph) a secondary infection which unfortunately
occurs in hospitals.
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis -
Believed to be associated with Pityrosporum ovale yeast fungus's.
Appears as salmon-pink flat patches with a loose bran-like scale to various
parts of the body - face, folds of skin, inside and behind the ears and
sometimes back and front. May or may not be itchy.
Dandruff is an uninflammed version of Seborrhoeic Dermatitus of the
scalp.
Infective Dermatitis -
Results from a bacterial or fungal infection
Gravitational Dermatitis -
Occurs in the elderly due to poor circulation in lower legs
The terms Dermatitis and Eczema are often used interchangeably. Please refer to Dermatitis section for more detail.
A noncontiguous inflammation of the skin, characterized chiefly by
redness, itching, and the outbreak of lesions that may discharge serous matter
and become encrusted and scaly.
Psoriasis is a genetically determined inflammatory and proliferative
non-contagious skin disease characterized by recurrent sharply demarcated, dull
red and scaly plaques / silvery scales.
Increasing daily consumption of water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices
is reported beneficial to the treatment of Psoriasis.
Rosacea is a skin condition somewhat akin in appearance to acne, where
excessive blood circulation creates a ruddy appearance. Rosacea is a livid
facial rash that mainly affects middle-aged men and women with fair skin. The
cause is unknown but there is some evidence that occurrence may be linked to
stress and long-term sun exposure. Good Diet and increasing intake of fruits
and vegetables is reported to be beneficial for reducing Rosacea.
