skin treatment

2006-04-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Eczema and detergentsThe first and primary recommendation is that people suffering from eczema shouldn't use detergents of any kind unless absolutely necessary. The current medical school of thought is that people wash too much and that eczema sufferers should use cleansers only when water is not sufficient to remove dirt from skin.
Another point of view is that detergents are so ubiquitous in modern environments and so persistent in tissues and surfaces, safe soaps are necessary to remove them in order to eliminate the eczema in a percentage of cases. Although most recommendations use the terms "detergents" and "soaps" interchangeably, and tell eczema sufferers to avoid both, detergents and soaps are not the same and are not equally problematic to eczema sufferers. Detergents increase the permeability of skin membranes in a way that soaps and water alone do not. Sodium lauryl sulfate, the most common household detergent, has been shown to amplify the allergenicity of other substances ("increase antigen penetration"). (For example, Corazza M, Virgili A, Allergic contact dermatitis from ophthalmic products: can pre-treatment with sodium lauryl sulfate increase patch test sensitivity? Contact Dermatitis. 2005 May;52(5):239-41.)
The use of detergents in recent decades has increased dramatically, while the use of soaps began to decline when detergents were invented, and leveled off to a constant around the '60s. Complicating this picture is the recent development of mild plant-based detergents for the natural products sector.
Unfortunately there is no one agreed upon best kind of cleanser for eczema sufferers. Different clinical tests, sponsored by different personal product companies, unsurprisingly tout various brands as the most skin friendly based on specific properties of various products and different underlying assumptions as to what really determines skin friendliness. The terms "hypoallergenic" and "doctor tested" are not regulated (according to Consumer Reports), and no research has been done showing that products labeled "hypoallergenic" are in fact less problematic than any others.
Dermatological recommendations in choosing a soap generally include: skin credit creditcard credit report free credit report Avoid harsh detergents or drying soaps. Choose a soap that has an oil or fat base; a "superfatted" soap is best. Use an unscented soap. Patch test your soap choice, by using it only on a chosen area until you are sure of its results. Use a non-soap based cleanser. How to use soap when one mustBathe in warm water — not hot. Use soap sparingly. Avoid using washcloths, sponges, or loofahs. Use soap only on areas where it is necessary. Soap up only at the very end of your bath. Use a fragrance free barrier type moisturizer such as vaseline or aquaphor before drying off. Never use any kind of lotion, soap, or fragrance unless your doctor tells you to or it's allergen free Never rub your skin dry, elsewise your skin's oil/moisture will be on the towel and not your body.

Cellulitis

2006-04-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

CellulitisCellulitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue underlying the skin, that can be caused by a bacterial infection. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, burns, insect bites, surgical wounds, or sites of intravenous catheter insertion. The mainstay of therapy remains treatment with appropriate antibiotics. It is unrelated to "cellulite," a cosmetic condition featuring dimpling of the skinSymptomsCellulitis is characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain or tenderness. Cellulitis frequently occurs on exposed areas of the body such as the arms, legs, and face. Other symptoms can include fever or chills and headaches. In advanced cases of cellulitis, red streaks (sometimes described as ‘fingers’) may be seen traveling up the affected area. The swelling can spread rapidly.
CausesCellulitis is caused by a number of types of bacteria entering by way of a break in the skin. This break need not be visible. Group A streptococcus and staphylococcus are the most common of these bacteria, which are part of the normal flora of the skin but cause no actual infection until the skin is broken. Predisposing conditions for cellulitis include insect bite, animal bite, pruritic skin rash, recent surgery, athlete’s foot, swollen skin, dry skin, eczema, and burns.
Risk factorsThe elderly and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to contracting cellulitis. Diabetics are more prone to cellulitis than the general population because of impairment of the immune system; they are especially prone to cellulitis in the feet because their disease causes impairment of blood circulation in their legs leading to their having foot ulcers that commonly become infected.
Immunosuppressive drugs, HIV, and other illnesses or infections that weaken the immune system are also factors that make infection more likely. In addition, chickenpox and shingles often result in blisters which break, providing a gap in the skin which bacteria can enter through. Lymphedema, which causes swelling on the arms and/or legs, can also put an individual at risk.
Diseases that affect blood circulation in the legs and feet, such as chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins, are also risk factors for cellulitis.
DiagnosisCellulitis is most often a clinical diagnosis, and local cultures do not always identify the causative organism. Blood cultures usually are positive only if the patient develops generalised sepsis. Conditions that may resemble cellulitis include deep vein thrombosis, which can be diagnosed with a compression leg ultrasound, and stasis dermatitis, which is inflammation of the skin from poor blood flow.
IncubationCellulitis can develop in as little as twenty-four hours, or can take days to develop.
DurationIn many cases, cellulitis takes less than a week to disappear with antibiotic therapy. However, it can take months to resolve completely in more serious cases, and can result in severe debility or even death if untreated.
TreatmentIf the case of cellulitis is minor, oral antibiotics may be all that are necessary. These are often intended to be taken for about ten days, and the patient usually sees his or her doctor after a day or two of taking the medication to ensure that it is working correctly. In addition, the doctor may instruct the patient to elevate the affected area. Antipyretics or anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used.
If the oral antibiotics do not work or if the patient has a high fever when he or she comes to see the doctor, intravenous (IV) antibiotics will most likely be necessary. IV antibiotics can be administered at a clinic, the hospital, or the patient’s home. The specific antibiotic prescribed will depend on the physician's assessment as to the most likely causative bacteria: usually Gram-positive organisms will be covered with an antistaphylococcal antibiotic, like flucloxacillin, and in specific situations Gram-negative organisms, anaerobic organisms, or specific species will be covered. If the infection forms an abscess, it may require surgical incision and drainage of the collected pus.skin
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In the most serious cases, the cellulitis may spread to the bloodstream (causing septicemia) and other tissue, especially bone (causing osteomyelitis). In these cases, or where antibiotic therapy is unsuccessful, surgical debridement may be necessary.
In rare cases, secondary infections such as necrotizing fasciitis, where rapid necrotization of skin, fat, and connective tissue may necessitate surgical debridement of affected areas.
Prevention

skin Therapy

2006-04-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

The skin is obviously accessible to topical local therapy. Antibiotic creams can help eliminate infections, while inflammatory skin diseases (such as eczema and psoriasis) often respond to steroid creams or topical anthralin. Dermatologists are innovators of new immune enhancing treatments, like topical imiquimod for superficial cancers and injection immunotherapy for warts as discussed below.
Topical medications treat many dermatological diseases, but dermatologists also use oral medications. Antibiotics and immune suppressants or immune enhanancing agents (injection immunotherapy or topical imiquimod) for dermatological diseases or tumors. Isotretinoin ("Accutane") is used for severe cystic acne vulgaris and often produces a life-time remission of this disfiguring disease. Isotretinoin prescribing in the U.S. is now controlled by a cumbersome FDA governmental website called iPLEDGE.
Photomedicine involves the use of ultraviolet light, often in combination with oral or topical agents, to treat skin disease (eg. psoriasis or mycosis fungoides).
Surgical intervention by dermasurgeons may be necessary, for example, to treat varicose veins or skin cancer. Varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy (injecting an agent that obliterates the vein) or the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Skin cancers can be managed with excision (including Mohs micrographic surgery), cryosurgery, x-ray, or, more recently, with the topical immune enhancing agent, imiquimod ("Aldara"). The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery is the dermatologists's professional organization representing the dermasurgery side of this specialty. Dermasurgeons are the expert skin surgeons, having spent a significant part of their residency training years learning this subject.skin
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Dermasurgeons are experts in scar management, including laser resurfacing of acne or traumatic scars, the new nonablative laser rejuvenation of depressed scars, or the use of filling agents (eg. hylauronic acid or fat microinjections) for depressed scars.

Dermatology

2006-04-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

Dermatologists are physicians (medical doctors) specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and tumors of the skin and its appendages. There are medical and surgical sides to the specialty. Dermasurgeons practice skin cancer surgery (including Mohs' micrographic surgery), laser surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and cosmetic procedures using botulinum toxin ('Botox'), soft tissue fillers, sclerotherapy and liposuction. Dermatopathologists interpret tissue under the microscope (histopathology). Pediatric dermatologists specialize in the diagnoses and treatment of skin disease in children. Immunodermatologists specialize in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases driven by an altered immune system including blistering (bullous) diseases like pemphigus. In addition, there are a wide range of congenital syndromes managed by dermatologists.
North American training program: After graduation from a 4-year college, a 4-year medical school and a year of post graduate training in medicine, surgery or pediatrics, a physician may apply for the competitive graduate dermatology residency training. Following the successful completion of formal residency training (3-4 additional years) and a certifying board examination, dermatologists become Diplomates of the American Board of Dermatology. They are then eligible to apply for fellowship status in the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Other certifying organizations for those with additional advanced training include the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Surgery; the American Society for Mohs Surgery; the American Board of Dermatopathology and a similar pediatric organization.
Australian training programme: An Australian specialist dermatologist will have completed 6 years of medical school, one internship year and at least one year of general medical or surgical service in the public hospital system, prior to becoming eligibile for specialist training in dermatology. The selection process is rigorous and transparent; candidates must pass science and pharmacology exams and engage in monitored and assessed practical training in medical and surgical dermatology. At the completion of the 5 year training programme, trainees sit a national written examination held over two days. Successful candidates may then proceed to the practical viva examination after which they may apply for fellowship status with the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
Indian training in dermatology: To be a dermatologist in India requires a minimum of 3 years after graduation and internship.The period involves rigorous training in all aspects of general dermatology ,cosmetic dermatology ,venereal diseases (including HIV ) and leprosy.At the end of the training period the resident has to go through written tests and clinical exams.The degree awarded is MD (dermatology ,venereology and leprosy).Most specialist also go in for certification by the national board (for the award of 'diplomate of national board').
The skin is the largest organ of the skin
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free credit reportbody and obviously the most visible. Although many skin diseases are isolated, some are manestations of internal disease. Hence, a dermatologist is schooled in surgery, rheumatology (many rheumatic diseases can feature skin symptoms and signs), immunology, neurology (the "neurocuteaneous syndromes", such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis), infectious diseases and endocrinology. The study of genetics is also becoming increasingly important.
Venereology, the subspecialty that diagnoses and treats sexually transmitted diseases, and phlebology, the specialty that deals with problems of the superficial venous system, are both part of a dermatologist's expertise.
Cosmetic dermatology has long been an important part of the field, and dermatologists have been the primary innovators in this area. In the 1900's dermatologists employed dermabrasion to improve acne scarring and fat microtransfer was used to fill in cutaneous defects. More recently, dermatologists have been the driving force behind the development and safe and effective employment of lasers, new dermal filling agents (collagen and hyaluronic acid), botulinum toxin ("Botox"), nonablative laser rejuvenation procedures, intense pulsed light systems, photodynamic therapy, and chemical peeling.

Skin

2006-04-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

In zootomy and dermatology, skin is an organ of the integumentary system made up of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. As the interface with the surroundings, it plays the most important role in protecting against pathogens. Its other main functions are insulation and temperature regulation, sensation and vitamin D and B synthesis.
Skin has pigmentation, provided by melanocytes, which absorbs some of the potentially dangerous radiation in sunlight. It also contains DNA repair enzymes which reverse UV damage, and people who lack the genes for these enzymes suffer high rates of skin cancer. One form predominantly produced by UV light, malignant melanoma, is particularly invasive, causing it to spread quickly, and can often be deadly. Human skin pigmentation varies among populations in a striking manner. This has sometimes led to the classification of people(s) on the basis of skin color. See the article on human skin color.
Mammalian skin often contains hairs, which in sufficient density is called fur. The hair mainly serves to augment the insulation the skin provides, but can also serve as a secondary sexual characteristic or as camouflage. On some animals the skin is very hard and thick, and can be processed to create leather. Reptiles and fish have hard protective scales on their skin for protection, and birds have hard feathers, all made of tough β-keratins. Amphibian skin is not a strong barrier to passage of chemicals. A frog sitting in an anesthetic solution will quickly go to sleep.
Damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue, often giving rise to discoloration and depigmentation of the skin.
The skin is often known as "the largest organ in the human body". This applies to exterior surface, as it covers the body, appearing to have the largest surface area of all the organs. Moreover, it applies to weight, as it weighs more than any single internal organ, accounting for about 15 percent of body weight. For the average adult human, the skin has a surface area of between 1.5-2.0 square metres, most of it is between 2-3 mm thick. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings.skin
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The skin on a person's face is seen by people that person interacts with. For some people, therefore, facial skin care is of particular importance, and they often use cosmetics to deal with the appearance of the face and condition of the skin, such as those for pore control and black head cleansing.