Itching All Over

Many people mistakenly dismiss eczema as a minor inconvenience or irritation. After all, eczema can hardly be said to be a life threatening disease or illness. These people do not fully understand that eczema can affect the normal functioning of a person. It is not just the physical appearance and mere discomfort of itchy skin. Eczema can cause pain due to bleeding and intense irritation. If you are one of those that suffer from moderate to severe eczema, you may feel depressed by reactions of the people around and by your own feelings of insecurity.

In 2004 the National Eczema Society as well as a series of global patient support groups backed a study. This study was the most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted anywhere in the world. The study, called ISOLATE (International Study Of Life with Atopic Eczema), examined the emotional and psychological cost of living with atopic eczema. Atopic Eczema is the most widespread type of eczema.

Two thousand people from eight different countries (France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United States and the UK) participated in the study. The participants had moderate to severe eczema skin type.

The study showed that an astounding one quarter of the people interviewed had at one point or other been teased or bullied by others because of their skin condition. Those whose eczema started in childhood and improved only slightly as they aged, carried their problems into their adulthood. Many people interviewed for the study felt that the skin condition affected their quality of life greatly.

For example many people described workplace related problems whereby they had to endure cruel comments openly or behind their backs. They had to suffer from constant stares and a lack of understanding about the disorder. Many co-workers of these individuals mistakenly believed that the eczema disease is contagious and therefore, seek to ostracize the eczema sufferer.

Besides the blatant discrimination at their place of work, one out of every seven patients interviewed firmly believed that their careers got compromised by their skin condition. Many cited problems of getting jobs not because of lack of experience, education or knowledge but because of their eczema skin conditions.

Eczema can also affect the personal life of a sufferer. Many sufferers reported that dating and even the choice not to marry came about as a result of their skin disorder. They reported feeling of insecurity and awkwardness when finding a mate and especially during times of the worst flare-ups.

Without a doubt, eczema can affect your productivity. You should take measures to address your skin disorder and seek to reduce your stress and depression levels.

more posts of interest:

• Eczema Treatment: Important to Save Social Embarrassment Too
• Dermatitis of the Ear – Effective Management
• Eczema Treatments – Treat your Eczema Tips
• Treatments And Causes Of Dermatitis Of The Ear
• Eczema Treatment : Lifestyle Habits Matter Much

Eczema is not caused by any specific reason, but it is generally considered as allergic disease and may also be called as atopic eczema. It is associated with asthma and hay fever. If any of the family members is suffering from this disease then others will also be infected and may cause eczema or any of the other two. There can be various causes of eczema as stated below;

* Change in a regular temperature or humidity.

* Different allergies (to dust, mold, animal, etc.)

* Chemical irritants: pesticides, paint strippers, alcohol, astringents, perfumes, harsh soaps, detergents and household cleaners.

* Physical irritants: synthetic clothes, clothes made of wool.

* Emotional stress.

* Any kind of infection.

All the above things may cause or may give rise to eczema. Any contact with matter that irritates the skin is called irritant contact dermatitis. This is caused by direct contact between skin and the matter like detergent, soap, alcohol, strong chemical, cleaner, perfume, etc. another cause of eczema is the contact with substances that may cause you allergy. These are the allergens which causes the skin to be quickly sensitive to any change in atmosphere. Allergens can be chemicals like detergent powder, perfumes skin reacts it rapidly. They also include metals like nickel. Whenever you wear the nickel earrings or any ornaments made by nickel your skin will respond it.

Poisons ivy, cosmetic and rubber products are also incorporated in this category. Infantile eczema is a kind eczema that often influences young babies. This kind of eczema is caused by moisture from dribble or inflammation of scalp this is very well known as cradle crap.

The cause of eczema that affects the lower portion of legs which is also known as stasis dermatitis are the varicose veins so it may be also called as varicose or gravitational eczema.

There are two types of the contact dermatitis known as allergic contact dermatitis and direct irritant contact dermatitis. Direct irritant contact dermatitis is caused by direct exposure to acids, alkaline, detergents and various other chemicals that could actually agitate the skin and if it happens recurrently then the condition can be chronic. This kind of dermatitis is often come across at workplace. While on the other hand allergic contact dermatitis is caused by the exposure of skin to allergens that may be physical or chemical matters.

There is an important difference between the two, for allergic contact dermatitis the exposure is necessary for infection to get caused while for direct irritant contact dermatitis it happens in first exposure like when you first came in contact with the chemicals and u feel unconscious.

Additional causes of eczema may be the result of chemical reactions within human body. These include seborrhoeic dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, discoid or nummular, dishydrotic or pompholyx eczema and varicose dermatitis.

Eczema causes number of symptoms. All types of eczema except seborrhoeic have few typical symptoms such as etching. The typical symptoms are skin redness, weeping of skin, inflammation, pain, tenderness, and scaling, crusting, dryness, fissures and vesicles takes place. Any kind of damage to epidermis and the upper layer of skin can cause it to get thicken and dry. This is also known as lichenification.

more posts of interest:

• Causes of Eczema
• Causes and cures of eczema
• Eczema – Self-care at Home
• A Short Classification of Eczema
• Eczema Treatment and What is Eczema

Psoriasis (IPA pronunciation: [s?'raj.?s?s]) is a disease which affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes a silvery-white appearance. Psoriasis Symptoms are no always that easy to identify and diagnose. For centuries it has commonly been inadvertently mistaken for leprosy, and for centuries people have been suffering the fall out of this wrong diagnosis. For a full and correct diagnosis you should visit your doctor so he can do the correct analysis and suggest the correct treatments to the patient.

There are five types of Psoriasis to look out for :-

. Plaque Psoriasis

. Guttate Psoriasis

. Inverse Psoriasis

. Erythrodermic Psoriasis

. Pustular Psoriasis

What causes psoriasis?

Research indicates that psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. The immune system includes a type of white blood cell, called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that psoriasis is related to an abnormal immune system that produces too many of the immune cells, called T cells, in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis. This leads to inflammation and flaking of skin.

What are the symptoms?

Psoriasis usually appears as red, scaly patches that reveal fine silvery scales when scraped or scratched. These patches may itch and feel uncomfortable.

Psoriasis is most common on the knees, elbows and scalp, but can appear anywhere on the body.

Some people with psoriasis become withdrawn and don’t socialise or form relationships because of the way people react to the appearance of their skin.

Diagnosis

There are several forms of psoriasis, and each form has unique characteristics that allow dermatologists to visually identify psoriasis to determine what type, or types, of psoriasis is present. Sometimes a skin biopsy will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Is psoriasis contagious?

No. You can’t catch psoriasis from another person or give it to someone by touching them, and you can’t spread it to other parts of your body.

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are many treatment options that can clear psoriasis for a period of time.Therapy for psoriasis ranges from conservative to aggressive treatment. Due to the chronic nature of the disease, many patients try several therapies over time. Guttate psoriasis usually is managed more easily and complete remission typically occurs. In addition to standard treatment, patients with guttate psoriasis are given a course of oral antibiotics to eradicate the strep infection.

Sunshine – Sunshine may help to clear psoriasis; in many people it improves dramatically during sunny holidays. Take care, as psoriasis may develop in areas of sunburn, and fair skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation becomes prematurely aged and may develop skin cancer.

Baths – Soaking in warm water with a bath oil or tar solution can soften the psoriasis and lift the scale. Bland soaps or soap substitutes are useful. Antiseptics are not necessary and may irritate.

Prevention

There is no known prevention. Keeping skin clean and moist and avoiding your specific psoriasis triggers may help reduce the number of flare-ups.

Doctors recommend daily baths or showers for persons with psoriasis. Avoid scrubbing too hard, because this can irritate the skin and trigger an attack.

more posts of interest:

• Psoriasis: Symptoms and treatment – Part 2
• Psoriasis And Its Possible Treatments
• Psoriasis: Symptoms and treatment – Part 5
• Psoriasis: Symptoms and treatment
• Psoriasis Treatment Made Possible With Soriatane and Tazorac

Bob, my long-term P.O.S.S.L.Q. (person of opposite species sharing living quarters), is a dedicated sun-worshiper. Over the 16 or so years of his dominion in my home, I have repeatedly watched this 12-plus-pounder squeeze his entire body into a saucer-sized patch of morning sun. If Bob could talk, he’d greet everyone with a laid-back surfer-style “Duuuuddde!”

So I shouldn’t have been surprised or mystified a few months ago when Bob started pawing at his ears and eyes and mewling sadly. But I was.

You see, as he’s gotten older, Bob’s once thick, lustrous coat has started to thin here and there on the edges of his ears, and the patch between his ears and eyes. In addition to making him strongly resemble a feline Don Knotts, the thinning fur has left his here-to-fore protected skin exposed to a variety of threats, including the sun.

Bob had sunburn. Really.

Sunburn is most common in cats with fair coats, or whose coats are naturally thin or even non-existent (think Mr. Bigglesworth). Light-coated or naked cats not only lack the sun-reflective protection of dark fur, they usually also lack melanin the skin pigment that helps protect animals, including humans, from the harmful effects of the sun. It is possible, however, for any cat to get sunburn even dark-coated kitties like Bob if they experience prolonged sun exposure and/or hair loss.

While cats can experience sunburn anywhere skin is exposed, it’s most common to see the problem around the ears, eyes, eyelids and nose. Sunburned feline skin looks a lot like human sunburned skin initially red and sore to the touch, the skin may scale over and flake or peel as the burn heals. Untreated and repeated burns can lead to more serious skin problems, including cancer.

Even mild-seeming sunburn requires a trip to the vet. Don’t try to treat the burn yourself with remedies made for humans. Some cats may have skin reactions to the medications in human remedies. Many will simply lick the medication off, which may cause stomach upset and other problems. The best way to treat your cat’s sunburn is to consult with your vet, who can prescribe a course of treatment, including, if necessary, ointments or creams that are safe to use on your pet.

When it comes to sunburn, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. It’s far easier to limit kitty’s harmful exposure than it is to treat the damage. The best way to prevent the problem is to keep your cat indoors during the hours when the sun’s rays are strongest, usually between mid-morning and early evening. Fair or naked cats should wear a vet-prescribed, water-proof sunscreen any time they’re outside.

If your cat is strictly an indoor kitty, like Bob, you probably won’t have to worry about sun exposure unless your pet has some hair loss (like Bob). In that case, limiting his time in the sun may be as easy as closing the blinds when you think he’s had enough.

For Bob, we’ve used a one-two punch: we now pull the drapes on his favorite spot of sunlight after he’s been there for an hour, and tempt him away with his favorite catnip filled mat. In typical sun-worshipper, surfer-dude style, he’s just cool with that.

more posts of interest:

• How to Treat Sunburn
• Aromatherapy For Sunburns
• Aloe Vera Can Soothe Your Sunburn
• Know the Symptoms of Psoriasis for Immediate Treatment
• Finding Ways to Remedy Sunburn Relief and Spider Veins

People have been using naturally-derived products such as camomile and rhealba oats to soothe the skin for thousands of years. These cures and remedies for the skin have stood the test of time and been passed down through the generations.

These days we understand more about what causes some peoples skin to be sore and chronically inflamed. Atopic dermatitis is used to describe the hereditary condition, where the word atopic means that the skin is not in direct contact with the allergen, yet still gets dermatitis, meaning skin that is red, itchy and swollen.

Natural skin care products take their essential ingredients from grains, herbs, roots and flowers. These essential ingredients are combined with naturally occurring carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers. Such carriers can include natural soap, natural oils and pure water.

The result is a natural skin care product that is based on botanical ingredients. By this we mean ingredients that currently exist in or are produced by nature. No synthetic chemicals are involved, and the products are processed so that the integrity of the ingredients is preserved.

As the largest organ of the human body and our barrier to the outside world, the skin takes a lot of punishment, including exposure to sunlight, dust, wind and airborne chemicals and infectious microbes. There are two main reactions of the skin to such environmental influences. The first is that the skin can get red, sore and irritated. The second is that an uncomfortable feeling of dryness and tightness can occur in the skin. Indeed, as sufferers of atopic dermatitis know, the skin can become red and swollen on its own, even without any of these influences.

As a popular ingredient in skin care products, rhealba oats when applied to the skin has a number of benefits. It has a soothing and moisturising effect, so that taut, dry skin becomes hydrated and more comfortable. It has a naturally anti-irritant effect which restores a feeling of well-being to sore, sensitive skin.

Rhealba oats will restore balance even to the most sensitive skin, soothing even quite bad cases of atopic dermatitis. These oats have also been found to promote healing of the skin through epidermic activity and cell regeneration.

The skin can be come irritated and sore for a number of reasons. For a start, there are some people who have naturally sensitive skin. This category includes people with a fair complexion, who have skin which tends to be prone to sensitivity from time to time.

Their skin can become red and irritated even on exposure to mild sunlight. They may also often experience uncomfortable feelings of tightness in their skin.

The second main category of skin-type is intolerant skin. This includes people who are prone to eczema and rosacea. The slightest external stress factor causes their skin to heat up and redden. Their skin will feel irritated and sore.

The third category is the person with hyper-sensitive or allergy-prone skin, typified by sufferers of atopic dermatitis. Here, an acute allergic reaction in the skin can be triggered by a fragrance, a preservative, or perhaps a sun filter in a skin care product. The type of allergic reactions could include itching, redness, skin eruptions and rashes.

The trend for natural skin care products has resulted in the emergence of a number of companies that make natural products available to the public. The best suppliers will have websites where you can see the different types of products, read about them, and order online.

more posts of interest:

• Types of Natural Skincare Products for Relieving Dry Irritated Skin
• Atopic Dermatitis – Part 1
• What is Eczema ? – Treatment and Cure
• Eczema Test Your Knowledge About Atopic Dermatitis
• Causes and cures of eczema – Part 1