Have you ever had dry, itchy, and irritated skin? Sometimes you need more than just a standard lotion to clear up that dry patch of skin. Eczema, a dry skin condition, comes in a variety of types, and has a variety of causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Eczema is a dry skin condition that affects many people throughout the world. “The word eczema comes from the Greek word ekzein meaning ‘to boil out’; the Greek word ek meaning ‘out’, while the Greek word zema means boiling” (Nordqvist). In primary care 70% of prescriptions written are for dermatitis (Williams). For people when atopic eczema, the most common form, 30% of them attained this condition before they started school (Williams). Money spent yearly for treatment for atopic eczema in the Unites States is around $2.6 billion (Williams). Eczema can affect one’s daily life by distracting them from what they are doing and causing them to think about their eczema itching.
There are a handful of different types of eczema some of them are Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Pompholyx eczema, Asteatotic eczema, and atopic eczema, the most common form (Wyndham). Seborrhoeic dermatitis appears mostly in adults and appears where excessive levels of sebum are on skin (Wyndham). Examples of where Seborrhoeic dermatitis is found are one’s eyebrows, eyelids, ears, nose, and scalp (Wyndham). Pompholyx eczema shows in young adults and can appear on one’s palms and soles (Wyndham). This type of eczema is extensively itchy, and shows up as vesicles and bullae (Wyndham). Asteatotic eczema appears in the elderly and is also called eczema craquelé (Wyndham). This type of eczema is excessively dry and itchy (Wyndham). Atopic eczema, the most common form of dermatitis, appears mostly in children (Nordqvist)....
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Various treatments may be used for months or years because eczema can be very persistent. There are creams and ointments that help calm the itching and irritation to help repair the skin, which could also be prescribed by your doctor. Drugs prescribed by your doctor could also be for infections caused by open sores or cracks. There are also oral drugs prescribed to help calm the inflammation for severe cases. Wet dressings may also be necessary when the eczema is severe. This involves wrapping the affected area with topical corticosteroids and wet bandages, usually done in a hospital. If the treatment is successful, it could still be possible that it may return. Light therapy would be needed to stop it from coming back. This involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight, but it has harmful effects that could cause premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. Therapies like these are important to be spoken about with your doctor if it is what's best, especially if it's for younger children since it is riskier.
Other lesions, such as eczema, body lice, insect bites, fungal infections, poison ivy, and various forms of dermatitis can make a person susceptible to this infection.... ... middle of paper ... ... The New York Times.
The first known use of dermatology was established in 1819 and only in the 1930’s did its practice become more widely accomplished, known and sought after. (“Dermatology” 2014) Since then it has extensively evolved and changed and been able to provide services for women and men around the world. Originally being a part of the medicine field can now be considered a division of the beauty industry due to availability of services and treatments for aesthetic, pampering purposes, rather than just originally founded for medical issues of resolving skin disorders and diseases. Dermatology being defined as ‘a branch of medicine dealing with the skin, its structure, functions and diseases’ (“Dermatology” 2014) now offers many professions one being a dermatologist, whic...
Impetigo is caused mainly by staphylococcus aurues, which is a chain of globular bacteria (Cronana, Bacteria). There are three forms of Impetigo: Bullous, Non-Bullous or Contagiosa, and Ecthyma, Bullous Impetigo is causes large blisters on the skin that start out as a clear blister then normally turn cloudy, this type of blister stays intact longer on the skin then the other forms of impetigo. Non-Bullous or Contagiosa starts as tiny blisters, as time goes on these blister burst leaving a red, wet patch of skin, after fluid leaks from the blister they crust over leaving the surface a tan to yellowish color, “like it has been coated with brown sugar or honey”(Cronan). Ecthyma penetrates deeper into the skin, down to the dermis layer of skin which is the second layer. Ecthyma is very painful pus filled sores that eventually turn into deep ulcers on the skin. Once the sores break open, they scab over with a very thick hard gray-yellowish crust. Scars may remain even after the sore, or ulcers heal. Ecthyma can cause swollen lymph glands(Staff). The Non-Bullous or Contagoisa is the most common form of Impetigo (Cronan, Staff).
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects 125 million people world wide according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium. The origin of psoriasis is unknown, but many doctors and researches believe that genetics, along with environmental factors, trigger a hyperactive reaction of the immune system that leads to the relatively harmless, yet uncomfortable skin disease. The response of the immune system induces skin cells to multiply and mature rapidly, causing the skin cells to accumulate on top of each other and as a result, the skin becomes red, scaly, itchy, and forms thick patches on the skin. Despite that this disease is the most frequent auto-immune disease in the world, there is no cure for it. Not only is there no cure for psoriasis, but this disease can lead to other problems depending on the severeness of the disorder for example: psoriatic arthritis. However, this chronic disease has several treatment options that if used correctly and in a timely manner, will reduce and lessen the symptoms.( Although there is no cure for psoriasis, understanding how it begins, recognizing the symptoms, and learning about treatment options can enhance the quality of life for a person diagnosed with psoriasis.)
Most parents remembered hearing about the importance of protecting their children from the sun, yet children are still playing in the sun without sunscreen or protective clothing. Many people these days are not taking skin cancer seriously after knowing its significance. Skin cancer has been a growing problem in the United States and millions of people have suffered from it every year. The three most common skin cancers are Melanoma, Basal cell, and Squamous cell, which can cause bumps, sores, growths, etc. Skin cancer is a deadly disease with many causes, but the advantage is that it can be prevented.
Human race is known to have developed numerous allergies to various known and unknown allergens. An extreme allergic reaction which can be “life-threatening”. (Mydr.com.au, 2014) is referred to as Anaphylaxis.It is a “medical emergency”(Lloyd & Sisman,2013).Statistics indicate that maximum deaths occur due to allergic reactions of various medicines. The other causative agents can be insects, food, latex, hair dye, etc(Lloyd & Sisman,2013). The most common trigger to stimulate anaphylaxis among children are food products such as peanuts, dairy, seafood etc. Exposure to any of these allergens can result in severe anaphylactic attack within 20 minutes.(Australian Resuscitation council, 2012).However the doctors discuss the history of symptoms occurring in children suffering with peanut allergy before declaring them to be anaphylactic and prescribing medication. (Unknown, 2014). Symptoms of anaphylaxis may occur in varied forms depending upon the severty of the reaction. For instance in mild cases swelling of lips, eyes or face occurs along with hives, rash, tingling of mouth and vomitting accompanied with abdominal pain. Nevertheless in extreme conditions the former symptoms may be accompanied with noisy breathing, wheezing, hoarseness and unconsciousness. (Lloyd & Sisman,2013).
The anti-allergic property of aloe vera is useful in the treatment of various skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, itchy skin
The word melanoma comes from the Greek words, melas (black) and -oma (tumour). It is a very serious cancer that most often occurs in the skin and less frequently in the eye or in the lining of the nose, mouth, or genitals. Melanoma begins in melanocytes, cells that make a pigment called melanin. Both light- and dark-skinned people have melanin, which gives colour to the skin, hair, and parts of the eye.
While sitting around your house, watching television, you notice that you have been scratching your arm and in between your fingers for a little while. After taking a closer look you notice something that you assume is a rash and just ignore it. The next day however you notice that the rash has spread and that you think you see burrows in your skin. Then it hits you, the weekend that you spent away on vacation in that not so expensive hotel to save a couple of dollars has now cost you more money in the long run. You must go see your doctor to be treated for scabies!
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder, easily identified by its symptoms of white, scaly skin and red lesions, though not so easily cured or understood. In psoriasis, skin cells mature faster than the body can shed them, causing a buildup. Although there are many theories as to what the cause of such a disease might be – genetics, stress, or other triggers – no one is quite sure why the disease occurs, or what could be a possible way to fully cure it. In this essay we will explore the symptoms, types, and effects of this condition, and also some of the known treatments.
Eczema is one example of a dry skin condition. An eczema sufferer will have cracked skin, redness and inflammation.
Dry skin occurs when there is a lack of moisture in the skin cells, this can cause your skin to appear rough, scaly, and flaky. Your skin may also feel tight and constantly itchy. While dry skin is a fairly common condition among those who are not undergoing treatment for cancer, it is more common among those who are undergoing chemo or radiation therapy.