Saturday, August 27, 2005
Underdstanding Eczema
Around one in 12 adults and one in five children have eczema.
There are many different types of eczema from mild to severe including Atopic Eczema - the most common form that often runs in families and Contact Eczema which may be caused by irritants such as detergents.Eczema is a non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin. The term "eczema" comes from the Greek word ekzein meaning "to boil over".
The most common features of eczema are very itchy, dry, red skin. The itching and scratching, commonly known as the "itch-scratch-itch cycle", are seen as the most distressing part of eczema, causing disturbed sleep for the person with eczema.The itchiness produces an urge to scratch which can be hard to resist - whatever your age.
Eczema can make the skin dry, hot and itchy and it can become broken, raw and bleeding.
However certain things such as stress, house dust mites and detergents can make it worse. Conventional treatments include moisturizers and topical steroids. Everyone's skin is different, what helps one will not always help another. Some have found relief from eczema with Dermatitis-Ltd. If not treated appropriately the skin may get more irritated and itchy leading to more scratching and damage to the skin. Emotionally and physically this can be devastating.
There are many different types of eczema from mild to severe including Atopic Eczema - the most common form that often runs in families and Contact Eczema which may be caused by irritants such as detergents.Eczema is a non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin. The term "eczema" comes from the Greek word ekzein meaning "to boil over".
The most common features of eczema are very itchy, dry, red skin. The itching and scratching, commonly known as the "itch-scratch-itch cycle", are seen as the most distressing part of eczema, causing disturbed sleep for the person with eczema.The itchiness produces an urge to scratch which can be hard to resist - whatever your age.
Eczema can make the skin dry, hot and itchy and it can become broken, raw and bleeding.
However certain things such as stress, house dust mites and detergents can make it worse. Conventional treatments include moisturizers and topical steroids. Everyone's skin is different, what helps one will not always help another. Some have found relief from eczema with Dermatitis-Ltd. If not treated appropriately the skin may get more irritated and itchy leading to more scratching and damage to the skin. Emotionally and physically this can be devastating.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Actinic Cheilitis
Actinic cheilosis is a diffuse degenerative change of the lower lip as a result of sun damage. It occurs primarily in men and does not present until after 50 years of age, but the cause is often extreme sun exposure during the teen years and young adult life. Life-time occupational sun exposure increases the risk. The lip becomes puffy and blotchy red and pale pink, with occasional white plaques (leukoplakia) and chronic ulcers. This is a precancer, with an estimated 6% risk of cancer development. Treatment is close follow-up and removal of thick white or white/red patches or nonhealing ulcers. Extensive lesions require complete removal of the lip mucosa and replacement with mucosa inside the mouth.
Complete removal, usually with laser ablation, is the recommended course of treatment. If completely removed, the prognosis is excellent. If left unattended, these lesions are at increased risk to develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
Complete removal, usually with laser ablation, is the recommended course of treatment. If completely removed, the prognosis is excellent. If left unattended, these lesions are at increased risk to develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Angular Cheilitis
Angular cheilitis is that pesky, painful cracking and soreness that develops at the corners of the mouth in some small children, usually related to slobbering and pacifier use. It is caused by yeast (Candida) infection, and responds to topical nystatin. You can dab the oral suspension on the sores about four times a day.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Cheilitis
Cheilitis generally is dryness and often an uncomfortable sensation of the lips with scaling and cracking and accompanied by a characteristic burning sensation, that is common in children. It is thought to be caused by sensitivity to contact substances (from mouthing toys and certain foods) combined with photosensitivity to the sun's rays. It is aggravated by the alternation of wetting with the tongue and drying by the wind, especially in cold weather. Cheilitis often occurs in children who have had high fevers. Frequent application of petroleum jelly ("your first aid kit in a jar") promotes healing and is also useful to prevent the condition in the first place.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Causes of Eczema
Differences in the skin of people with eczema may contribute to the symptoms of the disease. The epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin, is divided into two parts: the inner part, which contains moist, living cells; and the outer part, which consists of dry, flattened, dead cells. Under normal conditions, the outer layer of skin acts as a barrier, keeping the rest of the skin from drying out and protecting other layers of skin from damage caused by irritants and infections. When this barrier is damaged or is naturally thin, irritants act more intensely on the skin.
The skin of a person with eczema loses too much moisture from the epidermal layer. This allows the skin to become very dry, which reduces its protective abilities. In addition, the skin is very susceptible to recurring disorders, such as staphylococcal and streptococcal bacterial skin infections, warts, herpes simplex, and molluscum contagiosum (which is caused by a virus).
The skin of a person with eczema loses too much moisture from the epidermal layer. This allows the skin to become very dry, which reduces its protective abilities. In addition, the skin is very susceptible to recurring disorders, such as staphylococcal and streptococcal bacterial skin infections, warts, herpes simplex, and molluscum contagiosum (which is caused by a virus).
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Ocular Eczema
Eye complications tend to be most common in cases of severe atopic dermatitis. When these complications occur, the associated eyelid itching can be almost unbearable. Some eye complications can lead to permanent eye damage and loss of vision.
Signs and symptoms of eye complications include:
Inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis) and the lining of the eyelids (conjunctivitis), with symptoms of extreme itching, burning, watering of the eyes, and mucous discharge.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the eyelids that causes a cobblestone pattern to develop under the eyelids. Symptoms include extreme itching and eye watering.
Cornea becomes deformed, probably due to constant hard rubbing of the eyes caused by excruciating eyelid itching.
These signs and symptoms should be reported to a dermatologist immediately, so that the condition can be diagnosed and treated. Sometimes complications affecting the eye require the help of an ophthalmologist.
Rosacea can also cause a persistent burning and feeling of grittiness in the eyes or inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps, eyelashes sometimes fall out, compounded by bloodshot eyes. (Dr. Thiboutot). The ocular signs of rosacea are exceedingly variable, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. The term ocular rosacea covers all these signs. The ocular complications are independent of the severity of facial rosacea. Rosacea keratitis has an unfavorable prognosis, and in extreme cases can lead to corneal opacity with blindness. The most frequent sign of ocular rosacea, which may never progress, is chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts, quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which it is often confused. Pain and photophobia may be present. It is instructive to ask rosacea patients how their eyes react to bright sunlight. (Drs. Gerd Plewig & Albert M. Kligman).
Signs and symptoms of eye complications include:
Inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis) and the lining of the eyelids (conjunctivitis), with symptoms of extreme itching, burning, watering of the eyes, and mucous discharge.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the eyelids that causes a cobblestone pattern to develop under the eyelids. Symptoms include extreme itching and eye watering.
Cornea becomes deformed, probably due to constant hard rubbing of the eyes caused by excruciating eyelid itching.
These signs and symptoms should be reported to a dermatologist immediately, so that the condition can be diagnosed and treated. Sometimes complications affecting the eye require the help of an ophthalmologist.
Rosacea can also cause a persistent burning and feeling of grittiness in the eyes or inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps, eyelashes sometimes fall out, compounded by bloodshot eyes. (Dr. Thiboutot). The ocular signs of rosacea are exceedingly variable, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. The term ocular rosacea covers all these signs. The ocular complications are independent of the severity of facial rosacea. Rosacea keratitis has an unfavorable prognosis, and in extreme cases can lead to corneal opacity with blindness. The most frequent sign of ocular rosacea, which may never progress, is chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts, quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which it is often confused. Pain and photophobia may be present. It is instructive to ask rosacea patients how their eyes react to bright sunlight. (Drs. Gerd Plewig & Albert M. Kligman).
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Rosacea Can Occur With Eczema
While the rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis are different skin disorders, sometimes they can coexist at the same time. Approximately 35% of people with rosacea have seborrheic dermatitis which makes for an even more sensitive skin condition.
Rosacea is a hereditary, chronic skin condition that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin (Dr. Berasques). Groups of tiny microvessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus, that is minor when the size is of a small measles lesion, moderate when about the size of a pencil eraser, and severe when the papule is the size of a small currency coin or the tip of the little finger) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch.
Seborrheic dermatitis involves overactive sebaceous glands which cause inflammation, flaking and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil.
Rosacea is a hereditary, chronic skin condition that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin (Dr. Berasques). Groups of tiny microvessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus, that is minor when the size is of a small measles lesion, moderate when about the size of a pencil eraser, and severe when the papule is the size of a small currency coin or the tip of the little finger) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch.
Seborrheic dermatitis involves overactive sebaceous glands which cause inflammation, flaking and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Symptoms of Eczema
The symptoms of eczema include itching, redness, dry/flaky skin, and even blisters (www.medinfo.co.uk). Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. Scratching should be avoided because it can only make the eczema symptoms worse. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. Scratching may also lead to infection. It is a good idea, therefore, to keep fingernails cut short and to keep the hands occupied during the day in order to control the urge to scratch. The urge to scratch symptom becomes a repetitive cycle: the more you scratch, the more it itches
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