Archive for the ‘Skin Care’ Category
Acne
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
DESCRIPTION
A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin eruptions on the face, chest, back and shoulders, acne is the most common of all skin problems. Acne vulgaris, the least severe form, is a superficial disease that affects the skin’s oil-secreting glands and hair follicles and manifests as blackheads, whiteheads and redness.
Acne conglobata, a more severe form, is characterized by the formation of pustules and cysts with the potential for subsequent scarring. Both forms are more common among males than females with onset typically at or shortly after puberty.
Psoriasis
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
Psoriasis is an extremely common skin disorder. Rate of occurrence is between 2-4%. A diagnostic summary describes a sharply bordered reddened rash or plaques covered with overlapping silvery scales. It characteristically involves the scalp, the extensor surfaces (backside of the wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), and sites of repeated trauma. Family history involvement is in 50% of cases and there are links to possible arthritis.
Acne Rosacea
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
Acne rosacea is a chronic skin disorder – nose and cheeks area abnormally red and may be covered with pimples similar to acne; relatively common in adults between ages 30 and 50; more common in women (3:1), but more severe in men.
• Many factors suspected; alcoholism, menopausal flushing, vasomotor neurosis, seborrheic diathesis, local infection, B-vitamin deficiencies, gastrointestinal disorders.
• Most cases – moderate to severe seborrhoea, but sebum production is not increased in many; vasomotor lability is prevalent; migraine three times more common than in controls.
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Cellulite
Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Cellulite is known as the ‘Mattress phenomenon’ which displays pitting, bulging and deformation of skin; 90-98% of cases occur in women; feeling of tightness and heaviness in areas affected (particularly the legs); tenderness of skin when pinched, pressed upon, or vigorously massaged.
General considerations
Cellulite is a cosmetic defect which is a cause for great distress among millions of European and American women; no inflammatory or infectious process involved (as in cellulitis); better termed ‘dermo-panniculois deformans’ or ‘adiposis edematosa’.
Skin Allergies
Friday, March 6th, 2009
Urticaria/Swelling/Redness/Itching/Rashes
Erythema multiforme (EM) can occur as primary skin disorder or as skin manifestation of systemic infection or chronic inflammatory disease; often a manifestation of hypersensitivity to drugs (penicillin, barbiturates); vaccinia, BCG, and poliomyelitis vaccines, herpes simplex, food allergens, and infectious organisms can induce EM; hypersensitivity is a common factor.
ECZEMA (ATOPIC DERMATITIS)
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
Eczema is a common condition which affects 2.4 – 7 % of the population. It is described as a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin condition. The skin is dry and hyperkeratotic; lesions include excoriations, papules, eczema (patches of erythema, exudation, and scaling with small vesicles formed within the epidermis), and lichenification (hyperpigmented plaques of thickened skin with accentuated furrows); scratching and rubbing lead to lichenification, most commonly in antecubital and popliteal flexures; personal or family history of atopy.