Posted by dermcareonline on February 26, 2010 under atopic dermatitis, eczema, itch | 
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy used to treat many problems. It is considered to be holistic medicine, not the traditional medicine that is practiced today in the United States It is based on the theory that there is an energy flowing through the body. By strategically placing very thin needles into the skin at certain points along which the qi (energy) flows, it is believed that the energy flow is restored, making the person feel better.
People use acupuncture to relieve various kinds of pain, arthritis, to help weight loss, to stop smoking, and more. I know someone who smoked 1-2 packs a day. Went for accupuncture, and hasn’t smoked for 20 years.
New studies in the Journal of Allergy have shown that acupuncture may help treat the itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. The study had 30 patients undergoing acupuncture minutes after their skin was exposed to an irritant (allergan). The patients felt that there was less itching. When the patients were exposed to the allergen a second time, the patients had a milder reaction.
For patients with allergies and eczema, the rashes and itchy skin severely affect the quality of life. The person might have difficulty sleeping and be irritable the next day, might have trouble focusing at work, and even be depressed. Although traditional medicine does not advocate acupuncture, for those patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and eczema, acupuncture might just be what the doctor ordered.
Posted by admin on February 19, 2009 under Skin Cancer, Summer Skin Care, UVA, UVB, UVC, cancer, sun damage, sun protection |
As Winter Wanes and Spring Begins to Blossom, the Impact of Light on Day to Day Life Becomes ….. Illuminated
Understanding Ultraviolet light and one’s exposure is key to good health
Ultraviolet light is an essential part of life, with both life-sustaining as well as damaging affects. From promoting Vitamin D and treating many different types of skin conditions to aging and skin cancers, it’s role has an undeniable impact on life. Understanding it and one’s exposure to it is key.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum that begins at the violet color of visible light (400 nm) and ends at the beginning of X-ray (200 nm). Visible light includes ultraviolet light A (320-400 nm), ultraviolet light B (290-320 nm), and ultraviolet light C (200-290 nm).
Ultraviolet light A (UVA) comes from sunlight and is capable of penetrating windows. It also has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin to cause photoaging. Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is also from the sun and can cause sunburns and immediate redness. Ultraviolet light C (UVC) from sunlight and is filtered by the ozone layer. Artificial sources of UVC include cold quartz lamps and operating room germicidal lamps.
UV light is not only beneficial but necessary for individuals and the environment. It makes vitamin D in our skin, which is increasingly linked to overall health and well being. In fact, recent reports indicate Vitamin D deficiencies of large proportions within the United States as a result of sunscreen overuse and our conditioning to stay out of the sun in order to avoid the harm of its rays. Vitamin D deficiencies are linked to increased risk of many different types of diseases including cancer.
UV light has also been effectively used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that causes red, dry and rough patches of skin that worsens in colder winter months. Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder.
The harmful affects of UV light are well-known in American society, contributing to the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries - promoting sunscreens and anti-aging cosmetics. The light can be harmful, not only aging the skin but also damaging cells - resulting in various types of skin cancers.
Sunscreens labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF) lower the chances of a sunburn from UVB rays. UVB has been used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, eczema and other dermatologic diseases. Sunlight machines have bulbs that emit light of the UVB spectrum. And now a specific band of UVB at 311-312 nm (narrowband UVB) is used to more effectively treat various skin conditions such as psoriasis. This is called phototherapy.
UVA rays cause damaging aging affects in the skin. Sunscreens containing zinc and titanium dioxide protect the skin against UVA. Phototherapy machines also have bulbs that emit light of the UVA spectrum. After taking a medication called psoralen, the skin becomes sensitized to the ultraviolet light. This is called PUVA treatment, psoralens plus UVA, and it is used as well to treat diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo.
Tags: cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, eczema, harmful sun rays, photoaging, phototherapy, psoralen, psoriasis, PUVA, Skin Cancer, sun damage, sun lamps, sunlight machines, titanium dioxide, ultraviolet light, UVA, UVB, UVC, vitiligo, zinc
Posted by admin on December 22, 2008 under eczema |
New Infections Make Eczema Care More Critical
Eczema in children, special concerns in winter months
Winter is a tough time for parents and children with eczema. The weather is colder, the heater in on, and people like to warm up with a hot bath or shower. These are all ingredients for dry skin and the worsening of eczema.
The skin acts as a barrier to the outside to prevent things like infections and to keep the skin moisturized. With eczema and atopic dermatitis (childhood eczema), the skin is broken down. This broken barrier allows more transepidermal water loss and leads to more irritation from the environment.
Patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis are more susceptible to skin infections - infections with Staphylococcus aureus, herpes simplex virus, and molluscum contagiosum. With the recent emergence of infections caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), patients with atopic dermatitis need to work especially hard at prevention by reducing the colonization of the bacteria (MRSA) on the skin. An individual can be a carrier of the bacteria, through their nose or anus.
Since colonization of the skin leads to re-infection and the worsening of eczema, sufferers need to reduce the amount of MRSA bacteria on the skin.
Diluted bleach baths have been recommended to reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in patients with atopic dermatitis. Such a bath is made with ½ C of 0.005% sodium hypochlorite added to a full tub of water, twice a week. In addition, mupirocin (Bactroban) can be applied with a Q-tip to the nose twice a day for five to 10 days. If you think your child has a staph infection, talk to your doctor about treating the infection as well as seeing if your child is a carrier of the bacteria through their nose.
Those with atopic dermatitis are easily irritated by allergens such as detergents and perfumes. They are also at risk for developing allergic rashes from things that they come in contact with (allergic contact dermatitis). This can happen when an individual becomes sensitized to a product that they have used for a long time. For example, someone has atopic dermatitis and has developed an allergic rash to the moisturizer that they have used for a long time. The most common contact allergens (products that produce a rash) are emollients, chlorhexidene, hexamidine, tixocortol pivalate, and bufexamac. If someone suffering from atopic dermatitis develops a rash, the cause might be something they have been using for a long time.
The treatment for eczema is aimed at eliminating the irritation (redness, scaling and inflammation), as well as repairing the barrier function of the skin. Topical over the counter hydrocortisone or prescription corticosteroids work to treat the inflammation of the skin. The barrier of the skin is repaired with moisturizers or emollients. An emollient gives a smoothing effect on the skin and a moisturizer affects the hydration. Moisturizers work in three vehicles; ointments, creams, or lotions.
Petrolatum is an ointment that is also very effective in repairing the barrier of the skin. It is available as Vaseline, Eucerin ointment, Aquaphor, and others. Cera-Ve is a relatively new product that is available as a cleanser, lotion or cream. It is product that helps to repair the ceramide deficiency found in atopic dermatitis.
There are many products in the market designed to help the skin. Ointments are better than creams. Creams are better than lotions. Make sure that the moisturizers don’t have fragrances. If the moisturizer irritates you or your child’s skin, DON’T USE IT. Limit the bathing, use a mild soap and moisturize.
Tags: allergens, allergic rashes, atopic dermatitis, Cera-Ve, ceramide deficiency, childhood eczema, dry skin, eczema, emollient, herpes simplex virus, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, molluscum contagiosum, MRSA, MRSA bacteria, Rashes, skin infections, skin inflammation, skin irritation, skin redness
