Dry Skin Treatment

dry skin - Picture of ichthyosis (Scaly dry skin).
Scaly, Dry Skin!

Dry skin isn’t usually serious, but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Serious dry skin conditions — an inherited group of disorders called ichthyosis — can sometimes be disfiguring and upsetting. Fortunately, the most severe dry skin is caused by environmental factors that can be at least partially controlled. In short, these factors include hot or cold weather, low humidity, and soaking too long in hot water.

Furthermore, you can do a lot on your own to improve your skin, including using moisturizers and avoiding harsh, drying soaps. Treating severe skin conditions may require evaluation by a dermatologist.

The Symptoms

Dry skin is often temporary. You can get it only in winter, for example, but it may be a lifelong condition. Also, signs and symptoms of the condition depend on your age, your health, where you live, the time spent outdoors, and the cause of the problem. Consequently, it is likely to be caused by one or more of the following:

  • A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing, or swimming
  • Skin that feels and looks rough
  • Itching (pruritus)
  • Slight to severe flaking, scaling, or peeling
  • Fine lines or cracks
  • Gray and ashy skin
  • Redness
  • Deep cracks that may bleed

When To See Your Dermatologist?

Most Cases Respond Well To Lifestyle And Home Remedies. See your Dermatologist/Doctor if:

  • Your skin doesn’t improve in spite of your best efforts
  • Dry skin is accompanied by redness
  • Dryness and itching interfere with sleeping
  • You have open sores or infections from scratching
  • You have large areas of scaling or peeling skin

Causes:

  • Dry skin (xerosis) often has an environmental cause. Certain diseases can also significantly affect your skin. Potential Causes Include:
    dry skin - picture of severely dry skin.
    Severe Dry Skin!

  • Heat. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin.
  • Hot baths and showers. Taking long, hot showers or baths can dry your skin. So can frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.
  • Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents, and shampoos strip moisture from your skin as they are formulated to remove oil.

Note: People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are prone to dry skin.

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Anyone Can Develop Dry Skin. However, You May Be More Likely To Develop The Condition If You:

  • Are you in your 40s or older? The risk increases with age — more than 50 percent of older adults have dry skin.
  • Live in dry, cold, or low-humidity climates.
  • Have a job that requires you to immerse your skin in water, such as nursing and hairstyling.
  • Swim frequently in chlorinated pools.

Complications

Dry Skin Is Usually Harmless. But When It’s Not Cared For, It May Lead To:

  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you’re prone to developing this condition, excessive dryness can lead to activation of the disease, causing redness, cracking, and inflammation.
  • Infections. Dry skin may crack, allowing bacteria to enter and causing infections.

    dry skin - picture of cracked dry skin.
    Cracked Dry Skin!

Also, these complications are most likely to occur when your skin’s normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised. For example, severely dry skin can cause deep cracks or fissures, which can open and bleed, providing an avenue for invading bacteria.

Prevention

Try These Tips To Keep Skin From Getting Excessively Dry:

  • Moisturize. Moisturizer seals skin to keep water from escaping.
  • Limit water exposure. Keep your bath and shower time up to 10 minutes or less. Turn the dial to warm, not hot. Try to bathe no more than once a day.
  • Skip the dry soap. Try cleansing creams, gentle skin cleansers, and shower gels with added moisturizers.
  • Cover as much skin as possible in cold weather. Winter can be especially dry to the skin, so be sure to wear a scarf, hat, and gloves when you go out.
  • Wear rubber gloves. If you have to immerse your hands in water or are using harsh cleansers, wearing gloves can help protect your skin.

Diagnosis of Your Dry Skin Condition

Your dermatologist is likely to conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history, including when your condition is, what factors make it better or worse, your bathing habits, your diet, and how you care for your skin.

Also, your doctor may suggest certain diagnostic tests to check whether your dry skin is the result of an underlying medical condition, such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Treatment

 Dry Skin - picture of a home remedy moisturizer.
Home Remedy – A Moisturizer.

In most cases, your skin responds well to lifestyle measures, such as using moisturizers and avoiding long, hot showers and baths. If you have very dry and scaly skin, your doctor may recommend you use an over-the-counter (nonprescription) cream that contains lactic acid or lactic acid and urea.

If you have a more serious skin disease, such as atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, or psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe prescription creams and ointments or other treatments in addition to home care.

Sometimes dry skin leads to dermatitis, which causes red, itchy skin. In these cases, treatment may include hydrocortisone-containing lotions. If your skin cracks open, your doctor may prescribe wet dressings to help prevent infection.

Your Lifestyle And Some Home Remedies

The Following Measures Can Help Keep Your Skin Moist And Healthy:

  • Moisturize. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping. Apply moisturizer several times a day and after bathing. Thicker moisturizers work best, such as over-the-counter brands Eucerin and Cetaphil.
  • Cosmetics. You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturizers. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to apply an oil, such as baby oil, while your skin is still moist. Oil has more staying power than moisturizers do and prevents the evaporation of water from the surface of your skin.
  • Ointments. Another possibility is ointments that contain petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor). These may feel greasy, so you might want to use them only at night.
  • Use warm water and limit bath time. Long hot showers or baths remove oil from your skin. Limit your bath or shower to five to 10 minutes and use warm, not hot, water.
  • Avoid harsh, dry soaps. It’s best to use cleansing creams or gentle skin cleansers and bath or shower gels with added moisturizers. Therefore, choose mild soaps that have added oils and fats. Avoid deodorant and antibacterial detergents, fragrances, and alcohol.
  • Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. Gently pat your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains. Also, immediately moisturize your skin with an oil or cream to help trap water in the surface cells.
    Dry Skin - Picture of dry skin around the ankle.
    Dry Skin On The Foot!

  • Use a humidifier. Hot, dry, indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Also, be sure to keep your humidifier clean to ward off bacteria and fungi.
  • Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin. Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, allow your skin to breathe. But wool, although natural, can irritate even normal skin. Wash your clothes with detergents without dyes or perfumes, both of which can irritate your skin. These products may be labeled as “free.”

Personal Note: If your condition causes itching, apply cool compresses to the area. To reduce inflammation, use nonprescription hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone. If these measures don’t relieve your symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, consult your dermatologist.

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Skin Disorders And Their Treatment

Did you know that there are more than 3,000 skin disorders known to dermatology? We will examine the three most common skin disorders, Eczema, Psoriasis, and Rosacea. We will also look at the best ways to treat these skin disorders. Is your skin itchy, oozing, or breaking out? Changes in color or texture can result from inflammation, infection, or allergic reactions anywhere on the body. Some skin disorders can be minor, temporary, and easily treated, while others can be very serious, and even life-threatening.

Skin Disorders – Eczema

Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with an often-inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.

Skin Disorders - small picture of Eczema Rash.
Eczema Rash.

Skin disorders like Eczema can affect about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults/children in the U.S. Furthermore, most infants who develop the condition outgrow it by their tenth birthday. Some people continue to have symptoms on and off throughout life. You can control the disease with proper treatment.

What Are The Symptoms Of Eczema?

In most cases, eczema is always itchy. Sometimes the itching will start before the rash appears. When it does, the rash most commonly appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well.

Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly. For fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker.

Treatment For Eczema

Current medical treatments focus on reducing itching and swelling, but they tend to only focus on making the symptoms more bearable, and some of them come at the cost of nasty side effects:

  • Antihistamines:

This is a good start, but current medical research is still cautious to claim this is an effective therapy on its own because it doesn’t treat the skin, it only treats the itchiness. Furthermore, antihistamines cause drowsiness and leave you sluggish all day.

  • Antibiotics:

To address the irritating bacteria, doctors may prescribe antibiotics in serious cases. This is not a long-term option, it can make matters worse. Antibiotics kill our GOOD and BAD bacteria, which weakens our immune system, leaving you nearly defenseless against eczema.

  • Topical Steroid Creams:

Topical steroid use results in diminishing effectiveness. Once users discontinue topical steroids, eczema can be devastating. Continued use can thin the skin and cause permanent pigment changes, even hormonal changes and hair loss. (Consult your doctor before taking on any new regimen).

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Skin Disorders – Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin patches are typically red, dry, itchy, and scaly. For people with darker skin, the patches may be purple. Skin disorders like psoriasis can vary in severity from small, localized patches to complete body coverage. The Koebner Phenomenon is the appearance of skin lesions on lines of trauma. It may result from either a linear exposure or irritation.

Types of Psoriasis

Skin Disorders - picture of Psoriasis Rash.
Psoriasis.

There are five main types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis Vulgaris, makes up about 90 percent of cases. It typically presents as red patches with white scales on top. Areas of the body most commonly affected are the back of the forearm, shin, navel area, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis has drop-shaped lesions. Pustular psoriasis presents as small non-infectious pus-filled blisters. Inverse psoriasis forms red patches in skin folds. Erythrodermic psoriasis occurs when the rash becomes very widespread and can develop from any of the other types. Fingernails and toenails are affected by most people with psoriasis at some point in time. This may include pits in the nails or changes in nail color.

Certain environmental factors trigger Psoriasis. In twin studies, identical twins were three times more likely to be affected than non-identical twins. Symptoms often worsen during winter with certain medications, such as beta-blockers or NSAIDs. Infections and psychological stress can also play a role. Psoriasis is not contagious. The underlying mechanism involves the immune system reacting to skin cells. Diagnosis is typically based on signs and symptoms.

Treatment for Psoriasis

There is no cure for psoriasis. However, various treatments can help control the symptoms. These treatments include steroid creams, vitamin D3 cream, ultraviolet light, and immune system-suppressing medications, such as methotrexate. About 75 percent of skin involvement improves with creams alone. The disease affects two to four percent of the population. Psoriasis affects all genders equally. The disease may begin at any age but typically starts in adulthood. An increased risk of psoriatic arthritis comes with skin disorders as well as lymphomas, cardiovascular disease, Crohn’s disease, and depression. Psoriatic arthritis affects up to 30 percent of individuals with psoriasis.

Skin Disorders – Rosacea

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically affects the face. It results in redness, pimples, swelling, and small and superficial dilated blood vessels. Often, the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin are most involved. A red, enlarged nose may occur in severe diseases, a condition known as rhinophyma.

Causes

Skin Disorders - picture of Rosacea Rash.
Rosacea.

A family history of the condition is one of the risk factors. Other factors that may potentially worsen the condition include heat, exercise, sunlight, cold, spicy food, alcohol, menopause, psychological stress, or steroid cream on the face. The diagnosis is based on symptoms.

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. Triggers that cause episodes of flushing and blushing play a part in its development. Exposure to temperature extremes, strenuous exercise, heat from sunlight, severe sunburn, stress, anxiety, cold wind, and moving to a warm or hot environment from a cold one, such as heated shops and offices during the winter, can each cause the face to become flushed. Certain foods and drinks can also trigger flushing. These include alcohol, foods, and beverages containing caffeine (especially hot tea and coffee), foods high in histamines, and spicy foods.

Medications and topical irritants can trigger Rosacea flare-ups. Some acne and wrinkle treatments reported causing rosacea include microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Also, high dosages of isotretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin.

The use of topical steroids can induce Rosacea. For seborrheic dermatitis, steroids are often prescribed. To avoid flare-ups, the dosage should be slowly decreased and not immediately stopped.

Treatment for Rosacea

Treating rosacea varies depending on severity and subtypes. Dermatologists recommend a subtype-directed approach to treat rosacea patients. Mild cases are often not treated at all or are simply covered up with normal cosmetics.

In addition, therapy for the treatment of rosacea is not curative. It is best measured in terms of a reduction in the amount of facial redness and inflammatory lesions, a decrease in the number, duration, and intensity of flares, and concomitant symptoms of itching, burning, and tenderness. The two primary modalities of rosacea treatment are topical and oral antibiotic agents. Laser therapy has also been classified as a form of treatment. Medications often produce a temporary remission of redness within a few weeks. However, by suspending treatment, redness typically returns. Long-term treatment, usually 1–2 years, may result in permanent control of the condition for some patients. Lifelong treatment is often necessary, although some cases resolve after a while and go into permanent remission. Also, if left untreated, other cases, worsen over time.

Behavior

Avoiding triggers that worsen the condition can help reduce the onset of rosacea. But avoidance alone will not normally lead to remission except in mild cases.

In addition, one should avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Some people with rosacea benefit from the daily use of sunscreen. Others can opt to wear hats with broad brims. Like sunlight, emotional stress can also trigger rosacea. Some people who develop infections of the eyelids must practice frequent eyelid hygiene.

Managing pre-trigger events such as prolonged exposure to cool environments can directly influence warm room flushing.

Medications

Medications with good evidence include topical ivermectin, azelaic acid creams, brimonidine, doxycycline, and isotretinoin by mouth. Lesser evidence supports topical metronidazole cream and tetracycline by mouth.

Metronidazole acts through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Azelaic acid will decrease cathelicidin production. Also, 0ral antibiotics of the tetracycline class such as doxycycline, minocycline, and oxytetracycline are commonly used. They are thought to reduce papulopustular lesions through anti-inflammatory actions rather than through their antibacterial capabilities.

Using alpha-hydroxy acid peels may help relieve redness caused by irritation and reduce the number of papules and pustules associated with rosacea. Oral antibiotics may help relieve symptoms of ocular rosacea. Also, isotretinoin is the treatment if papules and pustules persist. The topical application of alpha agonists such as brimonidine, oxymetazoline, or xylometazoline can treat the flushing and blushing that accompanies Rosacea.

Laser

Evidence of the use of lasers and intense pulsed-light therapy in treating Rosacea is poor.

Personal Note: In summary, if you have a serious outbreak, effective treatment for skin disorders like Eczema, Psoriasis, and Rosacea is best left to your doctor. Your dermatologist can prescribe the necessary care and treatment to alleviate the symptoms of these terrible skin conditions.

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Treating Chickenpox, Mumps, Measles, And Rubella

Chickenpox, mumps, measles, and rubella are diseases that we usually associate with our childhood. The best treatment is to let them run their course. Not much can be done once a child or adult comes down with these diseases. Vaccination is the best remedy to prevent these contagious diseases in the first place. Also, in most cases, serious complications usually don’t occur. However, there are always exceptions, so it is best to keep the family doctor informed of the patient’s progress. The information provided below on chickenpox, mumps, measles, and rubella is to educate our young mothers in getting the necessary medical care for their children should they contract these skin diseases.

Chickenpox, Mumps, Measles, And Rubella – Our Childhood Diseases

A.) Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters. Furthermore, the virus is highly contagious to people who haven’t had the disease or been vaccinated against it. Today, a vaccine is available that protects children against chickenpox. Routine vaccination is also recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The chickenpox vaccine is a safe, effective way to prevent chickenpox and its possible complications.

Symptoms

The itchy blister rash caused by the chickenpox infection appears 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus and usually lasts about five to 10 days. Other signs and symptoms, which may appear one to two days before the rash, include:

  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headache
  • Tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

In addition, Once The Chickenpox Rash Appears, It Goes Through Three Phases:

  • Raised pink or red bumps (papules), which break out over several days
  • Small fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) form in about a day and then break and leak
  • Crusts and scabs, which cover broken blisters and take several more days to heal
Chickenpox - Picture of the chickenpox rash.
Chickenpox.

New bumps continue to appear for several days, so you may have all three stages of the rash — bumps, blisters, and scabbed lesions — at the same time. You can also spread the virus to others for up to 48 hours before the rash appears. The virus remains contagious until all broken blisters have crusted over.

The disease is also generally mild in healthy children. Furthermore, in severe cases, the rash can cover the entire body, and lesions may form in the throat, eyes, and mucous membranes of the urethra, anus, and vagina.

When To See A Doctor

If you think you or your child might have chickenpox, consult your doctor. In addition, they can diagnose chickenpox by examining the rash and considering other symptoms. If necessary, your doctor can also prescribe medications to lessen the severity of chickenpox and treat any complications. Also, to avoid infecting others in the waiting room, call ahead for an appointment and mention that you think you or your child may have chickenpox.

Diagnosis

Doctors generally diagnose chickenpox based on the rash.

However, if there’s any doubt about the diagnosis, chickenpox can be confirmed with laboratory tests, including blood tests or culture of lesion samples.

Treating Chickenpox

In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox typically needs no medical treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to relieve itching. But for the most part, the disease is allowed to run its course.

If You’re At High Risk Of Complications

For people who are at high risk of complications from chickenpox, doctors sometimes prescribe medications to shorten the length of the infection and to help reduce the risk of complications.

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B.) Mumps

Mumps is a contagious viral infection of the parotid gland, which spreads easily via saliva. Swelling of one or both parotid glands, which presents as puffed-out cheeks, is the primary symptom of mumps. Treatment for mumps also involves lifestyle changes as they resolve on their own in a few weeks. No medication is generally prescribed for treatment.

  • Mumps is caused by a viral infection of the parotid gland, one of the salivary glands.
  • Very rare (Fewer than 20,000 cases per year in the US).
  • Transmitted through saliva and respiratory droplets.
  • Usually preventable by vaccine.
  • Requires lab tests or imaging.
  • It can often be self-treated and last several days or weeks.

Virus Spreads By Person-To-Person Contact Through:

  1. – Saliva
  2. – Droplets released during sneezing or coughing
  3. – Nasal secretions
  4. – Sharing utensils with an infected person
  5. – Touching contaminated surfaces

Symptoms

Chickenpox - Picture of the Mumps on a child's face.
Mumps!

Infection from the mumps virus may not result in symptoms or can lead to mild symptoms in some cases.
Notable symptoms include:

  • Swelling in one or both parotid glands, leading to puffed-out cheeks
  • Pain in the swollen area
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle ache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness and/or fatigue
  • Pain while chewing or swallowing

Treating Mumps

No medications or therapies are used to treat mumps as they usually resolve on their own in a few weeks.

Medication

  • Analgesics: May be prescribed to relieve pain and fever.
    Acetaminophen · Ibuprofen

Self-Care

  • Use warm or cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Avoid contact with others.
  • Get adequate rest.
  • Eat soft foods that do not require too much chewing.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.

C.) Measles

Measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus. Once quite common, measles can now almost always be prevented with a vaccine.

Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease still kills more than 100,000 people a year, most under the age of 5.

Furthermore, as a result of high vaccination rates in general, measles hasn’t been widespread in the United States for more than a decade. The United States averaged about 60 cases of measles a year from 2000 to 2010, but the average number of cases jumped to 205 a year in recent years. However, most of these cases originate outside the country and occur in people who were unvaccinated because they were unaware of an earlier vaccination against the disease.

Symptoms

Chickenpox - Picture of the measles on a child's chest.
Measles.

Measles signs and symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background are found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik’s spots.
  • A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

Infection Occurs In Sequential Stages Over Two To Three Weeks.

  • Infection and incubation. For the first 10 to 14 days after you’re infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.
  • Nonspecific signs and symptoms. Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), and sore throat. In addition, this relatively mild illness may last two or three days.
  • Acute illness and rash. The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters also give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first.

Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs, and feet. At the same time, the fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C). The measles rash gradually recedes, fading first from the face and last from the thighs and feet.

  • Contagious Period A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

When To See a Doctor

Call your doctor if you think you or your child may have been exposed to measles or if you or your child has a rash resembling measles.

Causes

Measles is a highly contagious illness. The measles morbilli virus causes this disease to replicate in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. Consequently, when someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them.

The infected droplets may also land on a surface where they remain active and contagious for several hours. Also, you can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface.

In addition, the infection rate is about 90 percent for people who have come into contact with someone with the virus.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Measles Include:

  • Being unvaccinated. If you haven’t received the vaccine for measles, you’re much more likely to develop the disease.
  • Traveling internationally. Travel to developing countries where measles outbreaks are more common. Consequently, you’re at a higher risk of catching the disease.
  • Having a vitamin A deficiency. If you don’t have enough vitamin A in your diet, you’re more likely to have more severe symptoms and complications.

Complications

Complications of Measles May Include:

  • Ear infection. One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.
  • Bronchitis, laryngitis, or croup. Measles may lead to inflammation of your voice box (larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs (bronchial tubes).
  • Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. However, people with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.
  • Encephalitis. About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develop a complication called encephalitis. Encephalitis may also occur right after measles, or it might not occur until months later.
  • Pregnancy problems. If you’re pregnant, you need to take special care to avoid measles. The disease can also cause preterm labor, low birth weight, and maternal death.

Treating Measles

If you do get the measles virus, medicine won’t cure it (drugs don’t kill viruses). However, the best way to speed up the recovery process and prevent complications is to drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.

In the U.S., about 1 in 4 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Children under age 5 and adults over age 20 tend to have the worst problems. These may include:

  • Encephalitis, which can cause deafness and brain damage
  • Diarrhea
  • Pneumonia
  • ​​​​​​​Ear infections

D.) Rubella Or German Measles

Rubella, better known as German measles or three-day measles, is an infection caused by the rubella virus. This disease is often mild with half of the people not realizing that they are infected. The rash may start around two weeks after exposure and last for three days. It usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash is sometimes itchy and is not as bright as that of measles. Swollen lymph nodes are common and may last a few weeks. A fever, sore throat, and fatigue may also occur.

Risk Factors

Rubella is a highly contagious virus that can spread from close contact or through the air. It may pass from person to person through contact with tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat when sneezing and coughing. This means that you can get the virus by inhaling the droplets of an infected person or touching an object contaminated with the droplets. German measles can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her developing baby through the bloodstream. To avoid complications during pregnancy, many women who become pregnant are given blood tests to confirm immunity to rubella. It’s important to contact your doctor immediately if you’ve never received the vaccine and think you might have been exposed to rubella.

How Do German Measles Affect Pregnant Women?

When a woman contracts German measles during pregnancy, the virus can be passed on to her developing baby through her bloodstream. This is called congenital rubella syndrome. Congenital rubella syndrome is a serious health concern, as it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. It can also cause birth defects in babies who are carried to term, including:

  • Delayed growth
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • heart defects
  • Deafness
  • Poorly functioning organs

Note: Women of childbearing age should have their immunity from rubella tested before becoming pregnant. If a vaccine is needed, it’s important to get it at least 28 days before trying to conceive.

How Can I Prevent German Measles?

For most people, vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent German measles. The rubella vaccine is typically combined with vaccines for measles and mumps, as well as varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox. Also, avoid any contact with an infected person.

Symptoms of German Measles

  • Rash that appears on the face, and then spreads downward to the rest of the body
  • Mild fever or malaise
  • Headache
  • Enlarged neck lymph nodes

    Chickenpox - Picture of the German Measles on a child's back.
    German Measles Or Rubella!

  • Eye redness
  • Red rashes
  • Runny nose
  • Joint pain

Diagnosis

Common Tests and Procedures

Blood test: In checking for Rubella antibodies, your doctor will confirm your diagnosis with a blood test. The test can check for the presence of different types of rubella antibodies in your blood. Moreover, antibodies are proteins that recognize and destroy harmful substances, such as viruses and bacteria. Test results can also indicate whether you currently have the virus or are immune to it.

Treatment

A self-healing condition that improves over time without treatment. In addition, medication is given to relieve symptoms.

Medication

Analgesics: To relieve pain

Ibuprofen

Antipyretics: To bring down a fever.

Acetaminophen

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables
  • Lean meat, cold-water fish, soy, or beans for protein

Foods to avoid:

  • Refined foods, such as white bread
  • Red meat

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Shingles Treatment

Proper shingles treatment usually includes antiviral medication and vaccination for prevention. Although shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of the torso. Also, contrary to what some people think of Shingles being an older person’s skin condition, I was 39 years old when I came down with a bout of Shingles. Prompt shingles treatment by your doctor is necessary to prevent it from spreading and to control the painful rash.

What Are Shingles?

Shingles treatment - picture of shingles on the waist.
Shingles on the waist.

Shingles are a viral infection that causes a painful body rash. The varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox – is the cause of shingles. It’s also known as the Herpes-Zoster virus. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Unfortunately, in later years, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Most importantly, while it isn’t a life-threatening condition, shingles can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles, while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications.

In brief, pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some, it can be very intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for a symptom of problems affecting the heart, lungs, or kidneys. Also, some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash. Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.

When To See A Doctor

Contact your doctor promptly if you suspect shingles, especially in the following situations:

  • Pain and rashes occur near the eye. If left untreated, this infection can lead to permanent eye damage.
  • You’re 60 or older because age significantly increases your risk of complications.
  • You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system (due to cancer, medications, or chronic illness).
  • The rash is widespread and painful.

Shingles Treatment – The Causes Of The Disease

As noted earlier, the varicella-zoster virus (Herpes-Zoster Virus) causes shingles. It is the same virus as your chickenpox outbreak when you were a child. Consequently, anyone who’s had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus can enter your nervous system and lie dormant for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles. Fortunately, not everyone who’s had chickenpox will develop shingles.

The reason for shingles is unclear. But it may be due to lowered immunity to infections as you grow older. Shingles are more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems.

Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses, which include viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Because of this, shingles are also known as herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles is not the same virus responsible for cold sores or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection.

Are You Contagious?

A person with shingles can pass on the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who isn’t immune to chickenpox. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. However, once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, not shingles.

Chickenpox can be dangerous for some people. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious and should avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn’t yet had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. Also, this is equally true for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborn babies.

Risk Factors

Shingles treatment - picture of shingles on the neck.
Shingles on the neck.

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can develop shingles. Most adults in the United States had chickenpox when they were children, before the advent of the routine childhood vaccination that now protects against chickenpox.

Factors That May Increase Your Risk Of Developing Shingles Include:

  • Being older than 50. Shingles are most common in people older than 50. The risk increases with age. Some experts estimate that half the people aged 80 and older will have shingles.
  • Having certain diseases. Diseases that weaken your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, can increase your risk of shingles.
  • Undergoing cancer treatments. Radiation or chemotherapy can lower your resistance to diseases and may trigger shingles.
  • Taking certain medications. Drugs designed to prevent rejection of transplanted organs can increase your risk of shingles — as can prolong use of steroids, such as prednisone.

Complications Due To Shingles

Complications From Shingles Can Include:

  • Postherpetic neuralgia. For some people, shingles pain continues long after the blisters have cleared. The condition is also known as postherpetic neuralgia. It occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confusing and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin to your brain.
  • Vision loss. Shingles in and around the eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may result in vision loss.
  • Neurological problems. Depending on which nerves are affected, shingles can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or hearing or balance problems.
  • Skin infections. If shingles blisters aren’t properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.

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Shingles Treatment – Prevention

Two vaccines may help prevent shingles, namely the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, and the shingles (varicella-zoster) vaccine.

Chickenpox Vaccine

The varicella vaccine (Varivax) has become a routine childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who’ve never had chickenpox. In short, though the vaccine doesn’t guarantee you won’t get chickenpox or shingles, it can reduce your chances of complications and reduce the severity of the disease.

Shingles Vaccine

People looking to receive the shingles vaccine have two options: Zostavax and Shingrix.

Zostavax was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006. It has been shown to offer protection against shingles for about five years. In addition, it’s a live vaccine given as a single injection, usually in the upper arm.

Shingrix was approved by the FDA in 2017 and is the preferred alternative to Zostavax. Studies suggest Shingrix also offers protection against shingles beyond five years. It’s a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It is given in two doses, with two to six months between doses.

Furthermore, Shingrix is approved and recommended for people aged 50 and older, including those who’ve previously received Zostavax. Zostavax isn’t recommended until age 60.

In short, the most common side effects of either shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches.

****** As with the chickenpox vaccine, the shingles vaccine doesn’t guarantee you won’t get shingles. However, this vaccine will likely reduce the course and severity of the disease and reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia. ******

Personal Note: The shingles vaccine is only a prevention strategy. Also, it is not for treating people who currently have the disease. Talk to your doctor about which option is right for you.

Diagnosis is usually done by physical examination and review of medical history.

Common Tests and Procedures

Shingles treatment - picture of shingles on the face.
Shingles on the face.

Physical examination: Physical examination of rashes and blisters is adequate to make a diagnosis.

Varicella-zoster virus tests: In rare cases, fluid from the blisters is tested to confirm the presence of the virus.

Shingles Treatment – Symptoms

It Can Have the Following Symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Fever and chills
  • Malaise
  • Nausea
  • Body aches
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • Burning, itching, or tingling sensation
  • Red patches
  • Fluid-filled blisters that break easily
  • Rash on the face and ears
  • Itching
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach upset

Shingles Treatment Usually Includes Medication and Vaccination for Prevention.

Medications

Antivirals: These drugs will kill the virus or suppress its ability to replicate.

Acyclovir

Valacyclovir

Famciclovir

Anti-inflammatory Drugs: These drugs will manage inflammation due to the infected virus.

Ibuprofen

Diphenhydramine

Capsaicin

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Medical Note: Should you or a family member come down with Shingles, contact your doctor right away to avoid spreading the disease and to limit whatever pain you might have. Also, do not try to self-medicate Shingles. Your doctor can prescribe the best treatment for you!

Sunburn Treatment

During the warm summer months, you can receive a really severe sunburn while lounging by the pool or at the beach. You will most likely receive sunburn to the face, neck, stomach, back, and legs that will be painful to the touch. Also, your skin will feel extremely warm. Consequently, what this means is you have overexposed your skin to the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Personal Note: For temporary relief, one should apply aloe vera to the sunburn and it will slowly relieve the redness and pain.

Sunburn Defined?

Doctors define sunburn as inflammation or blistering of the skin that results from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, especially from sunlight. If you are still young, consistent overexposure to the sun’s rays can cause premature aging of your skin. Causing the skin to wrinkle like a raisin. It can also lead to skin cancer later in life. Don’t ever take skin cancer lightly. It can metastasize and appear elsewhere in your body. IT CAN EVEN KILL!

Sunburn - Picture of bad sunburn.
Holy Smoke, Its Batman!

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn?

Most importantly, sunburns can be classified into superficial, or partial-thickness burns. The severity of sunburn pain also varies in proportion to both the duration and intensity of exposure.

Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn Can Include:

  • Redness (erythema).
  • Varying degree of pain.
  • Blistering.
  • Swelling (edema).
  • Pruritus (itching).
  • Peeling skin.
  • Rash.
  • Nausea.
  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Fainting.

Fortunately, you can be lucky to only experience redness and some mild pain associated with your sunburn.

What Are the Causes of Sunburn?

Most Sunburns Can Be Attributed To Factors From The Following Five Aspects:

  1. Biological
  • Direct DNA damage is caused by UV radiation, from either the sun or artificial sources like tanning lamps, welding arcs, or ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.
  • Indirect DNA damage.
  • Skin type determines the ease of sunburn.
  • Age.
  • Genetic conditions, e.g., xeroderma pigmentosum.
  1. Medications – Pharmaceutical products, including:
  • Certain antibiotics.
  • Oral contraceptives.
  • Tranquilizers.
  1. UV IntensityAccording to Wikipedia, the UV index indicates the risk of getting a sunburn at a given time and location. Contributing factors include:
  • The time of day.
  • Cloud cover.
  • Proximity to reflective surfaces, such as water, sand, concrete, snow, and ice.
  • The season of the year.
  • Altitude.
  • Proximity to the equator (latitude).
  1. Ozone Depletion Ozone depletion is simply the wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, ozone depletion has been pinned down to one major human activity. Industries that manufacture things like insulating foams, solvents, soaps, and cooling things like Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, and takeaway containers use something called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These substances are heavier than air, but over time, (2-5 years) they are carried high into the stratosphere by wind action.
  2. Tanning – Tanning beds are one of the worst ways to expose your skin to ultraviolet light. Therefore, I recommend staying away from the use of tanning beds.

How To Diagnose Sunburns?

Diagnosis of Sunburn Includes:

  • Phototoxic reactions.
  • Photoallergic reactions.
  • Phytophotodermatitis.
  • Polymorphic light eruption.
  • Solar urticaria.
  • Other skin diseases are exacerbated by sunlight.

To Get An Exact Diagnosis, Doctors Should Take Into Consideration The Following Factors:

  • Duration and intensity of UV exposure.
  • Use of topical or systemic medications.
  • History of dermatologic disease.
  • Nutritional status.

Personal Note: To avoid sunburn, use sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Apply every two hours when out in the sun!

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What Are the Treatment Options ForSunburn?

Treatment for Sunburn Is Focused on Relieving Reddened Inflamed Skin and Easing Pain.

This Includes:

  • Taking cool baths or showers frequently.
  • Use soothing moisturizers that contain aloe or soy; (Aloe Vera especially).
  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
  • Stay hydrated and drink extra water.
  • Do not pop blisters on a sunburn.
  • Protect sunburned skin with light, loose clothing.

Severe Cases of Sunburn – Sun Poisoning

Sun poisoning doesn’t mean you’ve been poisoned. It is often the term used for a severe case of sunburn. In short, this is usually a burn from ultraviolet (UV) radiation that inflames your skin.

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning

Note: Within just 15 minutes of being in the sun, you can be sunburned. But you might not know it right away. The redness and discomfort might not show up for a few hours.

You can become severely sunburned if you stay in the sun for a long time and don’t wear protection. Also, you are more likely to have sunburn if you have light skin and fair hair.

Sunburn - Pictures of blistering Sunburn.
Blistering from too much sun!

Sun Poisoning Can Cause Symptoms Such as The Following:

  • Skin redness and blistering
  • Pain and tingling
  • Swelling
  • Headache
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Dehydration

Treating Sun Poisoning

For Severe Sunburn, These Simple Remedies Usually Do the Trick:

  • Get out of the sun.
  • Take a cool (not cold) shower or bath, or apply cool compresses.
  • Drink extra fluids for a few days.
  • Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain.
  • Use aloe gel or moisturizer.
  • Completely cover sunburned areas when going outside.

Seek Immediate Medical Care for These Symptoms:

  • A sunburn that forms blisters, covers a large area or is very painful
  • Facial swelling
  • Fever and chills
  • Upset stomach
  • Headache, confusion, or faintness
  • Signs of dehydration

Preventing Sun Poisoning

Follow the Basics of Sun Safety:

  • Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 and says “broad-spectrum” on the label, which means that it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Put it all over for about 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply at least every 2 hours, after you’ve been sweating or in the water.
  • Limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and remember that water, snow, and sand can intensify the sun’s damaging rays.
  • Wear sunglasses, a hat, and protective clothing.

    Sunburn - Picture of painful sunburn.
    Ouch!

Severe Sunburn Complications

When someone suffers from sunburn, they are not only at risk for red, tender, blistered skin. The rash of sunburn can be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration as a result of the body’s inflammatory response to this toxic insult.

When it comes to the complications associated with sunburn, all it takes is one. Just one blistering sunburn doubles one’s lifetime risk of potentially fatal skin cancer called melanoma. Although that is an extreme consequence of too much sun, other consequences occur frequently, such as the development of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Finally, check on your medications. Ask your doctor if anything you take might make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Acne medications, antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics, heart drugs, and birth control pills make the skin more sensitive. In addition, some antibacterial medications and fragrances can cause sensitivity to sunlight.

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