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Everything you've ever wanted to know about eczema (but were too …
The Guardian Eczema can be a year-round torment for the 1.6 million adults affected in the UK, but winter causes particular misery. So how can you avoid it – or treat it if you have it? |
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Skin Care Q & A: I’ve Tried Everything. Why Do I Still Have Skin Problems?
If natural skin care products aren’t resolving your skin problems, you need to look deeper. The good news is, there is an answer to the problem. And finding it will probably improve your overall health as well as your skin problems.
Skin Care News
Everything You Should Know About Using Coconut Oil for Eczema
Another great post from itchylittleworld.com – Natural remedies for eczema to soothe your itchy little world..
Coconut oil has become quite a popular ingredient found in natural skincare. Not to mention it can literally be used for and on anything.
There are a variety of ways coconut oil can be used on the body or ingested such as on hair, teeth and as a supplement.
But what about coconut oil for eczema?
If you’re looking for an easy, quick alternative to prescription creams as well as expensive ointments for your eczema, then you’ll want to read on to learn more about coconut oil and eczema!
Please keep in mind that although coconut oil has worked for many eczema sufferers, I am in no way a medical professional. If you’re experiencing severe eczema or have a topical infection, it is always best to seek medical advice immediately.
If you didn’t already know – coconut oil is praised for having antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties. This means that it is extremely gentle on inflamed skin and can even help the itch during a flare-up.
In fact, when coconut oil was applied topically 2x daily for 4 weeks, one study found staphylococcal colonization decreased by 95% in patients with atopic dermatitis [1].
Coconut oil also contains lauric acid (a type of fat that is found in breast milk) that can help fight a variety of illnesses and skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis and more.
There are also several other benefits to using coconut oil for eczema:
- Nourishes skin with vitamins and minerals
- Excellent make up remover (for the adults, of course!), as well as a moisturizer for eyelid or face eczema.
- Completely chemical-free
But what if you have a tree-nut allergy?
There seems to be a lot of confusion around coconut oil and whether it can cause an allergic reaction. Dr. Watson from Allergic Living Magazine states that coconut is actually a large seed from a tree of the palm family, while the FDA defines it as a tree nut. What gives?
It seems to be that most allergic reactions to coconut have occurred in individuals without a tree nut allergy. So in theory, you should be able to eat a coconut or apply coconut oil to your skin if you have a tree nut allergy.
For more information on coconut oil, as well as shea butter, cocoa butter and allergies, check out our post: The Allergy Scoop: Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter.
Where to get Coconut Oil for Eczema?
Be careful! Not all coconut oils are made equal (and neither are all natural skincare products that include coconut oil). To be sure your oil is as pure as it can be, make sure to opt for an Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil that is either cold-pressed and unrefined, or pressed.
If you’re looking to try something different from just natural, pure coconut oil, there are also a variety of skincare products that use organic extra virgin coconut oil as well.
Take for example, this Coconut Aloe Moisturizing Serum, an excellent emollient that is also very cooling due to the anti-inflammatory aloe vera in also contains. Not only is it soothing for eczema, but it also provides relief for psoriasis and rosacea as well.
For other coconut oil based products, check out Vegaline that helps fight dry, sensitive or chapped skin, as well as diaper rash. Beeseline is also a great alternative to petroleum jelly.
As mentioned, coconut oil is a cheap and effective natural treatment for many skin conditions including eczema. It can also be used on the skin for everyday moisture, as a lip balm, makeup remover and so much more.
However, keep in mind that coconut oil is not a miracle treatment for eczema. If you feel your eczema is continuing to flare-up regularly, perhaps it’s time to look at what allergens or irritants might be affecting your body.
Instead of treating the outside, try treating eczema from inside with an elimination diet. For more information on success with elimination diets, check out our blog post: Our Eczema Elimination Diet Success (How You Can Do It Too!)
Have you tried coconut oil for eczema? Does it work well for your skin?
References
- Verallo-Rowell VM, Dillague KM, Syah-Tjundawan BS. Novel antibacterial and emollient effects of coconut and virgin olive oils in adult atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2008 NovDec;19(6):308-15
Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for It’s An Itchy Little World. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.
Everything You Should Know About Using Coconut Oil for Eczema appeared first on itchylittleworld.com. Come read more about natural remedies for eczema!
Everything you need to know about chlamydia
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact (semen or vaginal fluid). Infection can occur via vaginal, anal, and oral sex and even when a man does not ejaculate. It is treated with antibiotic, usually azithromycin or doxycycline.
Who is at risk of infection?
Anyone who has had unprotected sex (vaginal, oral, or anal). It can also be transmitted by shared sex toys. Women can also pass the infection to their babies during childbirth.
Always use a condom – when used correctly the risk of transmission of chlamydia is much reduced.
Should I get tested for chlamydia?
It is safest to get tested before starting a sexual relationship, so an infection can be treated before any sexual contact. NHS England recommend under 25s that are sexually active should get tested on an annual basis, and also when they have a new sexual partner.
Where can I get tested?
Sexual health clinics, a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, or doctor’s surgeries provide free and confidential testing. In England there is a national chlamydia screening program for people under 25 years: urine swab tests are available in many pharmacies, contraception clinics, and colleges. Home testing kits may also be purchased in some pharmacies and online.
50% of men and 75% of women with a chlamydia infection will have no symptoms
What are the symptoms?
50% of men and 75% of women with a chlamydia infection will have no symptoms, so taking a urine test at your doctors surgery, sexual health clinic, or a local pharmacy is the only way to know for sure if you have it.
If symptoms do appear they are usually genitourinary and usually develop within 1-3 weeks (but can take many months). Men may experience pain or swelling of the testicles, a burning sensation when passing urine, and discharge from the penis. Typical symptoms for women include vaginal discharge, bleeding after sex (vaginal) or between periods, a burning sensation when passing urine, and pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen.
What about symptoms elsewhere?
Chlamydia is spread by contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid. The anus, throat, or eyes can be affected:
- Anal symptoms include soreness, with discharge that can contain blood.
- The throat can have symptoms similar to a viral sore throat.
- Eyes may become red, sore, and gritty with discharge.
How long have I had it?
Unless you have a very good recollection of your sexual history it is usually not possible to know how long you have been infected. A test cannot provide this information either.
Am I at risk of other infections?
If you caught chlamydia through unprotected sexual contact (anal, vaginal, oral) you are also at risk of catching other sexually transmitted infections such as genital warts, genital herpes, gonorrhoea, HIV, pubic lice, and syphilis. Your doctors surgery or sexual health clinic will also offer testing for these infections as well.
Should I tell my partner(s)?
It is important to let your current sexual partner(s) know if you have chlamydia, as they are at risk of having (and further spreading) the infection too. All sexual partners in the previous 6 months should also be informed.
If you feel embarrassed telling partners please remember it is important (and also respectful) to let them know as soon as possible, so they have an opportunity to get tested and treated. You may be surprised how supportive partners are, and appreciative being confided in.
Both current partners should be treated at the same time, and abstain from sex (that means no genital, oral, or anal sex – even with a condom) for one week from the start of treatment, by which time the infection will have gone. Otherwise partner’s can re-infect each other.
My symptoms have gone, without any treatment?
Do not assume that the infection has cleared up as symptoms can disappear despite an infection persisting. You could still be infected and pass it on, so get tested and get treated if required.
What happens if I don’t get treated?
Chlamydia is unlikely to go away without treatment with antibiotics, and can be passed onto sexual partners and can cause serious harm.
Women can get cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix with bleeding, discharge and painful sex) or pelvic inflammatory disease. This can result in permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, which causes infertility or ectopic pregnancy (which can be life threatening). Chlamydia also can cause a reactive arthritis.
Men can suffer with urethritis (inflammation on the urethra, symptoms include discharge, pain passing urine, and sore skin at the penis tip), which can spread to the contents of the scrotal sac – epididymus and testicles. This causes pain, and in severe cases infertility. Men can also get a reactive arthritis.
How can I get treatment?
There are numerous options for seeking treatment in the UK. Visit either your doctors surgery, a GUM/sexual health clinic, Brook clinic, your local pharmacy, or buy online from a regulated online doctor and pharmacy.
Treatment is with antibiotic, usually:
- Azithromycin 1000mg single dose: Take 4 x 250mg tablets at the same time, on an empty stomach (1+ hour before or 2+ hours after a meal).
- Doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 1 week: Take 100mg capsule every 12 hours for one week. Swallow whole with water and whilst upright (sitting up or standing). Can be taken with a meal.
How long for symptoms to clear?
Once you have started antibiotic treatment symptoms will usually settle quickly. Pain when passing urine and discharge should go within 1 week, pelvic or testicular pain can take 2 weeks, and an irregular period should improve by the next menstrual cycle.
If symptoms do not clear up you should seek tests for other infections at your local doctor’s surgery or sexual health/GUM clinic.
Can chlamydia cause cervical cancer?
No it cannot. Some strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. Girls are routinely offered free NHS vaccination against HPV at age 12-13. HPV vaccination is also available privately from some clinics and pharmacies.
I’m pregnant – can chlamydia affect my baby?
Infection can spread to the baby from the birth canal during childbirth. It can cause eye infection or pneumonia in newborns. Chlamydia infection may be associated with premature births and low birth weight. Testing and treatment of chlamydia during pregnancy can prevent these complications. Doxycycline cannot be taken during pregnancy, but azithromycin is safe and effective.
Everything you need to know about your CT scan
If it’s not been possible to diagnose what’s causing your symptoms from a physical examination, you may need to have a scan of some kind. In this article BMI Healthcare discuss one of the more common scans and what it involes.
A CT scan (or ‘CAT scan’) is a lot like an X-ray, except it runs from head-to-toe rather than front-to-back. They’re also a lot more detailed, clearly showing the shape of your organs, blood vessels and bones. This allows doctors to see inside your body without having to carry out invasive investigations.
There are lots of reasons why you may be told you need a CT scan. They can help to diagnose a condition, see if a treatment has been successful, or help guide the next stage of your treatment. A CT scan is especially useful if it is suspected you may have cancer or a heart condition, or you are seeking to resolve back problems.
Preparing for your CT scan
You will need to make some preparations before your CT scan, and dress appropriately. You may be asked to avoid eating anything for a few hours before your scan, and will need to remove anything with metal, including piercings, buttons, zips and bras with underwire.
You may need to ingest a liquid called a ‘contrast agent’ to help improve the quality of the images. This might be given to you as a drink, an injection or an enema. If you’re feeling anxious or claustrophobic about the whole procedure, or if you’re unable to lie still for any reason, a sedative may be recommended.
During your CT scan
The procedure is totally painless; in fact, you won’t feel a thing. Throughout the scan, you need to lie very still and breathe normally on a flat bed while the scanner does its work. The person conducting your CT scan is called a radiographer and they will be based in the next room.
The scanner itself is a doughnut-shaped ring that passes along the bed, so you shouldn’t feel enclosed at any point. You may be asked to breathe in, breathe out or hold your breath at various points; the radiographer will communicate with you via intercom.
After your CT scan
After the scan is complete, you should be free to go home and eat and drink as normal. You may be asked to wait around for an hour or so if a contrast agent has been used, as some people can experience a reaction to it. If you haven’t had a sedative, you’re even safe to drive home or head straight to work.
Your results may take a few days to come through. They will be assessed by a radiologist, who is specially trained to read and analyse the images, and they will pass their findings on to your referring doctor. The results will be communicated to you at a follow-up appointment.
What are the risks associated with a CT scan?
As with any X-ray, a CT scan means you will be exposed to a small amount of radiation. The shape of the machine is designed to ensure that only the part of your body that needs scanning is exposed to radiation, and to keep the levels as low as possible.
With this in mind, CT scans are only carried out during pregnancy in an emergency. There is also a small chance you have a reaction to the contrast agent.
If you have any other questions about CT scanning or wish to book a private CT scan, you can make an online enquiry here and a member of the BMI Healthcare team will be in touch.