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Natural Topical Creams For Dry Skin – 3 Things You Need to Know About Them
If you’re suffering from dry skin, you have probably gone through quite a few natural topical creams for dry skin, and most of them were probably not as effective as you would have hoped.
Most of the regular dry skin creams are unsuitable for your skin, they may give you some relief for a moment, but can be harmful to your skin when using them for long time. Yes, even the natural ones. But hang in there, the information you’re about to receive can help you to find the right natural topical cream for you.
#1 Chemicals
Most natural skin care lines still include chemicals and other harmful ingredients in their products, shocking, but true. That is because they have longer shelf life and cost less than the completely natural ingredients. All of this results in a skin cream that is not going to help you in the long run, it may even cause damage to your skin like premature wrinkles, acne and drier skin.
#2 High quality ingredients
If you’re looking for natural topical skin creams for dry skin that will be truly effective, just look for ingredients that have been scientifically proven beneficial and effective. Phytessence wakame, cynergyTK, active manuka honey and grapeseed oil are all ingredients to look for, as they have shown to be successful in beating dry and irritated skin.
#3 High quantities
Have you already found the right ingredients for your skin? Great. Now be sure to check that they are not only in there, but in there in high quantities. Because if the effective ingredient is just a drop in an ocean of useless ingredients, the product is not going to help you. Many companies just use insignificant amounts of the best ingredients as marketing ploys, as they want to sell and make you think it is high quality, but do not want to invest in making highly efficient products.
So, keep away from the half way natural topical creams for dry skin, and look for the completely natural ones with proved effective ingredients in high quantities. Your dry skin will be just a distant memory in no time, and look even younger and more radiant than before.
Do you want to learn more about the best creams for dry skin, and harmful ingredients to avoid in skincare? Find out what products I use for fast and effective results, feel free to my website today.
Find More Atopic Dermatitis Articles
Pityriasis Alba: What You Need To Know About Pigment Loss & Eczema White Patches
Another great post from itchylittleworld.com – Natural remedies for eczema to soothe your itchy little world..
Do you or your child have eczema white patches? Spots of skin that seem to have lost their pigmentation? If so, it’s likely Pityriasis Alba, a skin disorder that affects 2-5% of children worldwide.
Pityriasis Alba is a skin condition, often coexisting with eczema, that is characterized by reduced pigmentation in either light skin patches or thin plaque on the face (mostly cheeks or chin), neck, shoulders, arms and much more. It’s often most noticeable after prolonged sun exposure, as the pityriasis alba patches remain pale in color while the skin surrounding it will darken in color.
If your child is suffering from Pityriasis Alba, you’ll want to keep reading this post that shares Dr. Peter Lio’s opinion of Pityriasis Alba as well as Vitiligo!
Please keep in mind that although these tips and information have worked for several 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.
Pityriasis Alba vs. Vitiligo
Although Pityriasis Alba is quite similar in appearance to Vitiligo, it’s important to note that these two skin conditions are very different. According to Dr. Peter Lio;
“Pigment loss can occur in areas of chronic inflammation, particularly when it is severe. Oftentimes, the hands, wrists, or ankles have chronic damage and actual loss of pigment that is very much like vitiligo. It seems very likely that the chronic irritation causes an autoimmune reaction like vitiligo in those areas, although vitiligo is fairly rare [for eczema sufferers].
Much more common is reduced pigmentation (light spots rather than stark white) which fall under the umbrella of pityriasis alba. This is thought to be underproduction of pigment by the pigment cells when there is nearby inflammation. Usually this is most prominent on the face, upper arms, and trunk, and seems more noticeable in the summer. It is reversible and caused by treatments, but actually improves with treatment.”
Stages of Pityriasis Alba
Unlike other forms of eczema, Pityriasis Alba produces minimal itching or none at all. Typically, this skin condition goes through several stages until it is fully healed.
- Slightly scaly pink plaque with a papular surface
- Hypopigmented (light spots rather than stark white appearance) plaque
- Post-inflammatory hypopigmented skin without plaque
How to Treat Pityriasis Alba?
Unlike Vitiligo, the white patches from this type of skin condition actually go away with time; therefore, no treatment is actually required. However, if the skin is dry or itchy, it’s always best to use a moisturizer or balm that can help restore skin.
A great moisturizer to try for dry Pityriasis Alba is the Organic Manuka Honey Soothing Skin Cream, which is both soothing and extremely moisturizing on the driest of skin.
Can Steroid Medications Cause Pityriasis Alba?
Although steroid medication has been known to cause eczema pigmentation loss sufferers, it is in fact quite rare. There are some cases in which steroid injections into the knee or wrist joint have created hypopigmentation, but it is not so common.
Unlike many other forms of eczema, Pityriasis Alba tends to vanish once adulthood has been reached.
Read more about eczema in our most popular blog posts:
- Our Eczema Elimination Diet Success: How You can Do It Too!
- Our Eczema Trials: Wet Wrap Therapy
- Natural Remedies for Eczema: What Worked For My Son
Does your child suffer from light skin patches and pigmentation loss due to their eczema? Let us know in the comments below!
Bio: Laura Dolgy 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.
Pityriasis Alba: What You Need To Know About Pigment Loss & Eczema White Patches appeared first on itchylittleworld.com. Come read more about natural remedies for eczema!
Cognitive computing shakes up healthcare: What execs need to know
Parents – What You Need to Know About Baby Eczema
Eczema, also commonly referred to as atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that millions of Americans deal with. Included in those numbers could be your new baby. If you are the parent of a baby who was recently diagnosed as having eczema, you are likely to have many questions. Now is the time to get answers.
The Cause
There are many different causes for baby eczema. Eczema can be hereditary, meaning if someone in your family has it, your child may too. Although eczema is often compared to allergies, it is slightly different. Certain allergens, including food and airborne allergens can bring on an eczema outbreak. Another common cause is the chemicals found in laundry detergents and scented bath soaps.
The Treatment
In adults, there are many ways to treat eczema. There are ways to manage and treat baby eczema too, but they can be more difficult to implement. If you or a medical professional believes eczema flare-ups are caused by food, it can be difficult to change your baby’s diet if he or she is breastfed. Actually, you are the one who needs to temporarily watch what you eat.
As stated above, there are many causes for atopic dermatitis in babies. Two common causes are reactions to laundry detergents and soaps. These products can irritate a baby’s skin, since the skin is so sensitive at a young age. If you suspect these are causes, make changes. Laundry detergents for babies, those with low chemicals, or all-natural products are best. Scented bath products are great because they leave your baby smelling cute, but not if they irritate his or her skin. Instead, opt for organic on non-scented products.
You now know some of the most common causes and ways to treat baby eczema, but now what? There is good news. Atopic dermatitis affects individuals of all ages, but it is common in the early years of life. Luckily, most children outgrow it by their teens.
More Info on how to Cure Eczema easily, naturally and forever can be found by Clicking Here
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.
International Study Highlights Need To Support Patients With Psoriasis Suffering Feelings Of Isolation, Stigmatisation And Anxiety
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Article Date: 02 Oct 2012 – 1:00 PST Current ratings for:
International Study Highlights Need To Support Patients With Psoriasis Suffering Feelings Of Isolation, Stigmatisation And Anxiety 
Data from the Burden of Psoriasis patient research were presented this weekend at the 21st EADV Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. The results from the research, which included a quantitative online survey completed by 3,822 patients with psoriasis, showed 73% of patients surveyed scored their psoriasis as having a moderate to high impact on their lives1.
People living with psoriasis experience flare-ups that can result in the appearance of thick, red, scaly skin lesions on any part of their body2. The skin is often sore and itchy2, 3, http://www.eczemablog.net/but the current study emphasizes that the psychological impact of psoriasis can have an even greater impact on patients’ everyday lives1.
Factors analysed in the research included the influence of symptom burden, healthcare professional (HCP) relationships, patient factors and the psychosocial impact of psoriasis on how much the patient’s psoriasis “dictates how they live their life”1. Factors that were most strongly associated dealt with daily activities, stigmatisation, isolation and anxiety. However, diagnosed symptom severity was not a significant indicator1.
Commenting on the research Dr Anthony Bewley, Whipps Cross University Hospital & Barts & the London NHS Trust, UK, said, “The reality for patients is that the reactions of other people, real or perceived, can make life a real struggle. We need to ensure that we actively question our patients about these issues, and modify management accordingly. We plan further analysis of this comprehensive data set, which we believe will help to individualise care”.
“The physical, psychological and social effects of psoriasis can have a serious impact on people’s lives,” said LEO Pharma President and CEO Gitte P. Aabo. “To give people with psoriasis the best chance of improving their quality of life, we need to address the issues that affect them individually. The Burden of Psoriasis patient research will help healthcare professionals learn more about the impact that psoriasis has on peoples’ lives and hence inform and help evolve the way the disease is treated.”
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click ‘references’ tab above for source.Visit our eczema / psoriasis section for the latest news on this subject. 1 Bewley A, Ersser S, Hansen M, Pevac C. Psychosocial and symptomatic burden of psoriasis for patients in Europe, the USA and Canada. Abstract presented at: EADV Congress, Prague, 27 – 30 September 2012 (ID number PRA12-0920).
2 Basavaraj KH, Navya MA, Rashmi R. Stress and quality of life in psoriasis: an update. Int J Dermatol 2011;50:783-92.
3 A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Psoriasis. (Accessed May, 2012, at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001470/.)
LEO Pharma
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‘International Study Highlights Need To Support Patients With Psoriasis Suffering Feelings Of Isolation, Stigmatisation And Anxiety‘
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Demystifying Dyshidrotic Eczema: Facts You Need to Know
Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of eczema that affects only the hands and feet. For most of the people it affects, it is usually nothing more than an itchy inconvenience that rears its ugly head during specific periods in a year, but for many others, it can be a nightmare with debilitating effects. It is […]
The post Demystifying Dyshidrotic Eczema: Facts You Need to Know appeared first on Best Eczema Remedies.
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.