Category Archives: Skin Care

Herbs for Skin Rejuvenation

Posted by on November 14, 2011 No comments

As a person grows older, the skin starts losing its glow. This occurs as a result of rapid degeneration of skin cells in comparison to slower regeneration of new skin cells. This leads to accumulation of dead cells on the skin surface making it look dull and lusterless. Apart from this, there is also reduced production of collagen in the body; as one ages. Collagen is essential for maintaining the elasticity of the skin. Loss of collagen results in reduced elasticity of the skin leading to formation of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. The signs of aging also get accelerated due to some other factors like stressful life, excessive exposure to the sun and faulty dietary habits. Use of alcoholic beverages and smoking can also have a bad effect on the skin. Hence, it becomes very essential to take proper care of the skin so that these age-related changes can be delayed. Using herbs for skin rejuvenation can be extremely beneficial in this case. Herbs have beenused for maintaining the glow of the skin since ages. They can not only keep the skin in a healthy condition but also make it appear youthful. The different herbs used for skin rejuvenation are mentioned below:

Herbs for Skin Rejuvenation

Skin Rejuvenation Herbs

  • Calendula:this herb can be used for treating several skin conditions like dryness of skin and open wounds. It has been usedsince manycenturiesfortreatingthese conditions. It helps in increasing the production of collagen under the skin. This leads to rebuilding of the skin structure. Calendula is used in several topical creams that are used for management of wounds.
  • Garlic:it is very hard to think of garlic as a skin rejuvenating herb. It is more popularly known for its culinary properties. However, research has proved that this herb has very powerful antioxidant properties and can be very beneficial for skin rejuvenation. It is known that there is damage to the skin cells due to non-functioning dead cells and free radicals due to the aging process. This affects the healthy development of the skin. Using Garlic can help in preventing this with its antioxidant properties. Consuming extract of aged garlic or raw garlic can have better effects for skin rejuvenation as they contain high levels of antioxidants. Itcan also be consumed in the form of garlic flakes or granulated garlic. Regular use of this herb can help in getting a clean and glowing skin.
  • Comfrey leaves: this herb, scientifically known as Symphytum officinale, contains a substance, allantoin. This substance can trigger growth of the skin cells by increasing the rate of regeneration. Hence, this herb can be very effective for skin rejuvenation. It can also be used for reducing inflammation and swelling of skin caused due to injuries or broken bones. Many cosmetic products for skin rejuvenation contain extract of Comfrey leaves.
    These herbs are completely safe to use. They can help patients to get a youthful skin in a harmless manner. Some other medicines can also help in getting the same effect.

Effective medicines for skin rejuvenation

People can use Renova Retin A for getting a very good skin rejuvenating effect. Retin A is a form of Vitamin A and is available as a topical cream. It can also be used for the treatment of acne and helps in getting a clean and clear skin. Renova Retin A can be very effective for reducing the formation of wrinkles in the skin. It can also be helpful in getting rid of mottled discoloration of the skin. Regular use of Renova can make the skin smoother and shinier. Patients can use Renova and Retin A for making the skin look younger.

Herbs for Pigmentation

Posted by on November 14, 2011 1 comment

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition which develops when there is an excess of melanin in the skin. This creates patches of skin which are darker as compared to the

Skin Pigmentation

How To Lighten Skin Pigmentation

surrounding skin. Melanin is the brown colored pigment which is present in the skin. It is the substance that is responsible for giving

the skin its color. Melanin absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiations as well as protects the skin. However, in doing so it darkens the skin

tone. With an increased amount of melanin present in the skin, it becomes darker. When the skin generates too much melanin, it results in a condition known as Hyperpigmentation and when the skin lacks or perhaps has very little melanin, it is called hypo pigmentation. Solar lentigos or sun spots, is also a common form of skin pigmentation. This skin pigmentation which is caused due to exposure to sunlight is not cancerous and usually appears on the areas of skin which are often exposed to the sun.

An extremely common reaction with regards to skin pigmentation is to reach out for skin whitening products. However, there are

many herbal remedies that help fade the dark patches or spots on the skin. Mentioned below are some herbs and natural remedies for pigmentation.

Herbs for Pigmentation:

  • Fenugreek is a widely used herb which contains diosgenin. Diosgenin is a chemical constituent which helps reduce the formation of melanin in the skin and lighten the skin.
  • Gingko is another herb which is used for the treatment of Hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase is an enzyme which is responsible for discoloration of the skin. Gingko works by way of reducing this enzyme.
  • The dried leaf extract of Mulberry can also be used in the diet to treat this condition. The mulberry plant contains a compound called Mulberroside F which works to inhibit tyrosinase activity. It also contains super oxide scavenging activity that works to lighten the skin tone.

Some Natural Remedies:

Aloe Vera has been used for a long time to treat skin disorders. It contains anti fungal and anti-inflammatory properties which work to cleanse, moisturize and soften the skin. Aloe vera also contains anti-aging properties which help to fade or prevent Hyperpigmentation. Topical application of aloe vera gel can inhibit the enzyme tyrosinases and prevent discoloration of the skin. Furthermore, Aloe vera stimulates the formation of new skin, and removes dead skin cells as well as tightens the skin.

Sandalwood or Santalum Album is another healing plant which has been used for a long time in many cultures. The Sandalwood plant is a stimulant,blood purifier and cooling agent which can be used for treating various skin problems including Hyperpigmentation. These properties protect the skin from the sun and smoothen it. Liver spots or age spots are a very common form of Hyperpigmentation which can benefit from this plant. The Sandalwood plant has anti-aging as well as antiseptic properties which provide a natural youthful skin tone.

These are some herbs and natural treatments used for treating skin pigmentation. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before using these herbal treatments.

Although herbal treatments provide effective results, using some allopathic medications like Melalong can also prove beneficial.
Melalong cream is a de-pigmenting agent which has proved effective in treating skin pigmentation. Tretinoin is one of the ingredients of Melalong Cream. Tretinoin is known to effectively treat acne, wrinkles and stretch marks. Another ingredient present in this cream is Hydroquinone. These ingredients destroy the pigment cells which in turn result in skin de-pigmentation. But, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using Melalong or any other medication.

Herbs for skin whitening

Posted by on November 14, 2011 1 comment

Ayurvedic medicines have been used by many patients for the treatment of a variety of disorders. They are very effective for curing many different skin disorders. Use of some herbs for skin whitening has been in practice since ages. These herbs can give a lighter tone to the skin and make the person look much fairer than they actually are. These herbs also give a healthier glow to the skin. Some very beneficial herbs for skin whitening are mentioned below:

Lady"s Mantle

Herb for skin whitening

  • Lady’s Mantle:This herb boasts of an ability to soften and lighten the skin. It is commonly used for getting rid of age spotsandfreckles. The fresh leaves of this herb should be crushed and the juice extracted. Then, this juice should be dabbed over the skin and left for a few minutes. Then, the skin can be washed with water. Use of this technique, 2-3 times in a week, can give one much lighter skin. You can also infuse the leaves of this herb in hot water. The liquid, thus prepared, can be used for preparing a face pack or skin lotion. This canprovide a very good skin whitening effect and also give you a glowing skin.
  • Lemon Juice:It is known to all that lemon juice is acidic in nature. It has the ability to clear away the dark outer layers of the skin. This helps in revealing the lighter layers of skin beneath it. Lemon juice can be used for treatment of freckles and age spots. It is also effective in removing tobacco stains formed on the fingers. A cotton ball soaked in lemon juice should be applied over these parts for treating such conditions and getting a cleaner and whiter skin. Take care not to touch the juice to the eyes as it can cause irritation of eyes. Also, avoid touching the juice to open wounds as it can lead to intense burning of the part.

    chamomile

    Herbs for lightening skin

  • Chamomile:Chamomile works wonders for whitening the skin. It gives you a fairer complexion. Bags of chamomile tea or infused flowers of chamomile can be used as a facial steam for getting fairer skin. You can also cool the mixture and strain it. This can be used as a hand soak for skin whitening.
  • Red onion: This herb contains acid compounds that are similar to those present in lemon juice. They are very effective for skin whitening. You can apply a slice of red onion on the skin everyday to get a lighter skin. Take care not to rub it near the eyes as it can cause redness and irritation of the eyes. Dark patches over skin can be treated with red onion.
  • Wild strawberry, Ground Ivy leaves and Solomon’s Seal: Strawberry leaves are known to have very strong skin whitening properties. You can use fresh leaves of any of these herbs for skin whitening.

These herbs have proved to be very beneficial for lightening the skin. You can also make use of some other medicines that are equally beneficial for giving you a whiter skin.

Effective skin whitening medicines

Vitamin C and Kojic acid are very effective for skin whitening. Vitamin C is needed by the body for the production of collagen that is essential for the regeneration of cells. Use of vitamin C can help in rapid regeneration of skin cells that makes the skin look lighter and younger. Kojic acid can also help in skin whitening as it blocks the production of pigments in the skin. Thus, it makes the skin appear fairer. It can also be used for getting rid of freckles and dark spots on the skin.

Herbs for Dry Skin

Posted by on November 11, 2011 1 comment
dry skin

Herbs For for Dry Skin

These days, you will come across numerous natural skincare products made from herbs. People are interested in buying herbal products, since they know how good these natural ingredient based products are. If you have dry skin, you should try using some products made by using herbs for dry skin. It is important to be sure that the products you choose include the right herbs meant for dry skin. Some herbs for dry skin include Aloe Vera, Fennel, Borage, Marigold, Lady’s Mantle, Orange flower, Comfrey, Salad Burnet, Red clover, Coltsfoot, Calendula, Chamomile, and Sage. All these herbs have proved effective for dry skin. Amongst these herbs, Orange flower functions like a tonic for dry skin. It helps maintain the moisture in the skin and promotes the growth of new cells.

Dry skin can lead to some premature signs of ageing such as, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and enlarged pores. However, using some natural herbs for dry skin can really help deal with dry skin and delay the process of aging. Dry skin can also be caused due to nutritional deficiency, hereditary factors, excessive use of chemical based products, and weather conditions.

Some possible causes for dry skin include:

  •     Lack of humidity in the air
  •     Bathing with hot water for a long time
  •     Frequent or repeated exposure to water
  •     Use of products and soaps that contain harsh chemicals
  •     Nutritional deficiency including the lack of some essential minerals and vitamins also plays a major role in dryness of the skin
  •     Inadequate intake of water and excessive sweating
  •     Dry skin is also caused as a result of chronic smoking as well as due to side effects of certain medications

Herbs for Dry Skin:

Aloe Vera: The gel from the Aloe Vera plant has been made use of for a very long time in order to treat minor burns and wounds as well as skin irritations. The Aloe Vera plant contains around 96 percent water and other active ingredients including some essential oils, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and glycoprotein. All these ingredients present in Aloe Vera, offer a natural glow in addition to helping to retain the moisture of the skin even during the harshest climates.

Calendula: This herb belongs to the same family of herbs as arnica and offers wound healing properties as well. The main ingredients of the herb are resin, carotenoids, essential oils, Flavonoids, mucilage, sterol and saponins. The herb offers moisturizing qualities and is an excellent remedy for skin inflammation.

Chamomile: As a result of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, this herb is ideal for the treatment of different types of skin conditions which include eczema, skin irritations etc. This herb can be soaked in bathing water. Tie half or one cup of dried or fresh herb in a linen bag. Then place the bag in a tub of hot water and leave it to soak for ten minutes. Following this, add cold water as per your preference.

Sage: This herb contains resin, a volatile oil, a bitter principle and tannin. The oil is composed of pinene, camphor, cineol, and salvene. The leaves of this herb contain vitamin A and vitamin C which help treat many skin conditions including dry skin. This herb is also considered to be a natural antiseptic.

Essential Oils for Dry Skin:

Lavender oil: This oil is an active ingredient for aromatherapy. Lavender oil contains hormones, pheromones, antibiotics and cell regenerating agents that help nourish, energize and protect the skin.

Hyssop oil: This oil works as a stimulant and tonic. Massaging the skin with this oil helps deal with wounds, burns and skin dryness.

Pigmentation on Face

Posted by on August 22, 2011 3 comments

Would-be-mothers may start finding some changes in their skin right from the first trimester of pregnancy. Skin changes are very normal during pregnancy since there are hormonal changes in the body. It is important that you should be aware of skin changes like pigmentation during pregnancy.

Pigmentation On Face

How to Get rid of Face Pigmentation

Pigmentation can be increased as your pregnancy progresses. But there is nothing to worry about since it may not last forever. This pigmentation may be seen on the whole body especially your growing tummy, face and neck. Sometimes, this pigmentation gets increased because of sun exposure and that could be very distressing. The pigmentation usually fades automatically after child birth. However, this may not happen with everyone. In some cases it lasts forever if it is ignored during pregnancy. So it is essential that you take proper care of your skin to avoid any after delivery skin problems.

Pigmentation starts fading once you start with breastfeeding. However, if you have taken contraceptive pills before pregnancy then there are chances that your pigmentation may last forever. Also if it fades this time you may develop it again in the next pregnancy.

It is not yet known why some pregnant women develop pigmentation and others do not. This is, to a certain level, because of genetic factors. The survey reports that more than 30% of women facing this problem have at least one of their family members with the same diagnosis. It cannot be denied that this happens mainly because of the hormonal changes take place during pregnancy.

So, it is clear that you cannot avoid pigmentation but surely it can be treated. You can try using sunscreen lotion on a regular basis. Avoid exposure to sunlight as far as possible as that may worsen your condition. You need to strictly use sun protection or else it is certain that you will get your pigmentation back. For better sun protection you can use sunscreen with zinc oxide or with titanium dioxide as they offer maximum protection. However, there are chances of these products leaving a thin white layer on your skin.

Moisturizing your skin is also equally important during pregnancy. Women with dry as well as oily skin should make use of moisturizers regularly. Women with oily skin can use a water based moisturizer to keep their skin smooth and trouble free whereas women with dry skin can use oil based moisturizers. This will be helpful in preventing and treating pigmentation.

Another important part of your skin care would be sleeping well. Most women complain of disturbed sleep because of painful and uncomfortable sleeping postures. Inadequate sleep has bad effects on your skin; you have to get sufficient sleep in order to get a glow on your skin. You can try getting a body massage done before sleeping; this will help you in getting better sleep. You can also play some soft music while sleeping. Pigmentation can be developed because of insufficient sleep so make sure to sleep well.

Drinking water also plays a vital role in the skin care. Drink plenty of water in pregnancy; not only to keep your skin healthy but also for your little one’s growth and development. Water purifies your system and also cleans the toxins from your body. Water will give you good skin which will help you to look good. Water can also help in reducing the pigmentation on your skin.

If you take all these skin care tips seriously and follow them strictly you can surely prevent pigmentation and other skin problems in your pregnancy. Skin care is something that you can do at your leisure, but it is important to do it regularly to get the expected results. Every woman is always very much concerned about her skin and that is very natural because beauty is one of the best jewels of any woman. You can also use products like Glyco A which is very effective in treating hyper pigmentation.

Psoriasis Treatment

Posted by on August 9, 2011 5 comments

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is non-contagious in nature. The skin lesions of psoriasis appear as plaques with red colored patches, which are covered with silver-white dead cells, known as scales.

Psoriasis treatment

Psoriasis Treatment

15% – 25% of the cases of psoriasis develop into psoriatic arthritis. The treatment of psoriasis is long term and may prolong over the lifetime of the individual as it is known to have several relapses. A complete cure of this condition is almost impossible. However, some very good forms of therapy help in controlling the skin lesions and in the prevention of frequent relapses. The available modes of treatment for psoriasis are mentioned below:

A very effective mode of psoriasis treatment is rotational therapy. It is commonly practiced by several dermatologists as it helps in minimizing the possibility of side effects arising due to any single form of therapy for a prolonged period. It involves changing the cycles of treatment of psoriasis after every 6 – 12 months. For example, patients using oral medications for psoriasis for a year or more are advised to stop the medications and try biologic injectables or light therapy instead of oral medications for a short period. By taking a person off oral medications, their long term side effects can be avoided.

Another very effective psoriasis treatment is Ultraviolet light-B (UVB) phototherapy. It involves exposure of the skin of patients to ultraviolet radiation of a particular wavelength that is beneficial for the psoriatic skin. Though it has the potential to give sunburns to a patient, it also has a biologically beneficial wavelength of UV radiation. UVB can also be obtained artificially by means of a phototherapy light box for treatment of psoriasis. UVB should always be administered to a patient under the supervision of an expert health practitioner. It should be noted that the UVB box used by the dermatologists for treatment of psoriasis is different from the one that is advertised for home use or the one that is used in suntan clinics. UVB therapy is useful in adult as well as pediatric patients. It helps almost two-third of sufferers who fall in the following categories:

  • Psoriasis with formation of thin plaques
  • Patients who have responded well to sunlight therapy.
  • Moderate  to severe psoriasis

UVB can be used for patients of psoriasis if topical agents have failed to provide any relief. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment for psoriasis or as a combined therapy with systemic medications and topical agents. Several cases of psoriasis are effectively treated with UVB therapy. It is one of the top 3 medicines for severe psoriasis available today.

A very effective treatment for psoriasis is in the form of Soriatane. Soriatane is a synthetically prepared vitamin A, called oral retinoid. Soriatane can help patients of psoriasis by relieving the symptoms for a few weeks or even a year. Patients can see an improvement in their condition after using Soriatane for approximately 8 to 16 weeks. The best results with Soriatane are observed only after 5 – 6 months of regular treatment with Soriatane. The therapy with Soriatane or its generic acitretin, can be started with an initial dose of 25 – 50 mg/day, as 1 single dose. The dose may need to be titrated later on depending upon the individual patient’s response to the therapy. It should be kept in mind that the use of this drug is not advisable in nursing mothers as the drug may pass into the breast milk and cause serious harm to the baby. Soriatane is a very effective medication available to patients of psoriasis for quick relief of their symptoms.

Immunosuppression with Betamethasone Dipropionate

Posted by on August 8, 2011 3 comments

Betamethasone Dipropionate is used as a medication for various skin disorders. It is a synthetic corticosteroid. Betamethasone imitates the function of cortisol which is a steroid produced by adrenal glands. Immunosupression with Betamethasone Dipropionate works best due to betamethasone’s anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Corticosteroids are the most effective medications in treating the conditions where the immune system plays a vital role. Betamethasone was approved by the FDA in 1983.

betamethasone_ointment

Betamethasone Dipropionate Uses

Betamethasone dipropionate is available as a lotion, cream and ointment. It is used in treating inflammation and itching caused due to skin conditions such as plaque psoriasis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic dermatitis for the patients of age 13 years and above.

Inflammatiion and irritation of the skin is caused due to secretion of various substances in the immune system. These substances widen the blood vessels thus causing pain, itching, swelling and redness in the affected area. Betamethasone dipropionate acts on the skin cells and reduces the release of inflammatory substances, thus suppressing the immune system’s response to the inflammation. This helps effectively in alleviating itching, redness and swelling in conditions like eczema. The moisturizing base formulation of Betamethasone Dipropionate provides an oily layer on the skin, thus reducing evaporation of water from the outer surface of the skin. This is the safe and effective magic of Betamethasone Dipropionate against bothersome conditions that cause itching, scaling and dryness.

Innumerable Uses of Betamethasone Dipropionate

In addition the above conditions, betamethasone effectively treats conditions such as:

  • Violet itchy rash on genitals, lower back, shins and wrists caused due to lichen planus
  • Widespread, severe skin reddening caused due to erythroderma
  • Inflammatory skin disorder such as discoid lupus erythematosus.
  • Itchy thickened skin caused due to scratching and rubbing as in case of lichen simplex
  • Itching and the eruption of hard nodules in the skin triggered due to conditions such as prurigo nodularis.

Application of Betamethasone Dipropionate

Betamethasone dipropionate is applied to the affected area in the following way.

  • Betamethasone dipropionate ointment or cream is applied on the affected area in form of a thin strip gently once or twice a day or as directed by the physician.
  • In case you are using lotion, apply a few drops on the affected area once or twice a day or as directed by the physician.
  • Massage Betamethasone Dipropionate lotion gently until it disappears.

Like any other medications, Betamethasone Dipropionate has got some side effects that are usually not serious. Most people usually tolerate side effects and these can be alleviated on their own or by consulting a doctor. The most common side effects include irritation and burning on the applied area and dryness. However, there may be some other side effects associated with Betamethasone. For detailed information on the product, talk to your doctor. It’s important that you use Betamethasone Dipropionate only after consulting the doctor, since side effects, though negligible, can vary individually.

You should inform your doctor in case you are taking any other medications because there may be some interaction with medicines, however it’s very rare. Share with your doctor the list of all medications you may be using. Also inform the doctor if you are allergic to any medication or have any medical history related to dermatitis. This medication is meant for external use. One should never take it orally. Pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding should consult the doctor before using Betamethasone.

This is all about Betamethasone Dipropionate – the best remedy for skin worries.

Skin Inflammation On Face

Posted by on August 4, 2011 2 comments

Several patients complain about inflammation of the skin on the face. There are numerous medications available to tackle this problem. However, care should be taken while using any medication, especially topical agents, for complaints like this. It should be borne in mind that many of the topical agents bear a warning on them, stating that the products should never be used on open wounds or inflamed skin. Improper use of these topical agents for skin can further aggravate the condition. Hence, it is essential to understand the causes and remedies for skin inflammation on face in order to get rid of the complaint in an effective and harmless manner.

Causes of inflammation of facial skin:

inflammation of skin

Skin inflammation on face is painful and even annoying

  • Allergic conditions: This is the most common cause of inflammation of facial skin. Usually, there is a history of such condition in the past as well. The other symptoms in this case include intense redness of the face, itching over face, swelling of the face and lips, etc. It is necessary to identify the substance responsible for the allergy for the treatment and prevention of relapse of this condition in patients.
  • Insect bites: Many cases of inflammation of the skin of face occur due to insect bites or bee stings. The symptoms in this case are redness of the part, swelling of the face, itching and burning pain over the bitten part and oozing of discharge from the affected part. A history of bee stings or an insect bites confirms the diagnosis in these patients.
  • Eczema: This is a very common skin disorder among people of all ages. It results in the inflammation of the skin, causing redness and scaling of the part. There is also severe itching of the skin in these patients. The parts of the face commonly affected in eczema are cheeks, forehead and chin. The symptoms of inflammation of facial skin are aggravated in winter in patients of eczema.
  • Psoriasis: Psoriasis can lead to inflammation of the skin of face along with scaling of the affected part. There are silver colored scales over the skin, beneath which some tiny bleeding spots can be found. Psoriasis is a chronic disorder and the treatment of it needs long term therapy with medications and topical agents.

The treatment for inflammation of the skin of face should begin only after identifying the exact cause of it. Several cases of skin inflammation of face are cured with a topical agent, DesOwen. It is a local steroid and it helps the patients suffering from skin inflammation by reducing the action of some chemicals that are responsible for the inflammation, redness and swelling. DesOwen topical can be used in treating inflammation of facial skin caused by eczema, psoriasis, insect bites and allergic conditions. The cream should be applied over the affected part by forming a thin film, 2-3 times a day, depending upon the severity of the condition. The redness and swelling caused by inflammation of the facial skin usually disappear within a week of starting treatment with DesOwen. However, if the patients do not notice any improvement in the symptoms even after 10 days, they should contact a dermatologist for review of the case.  DesOwen is available in the form of cream, lotion and ointment. Patients should never use this medication in a dose more than prescribed by the doctor, as topical steroids can penetrate through skin and may cause side effects in the patient. The amount of topical agent absorbed through skin of a child is more. Hence, use of this medicine in children should be done only after consulting a physician.

Vitamin D Deficiency – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Posted by on August 4, 2011 3 comments

Vitamin D is formed in the body after exposure to sun; hence, it is called a sunshine vitamin. It is a fat-soluble vitamin. The other sources of vitamin D include egg yolk, fish oil, fish, cheese, grains and beef liver.

vitamin-D

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids.

Vitamin D is of very high importance for the human body as it helps in the utilization and absorption of phosphorous and calcium in the body. Deficiency of vitamin D results in various disorders like rickets, diabetes, weight loss, osteoporosis and stroke. Recently, it has been found that there is a link between occurrence of psoriasis and vitamin D deficiency. Several patients suffering from vitamin D deficiency have been found to be affected by psoriasis and vice versa.

Causes of vitamin D deficiency

The main cause of this condition is limited or complete lack of exposure to sunlight. The human skin produces vitamin D when it is exposed to the sun. People using too much sunscreen or having an indoor occupation are more prone to these disorders. A diet deficient in vitamin D rich food can also cause this deficiency. Vegetarian people are more susceptible to it as most of the food types containing vitamin D are non-vegetarian like fish and beef. Even infants are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to limited sun exposure and lack of dietary vitamin D.

Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency

  • Old age
  • People working indoors
  • Breast fed infants
  • People suffering from Crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis
  • Dark skinned individuals
  • History of gastric bypass surgery
  • Past history of liver or kidney disorder
  • Obesity
  • Excessive use of antacids
  • Vegetarians

People, who fall under any of the categories mentioned above, are at a higher risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. Hence, it is advisable that such people should take vitamin D supplements to avoid suffering from vitamin D deficiency disorders like rickets and psoriasis.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

Some important symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Delay in formation of teeth
  • Pain in the bones
  • Dental deformities
  • Cramps in muscles
  • Poor growth of bones in children
  • Spinal deformities
  • Loss of height
  • Stooped shoulders
  • Tingling in fingers and toes
  • Weakness
  • Psoriasis

The root cause of psoriasis is found to be vitamin D deficiency in many patients. It has been observed that vitamin D supplements have improved the skin lesions of psoriasis, like scaling and patches on the skin, within a shorter duration.

Psoriasis

Vitamin D Analogues for Psoriasis.

For psoriasis treatment, it is important to rule out vitamin D deficiency before beginning any other mode of treatment. Patients suffering from vitamin D deficiency should have regular exposure to the sun. The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be cured or even prevented by taking vitamin D supplements. One remedy that can help the patients of vitamin D deficiency or psoriasis is Dovonex. This drug was formed to fill in the need of a medicine that could suppress the rate of growth of skin cells without disturbing the normal calcium metabolism. Dovonex arrests or reduces the fast growth of skin cells in patients of psoriasis, just like vitamin D, without affecting the metabolism of calcium in the body. It has a valuable role in treating patients of psoriasis as it does not have any side effects like other medications used for psoriasis. Dovonex cream should be applied to the psoriasis-affected part, 2 times in a day. Patients can see an improvement in the lesions of psoriasis within 4-5 weeks of application of this cream. Dovonex is a very effective medicine in treating psoriasis as it acts just like vitamin D.

Red Itchy Patches on Skin

Posted by on August 3, 2011 4 comments

Redness of the skin along with itching is a common skin compliant. This symptom can be very irritating and disturbing for the patient. The frequency of the complaint differs in different patients depending on the cause or the underlying disease. The frequency is more in patients suffering from redness and itching of the skin due to allergies, whereas it may be less in patients who complain about these symptoms due to infection. Some other symptoms that present commonly along with red and itchy patches are given below-

Itchy Patches on Skin

Get Rid of Red Itchy Patches on Skin with Temovate

  • Scaling of the affected area
  • Blisters over the skin
  • Oozing of moisture from the part
  • Fever when due to infections
  • Asthma

Before beginning the treatment of these symptoms, it is necessary to identify the cause of it. The different causes and underlying conditions causing red and itchy patches on the skin are described below –

  • Atopic dermatitis: this is the commonest cause of red and itchy patches on the skin. It may be more pronounced on the palms and soles. The condition starts early in childhood and continues till adulthood. The symptoms can be triggered by causes like change of soap, the touch of powerful detergents, contact with chemicals or even change in location. The symptoms may also present with some other signs like swelling of the face, throat and lips. Some patients complain of blisters over the skin, oozing of moisture or abnormal fluid discharge from the affected part, fever, scaling of the skin and abnormal discoloration of the skin. The symptoms and trigger factors are usually different in all patients. Identifying the exact trigger factors for redness and itchy patches on the skin can help the patients in avoiding these trigger factors and reducing the frequency of the complaint
  • Contact Dermatitis: patients suffering from contact dermatitis complain of redness and itching in patches over the skin, in those regions that came in contact with any irritating substance. The typical sign differentiating this from atopic dermatitis is that in atopic dermatitis, the lesions will be all over the body irrespective of the area of contact of the allergic substance, while in contact dermatitis only that part which came in contact with the substance is affected. Typical cases of contact dermatitis can be seen in patients who get redness and itchy patches after wearing jewellery, in which the lesions take the exact shape of the jewellery.

Some other less common causes of red and itchy patches on the skin are psoriasis, infections and eczema.
There are various modes of treatment available for these skin complaints. The mode of treatment to be chosen depends upon the cause of the symptoms. The forms of therapy that can be used in treating red and itchy palms are topical agents, anti-pyretics, pain killers and anti-pruritic agents. Proper care of the affected skin area is essential to stop the progression of the disease. The area should be cleaned and patted dry with a clean cloth. Even a small amount of moisture over the affected area can invite infection and further aggravate the condition.

Patients can easily get rid of red itchy patches on skin with Temovate cream. This cream can be applied to the affected part for quick relief of the symptoms. Being a topical steroid, it not only relieves the itching of the patient but also takes care of the underlying allergic condition. Temovate cream application can also help in avoiding the systemic side effects of oral steroids. This cream can cure the redness and itching of the skin within 1 – 2 weeks of its application.

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