Archive for August, 2010

Common bacterial infections of the skin

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Bacterial infections of the skin can be either superficial or affect the deeper tissues of epidermis and thus take longer to cure. Some of the most common bacterial skin infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. These include Impetigo and Ecthyma that cause skin redness and formation of blisters that are filled with pus and quite itchy. These mostly develop on the legs of an infected person and leave scars even after healing completely.

Folliculitis is another common type of skin infection that is caused by bacteria and results in the formation of zit like bumps around the hair follicles present in arms, upper trunk and even hips. These can be quite painful and fill with pus if you do not treat them early. Abscess is a similar form of bacterial skin infection that can be identified by the formation of a blister that later turns into a pus filled hole.

Skin rashes – where do they come from?

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

If you suffer from frequent skin rashes and are looking for a permanent remedy for the same, you should begin by looking for information about what causes them in the first place. In most common cases, these are caused due to allergic reaction to some kind of food, dyes, medication or insect bite. Prolonged sun exposure and skin chafing may also lead to skin rashes. Some women also get red, itchy rashes during their menstrual period.

Anxiety, fungal infection and reaction to some form of immunization are some other common causes of skin rashes. At times, lead poisoning can also be a possible reason for development of skin rashes and these should be taken care of on a priority basis. The appearance and symmetry of skin rashes provides useful clues to the dermatologist about their probable cause thus helping him or her follow the right line of treatment. Scratching the rashes may worsen your skin condition.

Skin care advice for your big event

Monday, August 9th, 2010

If you have a big event coming up such as your best friend’s wedding or a wedding in the family or your high school reunion is only weeks away, you need to step up on your skin care regimen so that your skin looks as youthful as ever and you are the cynosure of all eyes. If you do not already follow the three-step daily skin care routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing, now would be a good time to start.

Remember to wash your face with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser twice a day and wipe your face with an alcohol free toner thereafter. Follow it with a moisturizer. Even if you have oily skin, you should ask your dermatologist to recommend water or gel based moisturizer for you. Lastly, do not forget to apply night cream and an under eye cream everyday before you go to sleep.

How to make your sensitive skin feel better?

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Taking care of sensitive can be quite challenging as you need to be extra careful about the skin care products that you apply on your face. It is always better to consult a dermatologist to seek guidance about which formulation is best suited for your skin type and which should be avoided completely. Ideally, you should steer clear of alcohol based cleansers and toners and use olive oil as a cleanser.

In addition to that, it is highly recommended that you do not use any product that includes exfoliating particles as they are most likely to cause skin irritation and inflammation. Those with sensitive skin tend to experience excessive dryness in the cold months and should hence use a suitable moisturizer to keep their skin hydrated during this time of the year. Lastly, you should always follow the practice of label reading and keep away from skin care products that have strong chemical formulations or hypoallergenic products.

How to know whether you have sensitive skin?

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

If you suffer from redness of facial skin every time you so much as touch it for cleansing, chances are that you have sensitive skin. That apart, such skin also has a tendency to erupt into breakouts every time you change your cleanser. Skin irritation and allergies are common place for those who have sensitive skin. It is thus extremely important to use only medicated or natural products on your face and body, which have been prescribed by an experienced dermatologist.

Using bleaching creams on the face can yield disastrous results for those who have sensitive skin. Thus, you should stay away from any skin care product that has whitening agents in it. It is also a wise idea to use only unscented skin care formulations on your face and body if you have sensitive skin. If you get a stinging sensation while washing your face, it is yet another indication of sensitive skin.

Various kinds of skin conditions

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

A person can suffer from various kinds of skin conditions during his or her life span. However, some of the most common types of skin conditions that plague both men and women are acne, skin infection or allergy, skin rash, eczema, warts and dermatitis. Almost all of us have gone through a bad phase of acne break out at least once in our lifetime. This is usually associated with zits, black heads, white heads and even skin cysts. Once your skin manifests these symptoms, it is best to take an appointment with a dermatologist.

Symptoms of eczema include skin redness, itching sensation and excessive dryness around elbows or behind the knees. These symptoms can manifest in a person of any age, be it a child or an elderly. In case of a bacterial skin infection such as Cellulitis, the bacterium affects the deeper layers of the skin and causes redness and swelling.