Category: Skin Disorders

What does Bullous Pemphigoid means?

The answer is that Bullous Pemphigoid is a kind of disorder which is denoted by BP by the dermatologist. This disorder is one of serious kinds of disorder which is described by constant wounds right on the surface of the skin which is affected. This condition later vary and can turn out to be more severe. The wounds during the Bullous Pemphigoid skin disorder can be very itchy or may cause severe wounds on the skin. One cannot predict the area where this disorder will attack. Basically this worst kind of disorder can affect the small portion of the skin or may affect the whole body. This disorder is very common in the areas where skin folding takes place such as arm pits, groins, thighs and breasts. These areas of portions of body are much more prone than other areas. Although this disorder can affect people of any age group but it is more commonly seen in the people who are aged or old enough one can consider the human beings of fifty eight to sixty five years. This disorder is so dangerous that it can also affect the inner lining of tissues of the mouth.

Bullous Pemphigoid is not seen commonly in the people and its also not very serious matter. Being one of the serious skin disorders it is also an auto immune skin disorder and its cause is not known so far. The formation of the large blisters is recognized as Bullous in the remedial vocabulary. These blisters are the thin walled pouch or sac which is filled by dense fluid. During Bullous Pemphigoid skin disorder the skin becomes really very itchy, redness and irritation may be experienced during the formation of blisters. It has been declared that it’s a kind of super epidermal disease which hardly involves the tissues of the mucous membranes.

Bullous Pemphigoid Signs and Symptoms

Bullous Pemphigoid is skin disorder which can be identified by its number of warning signs. The first or you can say one of the major causes of the presence of this disorder is the existence of the painful blisters called Bullous. These bullous are thin walled bags which contains dense and clear fluid. They are large in number, and they are usually present in trunks, arms or legs. Number of times they appear inside the mouth also and sometimes they appear deep inside the layer of the skin. Occurrence in mouth and deep inside the skin layers can cause ulcers which are bitterly painful. The other warning signs of this disorder are mouth sores, bleeding gums, rashes and itching.

Bullous Pemphigoid Causes

The exact cause of Bullous Pemphigoid skin disorder has not been determined so far; but as we all know it’s an auto immune disease. And from the studies it has been made clear that auto immune diseases occur because of malfunctioning of the body’s immune system.

Bullous Pemphigoid Treatment

1. If you have blisters in your mouth, avoid eating hard and crunchy foods, such as chips and raw fruits and vegetables, because these types of foods might cause the disorder to flare up.
2. Herbal medicines which can be used in this condition are: Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Rakta- Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis), Bahava (Cassia fistula), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Takla (Clerodendron phomodis), Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) and Khadeer (Acacia catechu).
3. At least 30 minutes before you head outdoors — winter or summer — generously apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater.

Useful References

• https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/bullous-pemphigoid/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bullous-pemphigold/
• http://omim.org/entry/113810

Alternative names : Furuncle and Carbuncle

What are boils?

The boils known as furuncle in medical parlance are tender swelling in the skin surrounded by large red areas. They are infections of the sweat glands or hair follicles of the skin. They common in children and appears especially during summer season.

Boils Symptoms

Boils can occur anywhere on the body but they appear most often on the face, eyelids, back of the neck, upper back and buttocks. They specially favor places where clothing rubs such as the area on the collar line. Boils occurring around the eyes and nose are especially serious because their poison can spread to the brain.

Initially a painful red nodule appears on the skin. This grows in size and then breaks down in the middle for the pus to form and looks yellow under the skin. It creates a great deal of irritation and itching. There may be a single boil, or several may develop in the same area or different areas at or about the same time, or they may come in successive crops. The swellings may not be limited to one hair follicle but may extend to many follicles. There may therefore be many openings when the boils ripen and discharge. Fever may sometimes accompany the boils.

Boils Causes

Boils are mainly caused by staphylococcus germs which enter the sweat glands or hair follicles. They can be transmitted from person to person and in fact, some live harmlessly on the skin all the time and in infected areas like cuts or pimples. The essential cause of this disorder is thus bacterial. However, several factors predispose to the growth of bacteria in hair follicle. Of these, the chief factor is a toxic condition of the blood stream due to faulty diet and wrong style of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down and devitalized condition.

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Home Remedies To Get rid of Boils

Here are some common home remedy to cure boils :-

1. Neem Heads

Neem heads the list in herbal cures for boils. Grind fresh tender leaves to a fine paste and apply daily on the boil.

2. Ripe Neem Pods

Soak overnight 2-3 ripe pods of the neem fruit in a cup of water. Next morning mash the pulp add a little honey and drink this mixture. This cleanses the system from within.

3. Garlic Cloves

Mash 2-3 fresh garlic cloves into a paste and apply locally on the boil.

4. Banana

A fresh banana leaf slightly warmed and tied over a boil relieves pain and matures the boil.

5. Neem Leaf

Half a teaspoon of dried neem leaf powder, taken once a day with a glass of hot water for 5-7 days is a good internal cleanser. To make it palatable, add a teaspoon of honey to it. This helps in the cure of boils.

6. Turmeric Paste

Use equal parts of fresh ginger and turmeric ground together. Apply when quite warm on a boil.

7. Henna

When a boil just begins, if fresh henna leaf paste is applied, it aborts the boil.

8. Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds boiled in water, coarsely pounded, can be applied on a boil as a poultice. This helps to get rid of boils.

9. Warm Moist Compresses 

Warm moist compresses should be applied three or four times a day over the tender area. This will helps to bring the boil to ripen and encourage easy drainage.

10. Garlic and Onion

The use of garlic and onion has proved most effective among the several home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of boils. The juice of garlic or onion may be applied externally on the boils to help ripen them and also to break them and evacuate the pus. Equal quantity of the juices of these two vegetables can also be applied with beneficial results.

Useful References

• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001474.htm
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
• https://patient.info/health/boils-carbuncles-and-furunculosis

The oil ducts lying at the base of the sebaceous glands get blocked with oil, the daily dust and grime of the environment, and result in blackheads. Some people try and remove them by pricking them with a needle, pin or tweezers. These are incorrect and unhygienic measures, and will only make the blackheads worse. Blackheads extraction is a professional job. Never pick at them, or try to remove them yourself. Not only will you damage skin tissue, but cause the skin to get infected, resulting in an acne condition.

Causes of Blackheads

• Genetics.
• Hormones.
• Prescribed Medications.
• Oil Based cosmetics.
• Skin picking or squeezing.
• Stress.
• Physical irritation.
• Humidity and Environmental pollutants.

Symptoms of Blackheads

Blackheads are small, tallow-like plugs formed in the pores by the accumulation of dirt, oil, and bacteria. They are black, at the exposed end, because of oxidation rather than the presence of germs. They generally cause no itching or pain, but are unsightly.

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Home remedies For Blackheads

1. Face Pack

Regular washing of the skin and applying any of the cleansing packs suggested for pimples, e.g. the dried orange peel, tomato-puree and onion-seed packs will all help in cleansing the pores and softening the skin. Gentle yet firm pressure applied to the base of the blackhead with a clean cotton bud will extrude the grimy contents. Wash the face again with cold water and pat it dry.

2. Pomegranate

Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.

3. Cucumber

Peel cucumber and place in blender. Blend until cucumber is of a pasty consistency, but not too watery. Take the mixture and apply as a face mask leaving it on face for 25 min’s. This procedure not only clears the acne, blackheads but also cools down your face leaving you feeling refreshed. Helps to get rid blackheads.

4. Yogurt

Using a yogurt-lentil mask twice a week will keep the skin clean and soft.

5. Fenugreek

Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.

6. Cornstarch

Mix Cornstarch With Vinegar, plaster on the area for 15-30 minutes; wash off with washcloth and warm water, this helps to get rid blackheads.

7. Turmeric

Make a paste of turmeric powder in mint juice. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

8. Honey

Warm a little honey and apply on the trouble spots. Wash off after 10-15 minutes.

9. Groundnut Oil

Mix groundnut oil with an equal amount of fresh lime juice and apply on face. leave for 10-15 minutes and wash. It may be applied daily to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples.

10. Boric Powder

A solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal concoction for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cotton wool. Pat on an astringent.

Useful References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/
• https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/comedones/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20369794
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/

Alternative names :: Tinea Pedis, Tinea of the foot and fugal infection of foot

What is Athlete’s Foot ?

Athlete’s foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. It is also called tinea pedis. Once you have athlete’s foot, it may last for a short or long time and may come back after treatment, especially if you are not careful. Tinea is a fungus that can grow on your skin, hair or nails. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in the middle. This makes it look like a ring. At the edge of the ring, the skin is lifted up by the irritation and looks red and scaly. It is more frequent among teenage and adult males, but may occur in women and in children under the age of 12.

The phrase” athlete’s foot” really is not accurate because it has nothing to do with exercise or sports. Athlete’s foot is caused by a mold-like fungus that thrives just about everywhere on your body – on your hair, skin, and around your nails. Most of the time it doesn’t cause any problems. But occasionally the fungus is able to survive and thrive. When it does it can cause a variety of itchy skin infections – not only athlete’s foot, but also such things as jock itch and ringworm. The athlete’s foot fungus thrives in warm, damp places; which is why it grows so well on bathroom (or locker room) floors or on the insides of shoes.

Athlete’s Foot Causes

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the foot caused by parasites on the skin called dermatophytes. Athlete’s foot occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies in your feet (especially between your toes) or, less commonly, your hands. Your risk for getting athlete’s foot increases if you :-

• Sweat a lot.
• Wear closed shoes, especially if they are plastic-lined.

Athlete Foot Symptoms

• The most common symptom is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes.
• Discoloration or crumbling of the nails as the fungus progresses.
• You may feel burning or stinging, and there may be blisters, oozing, or crusting.
• Cracked or blistered skin.

Home Remedies For Athlete Foot

It’s impossible to avoid the fungus entirely, but there are ways to keep it under control and to prevent infections from taking hold. Here’s what experts recommend for healthy, fungus-free-feet.

1. Kill it with garlic

For ages, Russians have used garlic to relieve athlete’s foot infections. There’s some evidence that they’re on the right track. Garlic contains natural chemicals that kill a variety of organisms, including the athlete’s foot fungus. The “next time you have an infection, you may want to try peeling and mincing a clove of garlic, putting it in your sock, and wearing the sock to bed. Do this every night for a few nights. You should start to observe improvement within a few days. Or you can simply peel a garlic clove and rub it on the sore areas on your feet twice a day

2. Keep them high and dry

Because athlete’s foot thrives in warm, moist environments, you can keep .it under control simply by keeping your feet dry. One of the simplest strategies is also the most comfortable ­ going barefoot.This allows air to circulate around your feet and between the toes, which makes it harder for the fungus to survive. After showering, walk around barefoot as long as you can, then dry your feet thoroughly before putting on your socks and shoes.

3. Give them all-day protection

The same antiperspirant that keeps your underarms dry will work on your feet, as well. Applying an antiperspirant to your feet after bathing will help prevent sweating, making it harder for the fungus to thrive.

4. Coco rose foot cream

Take half cup coconut oil, one teaspoon glycerin and two tablespoons rose water. Take a mixing bowl and pour all these ingredients together. Beat till a smooth paste is formed. Store in a jar and keep it in your bathroom. Use every night drying of feet and cracks in the feet will be gone.

5. Dry your shoes

To prevent athlete’s foot from setting up shop inside your shoes, doctors recommend giving’ your shoes a good drying between wears. You can use a blow dryer, seton low, to dry the insides of your shoes. Or make it a point not to wear the same shoes two days in a row, which will allow them to dry on their own. Putting your shoes on a sunny window ledge will help them dry more quickly.

6. Wash your feet regularly

By washing your feet with soap and water, paying particular attention to the area between your toes, you will help wash away the athlete’s foot fungus and help prevent infections from taking hold.

7. Don’t wear shoes without socks

Clean, fresh socks absorb moisture and keep your feet dry. Shoes are meant to be worn with socks. Stick with socks made from natural fibers, like cotton or wool. Other fibers don’t absorb moisture as well.

8. Don’t bother with flip-flops

There’s nothing wrong with wearing sandals or flip-flops, but don’t count on them to prevent infections. The key to prevention is keeping your feet dry, which open shoes won’t do.

Prevention tips for Athlete foot

To prevent athlete’s foot, follow these measures :-

• Wear sandals or flip-flops at a public shower or pool.
• Wash your feet daily.
• Keep your feet thoroughly dry, especially between your toes.
• Change your socks often to keep your feet dry. This should be done at least once a day.
• Keep home bathroom surfaces clean – especially showers and tubs.
• Don’t share towels or footwear.

When To See The Doctor

Athlete’s foot is rarely serious and will usually go away with home treatments. If the infection lasts more than a few weeks, however, you should see your doctor. There are other skin infections that resemble athlete’s foot but persist without medical attention. You should also see your doctor if the itching gets worse or begins to spread.

Useful References

• https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/disease/athletes_foot.html
• https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/remedies-garlic-for-athletes-foot/?_r=0
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Athletes-foot/

Actinic Keratosis is a sort of skin disorder which occurs in the portion of skin which is exposed to the sun. It is called AK for short. As it occurs due to the direct exposure of the skin to the sun that is why it is also known as solar Keratosis, sun spots or the precancerous spots. This kind of bad skin condition is identified by the rough skin patches. The shape and size of these patches is regular and they also have well defined borders. Their diameter may vary from two millimeter to sc millimeter. These patches are of red color usually and they also consist of white scales on their top. The person may start screaming in pain any rough cloth or finger gets rubbed against the spots.

Actinic Keratosis generally occurs on the face, scalp, scalp, on the back side of neck, upper portion of chest, back sides of the hands and sometimes on forearms also. It has been observed that mostly fair complexion people, who work in fields or spend lot of time in working outside and expose their skin directly to the sun, are on the greater verge of developing skin disorders like Actinic Keratosis.

The color of the patches or scraps because of Actinic Keratosis may start varying after some time. Their color may turn from light to dark after few weeks then it may turn out to be pink, red, and tan or may attain the same color of the skin. The crust of the patches caused by Actinic Keratosis is very rough and dry which can be identified just by a simple touch rather than watching it. Number of times the people who are affected by such skin disorder experience the itchy and burning sensation at the spot, when he or she exposes his or her affected parts to the sun.

Effects or Consequences of Actinic Keratosis

These patches are miraculous they disappear on their own when you stop exposing your affected skin directly to the sun. But being miraculous they may appear again after sometime or whenever skin is again exposed to the sun for long duration.

Actinic Keratosis is really very dangerous to the health and the mental well being of the human being. This kind of skin disorder may develop into skin cancer after some time. The time is not definite in severe cases it turns to be cancerous within few months and in few cases it may take years or may turn out to be cancerous for whole life. These patches are basically precancerous or one can consider them as warning signs of the fatal disease called cancer. However, there are number of cases in which these patches do not turn into skin cancer. But it happens with those who take special care of them and opt for the better cures right fro the day one. So be careful about your skin conditions and remain in touch with the doctor.

Treatment for Actinic keratosis

1. For individuals with fair complexion, should minimize their sun exposure.
2. Generously apply a broad spectrum sun blocker (one that covers against both UVA and UVB rays) that has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or more, daily. Remember to reapply after perspiring and after being submerged in water.
3. Shave Removal utilizes a scalpel to shave the keratosis and obtain a specimen for testing. The base of the lesion is destroyed, and the bleeding is stopped by cauterization.
4. The body needs to absorb vitamin D, however do this by simply following a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements and avoid gaining the vital vitamin directly from the sun.
5. Chemical Peel method is used for peel off the top layer of the skin. Jessners solution and/or trichloroacetic acid are used for the chemical peeling. Any soreness occurred clears off after few days. New skin generally covers the lesion within a week.

Useful References

• https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/actinic-keratosis/
• https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2924136/

Alternative name : Pimples

The bane of adolescence, the ‘wonder years’, is a very common skin disorder called acne. Acne is common in adolescence,when raging hormones stimulates the sebaceous glands and they become more active. But hormonal imbalances can also trigger acne well after a women passes through puberty.

Acne Causes and Symptoms

A blockage of the oil glands present at the base of the hair follicles causes the formation of pustules, normally referred to as pimples. Practically all teenagers suffer from a pimple or two, and some from acne, in a mild or severe form. It does not spare either sex, though in boys it often appears in a more vicious form. Acne is a consequence of a juggling of pre-puberty and puberty sex hormones. Once these settle down, the acne disappears or limits itself to an odd pimple appearing during the pre-menstrual phase. This hormonal imbalance causes over-production of oily secretions by the sebaceous glands that lie at the base of the hair follicle.

Under normal conditions, the secretion is just enough to keep the skin healthy. But, over-secretion coupled with dirt, dust and grime from the environment makes an ideal breeding ground for micro­organisms. When a bunch of pustules rupture and coalesce, the base hardens, and nodules form. If these are now scratched, as teenagers so often do to try and quickly get rid of them, re infection occurs, healing is delayed, and fibrosis and scarring take place. Some drugs also predispose or actually cause acne, e.g. steroids, anti-epileptics, tranquillisers and immuno-suppressives.

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Home Remedies To Cure Acne

1. Cleanliness

Strict cleanliness is the keyword as far as acne is concerned. Wash the skin well with soap and warm water, followed by a rinse with cold water. Pat dry and ensure that the skin is clean, devoid of any creams or make-up.

2. Herbal Face Pack

Avoid using harsh medicated scrubs, skin-peelers or cleansing agents. Better still, use a herbal cleansing-cum-soothing face pack that will soften and cleanse the skin without abrading it.

3. Buttermilk

Washing the skin with fresh buttermilk, and then rinsing it well with warm water maintains the pH balance of the skin, thereby making it a difficult proposition for bacteria to thrive.

4. Jambul

A jambul seed, dipped in water and rubbed on a smooth-surfaced stone or chopping board, will yield a thin paste. Apply this selectively only on the pimples. Let it dry. Wash it off with warm water.

5. Gram Flour 

A face pack made with either gram flour or lentil powder and half a teaspoonful of turmeric can be used on alternate days. If you are sensitive to gram flour, replace with lentil powder.

6. Mustard Seeds

Take a teaspoonful each of lightly roasted mustard seeds, dried orange peel powder and buchanania letifolia. Grind these together with a little water and apply on the face. Let the pack dry. Wash it off with warm water.

7. Lentils

Scars left by healed pimples or acne lesions can be got rid off by using a pack made up of a tablespoonful of lentils, ground with a teaspoonful of milk, with a pinch of camphor added, and a few drops of hot, fresh ghee. Mix well and apply. When it dries, gently rub it off and wash with warm water.

8. Garlic

Fresh garlic paste applied on individual pimples gives anti microbial protection to the lesion and helps it to heal. However, it may cause a little burning as its sulphur-containing volatile oils are very pungent. Its bactericidal effects are more potent than carbolic acid. Use initially on a single pimple, as in some cases the irritation caused may be too much to bear.

9. Orange Peel

Dried orange peel, moistened and gently rubbed over the skin stimulates circulation and acts as a very gentle scrub to get rid of dried scabs.

10. Onion Seeds

Grind a teaspoonful of dried onion seeds with a little milk. Add half a teaspoonful of fresh lime juice and apply it on the pimples. Leave overnight. Wash it off in the morning.

11. Fuller’s earth

Take one-third of a cup of finely powdered Fuller’s earth, and add a tablespoonful of fresh potato juice to it. This makes a good deep-cleansing mask. Wash it off with warm water and then splash cold water on the face.

12. Neem Leaves

Make a paste of neem leaves with turmeric powder. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

13. Tomatoes

Take one-third of a cup of pureed tomatoes. Add fine oatmeal and a teaspoonful of honey to make a paste. Apply this as a thick mask. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wash it off with warm water. This cleanses and clears blocked pores.

Useful References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594976
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15777222
• http://carepathways4gp.org.uk/Acne_Care_Pathway/LEEDS_score_files/Acne%20Grading%20System.pdf
• https://www.racgp.org.au/afpbackissues/2006/200608/20060805goodman.pdf
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025712515001200?via%3Dihub