There are a variety of ways to help you maintain a more youthful appearance. In the area of skin aging there is some useful information available on the internet, however there is also a vast amount of unproven and possibly unsafe treatments and product claims advertised. Many ‘natural’ remedies can still cause harm. Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive product for skin rejuvenation (reversal skin aging).

This page summarises information from the scientific literature. There are some newer approaches of unproven value. Some of the more promising of these approaches are discussed.

Cosmetic Dermatology treatments and procedures are also used to reverse the visible signs of aging. These are covered in the cosmetic dermatology section.

What Causes Skin Aging?
In Australia and much of the world, sunlight plays a major role in the accelerated appearance of changes that we normally associate with skin aging. Chronic sun exposure is probably responsible for over 90% of the visible signs of aging in Australians. These changes include wrinkles, lines and creases, uneven or blotchy colour changes such as brown spots and freckling, ‘broken or burst capillaries’, other irregularities of the skin surface and even acne-like ‘black heads’ and cysts. Compare your skin in more sunprotected sights such as your buttocks to that on your face, ‘V’ of neck and arms to get a rough idea of some of the ageing affects the sun has caused on your skin.

Gravity, repeated movement of facial muscles, smoking and genetic characteristics also influence the appearance and severity of these changes. Some people are blessed with a genetic makeup that partially protects them from many of the changes associated with skin aging.

How Does Sunlight Damage the Skin?
Sunlight can dramatically increase skin changes associated with ‘aging’. Damage to the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) leads to an uneven, scaling surface along with many growths or bumps. Damage to the pigment cells in this top layer also causes mottling colour changes, brown spots and freckles.

Damage to cells, collagen and elastic tissue of the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) contributes to wrinkles, which range from fine wrinkles to deeper creases and lines. It also reduces the skin’s elasticity (ability to bounce back after stretching or movement of the skin), and can cause lumpy yellowish changes deep to the skin surface due to a process called ’solar elastosis’.

Sunlight can directly damage cells, and the other components of the skin. It leads to the generation of free radicals which can cause ‘oxidant’ damage to the skin. This leads to damage to the genetic material of cells, along with other components of cells and the skin.

Prevention
Sun protection is the most important measure you can take to maintain more youthful looking skin.

Ongoing excessive sun exposure can inhibit your immune system from removing damaged cells, along with other repair mechanisms. Therefore, making sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, will also give your skin a chance to repair some (but not all) of the damage.

Photoaging is a chronic ongoing process. Low (and high) levels of sunlight exposure add up over the years. Even in Winter and on overcast days you can still receive significant levels of damaging UV light.

Visit our sun protection page, for ways to reduce sun damage. Avoid sunlight in the middle of the day, seek shade, wear a hat, protective clothing and make the application of sunscreen part of your general skin care regimen. The addition of a strong anti-oxidant to sunscreens and skin care products may also be of additional benefit in reducing the deleterious effects of ultraviolet light, time and other environmental stressors on the skin.

Smoking also accelerates skin aging and the damaging effects of excessive sunlight. Smoking contributes by damaging several parts of the skin including its elasticity and support. It is particularly associated with wrinkling, acne-like changes (comedones), and drooping of the face, these visible changes may take years or decades to occur. Never smoking or giving up smoking will help you age more gracefully.

Good Skin Care, Moisturisers and the Role of Water
Treating or preventing dry skin will usually smooth your skin’s surface, reduce flaking and scaling changes, and assist the removal of dead cells from the top layers of the skin. The beneficial effects of treatments that preserve the skin’s moisture may entirely reverse when they are stopped.

If you have dry skin, you should minimise the time you spend in hot showers (have shorter, warm showers instead). Use an emulsifiable bath oil, body washes with ‘neutral’ pH or ’soap’ substitutes. All of these measures can help preserve the skin’s natural moisturising factors.

Apply a moisturiser. This is usually more effective if used immediately after washing. Moisturisers work in several ways. ‘Humectants’ draw and hold water in the skin, while other moisturising factors help seal in the water. A large variety of moisturisers are available, try a few to decide which one feels best for you. Your local doctor or dermatologist can give you advice on suitable products for you skin. If you have acne or acne prone skin, moisturisers can worsen pimples, and many people with acne do not require a moisturiser as they have more than enough natural moisturising factors in their skin.

Drinking ‘plenty’ of water is good for the kidneys, and is especially important in hot weather, however, the skin’s ability to hold the water is more important than the amount of water you drink for maintaining more youthful skin.

There are many face products that contain moisturisers and broadspectrum sunscreens. This is an ideal combination for a daily face cream. Daily face creams with microfine titanium dioxide and masking pigment can also cover up some of the signs of skin aging.

Don’t forget to also protect your neck, chest, arms, or hands, which are also common sites of premature photoaging.

Should I use Anti-Oxidants and Vitamins?
The role of anti-oxidants in preventing or treating skin aging still requires more research. There are several reasons why they may reduce many of the changes we associate with skin aging, however these all remain largely unproven. Antioxidants have been shown experimentally to reduce some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, and theoretically may be beneficial in reducing many other changes associated with aging.

Anti-oxidants include: vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), vitamin C, coenzyme Q (ubiquinone), lipoic acid, along with a new generation of potentially more strong anti-oxidants on the way.

Although of unproven benefit, anti-oxidants may prove to be useful, particularly some of the newer and stronger agents. The main risk with these products is the rare occurrence of allergy, causing skin rashes. Many creams contain these products. You should talk to your doctor before taking high dose oral vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Some vitamin derivatives have beneficial effects / actions other than their role as anti-oxidants. The effects of some vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are detailed below.

Creams That Reverse Some of the Signs of Skin Ageing
Creams are often useful for milder changes of aging including fine lines, wrinkles or roughness. Tretinoin creams (vitamin A derivative or retinoid) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used. They may also improve minor colour changes.

Tretinoin creams can provide long term benefits if used regularly. Tretinoin creams have been shown to improve facial wrinkles, and are especially useful for fine lines, and minor changes in colour. They can be successfully used on the face and also the back of hands. Their main disadvantage is they can cause skin irritation, redness, itching, dryness, or flaking and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Stringent sun-protective measures are required, as a sunburn could negate the cream’s beneficial effects.

There are many formulations available, your doctor or dermatologist can recommend one most suitable for your skin. Tretinoin creams are only available by prescription in Australia. Your doctor can give you instructions on how and when to apply a tretinoin cream. Once you stop using a tretinoin cream, all its beneficial effects will potentially disappear with time.

Alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) cause superficial peeling of dead skin cells, moisturise the skin, and possibly provide other benefits to rejuvenate the skin’s appearance. These can be used as a cream and/or a chemical peel. Many over-the-counter products are available. It is usually recommended to start with a low concentration, and as the skin builds up tolerance, use increasingly stronger preparations for maximal benefit. A wide variety of AHAs are available. They may cause irritation and redness, along with a burning or stinging sensation shortly after application. Stronger AHAs are available from your doctor, along with AHA facial peels. Your dermatologist can give you advice and suggest an appropriate regimen, strength and formulation for your skin. There are AHA formulations for use on different parts of the body.

As AHAs, and topical tretinoin thin the top layer of the skin, they also make you more sensitive to the adverse effects of sunlight (the top layers of the skin are important for ‘filtering’ ultraviolet light and form your skin’s major barrier or protective layer against environmental insults). Thus stringent sun protection is important if you use AHAs or tretinoin creams.

Hydroquinone cream is also known as fading or bleaching cream. It can be used to treat some pigment changes associated with aging and sunlight. It must be combined with stringent sun protection for maximum benefit. The down side is hydroquinone may irritate some people’s skin and should only be used for short periods of time. Weaker preparations are available over-the-counter in Australia. Stronger formulations require a prescription and medical advice and assessment for their safe use. Inappropriate use may cause darkening or blotchiness of the skin.

Summary
Skin rejuvenation is an area attracting considerable ongoing interest. The cosmetic industry, dermatologists and the pharmaceutical industry are all actively researching new treatments and approaches. More scientific studies are required to help establish which treatments are most effective and which therapies are a waste of money and effort. Many claims by manufacturers remain unsubstantiated. By making sensible sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, you will age more gracefully, and be in a better situation to benefit from new treatments and therapies.

Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive cream for skin rejuvenation.

Article source: http://www.dermcoll.asn.au/public/a-z_of_skin-maintain_youthful_skin.asp

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Here’s an article explaining some of the reasons why skin gets flakey. If your skin changes or if you are worried about the flakey-ness (is that a word? You know what I mean!) of your skin, head to your GP
for a diagnosis.

–

THE body constantly renews the skin, making more skin cells as the top layer dies and sloughs off. It’s normal to have a few flakes of skin on the scalp, face or other parts of the body. However, excessively flaky skin may be a sign of dehydration or an underlying medical problem.

Dry conditions
Living in an arid environment can make it hard to stay hydrated and can lead to dry, flaky skin. This can occur in hot, arid climates such as deserts, but colder climates are often low in humidity, too, especially
in the winter. Drinking plenty of water and using a home humidifier can help.

Swimming or Excessive Bathing
Hot showers or baths or the chemicals in swimming pools strip the naturally occurring moisturizing oils from the skin. Showering more than once a day, or taking long, hot baths and using harsh soap can cause skin to dry out and become flaky. Athletes and others who spend a lot of time in chlorinated pools may also experience dry, flaky skin. To reduce the problem, shower no more than once a day with warm–not hot–water, and use mild cleansers. Swimmers should rinse chlorine from their hair and skin with warm water only or with a mild cleanser.

Diabetes or hypothyroidism
People with diabetes tend to have poor circulation, causing skin to become dry, flaky or scaly. Diabetes can also change your blood vessels, causing a condition called “diabetic dermopathy” which causes brown patches of flaky skin, often on the legs. Having an under-active thyroid also can cause dry skin that can become rough or flaky.

Eczema
Eczema is not one condition but rather a term that covers several skin conditions. Eczema is thought to be an issue of the immune system. An overactive immune system can make the body react strongly to allergens, leading to outbreaks of dry, itchy skin, which can also become scaly or flaky.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system turns against its own tissue. Those with the condition experience a buildup of excessive skin tissue, which can cause scaly,
flaky patches on any area of the body.

Medication Side Effect
Flaky skin is a side effect of some medications. Perhaps the most common drugs to cause flaky skin are medications meant to control chronic acne, such as isotretinoin, often found under the brand name Accutane, or tretinoin, sold under the brand name Airol.

Article source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5076680_causes-flakey-skin.html

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The harsh southern sun can wreak havoc with our skin, making us look so much older than our years,
so it’s important to protect it from harmful UV rays.

What’s your skin type?
Most skin types fall into one of four categories: dry, normal, oily or combination. Skin type is determined
by the amount of oil secreted — and is hereditary. Environmental influences can exacerbate conditions,
but the different areas in the skin that produce oil, and the amounts of oil produced, are based
on genetics.

Although skin is remarkably robust, too much sun or skin care products can lead to skin allergies or sensitivities. To avoid this, minimise the number of products you use and find ones that are especially designed for your skin type.

Prep your skin for summer
Heat stimulates the oil glands, which bump up oil production, resulting in a vicious cycle of oiliness and dehydration, or a classic combination skin. Exfoliate at least once a week to improve the moisture in your skin — the cream you apply afterwards will reach the cells that need it.

Dehydration caused by the increase in pollution, air-conditioning, stress and negative lifestyle habits has become a major problem. Moisturisers are now available that not only introduce moisture into the skin,
but also maintain the moisture level.

Ensure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day in summer: your skin will look clearer and glow.
A good tip is to keep a bottle of water in your car — sitting in traffic is an ideal time to get through your required liquid intake.

The key to keeping your make-up on in the heat is to choose the correct day cream for your skin type and to apply it correctly. If your skin is dehydrated or oil-dry, applying more day cream won’t solve the problem. If your skin feels taut, dry or looks excessively oily during the day, exfoliate at least once a week and change your day cream to one that is more suited to your skin type. After application, allow at least two minutes for absorption and then blot off the excess by pressing with a tissue, particularly in the T-zone.

All skin types can benefit from hydrating masks in summer, which smooth fine lines and increase radiance, without making the skin oily. Prepare your skin by exfoliating and applying a hydrating mask each weekend in the run up to summer.

Protecting your skin from harmful rays
With the harsh sun in the southern hemisphere you should be wearing SPF30 sunscreen every day, whether you’re in the sun or not. Studies show that even if you never forget your sunscreen, unless you block out 100 percent of the ultraviolet rays, lolling in the sun will damage your skin whether you burn or not.

Limiting your time in the sun, especially during midday hours, is essential. And if you want some extra protection, take your vitamins and minerals. According to research, oral supplements of vitamin E and selenium, as well as topical applications of vitamins C and E, can give your sunscreen a boost by partially preventing the skin damage that occurs once you’ve been exposed.

Foods to cleanse your skin from the inside out:
Fish contains oils that will help nourish your skin.
Ground linseeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote good skin health.
Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin. Eat plenty of dark orange (carrots, sweet potatoes) and dark green (broccoli, spinach) vegetables — all of which are high in vitamin A.
Vitamin E helps promote good-looking skin. Nuts such as hazelnuts and almonds are high in vitamin E — and great as snacks.

Article source: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/dietandnutrition/nutrition/733750/protect-your-skin-for-summer

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Atopic dermatitis, one of the most common forms of eczema in this family of inflammatory skin diseases,
is a chronic disease marked by red, cracked and itchy skin. Now, increasing evidence indicates atopic dermatitis is a precursor to allergic diseases rather than a consequence. Dermatologists are advising parents of infants and young children affected by this common skin condition to be aware of the potential
for future food allergies.

Speaking February 4 at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), dermatologist Jon M. Hanifin, MD, FAAD, professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, discussed the link between atopic dermatitis and food allergies, as well as the new food allergy guidelines issued in December 2010 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

“Considering that six to 10 percent of children have atopic dermatitis and that up to one-third of those individuals may have documented food allergy, the number of these children affected by food allergies may be significant,” said Dr. Hanifin. “In most cases, patients experience atopic dermatitis before food allergies, so it is important for parents of infants and small children affected by this skin condition to be aware of the risk of food allergies.”

A recent five-year multi-center study conducted by Dr. Hanifin and others in babies age three to 18 months found that even in reported mild cases of atopic dermatitis, roughly 15 percent of infants had definite food allergies. Dr. Hanifin further explained that patients with more severe cases of atopic dermatitis generally have a higher incidence of developing food allergies. Although this study and others confirm the strong correlation between atopic dermatitis and food allergies, proper testing for a food allergy — as recommended in the new guidelines — is critical in determining if an actual food allergy exists.

The new NIAID food allergy guidelines clearly define a food allergy as an adverse health event that stems from an immunologic reaction upon exposure to a specific food. Typically, a food allergy occurs rapidly (within 30 minutes from the time a person is exposed to the food), with skin symptoms such as hives and itching of the lips. More severe reactions may include respiratory, gastro-intestinal or anaphylaxis problems that could be potentially very dangerous.

In contrast, sensitization to food is not the same as being allergic to food. Specifically, an allergic sensitization to food is determined by the presence of specific IgE antibodies — which are antibodies made in response to foreign proteins that come into contact with the body — in the blood and confirmed by blood or skin tests.

In order to understand the complex relationship between food allergies and atopic dermatitis, Dr. Hanifin noted that people with atopic dermatitis make larger amounts of IgE than any other group of patients.

“As dermatologists, we have seen children with highly restrictive diets who might have more than 20 positive skin or blood tests — but we now know that a positive test is not an allergy unless it is confirmed
by an actual food challenge,” said Dr. Hanifin. “In the meantime, children may be malnourished and experience a host of other problems by not having proper nutrients in their diets. The fact is that children may only have a sensitization to the foods, but are being treated as if they have food allergies. We’re hoping that these new guidelines will help clear up this misinformation and ensure a proper diagnosis.”

According to the new guidelines, it is recommended that “…children less than 5 years old with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis be considered for food allergy evaluation for milk, egg, peanut, wheat and soy, if at least one of the following conditions are met:

• The child has persistent atopic dermatitis in spite of optimized management and topical therapy.
• The child has a reliable history of an immediate reaction after ingestion of a specific food.”

Dr. Hanifin further explained that in the past, positive blood tests and skin tests would be mistaken for a food allergy, because they would indicate the presence of IgE antibodies — which are higher in patients with atopic dermatitis. “However, those antibodies are not diagnostic and the only way to diagnose food allergy is with a strong history of reactions or a challenge — where you feed patients the food indicated by tests and see if they have an immediate reaction to it,” said Dr. Hanifin. “This is done in a doctor’s office, using small increments of the food in question and increasing the amount until an allergic reaction occurs or does not occur. Usually a parent can pinpoint if a child has a true food allergy because the allergic reaction will appear so quickly with lip swelling or hives, quite distinct from simply food intolerance.”

Recent research examining the genetic basis of atopic dermatitis has shown that this chronic skin condition is likely related to a defect in the skin’s protective outer layer — known as the epidermal barrier — allowing irritants, microbes and allergens (such as food) to penetrate the skin and cause adverse reactions. Since the skin barrier in patients with atopic dermatitis is compromised and open to absorb proteins, it allows sensitization to certain foods, leading to a positive skin or blood test.

While the new guidelines establish protocol for the proper evaluation and management of food allergy,
Dr. Hanifin explained that another exciting area of research is examining whether withholding foods is leading to more allergies than an unrestricted diet in young children. This may provide future insight in potential ways to prevent food allergies.

For example, Dr. Hanifin explained that studies have shown that children in Israel seldom get peanut allergy, which possibly can be attributed to the use of peanut proteins in pacifiers in that country. In the U.S. and Europe, where peanut allergies are more common, infants are not usually exposed to this food until they are toddlers — the time when most peanut allergies are noticed.

“There is some thinking that withholding foods might actually be causing more allergies, and that an unrestricted diet may help tolerize babies to foods that could potentially cause a problem later in life,” said Dr. Hanifin. “Ongoing studies in this country using oral immunotherapy — in which you feed small amounts of food to kids to correct potential food allergies — appear promising, and dermatologists hope that we may discover how to prevent food allergies in the future while continuing to provide successful treatment for children with atopic dermatitis.”

Article source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110205140828.htm

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According to Professor Michael Cork, Head of Academic Dermatology at University of Sheffield Medical School and world renowned expert on paediatric eczema and skin care, children’s skin allergies have increased dramatically since the 1950s and now one in five children suffer from eczema. This has coincided with the rapid rise in baby skincare products.

So how can you protect your child from developing skin irritations or eczema? It all starts with your daily
skin care routine – the right routine.

Walk down the aisle of any supermarket, chemist or baby boutique and the choice in skincare is overwhelming. You are inundated with soap, shampoo, moisturising lotions, creams, ointments, bubble bath, bath oil, powders and the list goes on. How do you choose?

For many parents the two most important factors behind their choices in skincare are performance and value for money. But there are points parents need to consider when choosing a product is their baby’s skin.

Check list

• How much do you want to spend? Spending more doesn’t necessarily mean a better product.
• Do you want to use synthetic or a natural, organic product? All products are potential irritants regardless of whether they are synthetic, natural or organic.
• Does your baby have any allergies to peanuts, soy, wheat or milk products? Some products contain these ingredients eg: Sweet Almond Oil, Soybean Oil, Cassein, Peanut Oil, Wheatgerm oil.
• Do you have a family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever? The chances of your child having eczema will increase by 30% if you do and 50% to 80% if both parents do.

When you have answered these questions you should have narrowed the field considerably.
Where to now?

Causes of skin irritations
Fragrances - One of the biggest causes of skin irritations in babies is fragrance, they can be either synthetic or natural.

Essential oils - Natural, highly fragrant oils extracted from plants mainly used for its therapeutic properties but these oils are highly potent and can be irritating to a baby’s skin.

Colours – Again natural or synthetic they are both potential irritants. Does baby really need bright pink bubble bath?

Soap and surfactants - are high foaming like bubble bath the higher the foam the more drying they can be to the skin. One common culprit is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. It receives a great deal of bad press but did you know it is actually derived from coconuts (remember what I said about natural and organic products being potential irritants)? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is commonly used in bath wash and shampoo products for its cleansing action. As it is high foaming it has been associated with skin dryness and skin irritation.

Preservatives - products that combine water and oil need a preservative, without it various bacteria and fungus can pollute the product within months, but again preservatives can be potential skin irritants.

So armed with the correct information, shopping for your baby’s skincare will no longer be a hassle.

Skin Make -up
Broadly speaking skin is made up of 3 layers, the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fatty layer. The epidermis is the top layer of skin which holds the stratum corneum and is the barrier to the outside world, the dermis is the middle layer that provides strength and structure and the subcutaneous fatty layer is the bottom layer which insulates the organs from heat and cold.

Differences between Adult and Baby Skin
A baby’s epidermis and stratum corneum isn’t fully developed which makes their skin 5 times thinner than an adults, it has some advantages but mostly disadvantages.

Advantages – a baby’s skin can absorb and hold more water than an adult’s skin

Disadvantages – baby’s skin loses water faster than an adult’s skin. Because their skin can absorb more water it also means they can absorb more potential irritants. When this occurs it can result in dryness, itching, burning, rashes and eczema.

Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Caring-For-Your-Babys-Skin&id=4275169

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A huge rise in sales of soap products has triggered a sixfold increase in the number of children with eczema, according to research.

Skin expert Dr Michael Cork found a boom in detergents ‘closely reflects’ growth of the condition. The spread of home comforts such as central heating and carpeting is also involved. They help dust mites, which can trigger eczema, to thrive.

The proportion of British children affected by eczema has increased from about 3 per cent in the 1950s to more than 20 per cent. Dr Cork studied consumption of products such as soap, shower gel, bubble bath and shampoo.

Sales in Britain leapt from £ 76million in 1981 to £453million in 2001.

Parents spent £39million on baby wipes in 1988 – compared to £110million in 2000. Dr Cork, who is studying genetic causes of eczema, said: ‘ Rising demand for detergents closely reflects the increasing incidence of eczema. This is a genetic disease that runs in families, so you have to ask why it has increased to such an extent.

‘The most likely explanation is something changing in the environment.’ The consultant dermatologist urged parents to cut down on soapy detergents and baby wipes and switch to moisturising creams.
Baby wipes containing alcohol were particularly bad, he said. ‘Unless parents can find emollient-based baby wipes, my advice is don’t use them.’

The research is to be published this month in the journal Dermatology in Practice. Scientists know that detergents can increase the risk of eczema by stripping away layers of protective fats. As a result, cells which form the ‘bricks’ in the skin wall shrink, allowing irritants and allergy triggers to pass between them.

The skin then becomes dry, scaly and itchy and may develop unpleasant sores. People who are genetically predisposed to eczema do not have enough fatty ‘cement’ between the cells. It is easier for the cracks to open in these individuals, allowing foreign substances to get through.

However, despite the recognised hazard of detergents, no one until now has made a connection between their increased use and the rising rate of eczema. Atopic, or allergic eczema, is triggered by allergens such as house dust mites.

Dr Cork’s team also found that people’s homes had become more of an allergy risk in the past 40 years. Sales of carpets, which provide a breeding ground for house dust mites, grew from £213million in 1963
to £3,251million in 2000.

More use of central heating, double glazing, cavity wall insulation and carpeting had raised the average temperature of homes in Britain to between 17C and 24C, which was also favourable to mites. In addition, ownership of cats, which are another allergy trigger, doubled from 4.1million in 1965 to eight million in 2000.

Dr Cork, of the University of Sheffield, said it was time to rethink ways of keeping clean, especially for those with a family history of eczema. He said: ‘Our research makes it very clear that we need to treat eczema in the same way as we treat tooth decay. In other words, we should take action before it sets in, and not wait – as we do now – until symptoms first appear.’

Margaret Cox, chief executive of the National Eczema Society, said: ‘Eczema affects hundreds of thousands of UK children. This research is a step in providing practical information to help parents cope with their child’s eczema and reduce triggers. ‘It suggests minimising environmental triggers in the home and using emollients preventatively could be a major help in reducing eczema levels.’

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-114078/Soap-linked-childhood-eczema–study.html

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Got a suspicious mole that needs examining or worried about skin damage? Your first stop should
be your GP.

A day at the beach is not always one of enjoyment for Dr Laurence Anderson who says he is often shocked by the number of beachgoers baking, uncovered, in the midday sun. “I see them roasting and I feel like telling them off,” he admits. A GP who works part-time at the Eastern Suburbs Skin Cancer Clinic,
Dr Anderson knows better than most the damage done to unprotected skin. In summer, he sees
up to 25 patients a day, and one in 10 of those need further treatment.

Checks increase this time of year, when awareness about skin cancer is high, reveals Dr Brian Morton,
a GP and vice-president of the Australian Medical Association NSW. He recommends an annual check for anyone at high risk of skin cancer especially for “people with long sun exposure or a family history [of skin cancer]“, and regular checks for everyone else. In the first instance, skin should be examined at your local GP or a specialised skin clinic (staffed by qualified GPs).

In the meantime, everyone should check their moles, advises The Cancer Council Australia.

We visited a GP and skin cancer clinic to let you know what you are in for…

Location: Local GP
Cost: Normal GP cost
What happens: The doctor checks your moles visually, using a magnifier and, if any need removing, can do so in the surgery or refer you to a specialist. I was surprised to discover that the moles I was worried about were fine and the ones I should watch were on my feet and legs. I didn’t even know they were there!

“A good tip is to get your partner or friend to check any moles you can’t see,” advised Dr Brian Morton, who explained malignant melanomas are often found on the feet, ears and, interestingly, under toenails.

He also suggests getting moles checked whenever you visit your GP; for example, when you have a Pap smear, which means you could have regular checks without making a big deal out of it and reduce your medical expenses.

Location: Eastern Suburbs Skin Cancer Clinic, Sydney
Cost: Bulk billed
What happens: Firstly, I filled out a list of questions about my medical history, including family history
of skin cancer, then entered Dr Laurence Anderson’s office. He examined my moles, using a dermatoscope – a magnifying tool – to look at and measure the diameter of any that seemed unusually dark. That way, when I return for a check-up in six months, he’ll know if any have changed.

He checked my entire body, including the soles of my feet and between my toes. I was also given a leaflet with pictures of different skin cancers and a checklist of what to look for. Dr Anderson also warned me to get a second opinion if a doctor seemed too eager to operate.

Article source: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/marie-claire/all-about-you/health/article/-/5884698/skin-cancer-check-it-out/

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Dry, cracked, inflamed, itchy, pus-seeping, blistery skin with a burning desire to be scratched – just thinking about it is enough to make a person’s skin crawl.

Eczema is rapidly rising in Australia with as many as one in four children developing the disease before the age of two.

Sufferers liken it to leprosy, while dermatologists say it is sorely misunderstood and has a much greater impact on families than other diseases.

Brett McLennan, a husband and father of three who lives in Melbourne, says his family has battled eczema for years.

“My father had it when he was a child quite badly, but back then there was really no solid treatment for eczema so he was having creams put on him and then being wrapped in plastic overnight to stop himself from scratching,” he said.

“And when I was a young child I had it quite badly, mainly around the annoying parts of my body like the backs of my knees and my elbows. The skin would dry out and would crack, especially in summer when you’re outside in the sun and the sand, so it was quite painful.”

Mr McLennan says two of his sons and his wife also suffer from the disease.

He says the impact eczema has on people’s daily lives is largely underestimated.

“It’s really difficult to deal with because in your everyday life you tend to not want to have cream over your fingers all the time. You cant pick up paper, you can’t type things, your hands are slippery, you put creams all over the door knobs and door handles, so you want to only use it when you have to,” he said.

“My son and I swim every weekend so we need to coat ourselves with Vaseline or skin cream so hopefully it keeps the chlorine off, but the longer you’re in the water the more the Vaseline wears off, and so you still get breakouts.

“I also love my beach swimming, so even now when I have an outbreak of eczema in summer, it’s that really painful feeling you get when you step into the ocean, the salt water bites and burns – it does the world of good, but it’s really painful.”

It’s not only the physical problems eczema poses. Mr McLennan says the disease is somewhat like leprosy, in that it is extremely visible and evokes a feeling of disfigurement.

“It’s not a hidden disease, it’s a very out there kind of thing. When you have an outbreak of eczema, everyone sees it,” he said.

“People see a visible problem – like a skin condition, a rash, a boil or acne – in very negative ways. It’s up there in people’s faces and they respond to it.

“If you see someone with eczema on their hands, their skin might be very dry or rough and you might have someone with bleeding fingers, so do you shake their hand?

“It’s almost going back to the notion of leprosy, the unclean, people think of those things quite badly.”

Rapid rise
Dermatologists say Australia has one of the highest incidences of eczema in the world. They put this down to a number of factors including climate, lifestyle, hygiene and genetics.

“In Australia, up to one in four children develop eczema before the age of two. The corresponding figure 50 years ago was less than 10 per cent,” said paediatric dermatologist Dr John Su.

Dr Su says eczema is a complex disease, which can develop for a number of reasons.

“There is a genetic factor which can be very significant, so if you have a history of eczema in parents there is a significant risk and some people are prone to a type of skin that does not produce natural moisturisers, but there is also a developmental aspect to eczema.

“One theory – the hygiene hypothesis – would say that us becoming more sterile and hygienic is depriving the immune system the opportunity to become educated and so we are getting more eczema. This could be due to direct parenting styles, but also the whole community as well.”

He says the impact of the disease – both financial and psychological – is grossly underestimated.

“Studies have found the impact of moderate and severe eczema on families is significantly higher than the impact of diabetes on families … and financially we also found the community cost of eczema is significantly higher than asthma,” he said.

“Eczema has a huge toll on families. Babies don’t sleep, they get infected, they’re constantly scratching, they get restless. The parents don’t sleep, they get sleep deprived and they can’t go to work.

“I’ve seen parents split up over kids with eczema.”

Treatment phobia
Dr Su says parents receive an enormous amount of misinformation when it comes to dealing with the disease, and that they should seek medical advice.

“A lot of parents are quite reluctant in the use of products on their babies’ skin, thinking that it is not natural. For example they might be very happy putting olive oil on their babies, but not very happy putting a commercial moisturiser on,” he said.

“I’ve seen babies that are extremely dry, and the oils clearly weren’t working, but the mother was still very reluctant to use things because of this phobia of anything which wasn’t ‘natural’.”

He says a similar phobia around the use of steroid creams has developed in recent decades.

“What we know is that if you have inflammation in the skin and you don’t treat that inflammation there are chemicals that are released that further break down the skin barrier, and then it becomes a vicious cycle,” he said.

“Topical steroids are useful in settling down inflammation… because by settling it down you can help restore the healing of the skin.

“Overused, the steroids can cause some local thinning or some absorption and it can actually backfire,
but there is a greater tendency now to under-treatment, than there is to over-treatment.”

Dr Su says due to busier lifestyles people are tending to neglect their skin. But he says the use of moisturisers – especially on babies – is crucial for preventing and managing eczema.

“If you don’t look after the skin it does get dry and inflamed, or if you put products on the skin that actually make it worse then the skin becomes more vulnerable and allows the passage of allergens, which then sensitise the immune system to other things.

“So from eczema you can get sensitisation to food allergies, and also asthma and hay fever.

“The hope is that if we can look after children’s skin better we can actually reduce the likelihood that they will develop further sensitisations and more problems with allergies later in life.”

Article source: www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-07/eczema-on-the-rise-in-australia/2874462

Image source: © Hallgerd | Dreamstime.com
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‘Alo friends!

How has everyone been? Good I hope?

Apart from my newfound vigor for exercising, I have been trying to extend the healthy way of life to the food
I consume. After all, you are what you eat, and I intend to be as healthy as possible.

Before the whole healthnut ‘obsession’, I was eating whatever I like without much thought to how they break down in my body. Generally, I was eating alright. No soda, no upsized meals, no over-indulgence in cakes, chocolates and candies. Still, I was about 7 kg heavier than what I (feel I) should be, feeling fat and flabby, and totally ignorant about the different types of food I was putting in my body.

In some Asian countries, it can be the norm to have heavy dinners. I grew up in an environment where dinner is the heaviest meal of the day. Imagine having a big bowl of rice with 3 to 5 dishes, and soup… plus desserts! That is a typical Chinese dinner at home. I was also taught not to waste food, so even if I am full, the food on the plate goes into my mouth methodically.

Somewhere between exercising and trying to lose weight the healthy way, I decided that enough is enough. These days, I am slowly improving on my diet. ‘Slowly’ is the keyword; I do not want to feel the harsh impact of a totally new diet that I will follow for a couple of days and then lapse back into old ways because my body crave for the food.

Here are some of my diet changes:

1) Water – I used to be able to survive on one cup of water a day. Oh, the shame! These days, discipline forces me to drink at least six to eight cups, which everyone should do.

2) Green tea – This tea is packed with goodness! It is an antioxidant and is said to aid sleep, burn fats and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

3) Consciously control the portions of food – If the food portion is too big, separate them.

4) Consume less carbs for dinner – Oh dear. This is very tough to keep to, but I have been trying my best. Noodles and pasta are my weaknesses!

5) Healthy breakfast – In the past, I could eat fried vermicelli every morning. It is something that many working people in Singapore will buy as they are pre-cooked, cheap, convenient, and delicious.
It is also very oily. I have since switched to having bread for breakfast.

What have your diet changes been?

Love yourself,

starmist
www.thegirlstarmist.com

This is an interesting read, I’d heard about hot flushes and mood swings but didn’t know that menopause effected skin too. What’s been your experience? Has menopause effected your skin?

–

DURING menopause, your body is experiencing change and upheaval at a dramatic rate. It seems as if there are noticeable differences in your skin daily, and these differences can be hard to combat and even harder to cope with. Not only are you experiencing dry skin, thinning hair, and a myriad of other physical changes, you are not in your best emotional state to deal with these changes.

In order to understand how to deal with dry skin and the changes in your body during menopause, you first need to understand what causes dry skin and other similar changes during this phase of your life. The changes in your skin, hair, complexion, and build are all due to changes that are occurring inside of your body.

Menopause: The Basics
Between the ages of 40 and 60, women who have not undergone surgery to remove their ovaries will experience the effects of these organs shutting down, otherwise called menopause. Since ovaries are responsible for producing hormones, menopause is a time of great change. Your period will become unpredictable and scant before it disappears completely. You may experience hot flashes, mood swings, and pain during sex.

With all of this going on, you may think that dry skin will be the least of your worries, and it very well may be. But the lack of estrogen in your system can cause a great deal of problems with your skin. At normal levels, estrogen stimulates the production of collagen and oils in the skin both of which are responsible for youthful, healthy skin.

Without estrogen, skin can dry out and age. Wrinkles may appear at a more rapid rate. Hair can become dull and listless. It may even begin to thin out. All of these changes in your appearance can leave you feeling depressed during a time when you’re already not feeling your best. This is why it is so important to address your dry skin and lifeless hair. Doing so will help you feel better about your appearance and yourself, and this will help make menopause more bearable.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Dry Skin
Many women choose to replace the estrogen in their bodies through hormone replacement therapy.
Taking estrogen orally can do a lot to combat menopause symptoms including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, dry skin, mood swings, etc. But there are side effects that come along with the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Keep this in mind and do your homework before beginning an estrogen replacement regimen.

Taking Care of Dry Skin during Menopause
Addressing dry skin during menopause takes a little more time and attention than during other times of your life. You should always make sure that your skin is properly moisturized. Be sure to use lotion several times throughout the day. You should also begin a moisturizing and anti-aging skin care routine for the delicate skin of your face if you do not already have one. Here are a few more ideas to help your skin during menopause:

• Treat your new, sensitive skin with extra care. Always use sunscreen and moisturizers at every opportunity.
• Be sure to humidify your home. Purchase an inexpensive humidifier and place it in your bedroom to use at night. If you do not have a humidifier, heat a pot of water on the stove every day to release moisture into the air.
• There are several herbal and vitamin therapies that go a long way in alleviating dry skin. Look for products that contain vitamins A and E. You should also look for products that are formulated specifically for hair and skin.
• Cool down your bath water. The aches and pains of aging and menopause may have you wanting to soak in the tub or spa more frequently. Be careful, though. Hot water dries out your skin more than anything else. If you must soak, be sure to moisturize intensely after.
• Drink plenty of water. Drinking water is vital for your physical health as well as the health of your skin. So be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you are combating dry skin.

Dry skin and menopause do not need to go hand in hand. There are ways that you can keep healthy, youthful, vibrant skin throughout menopause. Follow all of the tips mentioned above and talk to your doctor
if any symptoms become unbearable. Menopause can be a smooth transition, but you have to work at it.

Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Guide-to-Menopause-and-Dry-Skin&id=684301

Image source: © Simon Krzic | Dreamstime.com
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