Acne Medical Treatment – When Should You Seek for It?

November 2, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Diseases And Conditions

Gera D. asked:


It’s a fact that acne is one of the most harmful skin disorders among both teens and adults as well. Not only does it affects people physically but acne has the potential to cause psychological effects, which can be even more devastating. We know there are many products available to treat acne. Some of these treatments include over-the-counter cleansers, creams, etc. And while many mild forms of acne can be treated by some over-the-counter products, more severe types of acne may require medical attention. So, how can you know when to seek medical attention to treat your acne?

It is important to properly care for acne and take the necessary steps to treat and prevent it, but it is also important to know when your acne requires you to see a dermatologist. The decision to seek medical attention to treat your acne takes into account several things. Among the most important factors you should consider when deciding to seek medical attention for your acne is the fact of how you feel about your acne and how it’s affecting you, and the medical facts surrounding your acne condition. In the case you are the victim of a very severe form of acne such as cystic acne and none of the products you’ve tried to treat it have worked for you, then there’s no reason why you should hesitate to see a doctor for special treatment.

Severe acne can cause real damage to your skin if you don’t treat it properly before it’s too late. For one thing, severe acne may leave permanent scars! And this is one of the most important reasons why you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Medical treatment may help reduce scarring. Acne scars come in different types, and appear on some people while others do not have them. In men, scars on the face and neck may make shaving difficult. Shaving can irritate scars, especially larger, more prominent ones, and can further irritate the skin.

How are acne scars treated? There are two factors taken in consideration to treat acne scars: the type of acne you have, and your skin type. Both of these factors play an important role in how your acne scars are treated. The best way to prevent acne scars is to prevent acne, so you should find what works for you and stick to it. If you have cystic acne, a more severe type of acne, there’s no doubt you will have to see an acne skin care professional. Painful cysts may need to be drained by a physician. This type of acne usually requires medical attention because of its severity. It can also last for months and cause a good deal of discomfort to sufferers of this form of severe acne.

Acne can also have negative psychological effects on people. And sometimes these psychological effects are much more difficult to deal with than the actual physical scarring. For many acne sufferers, acne can cause them to become anxious or depressed, affected by what those around them think and how they are perceived. They may also fear how others see them, and feel there is no cure for their condition. This is especially true in adults because many feel their acne should have cleared up after adolescence, or shouldn’t have occurred during adulthood. This is the reason why many of them often stay away from attending social events to avoid placing themselves in a situation where they might feel inferior. So, it is critical to seek medical attention in these cases. Having the help of a professional doctor will not only help treat the physical effects created by acne but he/she will also help sooth the psychological ones as well.

Seeking medical attention as early as possible can save you many unwanted surprises in the future. This is especially true for teenagers who suffer from acne. It has been proven that teens that suffer from acne early on can usually expect it to worsen as they get older. And in the worst-case scenario, their acne condition can even continue on into adulthood! Many times the consequences are so devastating that more severe types of acne can form. Again, we go back to what we’ve discussed earlier, by seeking medical attention, scarring can be prevented earlier on in the course of the condition.

Acne is a very serious skin disorder. So it’s vital to seek medical attention. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t sure. Even if prescription medications aren’t necessary, a doctor can help you find a treatment that works best for you, and you will be on your way to recovery, which is obviously the ultimate goal.



Kansieo.com

Conventional Medical Treatment for Hives

August 16, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Alternative Medicine

urticaria
Alien asked:

Description

Hives are a sudden eruption of red and white bumps on the skin. While hives are usually itchy, and therefore bothersome, they are generally not dangerous-except in cases of bee or insect stings, when hives indicate a true medical emergency. A case of hives may last for less than 30 minutes or as long as a week.

When the body comes into contact with a substance it considers dangerous, it floods the skin with histamine to combat the problematic substance. Hives result when there is excess buildup of histamine on a particular area of skin. Substances that cause this histamine release differ from person to person, though common irritants include animal dander, pollen, aspirin, penicillin, insect bites, and foods to which the person is allergic.

Signs and Symptoms

A batch of raised, red or white bumps on a localized area of skin

Bumps may appear and disappear suddenly

The affected area may be mildly or severely itchy

Certain people can develop recurrent hives from sunlight, cold, pressure, vibration or exercise. These are called the physical urticarias. If hives develop from scratching or firmly rubbing the skin it is called dermatographism. It is the most common of the physical urticarias and it affects about 5 percent of the population. It doesn’t always itch. This condition sometimes also occurs along with other forms of hives.

Conventional Medical Treatment

Hives often do not usually require medical treatment, but if the hives remain for an extended period of time, see your doctor. After taking your medical history, your physician may ask about your exposure within the last two weeks to any possible irritants. Unfortunately, hives can be caused by such a wide range of irritants that your physician may not be able to identify the exact cause. If the cause is identified, you will be urged to avoid the substance that caused the outbreak. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication, usually an antihistamine, to treat the condition.

If the hives are accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, nausea, or abdominal cramps, immediately seek medical help. You could be suffering from anaphylactic shock. Many antihistamines are available without prescription, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), taken in doses of 25 milligrams and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), taken in a dose of 4 milligrams. These can be taken up to three times a day, but because these medications can cause drowsiness, they are often taken at bedtime.

Aromatherapy

German chamomile oil can help bring relief from itching. Simply place a drop directly on the itchy skin and massage in.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Hives come from excessive heat in the body, say Ayurvedic practitioners. To cool the heat and soothe the maddening itch, they favor eating watermelon as well as drinking coriander milk or cilantro.

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Conventional Medical Treatment for Burns

July 21, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Alternative Medicine

Alien asked:

Basic Description

A first-degree burn is the most minor type of burn. It only affects the outer layer of skin-the burn is at the surface only. First-degree burns can be caused by the sun (sunburns), chemicals, or heated objects or fluids.

With a second-degree burn, the top layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin has also been burned (though not burned through). Second-degree burns also can be caused by the sun (sunburns), fire, chemicals, or heated objects or fluids.

A third-degree burn is an extremely severe burn that damages the top and bottom layers of skin and the underlying layers of fat, nerves, muscles, and even bones. The area will be charred black or white and will be dry and Powdery. Third-degree burns are usually caused by fire, though they can also be caused by chemicals or electrical wires.

Signs and Symptoms

First-Degree

Pink or red areas that mayor may not be accompanied by swelling and blisters

Tenderness or pain at the site

Second-Degree

Mottled, intensely red areas

Blistering at the site, sometimes accompanied by oozing fluid

Intense pain

Swelling

Third-Degree

Charred black and/or white areas

Visible bone, fat, nerves and/or muscles

Victim may be in shock or unconscious

First and second-degree burns often accompany third-degree burns

Severe pain, or if the nerves have been burned, lack of feeling

Conventional Medical Treatment

Unless the first-degree burn is accompanied by more serious burns, or covers large areas of the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or major joint, you can treat it at home. If the second-degree burn is limited to an area 3 inches in diameter or smaller, it can also be treated at home. If the skin is unbroken, run cool water over the area or soak it in a cool bath. Either way, keep the area submerged for 2 to 4 minutes. Then cover the burn with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. Minor burns usually heal without further attention. If an infection sets in, see your physician.

If the second-degree burn is larger than 3 inches in diameter, or has occurred on the feet, face, groin, buttocks, hands, or major joint, immediately go to your physician or hospital emergency room.

If any part of the body contains third-degree burns, immediately call an ambulance. If you are a bystander, check to see if the burn victim is breathing. If not, perform cardiopulumonary resuscitation (CPR). (If you are not trained in CPR, find someone who is.) If the person is breathing, cover the burned areas with a cool, moist, sterile bandage or a clean sheet (make sure it is a flatweave sheet rather than a fuzzy one). Do not apply any oils, ointments, or lotions, and do not move the victim.

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