Remote Health Care » Skin disease

Bacterial infections of the skin: Impetigo

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:51:22 +0000

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, which is characterized by the formation of small blisters filled with pus (pustules).

The disease mostly affects children and can occur anywhere on the body, although often it does so in the face, arms and legs. The blisters can be the size of a pea or as large rings. Impetigo may follow an injury or a disease that causes an injury to the skin, like a fungal infection, burns from the sun or an insect bite. Impetigo may also affect the normal skin, especially the legs of children.

Early treatment can prevent infecting impetigo skin deep (Ecthyma). Antibiotics such as penicillin or cephalosporin are usually administered orally. In some rare occasion, impetigo caused by Streptococcus can lead to kidney failure

Diagnosis and Treatment of Psoriasis

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:38:46 +0000

Diagnosis
At the beginning of diagnosis can be uncertain because many other diseases can pursue with scaly plaques and the like. As the advancing psoriasis, doctors can easily recognize his characteristic pattern of peeling, so that, in general, we do not need to do diagnostic tests. However, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor can perform a skin biopsy (a sample of skin removed for examination under a microscope).

Treatment
When a person presents only a few plaques, psoriasis responds quickly to treatment. Using ointments and skin creams lubricants (emollients) once or twice a day can keep hydrated. Ointments containing corticosteroids are very effective and its effect may be even greater if you apply after the area is covered with cellophane. The creams with vitamin D also are effective in many patients.

Ointments and creams that contain salicylic acid or tar are also used to treat psoriasis. Most of these medicines are applied twice daily on the affected area.When the scalp is affected, often used shampoos that contain these active ingredients.

Ultraviolet light can also help eliminate psoriasis. In fact, during the summer months, the affected skin areas that are exposed to the sun may heal spontaneously. Sunbathing tends to help remove the plates in large areas of the body, exposure to ultraviolet rays under medical therapy is also another frequent. In cases of extensive psoriasis, lightning with this therapy can be accompanied with psoralens, drugs that cause the skin is more sensitive to the effects of ultraviolet light. The combination of psoralen and ultraviolet light (PUVA) is usually effective and can cure skin for several months. However, treatment with PUVA may increase the risk of skin cancer due to ultraviolet radiation and consequently, the treatment must be closely supervised by a doctor.

In severe forms of psoriasis and psoriasis disseminated, the physician can manage methotrexate. Used to treat certain forms of cancer, this drug interferes with the growth and proliferation of skin cells. Doctors used methotrexate in people who do not respond to other forms of therapy. Can be effective in extreme cases, but may have adverse effects on bone marrow, kidneys and liver. Another effective drug, cyclosporine, also has serious side effects.

The two most effective medications to treat pustulosis are etretinate and iso-tretinoin, which is also used to treat severe acne.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent illness that is recognized by their blooms and silvery scaly plaques of various sizes (papules bulky).

The peeling occurs because of a growth and an abnormally high production of skin cells. It is unknown the cause of this rapid cell growth, but it is believed that the immune mechanisms have an important role. The disease tends to affect several members of one family. The psoriasis is common and affects 2 to 4 per cent of the white population, the ethnic black are less affected. Psoriasis often starts in individuals between 10 and 40 years, but can occur at any age.

Psoriasis typically begins as one or more small plates that are becoming very scaly. It is possible to form small bumps around the affected area. Despite that early plaques may disappear by themselves, then others can be formed. Some boards may have provided the size of the nail of the little finger, but others can be extended to cover large areas of the body, adopting a form of ring or spiral.

Psoriasis often affects the scalp, elbows, knees, back and buttocks. The flakes can be confused with dandruff serious, but the characteristic plaques of psoriasis, scaly areas that mix with other completely normal, apart from dandruff. Psoriasis may also occur around and under the nails, that increase in thickness and is deformed. The eyebrows, armpit, navel and the English may also be affected.

Usually, psoriasis produces only flaking. Not even itching is common. When you heal the areas covered with scales, skin takes a completely normal appearance and hair growth is restored. Most people with psoriasis have a few limited besides the inconvenience peeling, despite the appearance of your skin can be unpleasant.

However, other people suffer extensive psoriasis (generalized) or experience serious effects as a result of this disease. Psoriatic arthritis produces symptoms very similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis. On very rare occasions, psoriasis covers the entire body and produces psoriatic dermatitis exfoliative, which ignites the whole skin. This form of psoriasis is serious because, like a burn, it prevents the skin functions as protective barrier against injury and infection. In another unusual form of psoriasis, pustulosis, forming large and small grains filled with pus (pustules) on the palms and soles. In some cases these pustules are spread throughout the body.

The psoriasis may arise for no apparent reason, or result from a severe sunburn, a skin irritation, use of antimalarial medicines, lithium, beta blockers (such as propranolol and metoprolol), or even any cream or ointment. Streptococcal infections (especially children), bruises and scratches can also stimulate the formation of new plaques.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Corns and calluses

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:22:33 +0000

A call is a zone of the top of the skin, the stratum corneum layer or keratin, which becomes abnormally thick and forms a protective pad in response to repeated friction.

The calluses can form in any part of the body but usually appear over an area of bony hands, the feet and elbows or other areas that brushed repeatedly, as violinists in the chin.

A callus is the size of a pea and is a piece of thick keratin that forms on the feet.

The calluses are harder on the joints of the toes. The formed between the toes tend to be softer. Unlike most of the calluses, corns the pain it can cause thickening of the skin makes pressure on the bone that lies beneath.

Diagnosis
In general, calluses and corns are easy to recognize. In some cases, corns are confused with plantar warts, which also contain a thick layer of keratin. However, warts are very sensitive when they are compressed from the sides, whereas calluses are more sensitive to direct pressure against the bone.

Treatment
The corns and calluses are easier to prevent than treat. The calluses can be avoided by removing the source of irritation or, if that is possible, using a glove, a pad, or any other protective factor. Most pharmacies sell patches pads and protective rings in various forms for this purpose. Tripe often occur because of uncomfortable shoes and may disappear if you use an appropriate footwear. To remove calluses faster it is possible to use a drug that dissolves the keratin. These drugs (called keratolytic agents) usually contain salicylic acid. Can be applied as a poultice to dry by contact, but another possibility is to place the area on a padded patch containing the medication. However, if the keratolytic agents are not applied with care, the acid can damage the adjacent normal tissue. The corns and calluses can also be reduced with a pumice stone after bathing, or use a doctor or a nurse for the scrape with a scalpel.

In a diabetic with poor circulation, tripe and calluses can heal slowly, especially if they have been formed in the foot. Doctors recommend that people with diabetes take special care of their feet.

Stratum Corneum

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:10:54 +0000

The top layer of skin called stratum corneum, or keratin, is composed of several layers of flat dead cells and acts as a barrier that protects the underlying fabric of possible injuries and infections. By reducing evaporation, the oils of this skin layer helps to maintain moisture in the deeper layers, maintaining the texture of the skin soft and supple.

The stratum corneum is only part of the epidermis, a thin layer of skin that covers almost the entire body. In some areas, like the palms of the hands and feet of plants, the skin is thick and the stratum corneum provides extra protection against impacts and abrasions. The skin can also be thick and hard in areas too dry.

The diseases of the upper layers of skin concern to the stratum corneum and the deeper layers of skin and can cause discomfort from a temporary grave until chronic disorders.