In one word, ”acne” is a pain! And the worst part is, they make a grand entry on our face when we least want them to.
Causes of acne:
Pores get clogged with dirt and dead skin cells and this leads to acne formation on the surface of the skin. Acne can vary in form and varies from person to person. Whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples are common symptoms of acne.
The factors affecting acne formation can differ depending on factors such as:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Hormones
- Diet
- Air quality
- Water consumption
- Sleep
Each day, people spend thousands on expensive acne treatments while you can treat this condition easily at home by implementing many simple and easy to carry out remedies. However, always consult a doctor and never self-medicate.
To get you started, here are a few!
#1 Lemon Juice
Thanks to its astringent and exfoliating attributes, lemon juice scores many brownie points on the treatment front of acne. Just squeeze a lemon into a bowl and add a few drops of rose water to it. Apply this mixture with a cotton ball on the affected area such as the neck or the face. Not only will this prevent pimples from forming but will also help for glowing skin and reduce the appearance of scars. This is your one sure-shot natural way to keep control of acne and pimples!
#2 Aloe Vera
This cool gel does wonders to your skin! Just cut an aloe shoot in half, scrape the gel out with a spoon, and apply it to the acne. Make this a regular ritual and say goodbye to bacterial infections and acne-causing inflammation. You can also buy Aloe Vera gel for skincare from a herbal store but make sure it does not contain any hidden ingredients. Are you ready for soothing, loveable, baby-like skin!
#3 Chamomile
Chamomile is another treasured ingredient that can be used to keep acne and pimples at bay. You can use this ingredient in two ways – empty the contents of a chamomile tea bag in a blender, add water and blend into a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your face and bid a good long adieu to acne! Alternatively, you can also boil one to two chamomile tea bags in two cups of water. Allow the mixture to cool and apply on your blemishes to have the same positive effect on your skin. Include this step in your skincare routine.
#4 Echinacea
Known to speed up the healing process, Echinacea also helps in controlling acne, pimples, and other skin infections. You can either use Echinacea tea as a regular face wash or apply a few drops of the tea on the affected areas with a soft cloth or cotton.
#5 Toothpaste
Your humble toothpaste can also come in very handy in treating acne and removing the scars formed by them. Just apply a little toothpaste on the problem areas and see the size of the pimples reducing in a few days’ time.
#6 Honey
This powerhouse of nutrients is also a good natural contender in the treatment of acne and pimples. Apply a healthy serving of honey directly to the acne and allow it to dry. In an hour or so wash off! The stickiness of honey helps in removing excess dirt from the pores of the skin.
#7 Mint
Mint helps to de-clog the pores and helps to keep a check on bacterial infections. To help maintain an acne clear face, mix about two tablespoons of finely chopped fresh mint and two tablespoons of yoghurt and oatmeal. Whisk to a smooth paste and apply to your face. Leave it to dry for ten minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
What are epidermoid cysts?
Epidermoid cysts are typically harmless, slow-growing bumps under the skin. They often appear on areas with more hair such as the scalp, face, trunk, upper back, or groin area. These cysts can range in size from ½ inch to several inches across. Some may have an enlarged pore in the center of them. They are the most common type of skin (cutaneous) cyst.
Epidermoid cysts are sometimes called epidermal cysts. They are also called sebaceous cysts. But a sebaceous cyst is different from an epidermoid cyst. They are also less common. True sebaceous cysts start in the sebaceous gland. This is an oil gland in the skin that produces (secretes) an oily substance called sebum. Sebum lubricates the skin to help keep it healthy.
Epidermoid cysts can remain stable. Or they may steadily grow. Sometimes they will become inflamed, red, painful, or suddenly break open (rupture). This poses a risk for infection.
What causes epidermoid cysts?
Your skin has several layers. The thin, protective outer layer of skin is called the epidermis. The cells that make up the outermost layer slowly shed and are replaced as newer cells move to the skin’s surface.
Most epidermoid cysts are caused when skin (epidermal) cells move under the skin surface, or are covered over by it instead of shedding. These cells continue to multiply, like skin does normally. They then form a wall around themselves (cyst) and secrete normal skin fluids (keratin). This is a thick, yellow substance that may drain from the cyst. This may be developmental. But it often happens because of an injury to the skin.
Epidermoid cysts are often found around hair follicles. These follicles are like cysts, but they have openings. Normal lubricating oils for your hair are sent out through these openings. A cyst occurs when an opening becomes blocked or the site inflamed. This often occurs when there is damage to the hair follicles by a scrape or wound.
What are the symptoms of epidermoid cysts?
- Feeling a lump just beneath the skin
- It may be painful
- The cyst may smell bad
- The cyst may become inflamed or red
- The cyst may leak fluid or thick material
The symptoms of epidermoid cysts may look like other skin conditions. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How are epidermoid cysts diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can often diagnose an epidermoid cyst by examining the cyst. A tissue sample (scraping dead skin) can be taken and looked at under a microscope.
How are epidermoid cysts treated?
Epidermoid cysts often go away without any treatment. If the cyst drains on its own, it may return. Most cysts don’t cause problems or need treatment. But if a cyst is a concern to you for any reason, see your healthcare provider. Epidermoid cysts can be treated by simple surgery (excision) with removal of the cyst and cyst wall.
What are possible complications of epidermoid cysts?
Epidermoid cysts may go away on their own. The cysts are often not painful, unless they become inflamed or infected. An epidermoid cyst that is inflamed can be injected with steroids. This can reduce inflammation and the cyst may not need to be drained.
But infected cysts may need to be cut and drained. To do this, your provider makes a hole in the top and removes what is inside. Large cysts can come back after this procedure and may have to be surgically removed (excised). If a cyst becomes swollen, tender, large, or infected, treatment may include antibiotics and then surgery.
Can epidermoid cysts be prevented?
There is no known way to prevent epidermoid cysts. But you can prevent possible infection and scarring if you don’t squeeze, pop, stick a needle in it, or cut it open. This often leads to an infection and scarring. If it gets severely inflamed or infected, you should get medical care.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
- Swelling, redness, or pain
- Pus coming from the cyst
Key points about epidermoid cysts
- Epidermoid cysts are typically harmless, slow-growing bumps under the skin.
- They often appear on areas with more hair such as the scalp, face, trunk, upper back, or groin area.
- Epidermoid cysts often go away without any treatment. If the cyst drains on its own, it may return.
- Most cysts don’t cause problems or need treatment. They are often not painful, unless they become inflamed or infected.
- If a cyst is a concern to you for any reason, see your healthcare provider. It can be removed through simple surgery.
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
- Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
- At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
- Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
- Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
- If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time
Birthmarks are marks on the skin that a baby can develop before birth or soon after. Birthmarks can be flat or raised, have regular or irregular borders, and have different shades of coloring from brown, tan, black, or pale blue to pink, red, or purple.
What Causes Birthmarks?
Doctors don’t know what causes most birthmarks. They can’t be prevented and they’re not caused by anything done or not done during pregnancy. Most aren’t related to trauma to the skin during childbirth. Some kinds may run in families, but a genetic cause hasn’t been found.
What Are the Types of Birthmarks?
There are two main types of birthmarks, which have different causes:
Vascular Birthmarks
The most common vascular (blood vessel) birthmarks are macular stains, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains:
- Macular stains. Also called salmon patches, angel kisses, or stork bites, these faint red marks are the most common type of vascular birthmark. Macular (MA-kyuh-ler) stains typically are on the forehead or eyelids; the back of the neck; or on the nose, upper lip, or back of the head. They may be more noticeable when the baby cries. Most often they fade on their own by the time a child is 1 to 2 years old, although some last into adulthood.
- Hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are superficial when they’re on the surface of the skin (“strawberry marks”), deep when found below the skin’s surface, and compound when they affect both layers. A hemangioma (hee-man-jee-OH-muh) can be slightly raised and bright red, and usually won’t be visible until a few days or weeks after a baby is born. Deep hemangiomas might look bluish because they involve blood vessels in deeper layers of the skin.
Pigmented Birthmarks
The most common pigmented birthmarks are café-au-lait spots, Mongolian spots, and moles:
- Café-au-lait spots. These very common spots are the color of coffee with milk, which explains the name. They can be anywhere on the body and sometimes increase in number as a child gets older. One alone is not a problem. But call your doctor if your child has 6 or more spots that are larger than a pencil eraser (for a younger child), or larger than a dime (for an older child). Having many café-au-lait spots can be a sign of neurofibromatosis (a genetic disorder that causes abnormal cell growth of nerve tissues).
- Mongolian spots. These flat, bluish-gray patches are often found on the lower back or buttocks. They are most common on darker skin, such as on children of Asian, American Indian, African, Hispanic, and Southern European descent. They usually fade — often completely — by school age without treatment.
How Are Birthmarks Treated?
Macular stains usually fade away on their own. Ones at the back of the neck may last longer, but are not very noticeable. Most other vascular birthmarks can be treated.
Port-wine stains and some hemangiomas can be disfiguring and upsetting for children. Small hemangiomas in less visible locations usually don’t need treatment, as most shrink back into themselves by the time a child is 10. Doctors can treat larger or more visible hemangiomas with medicine put directly into the hemangioma, given into a vein (with an IV), or taken by mouth (oral).
When Should I Call the Doctor?
A doctor should check a birthmark when it first appears to see what type it is, and to decide what monitoring or treatment it needs, if any.
Call the doctor if a birthmark ever bleeds, hurts, itches, or gets infected. Like any injury where there is bleeding, clean the wound with soap and water and, using a gauze bandage, place firm pressure on the area until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call the doctor.
What Else Should I Know?
It can be a shock at first to see a birthmark on your newborn. If the birthmark is clearly visible, people might ask questions or stare, which can feel rude. It helps to have a simple explanation ready to handle this. Most people mean no harm, but it’s also OK to let them know if they’ve gone too far.
Even at a young age, kids watch how their parents respond to such situations. This is where they learn how to cope with others’ reactions. Talking simply and openly about a birthmark with kids makes them more likely to accept one as just another part of themselves, like hair color. Practice simple answers they can use if asked about it, like “It’s just a birthmark. I was born with it.” It’s also helps kids emotionally to be around supportive family and friends who treat them normally.
A skin lesion is a general term used for the different types of bumps, spots, moles, or other growths that may appear on the skin. Most skin lesions are harmless, but sometimes they can be a sign of skin cancer or other health problems.
Depending on what type of lesion your child has, your doctor may cut out all or a small area of the skin tissue and send it to a lab to be looked at under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. A biopsy may be done to figure out what the lesion is or to make sure it is not skin cancer.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child’s treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your child’s test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
How can you care for your child at home?
If your doctor told you how to care for your child’s wound, follow your doctor’s instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
- Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day.
- After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
- Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
- If your child has stitches, you may get other instructions. Your child will have to return to have the stitches removed.
- If a scab forms, do not pull it off. Let it fall off on its own. Wounds heal faster if no scab forms. Washing the area every day and using the petroleum jelly will help keep a scab from forming.
- If the wound bleeds, put direct pressure on it with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- If your child had a growth “frozen” with liquid nitrogen, he or she may get a blister. Do not break it. Let it dry up on its own. It is common for the blister to fill with blood. You do not need to do anything about this, but if it becomes too painful, call your doctor or nurse advice line.
- Protect your child’s skin from the sun.
When should you call for help?
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the wound.
- Pus draining from the wound.
- A fever.
- Watch closely for changes in your child’s health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- The wound is changing, bleeding, or getting irritated.
- Your child does not get better after 2 weeks of home care.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing hyperhidrosis may start with your health care provider asking about your medical history and symptoms. You may also need a physical exam or tests to further evaluate the cause of your symptoms.
Lab tests
Your health care provider may recommend blood, urine or other lab tests to see if your sweating is caused by another medical condition, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Sweat tests
Or you may need a test that pinpoints the areas of sweating and evaluates how severe your condition is. Two such tests are an iodine-starch test and a sweat test.
Treatment
Treating hyperhidrosis may start with treating the condition causing it. If a cause isn’t found, treatment focuses on controlling heavy sweating. If new self-care habits don’t improve your symptoms, your health care provider may suggest one or more of the following treatments. Even if your sweating improves after treatment, it may recur.
Medications
- Prescription antiperspirant. Your health care provider may prescribe an antiperspirant with aluminum chloride (Drysol, Xerac AC). Apply it to dry skin before going to bed. Then wash the product off when you get up, taking care to not get any in your eyes. Once you start seeing results from using it daily for a few days, you can scale back to once or twice a week to maintain the effect.This product can cause skin and eye irritation. Talk with your health care provider about ways to reduce side effects.
- Prescription creams and wipes. Prescription creams that contain glycopyrrolate may help hyperhidrosis that affects the face and head. Wipes soaked in glycopyrronium tosylate (Qbrexza) may ease symptoms of the hands, feet and underarms. Possible side effects of these products include mild skin irritation and dry mouth.
- Nerve-blocking medications. Some pills (oral medications) block the nerves that trigger sweat glands. This can reduce sweating in some people. Possible side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, and bladder problems.
- Antidepressants. Some medications used for depression can also decrease sweating. They may also help decrease anxiety.
- Botulinum toxin injections. Treatment with botulinum toxin (Botox) blocks the nerves that trigger the sweat glands. Most people don’t feel much pain during the procedure. But you may want your skin numbed beforehand. Your health care provider might offer one or more of the methods used to numb the skin. These include topical anesthesia, ice, and massage (vibration anesthesia).Each affected area of your body will need several injections. It may take a few days to notice results. To retain the effect, you’ll likely need repeat treatments about every six months. A possible side effect is short-term muscle weakness in the treated area.
Surgical and other procedures
- Iontophoresis. With this home treatment, you soak your hands or feet in a pan of water while a device passes mild electric current through the water. The current blocks the nerves that trigger sweating. You can buy the device if you have a prescription from your health care provider.You’ll need to soak the affected areas for 20 to 40 minutes. Repeat the treatment 2 to 3 times a week until your symptoms improve. After you get results, you can reduce treatments to once a week or once a month to maintain the effect. Talk with your health care provider if you experience side effects.
- Microwave therapy. With this therapy, a handheld device (miraDry) delivers microwave energy to destroy sweat glands in the armpits. Treatments involve two 20- to 30-minute sessions, three months apart. Possible side effects are a change in skin sensation and some discomfort. Long-term side effects are unknown.
- Sweat gland removal. If you sweat heavily only in your armpits, your health care provider may suggest removing those sweat glands. This may be done through scraping them away (curettage), suctioning them out (liposuction), or using a combination of the two (suction curettage).
- Nerve surgery (sympathectomy). During this procedure, the surgeon removes a small section of the spinal nerves that control sweating in your hands. A possible side effect is permanent heavy sweating in other areas of your body (compensatory sweating). Surgery is generally not an option for isolated head and neck sweating. A variation on this procedure treats the palms. It interrupts the nerve signals without removing the sympathetic nerve (sympathotomy), which reduces the risk of compensatory sweating.Because nerve surgery has a risk of side effects and complications, it is usually only considered for people who have tried many other treatments without good results.
While the skin disorder vitiligo isn’t harmful or life-threatening, it can certainly change your life. Not only do you have to manage its physical symptoms—patches of smooth white skin known as macules—you may experience a significant emotional and psychological toll.
Living with vitiligo, as with any condition that affects physical appearance, means finding healthy and positive ways to cope.
Luckily, there are a number of strategies to help you cope. Lifestyle changes and protective measures can help with the symptoms. In addition, many patients address the mental health and social impact by seeking counseling and by finding in-person and online communities and supportive patient advocacy organizations.
Emotional
Since vitiligo affects how you look—and because it’s often chronic and irreversible—it can significantly impact your mental health and overall quality of life. Those with the condition may experience a range of often interrelated issues, including:
- Lowered self-esteem: Because most cultures and societies around the world prize physical appearance, people with skin disorders, such as vitiligo, alopecia, and psoriasis, often have lower self-esteem and increased feelings of self-consciousness.
- Depression and anxiety: Related to self-esteem, people living with this condition have higher rates of depression and anxiety disorder. Increasingly, treatment of these issues is seen as central to taking on vitiligo.
- Quality of life: Those experiencing vitiligo are also likely to feel isolated and stigmatized. They may view their pigmentation as devastating, which impacts both social behavior and career prospects. This can further impact mental health.
It’s important to remember that these feelings and effects are natural, and they can be managed.
Facing Mental Health Challenges
If you’re struggling emotionally due to this condition, let your doctor know. Medical professionals can help you develop a means of managing these issues. Counseling in individualized or group settings, talking to friends and family, and seeking support from others with the condition (online or in person) also can help.
Physical
While lifestyle changes and other measures can’t reverse the effects of vitiligo on skin pigmentation, they certainly can help manage them. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the key to healthy skin is preventing sun exposure.
Tanning or sunburns can cause discolored patches to become more prominent and to spread.
Preventing sun exposure entails:
- Daily sunscreen use: The AAD recommends you apply sunscreen to all skin not covered by your clothing about 15 minutes before you go out. Use products that offer protection from both ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays, have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and are waterproof.
- Protective clothing: Clothing, of course, also prevents sun exposure, with certain fabrics (such as denim) offering more protection than others. It’s good to wear long sleeves, as T-shirts—especially light-colored ones—are less effective at keeping the sun out.
- Seeking shade: Avoiding direct exposure to sunlight being key, it’s always good to seek out shade when you’re outdoors. Also, try to avoid sunlight during the middle of the day.
- Safe skin coloring: If you’re considering adding color to your white patches of skin, make sure you’re using safe, nontoxic self-tanners, concealing creams, dyes, or makeup. Waterproof self-tanners containing dihydroxyacetone and dyes are best for longer-lasting results.
- Other tips: Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and getting tattoos, which can cause new patches of discolored skin within 14 days, a condition called Koebner’s phenomenon.
Additionally, your dermatologist (a medical specialist in skin, hair, and nails) or other doctor may recommend light therapy (also known as phototherapy). This involves regular exposure of depigmented skin to UVB rays from specialized lamps.
This therapy can be done at home or in clinics.
Light therapy may be paired with the application of topical steroids or vitamin D analogue creams, such as calcipotriol and tacalcitol.
Social
In addition to managing the physical symptoms of vitiligo, it is essential for those with this condition to find social support. Finding connection and community is essential when facing the low self-esteem, stigmatization, and other factors caused by this condition. Luckily, there are many helpful resources out there, and it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.
Who and what can help? Here’s a breakdown:
- Family and friends: It’s a good idea to talk to your family and friends about your condition and how you’re feeling. They can be an excellent source of emotional and practical support.
- Support groups: Especially if you’re struggling with the stigma and isolation associated with vitiligo, talking to others with this or other chronic skin conditions can be invaluable.
- Online communities: Social media groups and online discussion forums, by connecting you to the global community of people with the condition, can also be sources of connection and support.
- Advocacy organizations: Organizations, such as Vitiligo Support International and the American Vitiligo Research Foundation (AVRF) connect patients with resources and help advocate for research and awareness of the condition.
Hypertrophic scars and keloids both form due to excess collagen during wound healing. But hypertrophic scars stay within the confines of the wound, while keloids can grow beyond. Keloids are also much more difficult to treat.
What Are Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids?
- Hypertrophic scars and keloids are types of scars resulting from an injury to the skin. They are more obvious than typical scars that are flat and relatively invisible. They are both the result of too much scar tissue developing near the site of a skin injury.
- Hypertrophic scars grow right after your wound has healed and stay within the injury site. Keloids take longer to appear and can spread beyond the injury.
- Hypertrophic scars should resolve over time with or without treatment. Keloids may remain on your body long term despite efforts to reduce them.
Keep reading to learn more about what keloids and hypertrophic scars have in common and how they differ.
What is a Hypertrophic Scar?
Hypertrophic scars are thickened scars that appear after you experience a skin injury. They may be raised or flat, and stay within the boundaries of the wound.
Hypertrophic scars occur when your body makes too much collagen while trying to repair the wound. This could be due to infection or increased tension on the wound. Collagen is thicker than your skin, which is why these scars may appear raised or feel rough.
Any of the following can trigger a hypertrophic scar to form:
- Cuts
- Acne
- Insect bites
- Burns
- Skin infections
What is a Keloid?
Keloids are raised scar-like skin growths. Unlike hypertrophic scars, the connective tissues in keloids continue to grow beyond the wound site. While hypertrophic scars have about three times as much collagen production as is typical, keloids have about 20 times as much.
The collagen fibers also arrange themselves differently in keloids. In hypertrophic scars, the collagen fibers have a regular pattern. But in keloids, they seem to arrange themselves randomly.
Doctors consider keloids to be benign tumors on your body. This means that they are not harmful to your overall health.
Keloids may appear after a major injury to the skin or from just a minor wound. The same things that trigger a hypertrophic scar can also trigger a keloid.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, up to 10% of people develop keloids.
Genetics may be a risk factor, per the American Academy of Dermatology, as about one-third of people with keloids have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who develops keloids. They occur more frequently in people who have darker skin.
Both men and women can develop them at equal rates.
How to Distinguish Between Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
At first glance, these scars may present in the same way. They may:
- Be raised above your skin
- Cause discomfort
- Be itchy
Here are some differences between the two scars:
- Hypertrophic scars:
- Size: stay within the area of the initial wound
- Onset: begin within a month or two after the initial wound and continue to grow for many months
- Outlook: shrink after a year
- Color: may be a lighter pink or red color
- Effect on movement: can stiffen joint movement because the scar shortens tissues
- Incidence: more common
- Location: can develop anywhere on the body but often near sites where a wound is infected, irritated, or untreated or where a joint moves the skin
- Keloids:
- Size: grow beyond the initial wound
- Onset: begin a few months or several years after the wound and grow over time
- Outlook: do not shrink in size
- Color: may be a darker purple-red color
- Effect on movement: do not affect joint movement
- Incidence: less common
- Location: develop on certain areas of the body, including the upper torso, earlobes, and cheeks
Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars in Skin of Color
It’s important to note that according to research, there are some distinctive differences in how these hypertrophic scars and keloids develop and look on skin of color. Differences can include:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Scars covering wider areas
- Scars developing over a shorter time, including reports of spontaneous development
Insect bites are a common nuisance that can cause discomfort and itching. Whether you’ve been bitten by mosquitoes, ants, bees, or other pesky bugs, finding the right treatment is essential to alleviate the symptoms and prevent potential complications. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various effective remedies and provide valuable tips on preventing insect bites in the first place.
1. Identify the Culprit
The first step in treating an insect bite is to identify the insect responsible for the bite. Different insects can cause varying reactions, and knowing the culprit will help you choose the most suitable treatment. Common biting insects include mosquitoes, ticks, ants, bees, wasps, and spiders.
2. Cleanse the Area
When you’ve been bitten, it’s crucial to clean the affected area with mild soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel.
3. Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the bite area can help reduce swelling and provide relief from itching. Be sure not to apply ice directly to the skin.
4. Over-the-Counter Remedies
Many over-the-counter creams and ointments containing ingredients like hydrocortisone, calamine, or antihistamines can provide instant relief from itching and inflammation. Always follow the directions on the packaging or ask our team of friendly Pharmacists and Health Care Assistants.
5. Natural Remedies
For those who prefer natural remedies, options like aloe vera gel, witch hazel, or diluted apple cider vinegar can be applied to the bite area to soothe itching and reduce inflammation. Please ensure you follow tips 1-3 first!
6. Essential Oil
Certain essential oils, such as lavender, tea tree, and chamomile are thought to possess anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Dilute a few drops in a carrier oil and apply to the bite area. You can ask our registered aromatherapist for more advice on this.
7. Oral Antihistamines
Over-the-counter oral antihistamines can help alleviate itching and discomfort from insect bites. Consult our team of Pharmacists and prescribers before taking any medication if you have existing health conditions or take prescribed medicines.
8. Prevention Tips
- Use an approved Insect Repellent for the area you live or travel in.
- Wear Protective Clothing: When in areas with high insect activity, wear long sleeves, trousers, socks, and closed-toe shoes to minimize skin exposure.
- Avoid peak Insect Hours! usually early morning and evening. Limit outdoor activities during these times.
- Eliminate Breeding Grounds: Remove standing water around your home to reduce breeding sites.
- Use Bed Nets: When sleeping outdoors or in areas with a high insect population, use bed nets to prevent bites during the night.
- Keep Areas Clean: Regularly clean your living spaces to avoid attracting insects.
9. Emergency Situations
If you feel unwell or it is outside of normal working hours, you can call 111 or get help from 111 online. If, however, you are experiencing a severe reaction, including breathlessness, swelling of the face, tightness in the throat, call 999.
Insect bites are an inevitable part of spending time outdoors, but with the right knowledge and precautions, you can effectively treat bites and minimize their impact on your comfort. By identifying the insect, practicing proper hygiene, and utilizing various remedies, you can find relief from itching and discomfort. Remember, prevention is key, so take the necessary steps to protect yourself from future bites and enjoy your time outdoors to the fullest.
Skin discoloration can deal a blow to your self-esteem.
Many people experience brown spots and pigment changes at some point in their lives. These blemishes appear when too much melanin is produced by the skin in a concentrated area. Age, medication, genetics, and sun exposure are just a few of the triggers associated with hyperpigmentation.
Getting to the root of the issue
Before we can recommend the best option for brown spot removal, we need to first establish the pigmentation type. Spots can come in many different forms:
- Freckles – Small, flat, circular, and usually uniform in colour. These spots may be genetic, or appear with sun exposure before fading in winter.
- Sun Spots – These may look like freckles, and in some cases appear to be raised itchy warts. They’re caused by overexposure to the sun, and while usually harmless, they may be early warning signs of skin cancer.
- “Liver Spots” or Age Spots – Large, dark and flat brown spots on the face and hands, also known as solar lentigo or lentigines. They most commonly appear in middle age, but can also form earlier from sun exposure.
- Moles – Small dark brown spots that range in colour, size and protrusion. They can be caused by sun exposure, pregnancy, skin type and genetics.
- Melasma – Brown or tan patches on the face, typically in women of childbearing age. May be related to sun exposure, medications, genetics, and/or hormonal changes.
- Actinic Keratosis – Scaly, thickened, and/or warty lesions on the skin, either brown or reddish in colour. This condition may be an early indicator of skin cancer.
Finding a treatment for your brown spots
When you find a brown spot on skin that was once clear, talk to a dermatologist. Since pigmentation changes on the skin can be a sign of something more serious, we suggest you always seek a specialist for advice before starting brown spot removal treatment.
Strategies to help you get past the most frustrating and bothersome symptom of atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder that causes patches of dry, red, and itchy skin. Itch is frequently reported as the most bothersome symptom of the condition—so much that the condition is sometimes called “the itch that rashes.”
When atopic dermatitis itches, it will be tempting to scratch the affected areas of the skin. Scratching can damage the skin, make symptoms worse, and lead to infections. Scratching can also trigger more itchiness, which is known as the “itch-scratch cycle.”
Here are some strategies to help cope with itching and scratching:
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- Work with a healthcare provider
If you are living with atopic dermatitis, the number one thing you can do to improve any symptom is to seek treatment from a healthcare provider. Treatment may be overseen by a primary care provider, but many people will be referred to a dermatologist, a medical doctor that specializes in skin conditions.
Treatment for atopic dermatitis varies from person to person, and the treatments that your dermatologist recommends will take into account a number of different factors, including the severity of your symptoms and the areas of the skin that are affected.
Every treatment plan for atopic dermatitis will involve avoiding triggers and keeping the skin moisturized. Many treatment plans also involve medications, such as antihistamines, corticosteroid pills, and biologic medications (which act on pathways in the immune system). Some of these medications are topical—meaning they are applied directly to the skin—while others are taken as pills.
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- Strategies to cope with itch
In addition to working with a healthcare provider and following a treatment plan, you want to have some strategies on hand for those times when you’re itchy. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
Applying a cold compress to the skin can help relieve itching. You can make a cold compress with a washcloth soaked in cold water and an ice pack (reusables work well, ice cubes and a plastic bag also work well). Wrap the washcloth around the ice pack and apply to the itchy area of the skin. Apply for no more than 10 minutes and make sure to apply moisturizer afterward.
Applying pressure to the itchy areas with a massage roller can also help relieve itch. Use the roller over your clothing instead of placing it directly against the skin.
Some scratching may be unavoidable. Even people who are able to control the urge during the day may not be able to avoid nocturnal scratching while they sleep. Keeping your fingernails trimmed can help prevent scratching from damaging the skin. Wearing cotton gloves to bed can also help prevent fingernails from damaging the skin.
Find something to keep your hands occupied for those times when you’re struggling not to scratch. This can be a game on your phone, a toy that you fidget with, or a hobby like knitting. It can also be a chore or task, like doing dishes or folding laundry.
Distract yourself by finding something else to focus on—read, watch TV, go for a walk, call a friend. Scheduling time to relax can also be helpful because it can reduce stress (which can trigger itch).
Some people with atopic dermatitis recommend scratching something else—like a patch of Velcro for instance, which can help satisfy and reduce the urge to scratch.
One final note of importance—scratching can sometimes lead to infections, as skin becomes broken or damaged. If this occurs, see your healthcare provider, who can prescribe an antibiotic medication to treat the infection.
