Vitiligo - Causes, Symptoms And Home Remedies For The Treatment of Vitiligo Alternative names : leucoderma and white patches on the skin.

Vitiligo - Causes, Symptoms And Home Remedies For The Treatment of Vitiligo Alternative names : leucoderma and white patches on the skin. What is vitiligo? vitiligo, also known as vitiligo, is a distressing skin condition. The word literally means white skin. There is a gradual loss of pigment melanin from the skin layers which results in white patches. These patches look ugly, especially in persons with dark complexions. Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is loss of pigment from areas of skin resulting in irregular white patches with normal skin texture. vitiligo is common; in fact 1 to 2% of the general population has it. The condition does not cause any organic harm. It, however, brings about great psychological tension to the patient who is more embarrassed than the victim of any pain or discomfort. The condition thus, besides being a medical problem, also becomes a social stigma. Vitiligo is a fairly common disorder and it affects one percent or more of the world's population. The incidence is a little higher in India. The disorder can occur at any age in either sex in normal skin. It is, however, more common in women than men. The most affected areas are the hands, the neck, the back and the wrist in that order. Symptoms of vitiligo (leucoderma). The problem usually starts with a small white spot and later on it develops into patches. These patches are pale in the beginning but become whiter and whiter as time passes due to loss of pigment. As spots enlarge, they merge into each other and, in course of time, form a very broad patch. In some cases, most of the skin of the body may be covered with white patches. The spread of the disorder is usually slow and progressive. Symmetrical appearance on both the sides of the body (say, on the legs, hands, etc.) is common. In rare cases one finds vitiligo spreading all over the body. Causes of vitiligo (leucoderma). The exact cause for the vitiligo (vitiligo) remains unknown. Many wrong beliefs are prevalent about the causes of vitiligo. It is not caused by eating fish and drinking milk at the same time, as is. generally believed because .even vegetarians suffer from this disorder. Other food combinations such as pumpkin and milk, onion and milk as possible causes of vitiligo also have no basis. vitiligo (vitiligo) is not caused by any germs, nor is it due to bad blood. Some of the possible causes for Vitiligo includes : Skin trauma. Sunburn. Mental worry (stress). Heredity is also causative factor and about 30 percent of patients have history of the disorder. Physical illness Is vitiligo contagious? No! vitiligo is not contagious i.e. it cannot spread by touching someone or even by handling personal belongings or food. Natural home remedies for the treatment of vitiligo. The use of seeds of psoralea. Seeds should be steeped in the juice of ginger or cow's urine for three days. The fluids should be renewed every day. The seeds should then be rubbed with hands to remove their husks, dried in the shade and powdered. One gram of this powder should be taken every day with fresh milk for 40 days continuously. The ground seeds should also be applied to the white spots. Babchi seeds, combined with tamarind seeds, are also useful. Equal quantity of both the seeds should be steeped in water for three to four days. They should then be shelled and dried in the shade. They should be ground into paste and applied to the white patches for a week. If the application of this paste causes itching or the white spots become red and a fluid begins to ooze out, it should be discontinued. If there is no itching or reddening, babchi seeds should be taken also for 40 days. Another useful remedy for vitiligo is red clay found by the river side or on hill slopes. The clay should be mixed in ginger juice and applied over the white spots once a day. The copper contained in the clay seems to bring back skin pigmentation and ginger juice serves as a milk stimulant, facilitating in­creased blood flow to the spots. A paste made from the seeds of the radish is valuable in treating vitiligo. About 35 grams of these seeds should be powdered in vinegar and applied on the white patches. For better results, seeds should be finely pounded, mixed with a little white arsenic and soaked in vinegar at night. After two hours, when leaves appear, it should be rubbed on. the vitiligo patches. The use of turmeric and mustard oil is also considered beneficial in the treatme.nt of vitiligo. About 500 gms, of turmeric should.be pounded and soaked in eight kgs. of water at night. It should be heated in the morning till only one kg. of water is left. It should then be strained and mixed with 500 gms. of mustard oil. This mixture should be heated till only the oil is left. It should be applied on white patches every morning and evening for a few months. Prevention tip for vitiligo cure The patient should avoid tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages and all condiments and highly flavoured dishes. Back to skin disorder section

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Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are mucocutaneous drug-induced or idiopathic reaction patterns characterized by skin tenderness and erythema of skin and mucosa, followed by extensive cutaneous and mucosal exfoliulltion and are potentially life-threatening due to multi system involvement. SJS has been classified as a severe expression of erythema multiforme (EM), and is sometimes referred to as erythema multiforme major .

The Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation said they have seen a rise in the disease involving children and ibuprofen use during 2004, but the disease is still not well known.

Causes of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Unknown but consistent with immullogic mechanisms, i.e., cell-mediated cytotoxic reaction against epidermal cells. Epidermis infiltrated by activated lymphocytes, mainly CD8 cells, and macrophages. Cytokines produced by activated mononuclear cells and keratinocytes probably contribute to local cell death, fever and malaise. SJS has also been consistently reported as an uncommon side effect of herbal supplements containing ginseng .

Signs and symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Prodrome Fever, influenza-like symptoms 1 to 3 days prior to mucocutaneous lesions, Mild to moderate skin tenderness, conjunctival burning or itching.

Skin Symptoms Skin pain, burning sensation tenderness, paresthesia.

Mucous Membrane Symptoms Mouth lesions are painful, tender.

General Symptoms Impaired alimentation photophobia, painful micturition, anxiety.

As Stevens Johnson Syndrome progresses the skin literally sloughs off like a full thickness burn called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. In about 10 to 30 percent of cases, Stevens Johnson Syndrome results in blinding the patient or killing them. The blinding is the result of the entire surface of the eye scarring over, causing the vision to be lost.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin lesion and its typical symmetrical distribution, especially if there is a history of risk factors or associated diseases.

Treatment of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

People with Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis are hospitalized. Any drugs suspected of causing the disorder are immediately discontinued. When possible, these people are treated in a burn unit and given scrupulous care to avoid infection. If the person survives, the skin grows back on its own, and unlike burns, skin grafts are not needed. Fluids and salts, which are lost through the damaged skin, are replaced intravenously.

Use of corticosteroids to treat the disorder is controversial: Some doctors believe that giving large doses within the first few days is beneficial; others believe that corticosteroids should not be used. These drugs suppress the immune system, which increases the potential for serious infection. If infection develops, doctors give antibiotics immediately.

Prevention of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

• Early diagnosis and withdrawal of suspected drugs are very important.
• Patients are best cared for in a burn or intensive care unit.
• The patient must be aware of the likely offending drug and that other drugs of the same class can cross react. These drugs must never be readministered. Patient should wear a medical alert bracelet.

Home :: Scabies Treatment Scabies Treatment - Natural Home Remedy to Get Rid of Scabies Scabies is a skin infection, popularly known as itch. Scabies is a parasitic infection of the skin caused by a transmissible parasite, a mite - the female sarcoptis scabei. It is a contagious disease and is more common among people who live in crowded places under unhygienic conditions. The incidence of scabies is highest in children under the age of 15 years. Causes of Scabies - Information on Scabies Cause. The female itch - mite, measuring 0.4 mm, burrows under the outer layer of the skin and deposits her eggs along the tunnel, within a few days, the larvae hatch and then tend to congregate around the hair follicles as it emerges from the skin. The body reacts to this parasite by causing a localised hypersensitivity reaction, which then results in intense itching, causing further spread and secondary superimposed infection by other microbes. The scabies is transmitted from person to person by close body contact, particularly among family members. Those who spend nights with friends or exchange clothing with other are at increased risk. The scabies look like by fine waxy lines or burrows on the sides of the fingers, in the webs of the finger/toes, inner sides of the wrists, elbow, armpits, knees, groin area and the areola of the breast. Once secondary infection occurs, it is more difficult to pinpoint it as scabies. Symptoms of Scabies - Information on Scabies Symptom. Scabies is characterized by severe itching. It tends to be more marked in the night or after a hot bath. This is due to increased activity of the parasite because of the greater warmth generated in the body. The common sites for scabies are the genital areas, the spaces between the fingers. In infants burrows are often present on the palms and soles. They may also be present on the trunk. The burrow by the itch mite appears as fine, wavy, dark line, if it can be seen at all. Infected individuals with good personal hygiene, usually have few lesions and burrows may be difficult to identify. Scabies should be suspected when the child is affected by intense itching in the body areas mentioned above. Treatment to Get Rid of Scabies - Information on Scabies Treatment. As scabies disease is contagious, the suffering patient and all the affected members of the family should be treated simultaneously. The oldest and most effective of treatments is the application of a paste, prepared by mixing two teaspoons of sublimed sulphur with eight tablespoon of the coconut oil. The whole body should be soaked for 20 mintues in a warm bath using plenty of soap. Particular attention should be paid to the itching areas, scrubbing them thoroughly. After bath sulphur paste, should be rubbed well over the entire skin surface, below the chin line, but particularly over the involved areas. This should be done for 3 successive nights, wearing the same under clothing during this period. About 10 or 12 hours the last application, a hot soap bath should be taken and a clean under clothing and outside clothing should be worn. All clothes next to the skin, bed sheet, pillow covers should be boiled in hot water. This treatment helps to get rid of scabies. Natural Home Remedy For Scabies Treatment or To Get Rid of Scabies. Neem Leaf Paste is the Best Home Remedies for Scabies Treatment. The best home remedy for scabies is neem leaf paste made with fresh or dried neem leaves and an equal quantity of turmeric powder mixed with mustard oil. This should be applied on the body and left for an hour or so. Then the person should bath. Repeat for 7- 10 days till all lesions have healed. The clothes should be washed and rinsed out after the have been soaked in boiled neem water. Simultaneously, the patient should be made to drink a tablespoon of neem leaf or neem bark decoction. Mustard oil may be an irritant for some skins, so do not lave it on for very long. This is the best home remedy for scabies treatment. Cure The Scabies With Dried Bark of Peepul Tree. The dried bark of a peepul tree can be powdered fine, strained through a fine sieve and used as a dusting powder on scabiotic lesions. Helps to cure the scabies or get rid of scabies. Scabies Treatment By Drumstick Leaves And Sesame Seed Oil. Extract the juice from 400 - 500 gm of drumstick leaves. Mix with an equal amount of sesame seed oil, and boil till the water dries up. Cool and store. Apply daily over the infected parts. Both have a strong anti microbial action and sesame seed oil is also insecticidal Helps for scabies cure. Apricot Leaves Cure The Scabies. The use of apricot leaves is one such valuable home remedy. Fresh juice of these leaves should be extracted and applied with beneficial results in the treatment of scabies. The above home remedy for scabies are natural and best to get rid of scabies. During the period of treatment of scabies, the child should be given light foods, preferably fresh juicy fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple, pear, peaches and melon. This juices will helps to cure the scabies and to get rid of scabies quickly. Back to skin disorder section

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Prickly Heat - Causes, symptoms and home remedies for the treatment of prickly heat

What is Prickly Heat ?

Prickly heat is a very itchy red skin rash, causing a prickling or burning feeling. It is medically known as miliaria. It may occur when you sweat a lot in hot or humid weather. Dead skin cells and bacteria block the sweat glands. The skin becomes inflamed with a spotty rash that may blister.

Prickly heat usually starts around the neck. If it is bad, it can spread down onto the chest and back and up around the ears and face, but it seldom bothers a baby.

Most forms of prickly heat do not need any treatment. The rash goes away eventually. It is more important to try to keep the baby cool. Don't be afraid to take off the baby's clothes in hot weather. After all, there's no evidence that early experiences with nakedness lead to children growing up to be nudists. The rash usually lasts for a few days and then disappears on it’s own. Although it may last longer if the hot and humid conditions continue.

Symptoms of prickly heat

• Small, itchy red bumps on the skin
• Prickly, stinging or burning sensation in the affected area
• In the most severe forms, salt crystals may form in the sweat-gland ducts, producing small blisters.

Causes of prickly heat

Prickly heat is due the sweat glands becoming blocked when the weather is hot and humid. Dead skin cells and bacteria may block the sweat glands, leading to sweat being retained and building up on the skin leading to inflammation, which causes the rash.

Home remedies for the treatment of prickly heat.

1. Gently wash skin with soft gauze and lukewarm water and pat on a mixture of one part alcohol to three parts boiled water after cooled. Dust with Talcum powder Or, use baking soda in a little water than dust with talcum.
2. Try a cool compress. While a thin coating of mild, water-based moisturizing lotion may help stop the itching, cool compresses sometimes work better. Make a compress by dipping a washcloth in a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda per cup of cool water. Apply to the rash for five to ten minutes. Do this four or five times a day.
3. Anti-histamine creams or medications will relieve the itch.
4. Calamine lotion BP and natural oatmeal based creams can be soothing.
5. Soak away the itch. To counter the itching that accompanies prickly heat, add some baking soda or a colloidal oatmeal product such as Aveeno Bath Treatment to a tub of tepid water or make your own oatmeal bath. A good soak will soothe the skin and take away the itching.

Prevention tips for prickly heat

• Avoid overdressing.
• Wear loose cotton clothing to encourage the evaporation of sweat and prevent further skin irritation.
• Keep baths and showers cool· Leave a babies nappy off as often as possible.
• Keep rooms cool (air conditioning will help).
• Avoid heavy moisturizers. Tender newborn skin tends to be dry and in need of moisturizing. But heavy, oil-based creams can be a problem. 'Moisturize with a light, water-based lotion instead.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rapidly evolving, idiopathic, chronic, and severely debilitating skin disease. It occurs most commonly in association with a systemic disease especially chronic ulcerative colitis, and is characterized by the presence of irregular boggy, blue-red ulcers with undermined borders surrounding purulent necrotic bases.

Causes of Pyoderma gangrenosum

This disorder can affect any area of the body, including the face. In many cases, the cause isn't known. It may be triggered by trauma or injury to the skin. Also, it can be associated with other disorders, including:

• Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Hepatitis
• Arthritis
• Blood disorders such as leukemia, polycythemia vera or myeloma

Signs and symptoms of Pyoderma gangrenosum

The ulcers appear red/blue with ragged overhanging, tender, necrotic edges. The ulcers often start as pustules or tender red nodules, and may have been related to minor trauma or insect bites . Pain may be so severe to need opiate analgesics. Some patients will have accompanying fever, malaise, muscle and joint pains. Often the lesion heals leaving a cribriform scar.

Breakdown of this lesions occurs with ulcer formation whereby ulcer borders are dusky-red or purple, irregular and raised, undermined, boggy with perforations that drain pus. The base of the ulcer is purulent with hemorrhagic exudate, partially covered by necrotic eschar, with or without granulation tissue. Pustules may be seen at the advancing border and in the ulcer base, and a halo of erythema spreads centrifugally at the advancing edge of the ulcer. Lesions are usually solitary but may be multiple and form in clusters that coalesce

Diagnosis

Clinical findings plus course of illness. A doctor may confirm by removal of a small amount of affected skin (biopsy) for examination under a microscope

Treatment of Pyoderma gangrenosum

Treatment is non-surgical. The necrotic tissue should be gently removed. Wide surgical debridement should be avoided because it may result in enlargement of the ulcer.

Often conventional antibiotics such as flucloxacillin are prescribed prior to making the correct diagnosis. These may be continued if bacteria are cultured in the wound (secondary infection) or there is surrounding cellulitis (red hot painful skin), but they are not helpful for uncomplicated pyoderma gangrenosum.

Panniculitis Panniculitis is the term used to describe diseases where the major focus of inflammation is in the subcutaneous tissue. In general, panniculitis presents as erythematous or violaceous nodule in the subcutaneous fat that may be tender or not, that may ulcerate or heal without scarring, and that may be soft or hard on palpation. Thus, the term panniculitis describes a wide spectrum of disease manifestations, although diagnostic clues can be derived from the history, distribution, or characteristics of the lesions. An accurate diagnosis requires an ample deep skin biopsy that should reach down to or even beyond the fascia. The panniculitides are classified histologically as lobular or septal depending on where the disease process begins. Panniculitis may also be associated with vasculitis or in most cases without vasculitis. Only idiopathic lobular panniculitis (Pfeiffer­Weber-Christian disease), pancreatic panniculitis, and al antitrypsin-deficiency panniculitis are briefly discussed here. Other diseases in which panniculitis occurs are referred to in the table, and the reader is also referred to Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 5th ed.1 Idiopathic lobular panniculitis, which occurs predominantly in females 30 to 60 years of age, manifests as subcutaneous inflammatory nodules, primarily on the lower extremities but also on the trunk and elsewhere, that erupt in crops and are usually tender. New waves of lesions appear at intervals. Occasionally, lesions can break down, discharging an oily yellow-brown liquid; and these inflammatory nodules are generally accompanied by malaise, fatigue, fever, arthralgia, and myalgia. Due to systemic involvement there may be focal necrosis in the intravisceral and perivisceral fat of internal organs, including the mesenteric and omental fat, pericardium, and pleura. Organ involvement may present as hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Leukocytosis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate are further characteristics of this disease, of which the etiology is unknown. The course and prognosis are variable; the prognosis is good in patients who have only cutaneous involvement, but lobular panniculitis associated with prominent visceral involvement may lead to death. There is no uniform effective therapy recognized; fibrinolytic agents, chloroquine, azathioprine, thalidomide, cyclophospharnide, and cyclosporine have been tried. α 1 antitrypsin-deficiency panniculitis is also characterized by recurrent tender, erythematous, subcutaneous, ulcerating nodules ranging from 1 to 5 cm and located predominantly the trunk and the proximal extremities. Nodules break down and discharge a clear serous or oily fluid. Diagnosis is substantiated by a de, in the level of serum α 1 antitrypsin, and treatment consists of oral dapsone in doses up to 200 mg/d. The intravenous infusion of human α 1 proteinase inhibitor concentrate has been sit to be very effective. Pancreatic panniculitis is characterized clinically by painful erythematous nodules that occur at any site. It is frequently accompanied by arthritis and polyserositis and is associated with either pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma. This form of panniculitis affects middle-age to elderly individuals, males more often than females. The history usually reveals alcoholism abdominal pain, weight loss, or recent-onset diabetes mellitus. Skin lesions are tender, warm, erythematous nodules and plaques that fluctuate and occur at any site with a predilection for legs, buttocks, and abdomen. Skin biopsy reveals lobular panniculitis, and after biopsy of a lesion, liquefied fat drains from the biopsy site. General examination may reveal pleural effusion, ascites and arthritis, particularly of the ankles. Laboratory examinations show eosinophilia, hyperlipasemia, hyperamylasemia, and increased excretion of amylase and/or lipase in the urine. The pathophysiology is probably a break down of subcutaneous fat caused by enzymes (amylase, trypsin, lipase) released into the circulation from a diseased pancreas. The course and prognosis depend on the type of pancreatic disease. Treatment is often unsatisfactory. Some physicians may use anti-inflammatory medications. Some patients with certain types of panniculitis may respond to combined chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, bleomycin and prednisone.

Skin Disorders Over 150 skin disorders and terms described in detail.