The Medical Health Plus

Nail Fungus and Ringworm – what are they and how are they related?

The fingernails and toenails of the human are built for protection – protection from bacteria, dirt, and other invaders. They are made from keratin, a hard protein found in skin and hair, It is comprised of the nail root, nail bed, nail plate, cuticle, perionychium, and hyopnychium. With all of this protection, it is hard to imagine anything getting in. This, unfortunately, is not the case. Fungi like to take root there. And once there, do not want to leave.

Nail fungus

Nail fungus is a common problem, mostly with the older population. Also called onychomycosis, symptoms include thickened, yellow, crumbly nails, typically in the toenails. It is caused from a fungus similar to ringworm. Diabetics and the elderly in particular are more prone than the average person, primarily due to decreased circulation issues. Trauma to the nail or even a pedicure can weaken the nail’s defenses. Nail fungus is very difficult to treat. Long-term therapy with oral antifungals is necessary to effectively eliminate all of the fungi present since the nail grows so very slowly. It can take up to 4 months before a difference is noted.

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis is very similar to nail fungus. It acts upon those who are immunocompromised, have poor nutrition or hygiene, have psoriasis or other inflammatory diseases of the skin, contact with affected animals, use of corticosteroids, or prolonged exposure to wetness, such as in a locker room or gym. It is also more prevalent in children. There are 4 types: tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp), tinea corporis (body), tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea pedis (athlete’s foot).

Ringworm starts as a small bump that gradually spreads out into a circular raised rash that looks like a worm. Unlike nail fungus, ringworm is relatively simple to treat once diagnosed. Topical treatments with antifungal creams generally eliminate the problem within 1-2 weeks. Systemic treatment with oral medications may be considered if the rash is on the head or if the rash is not reacting appropriately to antifungal creams.

Preventing these infections is easier than getting rid of them. Keeping feet clean and dry is a start, along with using antibacterial soap, preferably one that contains tea tree oil. Sprinkling talcum powder on the groin and feet before putting on cotton underwear and socks also help. Since direct contact is needed for transmission of ringworm, not sharing towels, brushes or hats with another person is another way to avoid problems. Of course, washing hands frequently, using lots of friction and an antibacterial soap is one of the best methods of all.

Identifying a Laser Lipo surgeon

Laser liposuction is the latest introduction in the field of medicine.  This revolutionary technique has changed the way liposuction was done earlier. The skill and expertise with which the fats are melted into a liquid is amazing and performing this requires dexterity of hands, skill and knowledge.  Only a professional with years of experience would be able to do a justifiable job.

Laser Lipo surgeon

The liposuction technique basically deals with uniform fat melting from areas of your body.  It results in smooth skin without those ugly bumps and lumps.  It helps to contour deformities and lends a healthy look to your skin.  The procedure helps to tighten the skin and helps to get rid of loose skin.

There are a variety of liposuction machines which are used today.  Hence, it is important for every individual to understand the techniques and the machines used if at all you choose to go in for this operation.

The older lipectomy techniques basically helped eliminating fat by introducing a metal tube known as cannula underneath the skin.  The fat was sucked with high power suction. In this technique, there is rupture of fat cells and they are sucked out from the skin.  The other tissues underlying the skin also are sucked out.  Patients undergoing this, suffered lot of pain and discomfort.  Moreover, there was swelling and bruises.  The post operative care took quite a lot of time and there was slow recovery.

Though this technique was successful and was really good, the skin lacked a uniform look.  Many patients complained of loose skin after the procedure.  After this, came a new technique referred to as liposuction which involved placing a small laser fibre below the skin.  The fat was melted or liquefied in this procedure before it was removed.  The trauma and pain is less as compared to the older procedures.  There is less damage to the tissues. This method of treatment results in tightening of skin and lends a healthier look.

There are varied machines used in this operation.  Some of them are slim lipo machine, smartLipo MPX machine, Cool Lipo Machine and Lipotherme Machine

SlimLipo machine is used for liposuction to melt fat.  This 924 nm laser successfully melts thrice the volume of fat as compared to other machines.  The 924 nm/875 nm wavelength is also used for skin tightening.

SmartLipo MPX Machine is the first machine introduced in the market and successfully melted the fat.  The Cool Lipo machine has a 1320 nm laser wavelength which helps to dissolve fat.  It helps in better fat absorption as compared to the 1064 nm wavelength.  Lipotherme Machine is the latest introduction in the cosmetic field and it first melts the fat by heating water instead of fat absorption of wavelength.

The wavelength of the laser machine is of utmost importance as it decides the capacity to melt fat.  The greater the fat absorption, the simpler and more complete the process of fat melting. Laser Lipo is a surgical procedure and hence it is suggested that you go to an experienced and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.  You need to check out the credentials of the surgeon by going through the website of plastic surgeons.

Visiting a Skin clinic of repute

The skin is undoubtedly the largest organ of our body and the major function of the skin is perspiration.  This keeps our skin and body cool.  Due to severe heat, we perspire a lot and we lose out lot of moisture from our body.  Excessive water loss results in wrinkles and the cells become flaccid.

Ageing of skin results in blemishes and wrinkles around the neck, chest and face and these begin to show. There is greater awareness amongst today’s generation to look and feel good.  This has resulted in the introduction of a number of topical skin treatments.  There are varied options available.  These treatments make use of certain acids which help us get rid of our old sagged skin and curbs new melanin from getting accumulated on our skin.

Skin Clinic

It goes without saying that our skin should be treated with care and gently.  In our race to get a soft and beautiful skin, we tend to ignore some of the basics. Every artificial skin treatment be it Botox shots, collagen shots or chemical peeling has some or the other side effect.  Botox treatment calls for a professional to inject the Botox dose of injections on your face.  This treatment keeps your skin flexible and stretched and you would get rid of those ugly wrinkles for some time.  However, the effect lasts for about three to four months and you may have to visit the clinic once again for administering the next dose.

This implies that for concealing those wrinkles for about four months, you need to shell out close to 300-400 $ every time you pay a visit to the clinic.

The same is true for collagen shots and chemical peeling.  The effect is short lived and it does not successfully treat imperfections.  These chemical processes help to conceal your sagging skin for some time.

The best thing which you can probably resort to is the usage of natural skin products.  They are made from ingredients which are natural and help in treating the root cause.  Skin imperfections like collagen loss, skin oxidation and damage of skin due to ultra violet rays can be treated by using these natural skin care products.  These products also make the skin healthy and nourish the skin with all the requisite vitamins and nutrients.

Keratin is a very important ingredient which lends the skin with minerals and vitamins and lends a glowing look to your skin.  It helps in growth of new and healthy skin cells and helps in production of natural collagen in the body.

Thus, to sum it up, good skin remedies are obviously those natural products which do not contain any chemicals.  If you respect and admire your skin and do not want it to suffer from the harsh chemicals, then keep away from artificial skin care products.

It is advised that you get an appointment with your skin specialist or dermatologist so that you know for sure the right treatment for your skin type. The dermatologist would be able to guide you with the best possible skin care treatment for your skin condition.  Be open and frank with the doctor and get all your doubts cleared.  You could also browse the internet and check out for natural skin care products which would suit your skin condition. It is advised that you go for any skin treatment to a reputed skin clinic, even if it means spending a little extra money.

Eye Wrinkles and Creams

Stress and health issues start showing the effects on the face and around the eyes. Many people get dark circles and spots and with each passing day, those keep on getting darker. It is very important to find the solution so that your eyes remain tender and beautiful. The dark spots and circles can be removed gradually with the use of creams. There are many creams in the market which claim to give you the best results. If you find yourself troubled and confused while selecting a cream for you. An expert or trained beautician can help you to find the Best Eye Cream for you. There can be other reasons as well for the problems. In some cases it is worth to seek help from doctor who can look into other aspects such as mal-nutrition, over stressed or any recent illness.

The natural process of aging causes wrinkles in the skin which surrounds the eyes. These wrinkles can be result of other causes as well such as; sunburn, dehydration or natural facial expression. All wrinkles can not be treated. How ever, you can get many proper solutions and advice from many sources which are available online. Eye Wrinkles can show you more than your actual age. It is wise to seek the help from the experts who know more about aging and human skin.

Natural Skin Care

Mineral make-ups is made of minerals, natural occurring titanium, mica, gold, magnesium, and zinc, that are  finely milled and sterilized into powders, without any dyes, chemicals, and preservatives contain as in traditional makeup. It is then mixed with other different natural inorganic colours to produce shades and colours of various types. Mineral make-up is good for sensitive skin because it is non comedogenic, anti inflammatory, inorganic and doesn’t contain chemical produced ingredients that may be found in traditional makeups.

Mineral makeup are general non comedogenic, doesn’t clog pores, which making it anti inflammatory as it won’t cause skin irritations and skin breakouts, not dangerous to an acne conditions or cause a flare up as a result of using chemical based products as some traditional makeups do. Pure mineral powders are also inorganic matter and it contains no moisture. Therefore microbes and bacteria cannot live or breed in the products to cause skin infections and other skin related problems. For the same reason, no preservatives mesurement are needed again to assist mineral cosmetic last longer on the face. Mineral Makeup is perfect for skins that are sensitive and easily irritated by makeup products. It is also very easy to apply and blend, giving a flawless finish with a minimum application.

However it is important to note that minerals are good component of makeup, other forumlar like moisturising, oil control, coverage and tone are also good for your skin, so you still need to select the best makeup for your skin type. Natural Skin Care have lot of natural cream online at a very cheap rate, with details information about the cream that help you to select the cream that is best for your body. Foundation is the key makeup item that women find most difficult to get right in the first place. Because there are lots of options and so many brands that one can select from, and once women found their perfect match they strick to the foundation, its like when women  found a suite that fit your body shape. Please note that traditional makeup always included minerals in their formulations as well.  But they also include synthetic dyes, fillers, fragrances, parabens, talc (a mineral,)  binders  and preservatives.

Ethnic Skin: Is It Any Different?

Myth: Those with darker skin needn’t be concerned about skin cancer.

Fact: This misconception can be the kiss of death — literally. While ethnic skin provides some built-in “sun block” against the rays that can kill, its natural protection (approximating SPF 10) isn’t enough to promise immunity.

Myth: Darker skin is more oily than lighter skin tones.

Fact: This issue is less black and white than once thought. While oil might be more visible on darker skin, ethnic skin spans the whole spectrum of skin types — oily, normal, dry and combination — just like light skin.

It’s true that skin is more alike across ethnicities than many people know. Still, dermatologists are trained to treat people differently based on skin color — and those with ethnic skin should likewise take care to treat their own skin in a special way.

Brown and white skin are pretty similar under the surface. But the same brown pigment, called melanin, that offers darker skin some protection from the sun — and can keep people looking younger — can, on the other hand, leave disfiguring marks behind from even an ordinary bout of acne.

“Dark skin is a blessing as it relates to sun damage and aging,” says Susan C. Taylor, M.D., director of the Skin of Color Center in New York and author of Brown Skin: Dr. Susan Taylor’s Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair and Nails (HarperCollins, 2003).

“A 50-year-old woman of color often looks 40, while a white woman of the same age might look 10 years older than her real age.” But, the dermatologist continues, “skin of color can cause significant problems, as well.”

When Pretty Skin Becomes Problem Skin
Without proper care, melanin can permanently mar the skin’s thin protective blanket. Among the melanin-blamed skin problems in darker-skinned persons with African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern or Asian ancestry:

• Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Skin damage as minor as a scratch or a pimple triggers excess melanin production and results in dark patches. Without prompt attention, the marks can last for months and even years before they fade.
• Postinflammatory hypopigmentation. Burns or other skin trauma leaves lighter areas as unwelcome reminders.
• Keloids. Injuries leave behind large, raised scars.

Still, skin of color is anything but doomed to disfigurement. An ounce of prevention, by gentle treatment and consistent sunscreen use, can go far to keep ethnic skin healthy and beautiful.

Sources: http://health.discovery.com/centers/healthbeauty/ethnicskin/ethnic.html

Skin Care – Go Natural

Whenever you switch on the television set there seems to be an advertisement about the ways in which ageing affects a person’s skin, and what the remedy is. As a result there are any number of existing commercial skincare products available on the market, with new ones appearing on almost a daily basis. Most manufacturers of these products promise the user a younger looking skin that is free of wrinkles.

Traditionally skincare products and advertisements have been aimed at women; however, an increasing number of men are also becoming concerned about the signs of aging. Both women and men will pay a lot of money for these products, when there are more natural ways to keep your skin looking its best. However, many trials have shown that most of the cheaper products on the market do just as much good as the expensive ones. Creams will not rid your face of the appearance of lines; however, some beauty serums can smooth the appearance of these wrinkles a little, which means these are worth trying.

One of the most important things that affects the appearance of our skin is that of diet. Those people who eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as they can afford, a good helping of protein and low carbohydrates will have a better and younger looking skin than those who don’t. Fruits such as grapes and cherries have a high level of antioxidants in them and this helps to fight off the effects of free radicals and other pollutants that are in the atmosphere.

Our modern lifestyle means that we do everything at a faster pace than we used to and this has led to a tendency for many people to live on a diet of fast food and ready meals. These things are fine as an occasional treat, but if they become the mainstay of your diet then the effects on your skin and on your health will soon become apparent. You may think that eating well takes more time than you can afford but there are plenty of recipe books on the market that show you how to make a nutritious meal in a matter of minutes. It is worth giving more thought to your diet if you want your skin to look its best

Along with a good diet it is also important for you to incorporate regular skincare as part of your normal routine. You should exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. There are plenty of reasonably priced products on the market and they all do much the same job, clearing away the dead skin cells – this leaves your face and neck looking cleaner and brighter.

When you have exfoliated your skin, the next step is to use a good moisturiser. As we get older our skin loses moisture much more quickly than when we were younger. A moisturiser puts some of that back; you should ensure that the moisturiser you use also has SP15 as this helps to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.