The Skin and Skin Medications

This page is devoted to skin and Skin Medications. Lets start by learning more about the skin and what it does.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It protects you from dirt, bacteria and foreign objects that may cause infection and diseases.

It also maintains body temperature to prevent fluid loss and regulate fluids to help the body get rid of excess salt and water.

The skin is your first defense against elements that can harm the body, and has nerve endings that detect texture and temperature.

Underneath your outer skin, which is also known as the epidermis, is a layer of skin tissue which contains blood vessels, hair follicles, lymph vessels and sweat glands.

Because of the many functions of the skin, it is important to keep it healthy and clean at all times. More often than not, your skin's condition can be a measure of your overall health.

Healthy skin is characterized by a smooth texture without any breaks. It is neither hot nor red, neither chapped and flaky and not even wrinkled or moist.

What Causes Skin Problems

Because the skin works full time to protect the body, it is also prone to developing certain kinds of skin problems.

Different external factors contribute to the onset of skin problems. These include air and water pollution, insect bites, bacterial infection, weather conditions and chemicals, among many others.

These factors may lead to allergic reaction, which can worsen if not treated early and properly. Poor diet and hygiene as well as excessive use of cosmetics also cause different problems in the skin to develop as well.

Effects of Skin Problems

Skin problems can cause a great deal of physical and emotional distress and may affect one's ability to socialize with other people. However, many skin problems can be avoided by taking good care of your skin regularly. These can also be treated with over the counter medicines as well as simple home remedies. Skin problems may require medical attention if the condition gets worse.

Common Skin Problems

A deeper understanding of what causes skin problems can help you arrive at a treatment that works best for you. Here are some of the most common skin problems and how to treat them.

Acne

Very common among teenagers and young adults, acne is caused by the overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands. When this happens, the pores get clogged and, when combined with dirt and cellular fragments, result to inflammation. Acne may be in the form of red bumps, whiteheads or blackheads.

Whiteheads are caused by a build-up of oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. This accumulation blocks the follicle from oxygen and caused an ugly light yellow lump to develop.

On the other hand, blackheads are formed when dirt, oil and dead skin cells are trapped in follicles with a wider opening. The black color that characterizes a blackhead is the result of the buildup's oxidation.

How to Treat Acne

Over the counter medications can be effective for those with whiteheads, blackheads and mild acne. Look for a medication that contains benzoyl peroxide, a powerful antibacterial ingredient that has long been proven to combat acne.

Benzoyl peroxide works by destroying the root of acne at the same time inhibiting its growth.

When using benzoyl peroxide, you may want to start with the lowest concentration, as it may cause dryness and flaking. You may use higher concentrations of benzoyl peroxide if the acne still persists or with the advice of your dermatologist.

Salicylic acid is also another popular treatment for acne. It sloughs off dead skin cells to help keep the pores clear of cellular fragments.

Salicylic acid is especially effective against whiteheads and blackheads.

Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid may also cause dryness and irritation, so you may want to use an oil-free moisturizer to go along with every application or use it every other day.

Psoriasis

This is another common skin disorder that is characterized by thickening and scaling of the skin, which usually start from tiny, red bumps.

Psoriasis can affect almost any surface of the skin although it most commonly affects the elbows, lower back, knees and the scalp.

Although not contagious, many people usually look at this condition rather differently. Moreover, psoriasis cannot be cured as well. However, regular treatment can significantly reduce its symptoms.

How to Treat Psoriasis

There are a number of treatments for psoriasis. These treatments may relieve itching and dryness or slow down the growth of new skin cells.

Anthralin is used to treat long-term psoriasis. However, this medication should not be used for severe psoriasis.

Coal tar is another treatment used especially for scalp psoriasis. Other common treatments include steroid creams and moisturizers.

For severe psoriasis, medications such as methotrexate, cyclosporine and retinoids may be prescribed by your doctor.

These medications can come with serious side effects, so make sure to consult with your doctor.

Light therapy can also help treat psoriasis by delaying the production of skin cells using ultraviolet light. It may also be used with coal tar as well.

It is advisable to ask your doctor about the use of Anthralin and other treatments for psoriasis.

He can choose the right treatment based on the severity of the disorder, the affected area, your age and others.

Eczema

This skin disorder is an allergic skin rash that becomes inflamed, scaly and dry.

Most common in children, eczema usually affects the face, hands, knees and feet. This skin condition is also common among families with history of asthma and other allergies.

Eczema is believed to be caused by the body's immune system to trigger overactive responses to unknown stimuli.

How to treat Eczema

While eczema cannot be cured, this skin disorder can be controlled effectively by proper, regular treatment.

Since eczema causes dryness and itching, the use of moisturizers is advisable to relieve the skin from these symptoms and keep it nourished.

Anti-fungal medications such as hydrocortisone or ointments with higher concentrations of corticosteroids are also effective in relieving itchiness and reducing inflammation.

Oral corticosteroids may be prescribed by your doctor for severe eczema.

To prevent infection in the affected area, prescription antibiotics may be advised by your doctor as well.

These skin problems all have one thing in common: There is actually no cure to any of these skin problems.

However, the right treatment as well as proper skincare can help keep symptoms of these skin problems at bay.

Also, before treating whatever skin problem you may have, it is important to determine the cause of the problem and seek the right skin care.

Blind obedience to any treatment available is not advisable since different treatment options vary from one person to another.

In this case, it is always best to consult your doctor.

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