Archive for the ‘Acne’ Category

Boils – Causes and Treatment

January 24th, 2010 admin

A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin.The most common places for boils to appear are on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. When one forms on the eyelid, it is called a sty.

Furunculosis is a condition familiar to every one. A furuncle or boil is a deep-seated septic affection of the hair follicle in which the hair rootis completely destroyed and comes out as the core of the boil. Multiple boils are given the anme of furunculoses. A carbuncle is a big conglomeration of boils, the inflammation spreading from one follicle to another under the epidermis. The intervening corium is destroyed and pus is discharged through multiple holes.

Boils can grow slowly or rapidly, depending partly on the type of boil and its cause. They can last anywhere from seven days to two weeks. If not given proper home treatment or medical care, boils can grow rapidly and even become the size of golf balls! But if treated properly, this should not be a worry.

Causes for boils may also include an acne lesion or other skin condition as well. If the boil becomes extremely painful, isnâ??t healing, or is accompanied by a high fever medical intervention may be necessary. Also if red lines are radiating from the boil that may be an indication that the infection has entered the blood stream and medical help should be enlisted promptly.

Boils most commonly occur on the buttock, ears, face, neck, nose, shoulders, thighs and underarms, mostly affecting teenagers and young adults, due to puberty and related hormonal changes within the body’s biological systems. However, in some instances, boils can develop in mature adults. In relevance to the individual presenting a boil, tenderness and pain is experienced.

It is important to treat a boil immediately. Complications can set in if left untreated. Skin boils are extremely contagious. If the pus leaks from the boil it can spread to nearby skin and cause more boils to form. The pus can also enter the blood stream and spread the infection to other parts of your body. We have been recommending a boil treatment for several years now. It is all natural, and many people see dramatic improvement in as little as 24 hours.

Parsley leaves or ajmood also plays vital role in treating boils. Boil parsley leaves, till it becomes soft. Wrap the boiled leaves in clean perforated cloth and put is over boils. This will help in release of puss by opening boilâ??s mouth.

Belladonna [Bell]

In boils with much swelling and redness Belladonna is the remedy to be used in the early stages. Boils recurring in the spring also indicate the remedy. Arnica produces a crop of boils all over, beginning with soreness, go on to suppuration, and another crop follows. When the boils partially mature and shrivel up Arnica is the remedy indicated. Calcarea picrata has achieved a clinical reputation in boils.

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Boils – Home Remedies to Cure Boils

January 24th, 2010 admin

A boil is a red, swollen, painful bump under the skin. Boil or furuncle is a skin disease caused by the inflammation of hair follicles , thus resulting in the localized accumulation of pus and dead tissuesIndividual boils can bunch together and form an interconnected network of boils called carbuncles . In severe cases, boils may develop to form abscesses . Boils are usually caused by a bacteria named Staphylococcus Aureus which are normally found on the skin surface. Furuncles may occur in the hair follicles anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face, neck, armpit, buttocks, and thighs. Sometimes boils occur in clusters called carbuncles. Although anyone can develop boils and carbuncles, people who have diabetes, a suppressed immune system, or acne or other skin problems are at increased risk. You can usually care for a single boil at home, but don’t attempt to lance or squeeze it that may spread the infection. Call your doctor if a boil or carbuncle is extremely painful, lasts longer than two weeks or occurs with a fever. In that case, you may need antibiotics or surgical drainage to clear the infection of boils and carbuncles.

A boil, also referred to as a skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells. This collection of white cells is known as pus. Eventually, this pus “forms a head,” which in due course will drain. They affect people of all ages. Treatment for boils in the groin area is very important. If left untreated, a boil can spread and/or become infected . If it becomes infected, antibiotics are necessary. Fortunately, there is a very safe and effective cure for boils groin. It disinfects the area of the boil, prevents the infection from spreading, and helps to speed up the healing process. For information on how to best treat boils in the groin area, follow this link to Bexatrol.

Home Remedies to Cure Boils

1. Apply the juice of onion or garlic on the boils, as it helps in evacuating the pus.

2. Milk cream is considered valuable in the treatment of boils. Take 1 tsp of milk cream and add ½ tsp vinegar and a pinch of turmeric powder to it. Apply it on the blood filled boils.

3. For boils filled with blood, bitter gourd acts as the perfect boils home remedy treatment. Take 1 cup juice of bitter gourd and add 1 tsp limejuice to it. Consume this mixture empty stomach in the morning on a daily basis for a couple of months and see the magical results.

4. Apply a poultice of crushed fenugreek seeds which have been boiled in water for 10 minutes to treat boil.

5. Another effective remedy for boil treatment is to take equal quantities of honey, fresh lemon Juice, fresh orange juice and cod liver oil mixed and taken three times a day is an excellent tonic when You are feeling tired and run down.

6. One teaspoon of milk cream, mixed with half a teaspoon of vinegar, and a pinch of turmeric powder, makes an excellent poultice. It helps in ripening the blood boils and in their healing without allowing them to become septic.

7. Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomgranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils.

8. Neem heads the list in herbal cures for boils. Grind fresh tender leaves to a fine paste and apply daily on the boil.

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Mrcauses of Folliculitis

January 24th, 2010 admin

A follicle refers to a crust or cavity from which the hair emerges on the surface of the skin. The term folliculitis is used to describe the inflamed condition of the hair. Depending upon the causal organism, folliculitis causes can be characterized as follows :

Bacterial Folliculitis
Fungal FolliculitisViral
FolliculitisParasitic
Folliculitis

Bacterial folliculitis

Bacterial folliculitis develops when bacteria enters the body through a cut, scrape, surgical incision, or multiplies in the skin near a hair follicle. The bacteria can get trapped and the infection may spread from the hair follicles to the other parts of the body.

Bacterial folliculitis may be superficial or deep. Superficial folliculitis, also called impetigo, consists of pustules which are small-circumscribed elevations of the skin containing pus. The pustules are often surrounded by a ring of redness. Deep folliculitis results when the infection goes deeper and involves more follicles to produce furuncles and carbuncles. These are more serious than folliculitis and can cause permanent damage and scarring to the skin.

Bacterial folliculitis usually occurs in children and adults. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common of bacterial folliculitis causes. It also causes sycosis, a deep chronic infection that involves the entire hair follicle.

Besides the species of streptococcus, pseudomonas, proteus and coliform bacteria have also been indicated as of bacterial folliculitis causes. “Hot Tub” Folliculitis is a condition caused by the pathogen pseudomonas aeruginosa. This disease is often caused due to unsanitary conditions at a spa. The pathogens identified in Gram-negative folliculitis include Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Proteus species. This type of folliculitis sometimes develops in people receiving long-term antibiotic treatment for acne.

Some superficial follicle infections spontaneously resolve themselves. However, bacterial infections like impetigo, furuncles, carbuncles and “hot tub” folliculitis may not resolve spontaneously and generally require prescription therapy. All these infections are typically diagnosed by clinical presentation, after which predisposing factors are identified and eliminated.

Fungal folliculitis

As the name suggests fungal folliculitis is caused due to fungal infections. Superficial fungal infections are found in the top layers of the skin; deep fungal infections invade deeper layers of the skin. The infection from hair follicles can also spread to blood or internal organs.

The dermatophytic fungus, pityrosporum fungus and the yeast candida folliculitis are the prominent among the fungal folliculitis causes.

Dermatophytic folliculitis is caused most often by a zoophilic species, i.e. fungal species that show attraction to or affinity for animals. The condition presents as follicular pustules around a hardened erythematous (reddened) plaque. A deep fungal penetration causes a high degree of inflammation and determines the extent of hair shaft loss that occurs due to the infection.
Tinea capitis or ringworm of the head is the most important form of pediatric dermatophytic folliculitis. The clinical features of tinea capitis vary considerably depending on the species responsible for the infection. Typically, there is partial alopecia with a varying amount of inflammation.

In the non-inflammatory variants, asymmetrical lesions with short broken hair, 1 to 3 mm in length, are observed. Slight inflammation with scaling may be observed on careful inspection.

The most severe inflammatory reactions are called kerion and produce painful boggy masses studded with pustules. These lesions can result in severe hair loss and significant scarring when the disease is in advanced stages. The diagnosis of tinea capitis is established by identifying the organism in infected hairs under the microscope. A diagnosis is often confirmed by cultures.

Tinea barbae is a superficial dermatophytic infection that is limited to the bearded areas of the face and neck and occurs almost exclusively in older adolescent and adult males. The clinical presentation of tinea barbae includes deep folliculitis, red inflammatory papules and pustules with exudation, crusting and associated hair shaft loss. The two main species causing the infection are T. mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum.

Pityrosporum folliculitis is caused by pityrosporum yeasts resulting in an itchy eruption. The lesions are reddish follicular papules and pustules located mainly on the upper back, shoulders and chest.

Candida folliculitis is caused by the Candida species, ubiquitous fungi that most commonly affect humans.

Viral folliculitis

Viral folliculitis involves a variety of viral infections of the hair follicle. Infection by the herpes simple virus (HSV) often progress to form pustular or ulcerated lesions, and eventually a crust. Infection caused by molluscum contagiosum indicates an immuneosuppressed state which manifests as multiple whitish, itchy papules over the beard area. There are also some reports of folliculitis caused by herpes zoster infection. A follicle refers to a crust or cavity from which the hair emerges on the surface of the skin. The term folliculitis is used to describe the inflamed condition of the hair. Depending upon the causal organism, folliculitis causes can be characterized as follows :

Bacterial Folliculitis
Fungal FolliculitisViral
FolliculitisParasitic
Folliculitis

Parasitic folliculitis

Parasites causing folliculitis are usually small pathogens that burrow into the hair follicle to live there or lay their eggs. Mites such as demodex folliculorum and demodex brevis are natural hosts of the human pilo-sebaceous follicle.

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Boils Treatment The Natural Way

January 24th, 2010 admin

Boils and carbuncles are bacterial infections of hair follicles that surround the skin with small blister-like swellings containing pus. Boils are sometimes called furuncles. When several furuncles merge to form a single deep abscess with several heads or drainage points a carbuncle is formed.


Commonly boils occur in teenagers and young adults. Skin boils can be quite painful, in places where the skin is closely attached to the underlying tissues, such as the ears, nose, or fingers. They are localized, inflamed, tender, pus-filled swellings in the skin surrounded by large red areas. Boils can appear anywhere on the body but generally they appear on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks or thighs.


Boils usually start as red, tender lumps they quickly grow lager being filled with pus; they get more painful and eventually rupture and drain. Sometimes a boil can disappear in a few days time; else it might take a couple of weeks to heal. While anyone may develop boils, it is usually people who have diabetes, or a suppressed immune system, or acne or other skin problems that are at increased risk. Small boils usually heal without scarring, but a large boil may leave a scar.


So what causes boils? Boil are caused when one or more hair follicles become infected with staph bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for a number of major hospital-acquired infections and food-borne illnesses and serious diseases, including meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and endocarditis an infection of the lining of your heart.


Staph bacteria generally enter through a break, cut or scratch in your skin. As soon as this occurs, specialized white blood cells called neutrophils fight the infection leading to inflammation and the formation of pus.


Treatment for boils at Home is simple. Gentle heat provided by a moist, warm cloth held over the area for 15-20 minutes three times a day, will speed up the healing process. Using antibiotic ointment on the boil will not will not necessary cure it because the medicine will not penetrate the infected skin.


To keep the germs from spreading one must cover the boil with a small bandage. It is strongly advised not to squeeze or lance the boil as this will only cause the germs to spread and will not hasten the healing process. You can also prevent boils by thoroughly cleaning small cuts and scrapes by washing with soap and water and applying an antibiotic ointment.


Avoid Body tight clothing as they cause perspiration that leads to boils. Doctors treating boils may drain a large boil or carbuncle by making a small incision in the tip. This relieves pain, speeds recovery and helps lessen scarring.

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Boils Diagnosis and Treatment

January 24th, 2010 admin

Boil, also referred to as a skin abscess and furuncles, is a localized infection deep in the skin. Boils usually start as red, tender lumps. The lumps quickly fill with pus, growing larger and more painful until they rupture and drain. Most people with boils are otherwise healthy and have good personal hygiene. Although some boils disappear a few days after they occur, most take about two weeks to heal. In severe cases, boils may develop to form abscesses. These germs already exist on the skin and in the nose of some people without causing any problems. The symptoms of boils are red, pus -filled lumps that are tender, warm, and/or painful. A yellow or white point at the center of the lump can be seen when the boil is ready to drain or discharge pus.

Sometimes boils occur in clusters called carbuncles. Boils are most often develop on the back, underarms, shoulders, face, lip, eyes, nose, thighs and buttocks, but may be found elsewhere. Boils and carbuncles often resemble the inflamed, painful lumps caused by cystic acne. There are many causes of boils. Some boils can be caused by an ingrown hair. In a severe infection, multiple boils may develop and the patient may experience fever and swollen lymph nodes. Some people have multiple or recurrent boils. These boils are usually staph infections (furuncles or carbuncles). Boils can also be caused by not washing an area of the body, particularly the face. Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin. Chronic poor health makes it harder for your immune system to fight infections.

Many medications can suppress the normal immune system and increase the risk of developing boils. Most simple boils can be treated at home. Applying a warm compress or soaking the boil in warm water can help alleviate the pain. Antibiotics are often used to relieve the accompanying bacterial infection. Apply a warm washcloth or compress to the affected area. Avoid leisure activities which cause sweating and friction from clothing, such as squash and jogging. Don’t share your flannel or towel with other family members. Apply a topical antiseptic such as povidone iodine or chlorhexidine cream to the boils and cover with a square of gauze. Gentle heat, provided by a moist, warm washcloth held over the area for 20 minutes three times a day, speeds up the healing process.

Boils Treatment and Prevntion Tips

1. Apply a warm washcloth or compress to the affected area.

2. Don’t share your flannel or towel with other family members.

3. Follow a balanced healthy diet with meat, plenty of fruit and vegetables.

4. Don’t share your flannel or towel with other family members

5. Wash your whole body daily with soap and water. Wash your hands several times.

6. Bactrim or other sulfa drugs must be prescribed relatively soon after such a boil has started to form.

7. Soak a clean cloth in warm salty water and press it against boil, gently squeezing at the same time.

8. Magnesium sulfate paste applied to the affected area can prevent the growth of bacteria and reduce boils.

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Boils

January 24th, 2010 admin

boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. They are quite painful, particularly in areas where the skin is closely attached to the underlying tissues, such as the nose, ears, or fingers. They usually occur in teenagers and young adults.

Several strains of the bacteria have evolved to be insensitive to antibiotics and can in some serious cases cause disease. Furuncles may occur in the hair follicles anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face, neck, armpit, buttocks, and thighs.

Types of Boils

Furuncle or carbuncle boil: This is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills.

2. Hidradenitis suppurativa Boil: This is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands.

3. Pilonidal cyst Boil: This is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.

4. Cystic acne Boils: This is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years.

Causes of Boils

There are many causes of boils, some of these are as:

lowered immune system
ingrown hair

Symptoms of Boils

The skin around the boil becomes infected. It turns red, painful, warm, and swollen.
There maybe localized swelling, redness and induration.
More boils may appear around the original one.
Fever

Home Remedies to get rid of Boils

Grind neem tree bark in water and apply as a paste.
Grind the bark of the castor tree and the root of biskhapra together and apply as a paste.
Keep your bowels clear and avoid sour or fatty foods.
Eating melons helps the bowels and also cleanses the blood.
Take a leaf of the peepal tree, smear it with ghee and apply as a lukewarm bandage on the boil. It will burst in its preliminary stage and the growth will subside.
Apply warm honey, honey and oil – wheat germ for preference – or honey, fresh fig and thyme simmered together or dip half a fresh fig in honey and apply it cut side down. This will prevent boil.
Mix the powdered bark of slippery elm with eucalyptus oil to make a thick, soothing poultice that is also effective on cuts, whitlows and carbuncles. This will help in curing boil.
Essential oils of camomile, lavender, lemon, myrrh or thyme : Use either direct or on a hot compress to relieve pain and reduce infection. This will completely remove boil.

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