Archive for the ‘Acne’ Category

What Are Boils ?

January 24th, 2010 admin

Boils are an inflamed swelling, filled with pus which starts deep within the skin. Boils are usually caused by a hair follicle becoming infected and boils generally start as a tender area of skin with a reddening appearance.

The hair follicle becomes infected by the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus, this bacteria is fairly common, infact it is carried on the skin or in the nasal passages of around one third of the population.

Boils can be very tender and painful and if they are recurrent they can cause some scaring which may even be permanent.

As time passes the affected area will grow firmer, harder and become more tender. Your body will try to fight the infection by by sending white blood cells from the bloodstream to the boil, this will cause the center of the boil to soften and fill with pus. The pus is the combination of the white blood cells, proteins and bacteria and it will eventually form a head on the boil. This is called the pustule.

Once the “head” has formed on the boil, the pus may drain out through the surface of the skin, or in some cases it will drain through a small incision made by a medical professional.

There are a number of different types of boils, these develop on different parts of the body and have different formations.

Furuncles – These are caused by the infection Staphylococcus Aurues in a hair follicle (the root of a hair). Furuncles can occur on any part of the body but are most commonly found on your neck, face, armpits, buttocks and thighs. Furuncles are also sometimes associated with chills and fevers.

Carbuncles – These are a cluster or group of Furuncles. Carbuncles are most commonly found on the back of the neck, the shoulders, hips and thighs. They are usually the result of a deeper infection and as such tend to last longer than Furuncles. You may need to seek medical advice if you have carbuncles, as you may need to be treated with an anti-biotic to kill teh infection.

Pilondial Cysts – These are boils that form between the buttocks and are sometimes called Rectal Boils. Pilondial Cysts are usually recurrent, they can make walking and sitting very painful and can drain spontaneously. They often form after being seated for prolonged periods, such as during a long journey.

Hiradenitis Supparativa – These boils are caused by inflamed sweat glands becoming infected. They usually occur under the arms and around the groin area and can be very painful. In extreme cases the affected sweat glands can be removed surgically.

Cystic Acne – These are boils caused by excessive oil production in the skin which in turn causes bacteria and dirt to become trapped under the skin, blocking hair follicles. Cystic Acne is most commonly found on the face and it differs from Common Acne in that the infection is much deeper in the skin.

Whichever type of boil you have, they can be distressing, painful and can really make you feel at a low ebb.

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Types Of Boils

January 24th, 2010 admin

Skin boil formation fall in to a few different categories though they all have essentially the same makeup. All boils begin as a red patch eventually growing in size. All boils get filled with pus; the indication you’re your body is fighting back. The categories are as follows:

Furuncles

Furuncles are boils brought on by infection in the hair follicle. Their development is not particular to any part of the body. However, they commonly occur on the face, neck, thigh, buttocks and underarm. The appearance of boils on the nose and ear are less common. Furuncles can also spread and cause a deeper infection called carbuncles.

Carbuncles

Carbuncles are furuncles that usually form in clusters. They typically gather on the back of the neck, shoulders, hips and thighs. Carbuncles usually last longer than other types of boils because the infection is deeper.

Hidradenitis Supparativa

Boils that fall into this category usually develop inside the underarm and around the groin. Hidradenitis supparativa presents itself when sweat glands become inflamed and infected. In extreme cases, this type of boil requires surgical removal.

Cystic Acne

Cystic Acne occurs when there is a clog or plug in your hair follicle. Excess oil in the skin can trap dirt and bacteria causing a cyst. Cystic acne is not the same thing as regular acne or pimples. Cystic acne affects skin tissue at a much deeper level. The most common area for this type of boil is the face especially during teen-age years.

Pilonidal Cysts

This type of cyst is also referred to as a rectal boil (forming in the cleft of the buttocks). They start as infections of the hair follicle making it very painful to sit down or walk. They tend to drain without warning and they are often recurring.

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Tips On Skin Infections

January 24th, 2010 admin

Infection of skin is due to viruses, fungus, or bacteria. Also many diseases that affect other organs may be due to skin manifestation. To really understands skin infection, there is need to understands skin anatomy and physiology. The skin is divided into 3 major layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the fat layer. The skin is only sterile at birth, after that is inhabited by flora which includes both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.

Two factors made the skin difficult to bacteria growth, exfoliation and dryness. The constant removal of the top layer (stratum corneum), removes many of the bacteria that stick to it. According to research, bacteria growths were higher in area of the skin that is moist. Also the pH of the skin also help in reducing the bacteria growth on the skin. The average pH of the skin is about 5.5, which is acidic. The low temperature of the skin (33 centigrade) as well as salty nature of the skin due to evaporation of sweat. But this saltiness may encourage the growth of certain bacteria that are salt resistant. Some organisms are affected by the lipid content of the skin.

Infections of the skin occurs in three main way: from the outside (exogenous infections) through cuts, wounds, insects bites, skin disease. The second way is through within (endogenous infections) the skin, from underlying tissue or carried by blood or lymph. The third way is by toxin, caused by toxin release at a distant site.

                                 Exogenous Infections

Once the skin barrier is broken, small numbers of bacteria is needed for infection to occur. These factors tends to predispose the skin to infections,

Excessive moisture: This may be as a result of occlusive dressing, wet diapers in babies. Also obese people accumulate water in their body folds.

Trauma: This the popular factor leading to skin and soft tissue infections. The major form of trauma that expose the skin to infection is surgery, gunshot, wounds, crush injuries, or burns, in which large areas of the skin damaged and left open. Any condition that infringes on the blood supply, exposes the skin to invasion by causing barrier breakdown and limiting defences. Blood supply infringement could occur as a result of peripheral vascular disease, as in diabetics, elderly parents as well as patients with vasculities. In diabetic patients, compromise of the blood supply often lead to peripheral sensory neuropathy, in which case they may not be aware of the damage to their skin.

                                          Invasion From Within

This infection occurs as a result of microorganisms that spread form another infected sites. This could be direct form underlying focus or through blood stream. These type of secondary infection occurs in people whose immunity is strong as well as in those whose immunity is weak, but in different ways and degree.

                                          Toxin-induced Skin Disease

The skin responds to toxin produced during infections that occur in another place at a distant site. Example is streptococci that produced toxin called erythrogenic factor, which spread through the blood stream. These toxin have been linked to red rash, strawberry tongue. Streptococci causes two main type of skin disease namely: scalded skin syndrome and toxic shock syndrome.

Scalded skin syndrome: is a disease of children, as a result of the action of toxin exfoliatin, which separate the epidermis by damaging the intracellular connections. The appearance looks like skin scalded with hot water.

Toxic shock syndrome: This disease is caused by an exotoxin release by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus. This disease can be fatal if left untreated.

The skin responds to invading microorganisms in a three major ways:

Spreading infections: this is called impetigo when is limited to epidermis, erysipelas when confined to dermal lymphatics and cellulitis when found in the subcutaneous fat layer.

Abscess formation: This is known as folliculitis, boils (furuncles), and carbuncles.

Necrotising Infections: This includes fasciitis and gas gangrene (myonecrosis)

 

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Options For Foruncular Natural Treatment

January 24th, 2010 admin

Foruncular acnes are acnes of a special type. Its name comes from the root word furuncle, which pertains to a painful node in the skin. The nodule is caused by staphylococcus, a certain type of bacteria. In layman’s terms, furuncles are simply hair follicle infections. They may form in the neck, face, groin, and armpits. And when they do develop, they can be very unsightly and uncomfortable.

To treat foruncular acne, antibiotics are usually prescribed. But as you may already know, antibiotics may cause dizziness, nausea, and other side effects. Certain acne antibiotics may event trigger vaginal yeast infections. The many side effects of antibiotics are simply too many to mention that using them should always be coupled with extreme caution. Here are the most common types of antibiotics prescribed for acnes:

1. Tetracycline

This antibiotic is supposed to be taken before meals, as it works on an empty stomach. It can’t be taken by pregnant women or children aged 8 years old and below. Ask your doctor first you can use this compound, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions.

2. Erythromycin

This one is the most popular acne antibiotic. But unlike tetracycline, this one is supposed to be eaten after meals as it can cause nausea if taken without food in the stomach. Just like any other drug, erythromycin may have side effects. Ask your doctor about it.

3. Minocycline

Minocycline is a variation of tetracycline. It works most effectively for cases of cystic acne. This one is taken before meals too. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are not allowed to use this medicine. The same is true if you’re planning to get pregnant in the near future.

4. Doxycycline

If you can’t tolerate either tetracycline or erythromycin or if they simply don’t work for you, doxycycline is the alternative. Take it with food. Use sunscreen when under this medication as it increases sensitivity to the sun’s rays.

5. Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an example of a topical acne antibiotic. Just apply it on the affected parts and off you go. The active ingredients would be absorbed by the skin. Patients of ulcerative colitis and intestinal inflammations can’t use this medicine.

6. Accutane

Accutane is commonly prescribed for cases of acne that can’t be treated with antibiotics. It works for moderate to severe cases of acne. Pregnant women are not allowed to use this drug.

However, you have to know that staphylococcus may become resistant to antibiotics over time. This is the main reason why natural treatments are still around these days. Sometimes, the simple but important process of detoxification is all you need to treat chronic acne once and for all. Try natural skin peels and see if they would work for you.
When it comes to natural solutions, it may boil down to trial and error. You have to be patient in finding the one that works perfectly for you. Don’t worry. Natural acne treatments are usually way cheaper than the antibiotics listed above. But more importantly, they don’t pose to have any adverse side effects too.

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Everything You Need to Know About Tea Tree Oil Acne Treatment

January 24th, 2010 admin

 

Tea tree oil is extracted from a tree known as Melaleuca. The scientific name for this essential oil is Melaleuca Alternifolia. It is an antifungal agent mostly used for various types of skin disorders. It is also added as an ingredient to beauty products, the most popular of which is face wash.

Tea tree oil acne treatment is most suitable for the cure of moderate acne. It is applied as a topical or rub-on treatment. It is recommended to use tea tree oil only externally. Although it can prove to be effective for a lot of people out there, some people show sensitivity to it.

Tea tree oil acne treatment is used to get rid of many types of bacteria including staphyloccus, eschrichia coli and shigella sonnei. Staphyloccus is responsible for causing furuncles which are very similar to pimples as they are also painful nodules that appear on the surface of skin.

This essential oil is most commonly known as a treatment for various viral and bacterial infections. It is also added to mouthwashes and other products for the treatment of mouth ulcers and other conditions. Similarly, some people use it for the treatment of dandruff, lice, yeast infection, eczema, oil spots and nail infections.

It has been found that tea tree oil acne treatment does not guarantee complete acne cure. However, it does lessen acne breakouts and cure them temporarily as do many other topical acne treatments. It is recommended to use a good quality facial wash that contains tea tree oil as a main ingredient for proper cleansing of skin and to control pimples and prevent other skin disorders.

Some people are allergic to tea tree oil especially if they have sensitive skin. You should immediately discontinue its use if you experience redness of skin, irritation or rash. There are many other acne treatments that can be used instead of tea tree oil if it hasn’t proven to be useful for you.

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Tea Tree Oil Acne Treatment

January 24th, 2010 admin

Tea tree oil is extracted from a tree known as Melaleuca. The scientific name for this essential oil is Melaleuca Alternifolia. It is an antifungal agent mostly used for various types of skin disorders. It is also added as an ingredient to beauty products, the most popular of which is face wash. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, and fungicide.
tea tree has been used for a variety of reason including: athletes foot, cold and flu, oral thrush, cold sores & canker sores, tooth ache & gum infections, ringworm, candida, head lice or louse, gum problems, mosquito bites, bug repellent, deter flees, mouth ulcers, herpes, cuts, abrasions, after shave, sunburn, anorectal or vaginal yeast infections, unwanted body odors, acne, toe nail infections, and many other uses.

This is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the tree called Australian Melaleuca Alternafolia. Apart from its strong antibacterial and antifungal traits, this natural substance is also widely recognized for its beneficiary roles in treating bad breath, cold sores, body odor etc. Terpinen-4-ol is the main constituent of this oil which is believed to be the playing the role of the chief antimicrobial ingredient. Also it is a renowned fact that an acne lesion is inflamed by the presence of skin-dwelling bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes.

The active ingredients of Melaleuca alternifolia (or Tea Tree) oil are terpinen and cineole. Terpinen is the ingredient responsible for the healing properties. Cineole contributes the disinfectant properties. In large amounts, cineole is caustic to human tissue. In order to obtain the best results from using tea tree oil, the percentage of terpinen must be between 35 and 60 percent, and the percentage of cineole must be below ten percent to ensure skin safety during usage.

Tea tree oil acne treatment is used to get rid of many types of bacteria including staphyloccus, eschrichia coli and shigella sonnei. Staphyloccus is responsible for causing furuncles which are very similar to pimples as they are also painful nodules that appear on the surface of skin.

This essential oil is most commonly known as a treatment for various viral and bacterial infections. It is also added to mouthwashes and other products for the treatment of mouth ulcers and other conditions. Similarly, some people use it for the treatment of dandruff, lice, yeast infection, eczema, oil spots and nail infections.

Skin problems, wounds, worm bites and stings, and ringworm can all be treated by applying this oil from Melaleuca tree. It is a known antifungal broker, and efficient in vitro against dual dermatophytes establish on the rind and is used in medically used esthetic products. It is sometimes recommended for warts, which are caused by viruses. It too treats and soothes acne, burns, hemorrhoids but you can merely take the vital oil to handle blemishes. It can too be used to handle damaged hair and works as an expectorant when inhaled and has a calming consequence but should not be taken internally.

Using Tea Tree Oil for Acne

Unadulterated tea tree oil should not be applied to acne lesion as it causes burning, itching, dryness, redness, skin irritation and even blistering. The concentration that is advised is 5% tea tree oil gel which can be applied to effected areas.

To make 5% tea tree oil solution mix 5 parts of tea tree oil to 95 parts of water (5cc of 100% tea tree oil to 95cc of water).

Brenda Harper, Californian aesthetician uses it on a regular basis with clients who experience acne, with “wonderful results,”. She recommends application of Glycolic acid after dabbing tea tree oil on the affected areas and waiting for 15 minutes.

While tea tree oil is safe, as long as not used internally. Data on oral use of tea tree oil is very little and reports of side effects of oral ingestion.

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