Atopic dermatitis

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Atopic Eczema,

What is atopic eczema?

A genetically determined skin disease, atopic eczema is a malfunction in the upper layer of the skin that usually first appears during early childhood. Although it often clears up before adulthood, some people live with the condition for life. With proper advice and support, these people can manage the disease and avoid much physical and social discomfort.

Common symptoms include an itchy rash, dry skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can cause the skin to crack, leaving it vulnerable to infection. Some people experience atopic eczema as a succession of flare-ups and remissions; others have it almost constantly.

Causes

Allergic reactions to chemicals, metals and plants can cause the skin to flare up and make atopic eczema worse. Eczema can also be exacerbated if it becomes infected with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Apart from allergens and bacterial infections, atopic eczema can be triggered or worsened by stress, or by seasonal climate changes such as the shift from summer to autumn when the air becomes drier.

Treatment

It is important to remember that atopic eczema normally has a good prognosis. As part of the treatment, general measures such as avoiding irritants and excessive heat and using emollients to moisturize the skin are important to minimize the itch.

Topical steroids or combinations with topical antibiotics are often used to treat eczema. In very severe cases, light therapy or systemic treatment may apply.

Actinic Keratoses

What is actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratoses (also called solar keratoses) often appear as scaly patches. They can vary greatly in size, shape and colour, but are usually less than 1cm across with a scaly white surface. However, it can be red, pink, skin coloured, or a combination of these. The patch might feel rough and sandpapery, which often makes it easier to feel than see.

Causes

Actinic keratoses develop as a result of long term sun exposure and are a precursor to skin cancer. They can be found anywhere on the body, but some of the most common sites are those regularly exposed to the sun including the face, scalp, lips, forearms and backs of hands.

Anyone can have sun damaged skin but if you are fair skinned, burn easily in the sun, use sun beds or have spent a lot of time outdoors you are at particularly high risk of actinic keratosis. People who have a weakened immune system, for example due to organ transplant, are also more at risk.

Treatment

Actinic keratoses may regress and may develop into skin cancer but it is impossible to tell which patches have the potential to become cancerous so it is important to treat all actinic keratoses. A range of treatment options are available for actinic keratoses and it is important to discuss these options with your healthcare professional prior to receiving treatment. Actinic keratoses can be cleared with field directed therapy including topical treatments and lesion specific therapy.

Acne

What is acne?

Acne is a common chronic skin disease. In fact, approximately eight out of 10 people will have to deal with it at some point in their life. Acne can also leave scars on the skin for many people with moderate to severe cases. The condition doesn’t always end when the teen years do; it can continue into adulthood. Females are often more affected during adulthood due to hormonal changes. The disease can be hard to manage, both physically and emotionally, and improving the condition can be challenging. Living with acne can impact the quality of life.

Causes

Researchers believe acne is caused by a combination of four events: excess secretion of sebum, overgrowth and plugging of follicles or pores, the presence of bacteria and inflammation. Hormonal changes in the body may worsen acne. This can cause the glands containing hair follicles to grow larger and over-produce oil. Unfortunately, a range of myths relates to acne and the causes of acne. There is no clear evidence to suggest that acne is caused by eating greasy foods or by not washing your face or body enough. Hormonal changes in the body may worsen acne.

Treatment

Many acne cases are traditionally treated with either self-care products, conventional oral and topical antibiotic of various strength or systemic therapies. Medical devices such as laser, light and BioPhotonics are other treatment options that can be used.