Posts Tagged Skin Condition
Dermatographia – Overview – Symptoms and Treatment
Posted by admin in Skin Disorders on September 9, 2011
Dermatographia (aka “skin writing”) is a rare, auto-immune skin condition which affects about five percent of the human population. Individuals impacted by this condition have hypersensitive skin and even minor injuries, rubbing, or scratching can cause raised, red lines and ridges to appear on the affected area. Other symptoms include itching, swelling, inflammation, and hive-like welts on the skin. Hives form when skin cells known as “mast cells” become sensitive to physical stimulation like scratching and release histamines. This then causes blood to leak out of blood vessels under the skin. In 2008, an artist named Ariana Page Russell used this condition as basis for art by drawing designs and patterns on it as though it were a canvas.
Dermatographia is not a serious condition and symptoms do not normally last very long. However, scratching and rubbing can cause irritation and discomfort. Triggers include rubbing against clothing and bedsheets, exposure to cold, heat, and sunlight, and/or applying pressure to the skin in some way. It may also be caused by stress or emotion. In most cases, symptoms disappear between 30 minutes to two hours following the irritation but in some cases they may last hours or even days. This may cause sufferers to experience pain and a burning sensation.
The causes of dermatographia are unknown but some believe it to be an allergic reaction of some kind. It may also have a genetic basis. Moreover, other skin disorders like dry skin or dermatitis increases the risk of dermatographia. Dermatographia has not been conclusively tied to gender or any particular ethnicity; however, it seems to be more prevalent in young adults between the ages of 20 and 30.
Treatment
The most common means of treating dermatographia is through anti-histamines and steroids to relieve symptoms. Anti-histamines block the release of histamines by the immune system. They are not, however, guaranteed to cure hives and can also have side effects. Herbal and/or other natural remedies may also be used to treat dermatographia. Self-care measures such as drinking plenty of water, using moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated, and simply not scratching one’s skin should also be followed to the extent possible.
By: Safiur Rahman
About the Author:
Jaskin Skin Care is your one stop shop for skin disorders like acne, eczema, rosacea, cellulitis, psoriasis, warts, boils and more with comprehensive information on their symptoms, treatment, and cures.
An Introduction to Morgellon’s Disease
Posted by admin in Skin Disorders on May 31, 2011
Morgellon’s disease is a very rare and mysterious skin condition that has been reported recently in the US and a number of other countries. It is characterized by itchy, painful skin lesions and a creepy-crawly sensation of fibers growing from inside the skin. Patients commonly complain of a feeling that insects are crawling under their skin and are stinging or biting them. Other symptoms include fatigue, memory loss, visual impairment, and difficulty concentrating. Due to some of these strange symptoms, many patients purported to be victims of this disease have been incorrectly diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder. Cases of Morgellon’s disease have been reported in all 50 states of the US (mostly in Texas and Florida), Canada, Australia, and the UK.
At present, most physicians and dermatologists within the medical community hold the view that Morgellon’s disease is not a new disease but is simply a new name for known medical conditions. In some cases these are known skin disorders like scabies, allergic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Nevertheless, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has bowed to pressure from the Morgellon Research Foundation and a growing number of claimed Morgellon patients and are currently investigating the condition further. The CDC refers to this condition as Unexplained Dermopathy. Present research is inconclusive and the CDC states that it is unknown as to whether this is a new condition or whether individuals claiming to have Morgellons have some shared basis for the symptoms they display. While it is not known whether the condition is contagious, studies have shown that the disease is more likely to impact members of the same family.
Treatment
Because so little is know regarding this disease, there is no conclusive cure or course of treatment. Some dermatologists regard Morgellons as a delusional condition and prescribe anti-psychotic drugs like Pimozide, which also helps reduce the itching sensation that patients experience. Other physicians may prescribe antibiotics and anti-parasitic medications. Patients convinced that they have Morgellon’s often reject that their condition is delusional and look for alternative means of treatment on websites and discussion groups. As with any disease, however, the best form of treatment is simply to contact a qualified physician who understands the symptoms and follow his or her instructions.
By: Safiur Rahman
About the Author:
Jaskin Skin Care is your one stop shop for skin disorders like acne, eczema, rosacea, cellulitis, psoriasis, warts, boils and more with comprehensive information on their symptoms, treatment, and cures.
Skin problems worse?
Posted by admin in Skin Disorders on December 5, 2009
EilaAlona asked:
Hey ladies. I haven’t called my doctor yet but i just wanted some opinions first. I was diagnosed with psoriasis 4 years ago. I can pretty much keep it under control with the right topical creams and the like, but lately, I have had some major flare ups on my elbows and upper thigh. I was just wondering if anyone has a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema and flares up? the topical cream that my dermatologist prescribes for me always works, but now it doesn’t seem to be helping. Is my pregnancy affecting this? Gonna call my doctor tomorrow. Thanks for any insight.
Kansieo.com
Hey ladies. I haven’t called my doctor yet but i just wanted some opinions first. I was diagnosed with psoriasis 4 years ago. I can pretty much keep it under control with the right topical creams and the like, but lately, I have had some major flare ups on my elbows and upper thigh. I was just wondering if anyone has a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema and flares up? the topical cream that my dermatologist prescribes for me always works, but now it doesn’t seem to be helping. Is my pregnancy affecting this? Gonna call my doctor tomorrow. Thanks for any insight.
Kansieo.com