Health Care

Skin Allergy: Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. The reaction usually appears within 48 hours after the initial exposure to the allergen. Symptoms that are commonly seen include the following: redness, swelling, blistering, itching, and weeping. The allergen can be a substance in a product that you have used for many years; it does not have to be a new product. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs more commonly in adults.

Eczema: The terms ‘Eczema’ or ‘Vicharchika’ are synonymous. They refer to distinctive reaction patterns in the skin, which can be either acute or chronic and due to a number of causes. Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions, which can affect all age groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken and raw. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

Leprosy: Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae; M. leprae multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear; Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.

Psoriasis: psoriasis is one of the most stubborn skin disease. It is a chronic disease, characterized by thick, red silvery, scale patches of the skin. This disease affects both sexes equally, and is more common during the first fifteen to thirty years, although it may appear at any age. Psoriasis is not contagious.

Ringworm: Ringworm is a fungus infection of the scalp or skin. In the skin ringworm causes a reddish, ring like rash that may itch or burn. The area may be dry and scaly or it may be moist or crusted. The same fungi that infect humans can also infect animals such as dogs and cats. The infection may be acquired from pets as well as from infected children.

SIZE MATTERS - Being bighearted can be a good thing-unless excess pounds are the cause, Risk of a ballooning heart wall and related irregular beats was 50% higher in obese people compared with those at a normal, healthy weight in a 14-year study of 5,300 by Harvard researchers. Overweight may cause the heart’s upper left chamber, the atrium, to stretch out and develop a too-rapid beat that’s out of sync with the rest of the heart, the scientists say. The condition, called atrial fibrillation (AF), raises stroke risk by four times and doubles the risk of death. Best way to prevent an enlarged atrium: Maintain a normal weight throughout life.

Most people in addiction are afraid to admitt that they have a problem. In fact they think that they are hiding their addictions from friends and family. Most of the time the only person who is being fooled is the addict. If you suspect that someone you know is using drugs the following may help you. It must be noted that the list below does not mean absolutely that a person is using drugs or alcohol, it is merely a list of signs that someone may be using.

• Lack of concern for physical appearance. 
• Looses control of temper easily. 
• Skips school or calls in at work more often. 
• Person begins stealing from family, friends, and employeer. 
• Becomes very secretive about finances and whereabouts. 
• Unusually defensive. 
• No longer associates with old friends and new friends are users.

With each specific drug there are other signs that may help you narrow down the drug that you suspect your family memebr of friend may be abusing.

As a female mosquito sucks your blood for protein to nourish her developing eggs, she pumps in her saliva, which has an anticoagulant to keep your blood flowing. Your white blood cells attack this bug juice, unleashing the inflammation producing chemical histamine, as well as a swarm of antibodies that latch onto and remove the foreign substance. That starts a whole cascade of events that results in redness, swelling, and itching.

How to stop the itch-scratch-itch-some-more vicious cycle?
Try putting ice on the bite to quell swelling and dull itch nerves. A paste of baking soda has also been found to reduce the irritation. Or use an over-the-counter 1 per cent hydrocortisone cream or a “non-sensitizing” (meaning it won’t cause an allergic reaction) anti-itch lotion containing camphor and menthol. In a pinch try Vicks Vaporub.
Avoid topical diphenhydramine (an antihistamine found in Benadryl) and products containing benzocaine. You can actually become allergic to them over time.
Don’t scratch, if you can help it. It may feel good, but it tends to make the area redder and more swollen. If you must, delicately scratch around it. That trick of pressing on the bite with, a fingernail? It may just work because the pain acts as a counter-irritant to the itch.

Why it happen? - As burns and other skin injuries heal, “remodeling” occurs: Dead tissue breaks down and makes space for healthy tissue and nerves and blood vessels grow along with this new tissue. Once the hard scar tissue forms, nerves are trapped and may be tickled when the tissue stretches or bends. Moreover, the fibroblast cells that make up scar tissue can release chemicals that trigger itch nerves.

The Solution - This itching is a sign of healing, so feel encouraged. But if the power of positive thinking does not do the job, try an over-the-counter soothing lotion that contains camphor and menthol to help numb the surface of the irritated area.