Archive for the ‘Skin Problems’ Category

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How to Get Rid of Facial Swelling

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

There are several people who experience facial swelling, as a result of an allergic reaction, to certain foods or other allergens. This affliction is characterized by a swelling in the eyes, cheeks and the mouth, which is why the face may appear much larger than what it is. Facial swelling can be quite an embarrassment, as it could give the face a strange and an odd appearance. The duration that the facial swelling lasts may vary; some people experience it for a couple of minutes whereas others may face the same problem for days together. Most people who experience facial swelling have no idea why they are facing this problem. Since this is a very embarrassing problem, most people consult doctors for way on reducing facial swelling.

Causes of Facial Swelling

There could be several factors that lead to facial swelling, such as infected cysts and pimples. Given below are some of the other common causes of facial swelling in people:

•    Exposure to allergens, such as food allergens, environmental allergens and mould allergens
•    Edema or the retention of water by the body
•    Conjunctivitis or other eye infections, which could cause the eyes as well as the surrounding area to swell up
•    Complications or even a part of the regular recovery process after a jaw surgery
•    An abscess in the tooth, which gets infected
•    Trauma to the facial area, such as a burn or an injury
•    Obesity and rapid weight gain

Facial Swelling Treatment

The treatment of facial swelling may differ, based on the factors that have caused the problem. However, there are many people who prefer using home remedies for facial swelling too, such as:

•    Cold Therapy: Many people apply ice cubes or a cold compress on the facial area, to reduce the swelling. This is also very useful to alleviating the pain as well as inflammation if any.
•    Sleeping at an elevated angle: It is best to keep the head elevated when sleeping, by using an adjustable bed or placing a few stacks of pillows under the head.
•    Dietary changes: The consumption of excess salt can cause certain parts of the body to swell up. Hence, reducing the intake of salt can help reduce facial swelling to a great extent.
•    Using diuretics: Increasing the flow of urine in the body can help reduce the retention of water in all the parts, including the face.

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How to Treat Dry Face Skin

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Dry Face Skin

Dry face skin is a common problem that affects a large number of people. It may either last for just a few days or persist for a longer period of time. Dry skin is more common during the cold winter months. The skin becomes dry when it cannot hold in moisture. This can also lead the skin to become tight and stretched. Itchiness, chapping and cracking are some of the symptoms that accompany dryness of the facial skin. The areas around the cheeks and lips are more prone to dryness.

The main cause of dry face skin is dehydration. Inadequate intake of water can lead to loss of moisture from the skin. This can also happen due to excess consumption of caffeinated beverages and sugary foods. Poor dietary habits are also responsible for dry skin. Deficiencies of vitamins A and B may also result in dryness of the skin. Use of harsh skin care products can also lead to irritation and dryness of the skin. Another major cause of dry and itchy skin is an allergy. Some individuals are sensitive to certain substances such as perfumes, soaps and lotions. Contact with such substances may cause symptoms such as itching and irritation. Dry face skin can also occur due to environmental factors such as cold winds or prolonged exposure to the sun. Spending too much time in air-conditioned spaces can also dry out the skin. Some rarer causes of dry skin are hormonal changes, genetic factors and certain illnesses such as diabetes.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin Treatment

Dry face skin treatment is best done with the help of natural treatment. Since the condition affects the sensitive areas of the face, it is necessary to exercise caution while using any remedies. It is advisable to consult a doctor if the dryness is severe or if it persists for too long. Since dry skin arises due to dehydration, it is important to drink plenty of water. A proper healthy diet is also essential for good health of the skin. Include foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Avoid consumption of coffee, soft drinks and junk foods. Eliminate fried and fatty foods from the diet.

Home remedies for dry skin on face include application of gentle moisturizers.

•    Aloe vera based cleansers and moisturizing lotions help to remove dead skin cells and make the skin soft and smooth.

•    Dry face skin care can also be done by gently massaging the face with nourishing oils such as almond, olive and coconut oil.

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How to Treat Eczema on the Face

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Facial Eczema

Eczema is a skin inflammation, also called dermatitis.  While eczema is not contagious, it can be irritating especially when it appears on the face. The symptoms of eczema are generally reddened skin that could itch or burn, and oozing lesions, in an acute form of eczema.

There are many different types of eczema but the most common one is atopic dermatitis. This form of eczema is usually caused by an allergic reaction and is usually hereditary. Facial eczema is the when the infection appears on the face.  Eczema on the face can be quite stressful. Only doctors can usually diagnose eczema and there is no test for it. There are many ways to treat eczema on the face but a natural treatment is the best. Eczema is usually treated with steroids which can have a debilitating effect on the other systems in your body.

Eczema Natural Treatment

There is not one cure for eczema. As every person’s skin and body type is different, you need to find your combinations of different methods to feel better. The goal while treating eczema on the face or other parts of the body is to reduce the irritation, itching and redness of the skin. There are different home remedies for eczema on the face. Application of oatmeal can soothe the irritated skin. Moisturizing with a good, non-scented cream is important, especially soon after your bath. The skin traps the moisture in when your skin is still damp.

•    An oatmeal and honey facial is also known to benefit the skin inflammation in facial eczema. Mix unflavored oatmeal, honey, warm water into a paste and apply it on the face. Wash it after 20 minutes.

•    Most natural oils contain anti inflammatory properties. Do so carefully but try supplements of borage oil, fish oil or primrose oil. You could also increase your intake of Omega-6 rich foods which include oily fish like sardines and salmon and walnuts.

•    Another eczema natural treatment would be application of a paste of turmeric and Indian lilac can help relieve the pain and itchiness.

•    Nutmeg with some water is also known to relieve the itchiness and redness of the skin.

•    Sunbathing can help eczema but has to be done in short; monitored time frames as though the sun can kill the bacteria, it can even aggravate the condition if overexposed.

It is important to moisturize well, especially after washing your face. Limit using too many fragrant products like soaps and gels. Don’t bathe in very hot water. Wear loose, comfortable cotton clothing. Avoid triggers that aggravate itching and redness of the skin. It is also important to consume fiber.

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How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Around Nose

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Dry Skin Around Nose

Winter brings with it the continual need to moisturize and keep your skin supple and soft. With winter, due to the dry air and cold temperatures, you will notice dry skin around the nose and mouth. The dry skin around the nose indicates your body is not producing enough natural oils to moisturize your skin.

Dry skin is one of the first indicators of a change in weather. It is important that you do not scratch these dry areas and irritate them. Red skin around the nose indicates chafing skin. Sometimes dry skin around the nose is also caused by dehydration, which can also be common in the winters as you don’t notice how you lose fluids when it is cold. The skin around the eyes and nose is delicate and this reacts immediately to a change in the surrounding conditions.

Flaky skin around the nose is an indication that your skin needs special care for winter. Keep your skin well nourished by drinking enough water. Eat healthy food and sleep well, not allowing stress to show on your face. Keep your face properly moisturized with a vitamin E and cocoa butter rich cream.  Avoid lotions in winters as they are water-based and do not provide enough moisture. Natural aloe vera and olive can remedy peeling and reddened skin.

Home Remedies to Soothe the Dry Skin Problem

When you cleanse your face in winters, remember not to use harsh soaps or very hot water. Lukewarm water with mild soaps will keep all the natural moisture intact in the skin. There are different remedies you can create from you own kitchen to soothe the dry skin problem. A combination of papaya and banana puree can cleanse the face gently. You follow this up with gentle massage with sturdy oil, after washing this off.
You can even apply cucumber juice to soothe and tighten the skin on the infected areas. Homemade mayonnaise acts as a good natural moisturizer. To relieve dryness all over the body, you can even apply coconut oil regularly. This will help your body gradually get back soft and supple skin.

The only way to combat dry skin which results in white and red patches is continuous moisturizing. Avocado with a dash of lemon juice can also act as a good natural moisturizer. If you live in an area of extreme dryness, keep a mug of water in your room or use a humidifier to add to the moisture in the air.  That moisture will help your skin to not feel stretched.

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Dry Skin Patches on Face

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Dry Patches on Skin

Dry skin is a common dermatological problem that we face. It includes dry patchy skin in white patches at joints like elbows, knees and the face. The dry skin is due to lack of dehydration in the body and on the skin. It is very common during the winter and if you spend a large part of your time indoors, in air-conditioned comfort.

The dry patches on skin can be very irritating. The dry skin patches on the face can be intensely itchy and turn red as a result of continuous itching. Therefore, dry skin patches sometime become red dry skin patches on the face.

The causes of dry patches are many. Aging, a bad and ineffective diet and chemically harmful bathing products can affect your skin quality, increasing your chances of getting dry skin. Unhealthy exposure to the sun, fad diets a bad surrounding environment, all can affect the skin in adverse ways.

To protect your face from aging, you should make moisturizing an important part of your day. Remember to moisturize when you just come out of a bath and are not fully dry. It is important to trap the existing moisture under the skin. An inappropriate diet like less roughage, more sugar, cola and processed goods causes the skin to lose its sheen and elasticity. You can also take some vitamins, especially vitamin A and C. Increase the quantity of water that you consume.

Home Treatment for Dry Skin Patches

There are home remedies that are treatment for dry skin patches. Most times dry skins and dry skin patches can be controlled by spotting the symptoms early on. But if these patches persist, it would be advisable to visit a doctor for a consultation. If you decide to use over-the-counter anti-inflammation cream, ensure that a dermatologist or a doctor clears it before you use it.

When you select a home remedy, it is important to address the exact cause of the dry skin. You can wash your face with diluted vinegar to reduce inflammation. You can also apply some grated cucumber, which has a cooling effect on the skin.

Another home remedy is a massage of homemade mayonnaise or a massage of a mixture of honey, egg yolk and milk powder. You could even apply a puree of an avocado, a banana and some papaya. All these home remedies should be washed off with tepid water and then your face should be properly moisturized.

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Taking Care of Dry Foot Problems During the Winter Months

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Dry feet can be quite irritating and annoying. An excess of dry skin on your feet can cause cracked heels which can become exceedingly painful and ugly to look at. Dry skin on the foot can be a symptom of many different things. This is especially true for people who have diabetes, skin or circulation problems.

Dry Foot Problems

Dry foot problems are caused by extreme dryness on the skin of the foot. If the cracks on your feet start to bleed, you should consult a doctor. The other common reason for dry skin is that the skin cannot retain its moisture. In order to moisturize your skin, use deep conditioners specially formulated for the hard skin of feet.

Dry Skin on Feet

Dry skin on feet can mean different infections on the feet including, athlete’s foot, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. Sometimes the dry feet can turn itchy which in turn can cause bloody sores. It is important that you maintain good hygiene. Soak your feet in warm water for about twenty minutes. Wash your feet with anti-bacterial soap. Dry carefully, including between the toes. Apply cream generously but avoid applying between the toes. Wear socks and keep feet covered. Do this routine as many times as needed.

Dry Foot Treatment

There are some preventive measures too. This becomes important for people who are prone to injuries and latent infections. Regularly check your feet for any blisters or cuts so that treatment is not delayed.

You can improve your diet to include more fat, take additional vitamin E and drink more water so as to hydrate the skin. It is also important to wear correct footwear. There are many dry foot treatments that can be done at home. You can mix Epsom salt or baking soda in the water you soak your feet in. You can also put a foot mask by mixing a banana and cream. This will soften your foot. After any treatment to the foot, remember to moisturize with a deep penetrating cream and then wrap up your feet.

Another exfoliating mix is brown sugar, oatmeal, honey, lemon juice, aloe vera gel and almond oil. You can even try sea salt, lavender and cold water. Even olive oil is rich oil that can be used for application on feet. Mix all the ingredients and apply to your foot. After letting it soak for some time, wash away the pack and moisturize. The repeated application of such treatments is the key in successfully curing the dry skin on foot.

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How to Get Rid Dry Skin Around Eyes

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Dry Skin Around Eyes

Dry skin around the eyes is one of the commonly observed skin problems in both men as well as women especially if they do not take good care of their skin as well as their overall health. Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of dry skin around eyes. This occurs because the eyes need to rest to be able to repair and heal themselves. Hence one should d get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night for the eyes and the skin around the eyes to be healthy. Another one of the ways to get rid of dry skin around the eyes is to drink plenty of plain fresh drinking water as water helps in keeping one hydrated and also keeps the skin supple and healthy. Similarly one of the causes of dry skin around eyes is damage to the skin caused by oxidation on account of the free radicals.

Home Treatment for Dry Skin

A home treatment for dry skin in such cases is to modify ones diet to ensure that it is a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits such as spinach, blackberries, legumes, blueberries nuts and so on. These foods will give the skin and the body on the whole the required vitamins and nutrients that are required to moisturize the dry skin around the eyes.

Women especially are also keen on knowing how to get rid of dry skin around eyes as the skin around the eyes is thin and very sensitive which makes it even more prone to lines and wrinkles. In fact it has always been observed that lines and wrinkles tend to first appear around the eyes. Some of the other causes of dry skin around eyes are changes in the temperature, sudden loss of weight, fatigue and sleep deprivation and so on.

A home treatment for dry skin caused by the excessive and frequent use of makeup is to use a good quality makeup remover which should ideally be a moisturizing and oil based makeup remover rather than soap which may dry the skin further. Another one of the causes of dry skin around eyes is exposure of the skin to the sun. Hence it is always advisable to wear protective gear in the form of a moisturizing sunscreen lotion or even sunglasses while moving outside under the sun. Additionally, advancing age is also one of the causes of dry skin around eyes.

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How to Remove Liver Spots on Face

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

What are Liver Spots on Skin?

Liver spots on skin can be described as the flat brown-black spots or patches that are seen on a person’s face, shoulders and hands. They are also referred to, as sun spots or age spots at times. While liver spots on skin are a lot more common in people above the age of 40, they can be seen in several younger people too. In most instances, liver spots on skin are fairly harmless and are not really a cause for concern. However, they can be very unattractive and could cause a person to look a lot older than he or she really is. This is probably why several people spend a lot of time and money, on removing liver spots on face or the other parts of their body. However, most skin experts suggest that steps should be taken to prevent their occurrence, by learning about the exact causes of liver spots and taking the appropriate precautions.

Causes of Liver Spots on Skin

Until a few years ago, people associated liver spots on skin with liver damage or diseases. In truth, there is no correlation between liver spots and the improper functioning of the liver. While there are many causes of liver spots, the main one is excessive exposure of the skin to harsh sun rays. The ultraviolet rays of the sun increase the amount of a pigment known as melanin in the skin. When this extra amount of melanin becomes clumped together, it leads to visible liver spots on skin. However, liver spots due to sun exposure could take a long time to become evident. Some of the other factors that could lead to liver spots on any part of the body are genetics and age.

Treatment for Liver Spots on Skin

There are certain medicines and medical treatments, like laser therapy, cryotherapy, chemical peels and dermabrasion, which can help get rid of liver spots on the face. However, some of them, including the medicines could lead to undesirable side effects and are quite expensive. Therefore, it has been seen that most people prefer using home remedies for liver spots, since they are safer and usually bring about results within a few months. Some of the most commonly used home remedies for liver spots are:

•    Applying the juice of fresh garlic on the affected skin, twice a day
•    Rubbing slices of red onion directly on the age spots
•    Drinking around 4 to 8 ounces of crushed fresh berries
•    Dabbing some Aloe Vera gel or extract twice a day, for about two months

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How to Treat Prickly Heat Rash

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Prickly Heat Rash

Prickly heat rash happens when your sweat glands get blocked because of too much perspiration. This usually happens when the body is suddenly subjected to a place with a humid climate, since the body is not accustomed to it the sweat glands start working at a faster rate. Prickly heat rash is a condition where excessive perspiration leads to small red bumps or water filled blisters being formed on the parts of the body that are covered mostly and devoid on much ventilation. The upper chest, neck and back are the most commonly affected areas. This rash may or may not be itchy. Therefore treatment for prickly heat rash is basically taking care of the rash and doing the best to keep your body cool.

Firstly once you are affected by prickly heat rash it is best to wear loose cotton clothes. Tight clothes can help worsen the rash. Cotton clothes are known for the soothing effect they have in a humid climate. Moreover each time you have a bath make sure that the water is cold, if necessary you could put a few ice cubes into the bath water and use that water to cool your body. But do not use the ice directly on to your skin as it could have an adverse effect. You could add baking soda or corn-starch to the water to act as a soothing cleansing agent. While bathing use an antibiotic soap so that the chances of further infection is eliminated and the dead skin is washed away. After a bath always apply some kind of talcum powder so that the affected areas are not again subjected to sweating.

Treatment for Prickly Heat Rash

Aloe vera is another way of treating prickly heat rash, use fresh aloe vera extract or gel on the area with rash; this will cool the skin and start the healing process. Sometimes prickly heat rash treatment can also be done by eating and drinking certain foods and juices that will cool your body down so that the level of perspiration is cut down. Cold salted buttermilk and chilled grape juice or watermelon juice helps to cool your body down from within.

Another easy remedy is to boil some coriander seeds and then cool it and store it. This infusion could be drunk in small quantity twice in the day. Tender coconut water is said to have wondrous cooling effects along with being an instant energizer. Drinking this coconut water for a week regularly will help to reduce the prickly heat rash.

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How to Get Rid of Red Skin on Face

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Dry red skin on face could be a result of causes like changing weather conditions and extreme climates, pollution and change in soaps or cosmetics. Sometimes dry skin can also cause redness, it is often known as eczema. This kind of eczema can come anywhere on the body and can in many cases spread to all the exposed parts also. This kind of red skin on the face is not a permanent problem.

Home Remedies to Reduce Red Skin on Face

Home remedies for red skin on face can help to reduce redness and rejuvenate the skin.

•    Coconut oil and olive oil are said to be effective soothing agents. Directly applying either of these oils can help to relive the itchiness and reduce redness in the affected areas. Dry red skin on face should be treated with much care.

•    For the face you could mix together 4 tablespoons of Fullers earth and mix it with 2 tablespoons of milk in a bowl to form a loose paste. Then gently apply this mixture onto your face especially concentrating on the red skin on face. Leave it on for 15 minutes till the pack is dry and then using a swab of wet cotton and slowly wash the pack off. After washing it off make sure that you lightly apply some coconut or almond oil onto the affected areas and avoid going out for a few hours.

•    Another remedy is to mix honey and oats in a bowl and massage this mixture gently on to the affected areas in circular motion to get rid of the dry skin and make sure that the skin is exfoliated thoroughly.

•    Massaging the affected areas with coconut oil or olive oil is another way for reducing red skin. You can massage the oil and leave it overnight moisturize the skin and revitalise it from within.

•    Pure aloe vera extract or gel would also act as soothing agents on the affected areas. It could help to provide the required moisturizer and reduce the inflammation in that area.

Apart from this make sure that you protect the affected area when you go out. Use a strong sunscreen on the red skin areas and keep it covered in the line of direct sunlight. Wash your face with a gentle soap each time you come in so that impurities can be done away with.  In case the red skin on face does not subside and is prolonging then it is best to consult your local dermatologist.

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