Archive for the ‘Skin Diseases’ Category
There are five different types of psoriasis, some of which may coexist, although in most cases it is only type that will be predominant. Other types of psoriasis may appear and remain for long periods of time or clear up quickly with the return of the predominant plaque appearance. The treatment for each type of psoriasis is similar but it should be monitored by a dermatologist and the appropriate course of treatment should be initiated at the right time.
PUVA is one of the many treatment options for psoriasis using ultraviolet light to reduce skin thickening and sometimes resolve plaques completely. It is not a cure for psoriasis but can be very effective in managing the active stages of this skin disease.
PUVA stands for Psoralen and UVA. It is a form of light therapy, also referred to as photochemotherapy, where the skin reacts to ultraviolet light due to the presence of psoralens within the skin cells. It has been used in some form or the other for thousands of years by the ancient Indians and Egyptians. UVB or ultraviolet B is also used in the treatment of many skin conditions including psoriasis but with psoralens treatment, it is UVA that is most effective.
Read the rest of this entry »
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition where the skin thickens and the area swells causing clearly defined areas of raised red patches with silvery-white flaky skin in the middle. This skin condition tends to affect the extensor surfaces of the body and can also involve the scalp, sometimes leading to hair loss, and the fingernails and toenails. Psoriasis cannot be cured – most treatments will offer temporary relief or the condition may go into remission only to recur a short while later.
Read the rest of this entry »
Most cases of a skin rash on the throat or neck are acute (short term). It may be due to an irritation from the fabric of your clothing (contact dermatitis) or a skin condition like hives (urticaria) and in some severe cases of acne, there may be some pimples on the neck which are itchy.
Read the rest of this entry »
Candida is an yeast type of fungus that occurs on the skin and cavities of the body but will not cause an infection in most cases. A candida infection, known as candidiasis, is more likely to occur on the skin although it can also infect the vagina, mouth or intestines. Infection of the latter two sites is usually limited to immunocompromised patients like in HIV/AIDS.
While candida tends to live on the skin without causing a fungal infection of the skin, if the conditions are favorable, it will become pathogenic. Like other skin fungi, it needs the ideal conditions like warmth, moisture and darkness to thrive and if the body’s immune defenses are lowered, this harmless yeast will quickly infect the skin and body.
Athlete’s foot is a the most common type of fungal skin infection and while it may affect the entire foot, it tends to occur more on side of the feet and between the toes. Athlete’s foot or feet fungus as it is sometimes called is medically known as tinea pedis (tinea ~ fungal infection, pedis ~ foot).
Athlete’s feet can affect men or women and is more common in people who use closed shoes or have sweaty feet.
Read the rest of this entry »