NEVER NEGLECT A SKIN PROBLEM, Nails

NEVER NEGLECT A SKIN PROBLEM 

It is important to understand that there are literally hundreds of skin ailments, both minor and major; that a skin condition can mirror an internal disorder-a disease of lungs, liver, heart, or other organs of the body; that it may also indicate general poor health, or a vitamin or other nutritional deficiency. Without years of study, you cannot learn all the skin ailments and all the possible meanings of changing skin conditions. Some, in fact, are difficult for physicians to identify and may require special study by specialists. For this reason, and because the significance of skin changes varies greatly, it is important to consult a doctor if anything unusual happens to your skin. He may be able to quickly relieve your mind of worry; and if it is a serious or potentially serious problem, the opportunity you give him for early diagnosis and early treatment is likely to be of great help in preventing complications and making possible eradication and cure.

NAILS 

generally, fingernails need little special care. In fact, most infections such as abscesses, whitlows, paronychia, or "runarounds" are caused by excessive care-too much manicuring of the cuticle. Push the cuticle back gently. Do not use a sharp instrument for this or for nail cleaning. Generally, any nail polish you happen to like can be considered safe to use if it does not produce irritation because of allergy or sensitivity. It's a good idea to tryout any new polish on a single nail at bedtime and make certain it is safe to use on your other fingers in the morning. Excessive dryness encourages the development of hangnails, and plain oil or a hand cream can be helpful in correcting the condition. If a hang- nail develops, it will heal over in a few days if protected by a small bandage. Brittleness of the nails does not, as many people still believe, stem from a deficiency in proteins, vitamins, or any other recognized nutrient. 

Brittleness can be caused by external factors such as detergents, solvents, and manicure preparations. To some extent, brittleness increases with age. Nails tend to be plastic when moist, brittle when dehydrated. It is possible that frequent use of nail polish removers containing solvents produces some decrease in water-holding capacity. Some investigations suggest that gelatin in large daily doses may be helpful, although, in general, physicians are convinced that no significant improvement is to be expected from gelatin. In some instances, brittleness can be traced to impaired thyroid gland functioning, a circulatory disturbance, or other systemic disorder. If you are bothered by persistent brittleness without obvious external cause, your physician may well be able to help. 

Skin problems

They may need to be removed, as they may turn into malignant growths. Cancer of the skin can be much less serious than cancer in any other part of the body because it can be diagnosed readily and early and removed early-provided no time is wasted on dangerous home treatment. Always make certain that any new or changing growth or lesion -a lump, sore, or wart-is harmless by having your physician check it rather than by "waiting to see." Waiting can represent dangerous loss of time. (See page 556 for more on cancer.)

 OTHER SKIN DISEASES Syphilis may be the reason behind any sore appearing in the genital region between three days to three months after sexual intercourse with an infected person. It may manifest itself again about six weeks later in the form of a measles-like rash, accompanied by 'jymplom5 somewhat like those of a cold. Although it is not true from syphilis, there is no time to waste if a sore or rash should be syphilitic in nature. Your physician can cure the disease immediately or set your mind at ease by making a test that can prove you do not have it. Syphilis does not cause pimples and itching. (See page 657 for fuller discussion of syphilis.) 

Erysipelas, also known as St. Anthony's fire, is an infection of the skin and underlying tissue caused by streptococcal bacteria. The affected skin becomes swollen, painful, burning, itching, and red, with a glazed, shining surface. It must be treated by a physician, who can cure it with avail- able modern medications. Glanders, anthrax, and tularemia are serious ailments contracted from animals with these diseases. Skin lesions can be important symptoms. Rashes can be caused by many contagious diseases such as smallpox, meningitis, measles, and other common diseases of childhood. It is important to note that any rash or abnormal skin condition that is accompanied by a fever or a general feeling of illness is a danger signal. A physician should be consulted for prompt diagnosis and necessary treatment. Lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, and scleroderma are potentially dangerous skin diseases.

 Lupus erythematosus is manifested by a red eruption of the nose and cheek, which takes the shape of a butterfly. It may follow exposure to the sun. The disease frequently remains in its mild form, especially if the patient follows the physician's recommendations. Pemphigus usually begins as a number of blisters, most commonly starting around the nose and mouth and gradually involving the rest of the body. Scleroderma, a hardening of the skin, is usually preceded by changes in the circulation of the skin, especially in the hands and feet, which become bluish and cold. These diseases today, with prompt treatment, have a far better outlook than only a few years ago. They are rare diseases and are mentioned here as a reminder that the skin is an important organ of the body and can be affected by more than minor ailments. 

Athlete's foot Skin problems

Athlete's foot, also called ringworm of the foot, should have medical attention if it persists. It is caused by a fungus, a microscopic plant growth, which thrives on dead cells of the foot, particularly under warm and damp conditions that may be found on the skin between the toes. Swimming pool walkways, locker rooms, and public showers are sources of infection. For primary prevention, shower slippers should be worn whenever possible. Other means of prevention include keeping the feet clean and dry.

If you have a tendency toward athlete's foot, dust the feet with talcum powder after washing and drying. Wear clean socks daily. Persistent athlete's foot, if untreated or inadequately treated, may lead to more serious bacterial infection (streptococci); so if you have a persistent problem, let a physician help you to eradicate it and prevent recurrence. Other ringworm diseases may develop under the nails, on the scalp, on the skin, and in the genital area. All may be spread by way of contaminated clothing, an infected pet, a barber's unsterilized tools, or dirty combs and brushes. Personal cleanliness and refusal to use anyone else's unwashed clothing, towels, or toilet articles offer the best protection against ringworm ailments.  

 SKIN GROWTHS A wart, produced by virus invasion, is a small growth of epidermal skin cells. Don't attempt to treat a wart yourself. There are satisfactory methods of getting rid of warts, including application of chemical sub- stances or painless burning off of the growths with a special needle. These methods are not safe unless employed by a skilled physician. Birthmarks include pigmented moles and the vascular types such as "strawberry marks." Never attempt to remove either kind yourself. Your physician can advise you about the precise nature of the mark, whether it may be expected to disappear spontaneously on its own (as some do), whether and when any special treatment may be needed, and when it is simply most practical to conceal the mark with a cosmetic preparation such as Covermark.

Your physician may feel that it is best to remove moles located on the palms, soles, or genitals. Any mole that starts to grow or bleed should be seen promptly by a physician. Keloids are tumors that do not become malignant. They appear in scars, and should not be cut out, as they usually will reappear in the new scar tissue forming after the cutting out. A physician can remove them with dry ice or radium. Harmless yellow tumors, called xanthomas, are caused by deposits of fat in the skin. If unsightly, they can be removed by your physician. Keratoses are soft brown spots that may appear in middle age. Later, they become hard, in which case it is usually good practice to have them examined by your physician. 

impedigo skin conditions dieseases

Impetigo, which is caused by bacteria, is a contagious skin infection, especially in infants. It is characterized by yellowish crusts, often on the face, that look as though they had been deliberately pasted on the skin. A doctor can easily cure impetigo before complications have a chance to develop. Folliculitis is similar to impetigo except that the infection affects the hair follicles or the pore openings of the skin. Barber's itch is a special case of folliculitis which involves the beard and makes shaving a problem for men afflicted with this frequently stubborn name for barber's itch is sycosis vulgaris. It may take some time to cure even a mild case of folliculitis. You may need one visit to the physician for instruction in removing infected hairs. Fever blisters (herpes simplex) are virus-caused and usually occur with a fever or cold, appearing around the mouth and nose.

Sometimes the blisters follow exposure to sun and wind. Usually they clear within a week or so. A drying lotion such as 1 : 500 aluminum acetate in cold water is comforting when applied with bits of cotton. Spirit of camphor is a helpful application in mild cases. Cold cream may help to bring relief during the onset period. Troublesome, recurrent fever blisters should be seen by a physician who may be able to eliminate the cause. Shingles (herpes zoster) is also virus-caused and actually involves infection of a nerve, along with the eruption that appears on the skin. Once it was commonly believed that shingles could be fatal if the infection completely encircled the body and "met." This has no basis in fact. There are potentially serious complications from shingles in the eyes and nerves.

Shingles should be treated promptly by a physician. The itch (scabies), caused by a tiny mite, is extremely contagious. Fortunately, it yields quickly to treatment. While almost any part of the body may be affected, favorite areas for the mite to burrow into the skin include hands, genitals, and skin folds. It is not always easy to determine whether or not one has scabies, and a physician should be consulted for a diagnosis. The remedies used for scabies can aggravate other skin troubles that may be confused with it. A physician will tell you how to kill the parasites in bed linen and clothes. 

Skin care - effects of cosmetics-creams- deodorants on skin

COSMETICS

Most cosmetics on the market today may improve appearance without harming the skin. Lipstick, powder, rouge are usually harmless unless you happen to have a special allergy or sensitivity to the preparations themselves or perfumes they contain. Some lipsticks dry the lips, but with a little experimenting most women can find a suitable one. Pancake makeup and powder bases may clog the pores, and it is important to wash them off or remove them with cleansing cream every night. There is usually no significant difference, aside from odor and attractiveness of packaging, between expensive and inexpensive cosmetics, though it is sometimes difficult for women to believe this.

BODY ODOR AND DEODORANTS 

Perspiration itself is essentially odorless. When odor does develop, it is the result of bacterial action on the secretions from the skin's glands. Thus, bathing is the primary method of body odor control. When a full bath cannot be taken, body odor can be largely controlled by bathing armpits and genital area with soap and warm water. Deodorants are formulated to mask or diminish body odor. They do not affect the flow of perspiration. Antiperspirants contain compounds to reduce the amount of perspiration. Their effectiveness varies depending not only upon ingredients but on such factors as the individual's normal perspiration rate and activities that may encourage perspiration.

CREAMS

 Cold cream, a cleansing agent, generally is a water-in-oil emulsion. The mineral oil in it helps dissolve fatty skin secretions and loosen grime particles. The cream's suspending effect helps in removing dirt with tissue or soft towel. A variation, the so-called liquefying cleansing cream, may contain mineral oil that is not emulsified but rather is solidified with paraffin or petrolatum to a consistency that allows it to melt upon contact with the warmth of the skin. This oily film is intended for the same purpose as emulsified cold cream. Cold creams and other cleaners should remain on the skin only briefly, since the actual cleaning operation requires removal of the cream together with the secretions and grime. On the other hand, other creams-lubricating, moisturizing, conditioning, and "night" creams-have a different purpose and require longer contact, generally overnight. Their objective is to help make the skin smoother by overcoming drying and roughness. For this, they provide a lubricant, emollient (softening) or humectant (moisture-attracting or -retaining) action.

The film of cream, when applied to the skin, closes out air, and the water in the cream-sometimes aided by ingredients such as glycerine and sorbitol-has a moistening effect. Foundation cream has similar ingredients for moistening and is used prior to makeup to provide a thin film that becomes a base for powder and rouge while providing some protection against grime. Although many manufacturers add to creams certain mystic ingredients-ranging from royal jelly to orchid pollen, mink or turtle oil, placenta extract, and assorted hormones and vitamins-claiming that they make it possible for women to keep or regain youthful appearances, many medical authorities believe that the claims have not been substantiated on a scientific basis, and the buyer is getting perhaps a good cold cream but at a high price. 

Baldness, Hair loss, blonds, skin care, irritation, hair growth causes and medicines

Hair

Hair, which is part of the skin, varies considerably in texture from the soft, almost invisible type on the forehead to the long scalp hairs and the shorter, stiff hairs on the eyelids. The root of each hair is anchored at the bottom of a follicle, or tiny shaft. The follicle passes through the epidermis, deep into the dermal layer, and the follicle of a long hair may penetrate into the subcutaneous layer. Emptying into the follicles is sebaceous, or oil, glands. Each hair has a shaft which extends past the top of the follicle and is covered with microscopic overlapping scales. Cells in an inner layer of the shaft contain pigment that determines hair color. In white hair, these cells contain air rather than pigment.

Attached to each hair follicle, too, is a small bundle of muscle fibers which, under influence of cold or emotions, causes the hair to become erect and produces "goose flesh." The average scalp has about 100,000 hairs. Blonds generally have about 20,000 more and redheads about 20,000 less. Hereditary influences determine color, texture, and distribution of hair over head and body. Hairs can grow only so long as follicles are alive. Sometimes follicles wear out or are destroyed by illness. Baldness indicates that the follicles have stopped functioning. If the baldness is caused by disease, the hair may grow back. Most often, however, baldness is a hereditary condition and there is no known way to renew the hair follicles. 

Like baldness, the tendency for hair to turn gray is inherited. There is no evidence that graying is caused by a vitamin deficiency or a sudden emotional crisis. Hair follicles follow a cycle: they are active for a period, then wither, then rest, then become active again. Withering lasts several weeks and during this period hair shafts fall out. About 30 to 60 hairs are lost daily from the scalp but the follicles are not lost. After a resting period of several months, the hairs begin to grow again and continue to grow for several years.

Hair growth during the active period varies according to body location. Scalp hair growth has been measured at about .012 inch daily, beard growth at .15 inch. Elsewhere on the body, growth is slower. Nails Like hair, the fingernails and toenails are a specialized form of skin, as fingers and toes develop, a thin layer, known as the stratum lucidum, which separates dermis and epidermis, thickens and hardens. The fully developed nail overlays a modified part of the dermis, that is the nail bed. At its base, the nail is covered by epidermis. 

Skin care- Dieseases and prevention

The cell layers of the epidermis grow down around the papillae. On the fingertips, the papillae form the lines and whorls called finger- prints. The dermis carries the skin's blood supply. Through microscopically thin walls of tiny capillary vessels in this layer of skin, the blood supply of the body can be brought close to the surface. 

When the body becomes overly warm, these blood vessels dilate. When dilated, the capillaries have more surface area, permitting an increase in the rate of evaporation and cooling. When the body becomes cool, the capillaries constrict, reducing heat loss through the skin. Along with blood vessels, bundles of nerve fibers enter the skin and branch out in profusion. The supply of nerve endings makes the dermis highly responsive, especially in such areas as the fingertips, where the nerve endings are in particularly heavy supply.

There are involuntary muscles in the skin which dilate and contract the capillaries. There is also an erector muscle connected to the side of each follicle, or hair pocket. When erector muscles contract, hairs stand upright. It is this that makes furred animals appears larger when they are in danger; it also provides an insulating air layer between the hairs as protection against cold. Some investigators believe that the action of erector muscles in man, which produces "goose pimples," stems from the days when our ancestors had hairy bodies. 

The subcutaneous layer under the skin is attached loosely to inner body structures such as bones and muscles. Along with blood vessels and nerves, the subcutaneous layer contains fat globules which serve both to insulate the body against heat and cold and to cushion inner organs against bumps and jolts. If fatty tissues become too thick, graceful movement of muscles may be hindered. As people grow older, the fatty tissue in the subcutaneous layer may be absorbed, causing the outer skin layers to form uneven folds, or wrinkles.  

Care for The Skin, HAir And Nails - How to save from infection

THE SKIN, HAIR, AND NAILS 

THE SKIN is the body's largest organ, having an area in an average 150- pound person of 17 to 20 square feet and weighing about 6 pounds, twice as much as either liver or brain. It extends into the nose and other body cavities in the form of thin mucous membrane which secretes lubricating fluids. The skin is an enormously versatile and protective organ. It serves to keep body fluids in and foreign agents out, to shield against harmful rays, to help regulate body temperature.

It forms the body's shape, contains the sense of touch, is a main organ of sexual attraction. The skin even reflects much about the state of health of the body, as you may have noticed in sick people, and also about the state of mind, as is evident when someone blushes with embarrassment or pales with fear. And although beauty is a composite of many things, physical and mental, there is no doubt that an attractive, healthy skin contributes greatly to beauty.

The more knowledge you have about the skin, the better able will you prevent disturbances to it and maintain its integrity, beauty, and positive values. although it appears to be just a simple covering, a single square inch may contain some 70 feet of nerves, 650 sweat glands, blood vessels, 65 to 75 hairs and associated muscles, and hundreds of nerve endings for detecting pressure, pain, heat,   layers of tissue form the skin: epidermis, dermis, and sub- The Skin, Hair, and Nails cutaneous layer. The epidermis is the outer layer, and because living cells cannot survive exposure to air, the outermost portion of the epidermis, the visible surface, is actually made up of dead rather than living cells.

Microscopic layers of cells from the outer epidermis are constantly being lost through bathing and rubbing against clothing. They are re- placed from underneath by new cells formed in the malpighian layer of the epidermis. Here, in this deeper layer, where new cells are formed, the skin may be colored by a pigment called melanin, which has as its purpose the prevention of tissue damage from the more dangerous rays of the sun. Skin color is also influenced by another pigment which is yellow and by the presence of blood vessels in the dermal layer. Beneath the epidermis is the dermis, sometimes called the "true skin." At the top of the dermis is a layer of tiny, rounded ridges called papillae, which project outward, perhaps 150 million of them throughout the body. 

Drug addiction releif and benefits on sensory organs

There may be a sharpening of other senses-taste, smell, hearing, touch. And often various sensory impressions may appear to merge, so that colors, for example, may seem to have taste. Users report many other strange experiences, including simultaneous opposite emotions, being at once happy and sad, elated and depressed, tense and relaxed. 

At different times, there may be different effects for the same individual. Responses cannot be predicted, which is why users often describe their experiences as "good trips" and "bad trips." Some LSD users believe that since LSD heightens their senses, it makes them more creative. But this is not supported by the paintings, writings, and other creative efforts of drug users i in fact, in many cases, the works produced after drug use am poorer than before. How LSD works in the body is not yet thoroughly understood.

There is some evidence that it affects the amounts or levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes brain electrical activity. Experiments with animals suggest that the drug may block a normal filtering process in the brain which then becomes flooded with myriad un screened sights and sounds. The dangerous effects of LSD are many. Hospitals report that some users, in a panic over their inability to cut off the effects of the drug, fear they are losing their minds. 

Some become paranoiac, developing in- creasing suspicions that people are out to harm them and control their thinking. Weeks and even months after LSD use has been stopped, some people have recurrences of the same experiences they had while using the drug and fear they are going insane.

Accidental deaths have been reported-instances of users walking in front of moving cars, convinced they were impervious to harm, and even leaping out of high windows because of a conviction they could fly. Medical experts report that the overwhelming fears and worries that may accompany an LSD experience can sometimes be disturbing enough to produce acute and even long-lasting mental illness.

Changes in chromosomes-the tiny threads in the nucleus of all cells which carry genetic information and guide reproduction-have raised concern. The changes found are actual breaks in the chromosomes, and the fear is that this may lead to birth defects in children of users. 

How to avoid insects on vacation for relaxation of your body?

Insects can ruin vacations. Spraying with insecticides will help get rid of most insects, and among the most effective are the space sprays such as Flit Aerosol Bomb, Special Gulf spray, Raid, Black Flag, and Slug-a- Bug. All insecticides contain material poisonous to human beings so use them with care, following directions exactly. Commercial insect repellent preparations are available. Some can be applied directly to the skin.

The U.S, Department of Agriculture has carried out studies of the most effective means of keeping insects from biting humans. Department scientists have developed formulas which can repel insects for about two hours. The following materials have been found to be safe and generally effective. They can be used separately, although combinations of them provide more protection against a larger variety of pests.

The materials: Dimethyl phthalate Dimethyl carbateIndalone 2-Ethyl-l, 3-hexanediol (Rutgers 612) Most druggists can supply dimethyl phthalate. They may also be able to provide the following combination which is sometimes referred to as "5-22": dimethyl phthalate, 60 percent; Indalone, 20 percent; dimethyl carbate, 20 percent. Always try these materials on a small area of your arm or leg before them liberally, to make certain that you are not unduly sensitive pain. As a rule, they do not cause irritation.

Some people object to consistency of these repellents, but most people find that a small amount to pay for protection against black flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and other pests. When your vacation ends you took it for change of pace, relaxation, rejuvenation. Don't spoil extending it to the last possible minute if that means having to that heavy Sunday traffic so you arrive home tense and exhausted. 

Give yourself time to take it easy on the way home, to arrive in time. Read your mail, make any phone calls you must attend to before falling to bed. By so doing, you will get the full benefit of what ought to have been some of the healthiest weeks of your life-sustenance for to return to regular daily life with new zest. 

Poinson Ivy - Skin care and the remedies for rashes

Poison ivy is responsible for about 350,000 cases of skin poisoning each year. The best protection is to be able to recognize and then to stay away from the plant. If you are not certain you can recognize poison IVY, don't hesitate to ask about it. 

The plant grows in the form of clinging vines, shrubs which trail on the ground, and erect shrubbery. It clings to stone and brick houses, climbs trees and poles, flourishes along fences, paths and roadways, and may be partially hidden by other foliage.

The leaves, one to four inches in length, are green and glossy in summer, red or russet in spring and fall. The leaves always grow in clusters of three; this is the one constant characteristic that makes poison ivy easy to recognize even though it assumes many forms and leaf colorings. "Leaflets three, let it be" is an old jingle and a good one to remember. 

The irritating substance in poison ivy is the oily sap in leaves, flowers, fruit, stems, bark, and roots. Most cases of ivy poisoning are due to direct contact with the plant-at any time, even in winter. Some come from handling clothing, garden tools, and pets contaminated by the oily lap. 

If you realize that you have accidentally handled poison ivy, wash your skin as soon as possible, preferably with yellow laundry soap. Lather several times and rinse in running water after each sucking. This removes or makes less irritating any oil that has not already penetrated the skin. Ivy poisoning manifests itself first in burning and itching.

A rash and swelling follow, and there may be blisters, large or small. The interval between contact and first symptom can vary all the way from a few hours to a week. If there are large blisters, severe inflammation or fever, or if the inflammation is on face or genital area, a doctor's help is needed. 

He will be able to relieve discomfort and guard against secondary infections until the attack subsides, as it eventually does. When there are only a few small blisters on hands, arms, or legs, apply compresses of very hot plain water for brief intervals. Or apply a com- press soaked in dilute Burow's solution (1 part to 15 parts of cool water). Your druggist can supply Burow's solution.