Xerosis or abnormally dry skin is a common skin problem especially among older individuals. With normal (or intrinsic) skin aging, as opposed to skin aged by the sun, skin becomes thinner, has a decreased amount of blood flow and lipids, and collagen in the skin becomes fragmented resulting in...
Quality of Life (QOL) is the general well-being of an individual that results from various conditions including physical and mental health, safety and security, as well as comfort and happiness. Feeling good and reducing insecurity increases one’s ability to enjoy life. Skin is the largest organ of the body and it’s a big reflection on how a person feels. Often, when the body is out of balance, it shows in the skin, and when skin is problematic due to...
Itch or pruritus has been defined as an unpleasant sensation that elicits the desire or reflex to scratch. Itch is the most common symptom in dermatology. It is also the most common skin complaint in people over the age of 65 years and it can have a major impact on an individual’s quality of life.
Hand hygiene, has moved back up the health agenda. Two factors have contributed to this new awareness. The prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains (including MRSA) and increased exposure to emerging viruses (including Norwalk virus and SARS) has had a major impact. Poor hygiene including a lack of handwashing, contributes to a substantial amount of ...
When it’s cold outside the humidity often decreases leading to dry environments that can result in skin inflammation and pruritus (itching). In fact, dry environments promote pro-inflammatory cytokine release from corneocytes (found in the outermost layer of the epidermis or stratum corneum) and low humidity also causes ...
According to the most recent (2015) estimate from the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans (9.4%) have diabetes. Diabetes mellitus has been described as “one of the main threats to human health of the 21stcentury”. In fact, one important study projects that as many as one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050. The most common form, type 2, is a result of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders resulting from...
Radiation dermatitis is an acute skin reaction to radiation therapy that ranges from a mild rash to skin ulceration. Nearly two-thirds of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy. Although many technological advances have resulted in improved treatment protocols, skin damage is still a common side effect of radiation therapy. Radiation dermatitis, induced by ionizing radiation, affects a large proportion (up to 95%) of patients receiving this type of cancer therapy. The severity of radiation dermatitis is dependent upon...
In the war against cancer, chemotherapy (including immunotherapy) has made some terrific advances, but some cancer therapies are associated with significant side effects including skin issues such as dry skin, pruritus, rashes, and skin eruptions. Furthermore, certain chemotherapy can result in edema (swelling) that can lead to other serious skin issues. Providing optimal skin care during chemotherapy can help reduce...
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m or greater. There are multiple causes for obesity including, diet, genetics, inactivity or weight gain related to drugs such as oral corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (antidepressants). Obesity increases the risk involved with more than 30 medical problems including skin issues. Obesity is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation that can have deleterious affects on the skin resulting in...
The average age of our population is still rising. Because individuals are living longer, the need for optimal care of aging skin is increasingly recognized. Aging results in visible consequences that become obvious with time including wrinkling and sagging skin. Aging skin is generally more fragile and can also be associated with undesirable skin issues including...
