SKIN ALLERGY

 Skin Allergy, causes of allergy, home remedies for skin allergy and ayurvedic treatment of skin allergy,

Clear skin is free from germs. But an irritated skin is a cause of trouble. Chafing of the skin is more likely to occur where two moist areas meet, such as in the groins or buttocks, or under the arms. Skin reactions are more common today due to many new fabrics in use. Babies often develop skin rashes because of irritation from the coloring materials in these fabrics.

Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the Immune System to relatively harmless environmental antigens (substance which causes the allergy).

Diaper rash usually arises from some chemical irritation due to certain germs present in the baby’s stool. These germs break down the urea into ammonia, which irritates the skin.

Allergic conditions, such as Hay fever and sinusitis are also greatly aggravated by the presence of the germs within the tissues of the nose and throat. The most common allergens are grass and tree pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander. Eating certain foods and food additives and being stung by insects can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Such common disorders as eczema, hives, hay fever and asthma are often attributed to allergic reactions.

The most common cause of the skin allergies is impairment in the immune sysytem, which increases the risk of allergic reactions. This occurs due to stress on the immune system due to excess of the toxins.

Other causes of the skin allergies are the nutritional deficiencies, imbalanced diet, chemicals in the food chain due to preservatives and chronic intestinal yeast overgrowth.

Researchers have found that digestion also plays some role in the allergies. These are not just caused by the food. Proper digestion helps to remove toxins from our body. When digestion is disturbed, large amount of toxins get accumulated in the body and our body becomes over loaded with the toxins. This is what leads to allergies.

Itching is an unpleasant sensation, which we try to relieve by scratching. A certain amount of mild itching is normal for every one. Only if it is persistent and troublesome it becomes serious. Persistent scratching may produce swellings in the skin with deep scratch marks and small ulcers into which germs have found their way, causing much more trouble.

HOME REMEDIES FOR SKIN ALLERGIES

• Grind 1 tbls of poppy seeds with 1-teaspoon water. Add 1-teaspoon limejuice. Apply to affected area for relief from skin allergies.
• Add 1-teaspoon limejuice with sandalwood paste. Apply to affected skin allergy area
• Avoid the foods, plants, animals, drugs, dust, or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
• Smoking exacerbates allergic reactions. Those who are allergic to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) should avoid smoking.
• Vitamin C is very helpful in fighting with the allergic reactions.
• Avoid white sugar, and everything made with it. The process of chemically whitening sugar is toxic.
• Avoid bleached flours, and everything made with it.
• Avoid all processed foods, including the frozen pre-packaged types.
• Avoid the processed meat.
• Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in warm water
• Eat whole foods, and prepare your meals at home using fresh, natural products.
• Prepare an eating schedule. It may be that 3 large meals per day or 4 or 5 smaller ones will be better.
• Regularly practice juice fasting. This will cleanse your system of toxins and residues.
• Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy coffee consumption is to be avoided ( 1 or 2 regular cups per day is not considered harmful )
• Avoid fried foods and foods cooked in oil to prevent skin allergies. When oil is heated to cooking temperatures it begins to break down and has been identified as a carcinogen.
• Regularly try to do regiment of moderate exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming and strive to live in harmonious surroundings that contribute to inner peace.
• Rub an ice cube gently over the affected area. This cools the skin, reduces inflammation and soothes the itch immediately.
• Pour boiling water over a bowl of oats. Cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes. Strain the oats away and pour the liquid into an ice cube tray. Freeze the oat liquid to form oat cubes. To relieve itch, rub and frozen oat cube gently over the affected area.
• Apply aloe Vera gel on the affected areas. It will sooth the areas and gives a cooling effect.
• Take 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon each Echinacea root and marshmallow root, 1 teaspoon chamomile flowers, ½ teaspoon peppermint leaf and ¼ teaspoon ginger rhizome. Combine water and Echinacea and marshmallow roots in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. For a 50-pound child, give 1 to 2 cups daily.This is an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
• Take 1 cup boiling water,1 teaspoon each calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, Echinacea root, elder flowers and yarrow flowers, 3 tablespoons baking soda. Pour boiling water over herbs and steep for 15 minutes, then strain out herbs. Stir in baking soda. Apply to irritated skin with a soft cloth or a sponge until itching is reduced. This is also an effective home remedy for skin allergy.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.

Allergies in general are defined as hypersensitivity to some foreign particle or the other. Different people have different kinds of tolerances for foreign bodies. When some people cannot adjust with certain elements in their surroundings, they may suffer from certain skin problems that are commonly referred to as skin allergies.

There is a sure way of determining whether your skin affliction is an allergy or not. If you have got a skin problem due to a cause that has affected no one else, then it is an allergic reaction. For example, several people may be exposed to dust. But if it affects you in a strong way, then you are allergic to dust.

Skin allergies could be in the form of itching, dry and scaly skin, eruptions, rashes, boils, etc. There are three main types of problems that are associated with skin allergies.

These types are as follows:-

(i) Dermatitis – This is the skin allergy which is caused due to contact with some substances. It is shown as an inflammation.

(ii) Hives – Hives is a fluid accumulation in the skin which shows up as a swelling. This is a temporary condition and heals with treatment. Hives are also known as urticaria.

(iii) Prickly Heat – This is a red rash which occurs on the body. Prickly heat is generally caused due to excessive perspiration due to hot and humid climates.

All skin problems are vata dosha disorders. Vata dosha controls the air element of the human body. Hence, when the vata dosha is vitiated, there are skin reactions. In different people, there are different degrees of the vata dosha. In some people, the vata may be weak and get easily vitiated due to external factors. Such people are more specific to skin allergies than others.

In this article, we see how to treat various skin allergies with an Ayurvedic point of view.

Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Skin Allergies

- Cassia (Cassia fistula)

Cassia is used effectively in the treatment of several irritations on the skin caused due to allergies. A paste of the cassia leaves can be applied on the skin in case of inflammation of the hands and feet caused due to extreme cold, and also swellings caused due to accumulation of fluids under the skin, as in hives.

- Henna (Lawsonia inermis)

Henna is an excellent remedy for several skin allergies. It can be used in case of hives, swellings, boils and other kinds of inflammation. Applying henna on the skin cools the skin and removes the symptom of the allergy.

- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) (tulasi)

The holy basil is venerated in Indian tradition as the tulsi. It has an almost maternal status for the Hindus. This plant is venerated for its many medicinal properties. Among the other advantages, tulsi is also used for healing skin problems. In case of itches and rashes, the juice of the tulsi leaves is applied on the skin. This is a very quick treatment for allergic skin problems.

- Madhuca (Madhuca indica)

Madhuca is used as a treatment for skin itch problems. The leaves are made into a paste and applied onto the skin in skin infections due to allergy.

- Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)

Rauwolfia is known as sarpagandha in Ayurveda. It is a very good remedy for skin problems. In case of hives, the juice of its leaves is applied on the swollen parts to reduce itching. Relief is almost immediate.

- Sandalwood (Santalum alba)

Sandalwood is a traditional remedy for all kinds of itch problems on the skin. It is made into a paste and applied on the skin. It smoothes the skin and prevents it from allergies. Itches are immediately resolved by applying sandalwood paste on the skin. Permanent relief can be obtained by keeping the paste smeared on the skin for half an hour before washing it off. Sandalwood oil is also used in the treatment of diseases such as erysipelas (an eruptive allergic skin disease) and prurigo (an itchy skin eruption).

Dietary Guidelines for Treatment of Skin Allergies

You must take a lot of water to prevent all kinds of skin allergies. These include fresh fruits and vegetables that have high water content in them. In the summer season, take cooling drinks such as lemon juices and sherbets.

Do not consume sour foods if you have skin allergy problems often. This can vitiate the vata dosha further.

Home Remedies for Treatment of Skin Allergies

- Take about 30 millilitres of the juice of the leaves of wood apple (Feronia limonida) and mix some cumin powder in it. Take this twice daily. This is a very good treatment for urticaria or hives.

- Extract the juice of the jambula (Indian Plum) and mix some soda in it. Apply this in case of prickly heat.

- In hot seasons, drink a glass of lemon juice twice everyday. This will supplement the vitamin C content of the body lost due to perspiration and will prevent the outburst of prickly heat.

- Chomping on sugarcane several times in the hot season is also a good method of preventing prickly heat.

- If the area on the skin is exceptionally itchy, then mash a papaya and spread the paste of the papaya on it. This will reduce the itch and also make the skin healthier.

References:

• Milam, Larry J., D.I.HOM, Allergies: How to Avoid Them, 2000.
• Ullman, Dana, Discovering Homeopathy, North Atlantic Books, 1988, 1991.
• Materia Medica, B. Jain Publishers, Pahargani, New Deli, 1992.
• Hass, MD, Dr. Elson M., Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Celestial Arts Pub., 1992.

CHAPPED SKIN

CHAPPED SKIN

The Best of the Balms
Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch.
''Kevin, stop that!'' Kevin looks up at you with a frown. Telling him to stop scratching his dry, chapped little arms isn't much help. What do you expect him to do? his frown seems to ask.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to soothe Kevin's chapped skin--and a dozen more things you can do to keep it from recurring.

First, it helps to understand that water is what keeps the outer skin layer soft. Chapped skin is a result of dehydration. It frequently runs in families and is most common during the late fall and winter months in northern states, although any child can get it anytime, no matter where he happens to be.

MEDICAL ALERT

When to See the Doctor
If your child is itchy over a wide area of his body, or if his skin is cracking, seek professional help, says Rodney S. W. Basler, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Bacteria can invade the skin through such cracks and cause infections.

Fortunately, there are a number of things a parent can do. When some part of your child's skin is rough, red, itchy and scaly, try these expert remedies.

Treatment

Apply bath oil directly to the skin. ''Skin hydrates from the inside out, so apply a good bath oil directly onto your child's skin after bathing,'' says Rodney S. W. Basler, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The oil puts a barrier on the skin to keep moisture from evaporating into the ozone.

''Use a good bath oil like Alpha-Keri,' ' says Dr. Basler. ''Apply it to your child's skin while he's still damp, to lock in moisture.'' But he advises against baby oil, because that just sits on the skin rather than being dispersed into the skin. ( Bath oils have ingredients that act as dispersants to make sure oil gets into the top skin layer.)

Smear it. ''If your child drools in his sleep, the skin around his mouth may get chapped,'' says Dr. Basler. Use petroleum jelly or zinc oxide (which comes in an ointment) just in the mouth area to protect the skin from chapping. Apply it right after his bath and before bed.

Start the moisturizer habit. ''Teach your child to use a light, unscented moisturizing lotion whenever she washes her hands,'' says Dr. Basler. ''She can apply the moisturizer anywhere her skin tends to get dry,'' Keep a squirt bottle handy on the sink--right beside the soap.

Leave the desert. A room humidifier is a must, says Dr. Basler. Ask your pharmacist for advice on models, then buy the best you can afford and place it in the room where your child spends most of his home time. It will not only help relieve his dry, chapped skin, but will help prevent any recurrence as well.

Preventive Care

Play dirty. ''Teach your child to take a five-minute shower or a short bath,'' suggests Jane S. Wada, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in Montrose, California. ''Twice a week or every other night is enough for young kids. Older children who are more active can supplement their baths and showers with sponge baths to clean the essential areas.''

Soft-soap it. ''Don't let your child wash her face with a harsh soap that strips oil from her skin,'' says Dr. Basler. ''Cleansing bars like Dove are the best. Deodorant soaps are the worst.''

Spot clean the pertinent parts. ''If your tiny baby's skin is dry, don't use soap when bathing her,'' says Dr. Wada. With a newborn's skin, all you really need to do is spot-clean the folds--particularly around the knees, neck and diaper area.

Skip the powder. Avoid following a bath with either talc or powder, says Dr. Basler. Both can dry the skin.

Rinse well. ''Be sure your kids rinse their mouths well if they're using a fluoride toothpaste,' ' says Dr. Basler. Fluoride toothpaste is a known irritant to skin. If a smear of toothpaste dries on your child's chin, or he drools during sleep, the toothpaste residue may irritate the chin and cause chapping.

Banish bubbles. Avoid bubble baths if your child tends to chap easily, says Dr. Wada. ''Bubbles irritate the skin.''

Pat-a-cake. Always pat your child dry, and teach her to do the same, suggests Dr. Wada. Rubbing with a towel can chafe the skin and set the stage for chapping.

Dress your child in soft clothes. ''Irritating clothing contributes to chapping, especially when it's made of coarse fibers like wool,'' says Dr. Basler. Be especially aware that denim has a tendency to chafe the skin, particularly when it gets wet.

Choose mild detergent. Some very strong detergent soaps--particularly those with additives--cause chapping, says Dr. Basler. After all, the word ''detergent' ' means ''to take out oil.'' Avoid using strong detergents on your child's clothing until the chapped areas have cleared up. Try Dreft or Ivory Snow instead. The detergent residues on your child's freshly laundered clothes are just as likely to take out oil as the detergent in your washer.

Toss out dryer sheets. The residue from dryer sheets impregnated with fabric softener can also cause chapped skin, says Dr. Basler. It stays on the clothes and may leach moisture out of your child's skin. Instead of using sheets, switch to a liquid softener, he suggests. Or try one that's combined with your detergent.

Go from pool to shower. Children can get chapped skin just from getting out of a swimming pool and toweling down, says Paul Rehder, M.D., a pediatric dermatologist in private practice in Oxnard, California. The towel roughs up the top layer of skin and dries it out.

Instead of toweling down when the swim session is over, either have your child take a cool shower or sprinkle cool water on his skin for two or three minutes, suggests the dermatologist. ''Then apply a moisturizer like Vaseline to trap water in the skin.''

ALBINISM

Symptoms, Causes, Types, Tests and Diagnosis, Complications, Treatment and Drugs, Home Remedies, Coping and Support for Persons affected with ALBANISM.

Definition

Albinism, a group of inherited disorders, results in little or no production of the pigment melanin. The type and amount of melanin your body produces determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. Melanin also plays a role in the development of certain optical nerves.

Most types of albinism result in hypopigmentation — either no pigment in your skin, hair and eyes, or lighter pigmentation than would be expected for someone in your family. Because one function of melanin is to absorb ultraviolet light, most people with albinism are sensitive to sun exposure and are at risk of developing skin cancer.
All forms of albinism cause problems with the development and function of your eyes. People with albinism have poor vision that can't be completely corrected with prescription eyewear.

Albinism is present at birth, although some types of the disorder may not be easily identified in infants. Although there's no cure for albinism, people with the disorder can take steps to improve vision and avoid too much sun exposure. Albinism doesn't limit intellectual development or educational potential. Unfortunately, people with albinism often feel socially isolated and experience ridicule or discrimination.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of albinism are usually, but not always, apparent in a person's skin, hair and eye color. Regardless of the effect of albinism on appearance, all people with the disorder experience vision impairments.

Skin

Although the most recognizable form of albinism results in milky white skin, skin pigmentation can range from white to nearly the same as parents or siblings without albinism.

For some people with albinism, skin pigmentation never changes. For others, melanin production may begin or increase during childhood and adolescence, resulting in slight changes in pigmentation. With exposure to the sun, some people may develop:

• Freckles
• Moles, with or without pigment
• Large freckle-like spots (lentigines)
• The ability to tan

Hair

Hair color can range from very white to brown. People of African or Asian descent who have albinism often have hair color that is yellow, reddish or brown. Hair color may also change by early adulthood.

Eye color

Eye color can range from very light blue to brown and may change with age.
The lack of pigment in the colored part of your eyes (irises) makes them translucent to some degree. This means that the irises can't completely block light from entering the eye. Because of this translucence, very light-colored eyes may appear red in some lighting. This occurs because you're seeing light reflected off the back of the eye and passing out through the iris again — similar to red eye that occurs in a flash photograph.

Vision

Signs and symptoms of albinism related to eye function include:

• Rapid, involuntary back-and-forth movement of the eyes (nystagmus)
• Inability of both eyes to stay directed at the same point or to move in unison (strabismus)
• Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  

Causes

The cause of albinism is a mutation in one of several genes. Each of these genes provides the chemically coded instructions for producing one of several proteins involved in the production of melanin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found in your skin and eyes. A mutation may result in no melanin production at all or a significant decline in the amount of melanin.

In most types of albinism, a person must inherit two copies of a mutated gene — one from each parent — in order to have albinism. If a person has only one copy, then he or she won't have the disorder.

Impact of mutations on eye development

Regardless of which gene mutation is present, the lack of melanin results in abnormal eye development. Vision impairment is, therefore, the common characteristic across all types of albinism.

Melanin plays some yet-to-be-determine d role in the development of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye that transmits signals to your brain. Without enough melanin, a particular area of the retina essential for sharp vision doesn't develop normally.

Melanin also appears to play a role in the development of nerve pathways from your eyes to your brain. In people with albinism, these nerve pathways aren't organized normally.

Types of albinism

The system for classifying types of albinism is based primarily on which mutated gene caused the disorder rather than how it's manifested. Nonetheless, most types of albinism have some features that distinguish them from each other. Types of albinism include:

Oculocutaneous albinism. Oculocutaneous albinism is caused by a mutation in one of four genes. (5) These mutations result in signs and symptoms related to vision (ocular) and those related to skin (cutaneous), hair and iris color.

Oculocutaneous albinism 1 is caused by a mutation in a gene on chromosome 11. Most people with this type of albinism have milky white skin, white hair and blue eyes at birth. Some people with this disorder never experience changes in pigmentation, but others begin to produce melanin during childhood and adolescence. Their hair may become a golden blond or brown. Their skin usually doesn't change color, but it may tan somewhat. The irises may also change color and lose some of their translucence.

Oculocutaneous albinism 2, caused by a mutation in a gene on chromosome 15, is the most common form of the disorder worldwide. It's more common in Sub-Saharan Africans and African-Americans than in other population groups. In people of African descent, the hair is usually yellow, the eyes are blue-gray or tan, and the skin is white at birth. With sun exposure, the skin may over time develop freckles, moles or lentigines. In some cases, the skin may be light brown, and the hair may be brown, auburn, ginger or red.
In Caucasians with oculocutaneous albinism 2, the hair is usually blond, the skin white and the eyes blue at birth. The hair and eyes may darken. The skin usually develops freckles, moles or lentigines.

The rare oculocutaneous albinism 3, caused by a gene mutation on chromosome 9, has been primarily identified in black South Africans. People with this disorder usually have reddish-brown skin, ginger or reddish hair, and hazel or brown eyes.

Oculocutaneous albinism 4, caused by a gene mutation on chromosome 5, is a rare form of the disorder generally presenting signs and symptoms similar to those of type 2. Studies suggest that this type may be one of the most common forms of albinism among people of Japanese and Korean descent.

X-linked ocular albinism. The cause of X-linked ocular albinism is a gene mutation on the X chromosome. (A woman inherits an X chromosome from each parent. A man inherits an X chromosome from his mother and a Y chromosome from his father.)
In order for a woman to have ocular albinism, she must inherit the gene mutation from both parents. A man with the disorder inherits the gene mutation from his mother. Because there's no corresponding gene on the Y chromosome, the single mutated gene on the X chromosome is sufficient to cause ocular albinism in a man.
People who have ocular albinism have the developmental and functional vision problems of albinism. But a person's skin, hair and eye color are generally in the normal range or slightly lighter for his or her family.

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome is a rare albinism disorder caused by one of at least seven mutated genes. People with this disorder have signs and symptoms like those of oculocutaneous albinism, but they also develop lung and bowel diseases and a bleeding disorder.

Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a rare form of albinism caused by a mutation in a gene on chromosome 1. Signs and symptoms are also similar to those of oculocutaneous albinism. The hair is usually brown or blond with a silvery sheen, and the skin is usually creamy white to grayish. People with this syndrome have a defect with white blood cells that results in a susceptibility to infections.

When to seek medical advice

If your child lacks pigment in his or her hair or skin at birth — as is often the case in infants with albinism — your doctor will order an eye examination and closely follow any changes in your child's pigmentation.

For some infants the first sign of albinism is a rapid back-and-forth shifting (nystagmus) in the eyes, particularly if the type of albinism has little effect on pigmentation or if your family is mostly fair. If you observe nystagmus in your child's eyes, talk to your doctor.

The presence of Hermansky-Pudlak and Chediak-Higashi syndromes may not be apparent when your doctor first makes a diagnosis of albinism. Contact your doctor if your child with albinism experiences frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising or chronic infections.

Tests and diagnosis

A complete diagnostic workup will include a physical examination, a description of changes in pigmentation, a pigment history and a thorough examination of the eyes.
A pigment history includes a comparison of your child's pigmentation to that of other family members to determine if your child's is lighter. Your doctor may also ask you about any changes you may have observed in your child's hair, skin or eye color.

A medical doctor specializing in vision and eye disorders (ophthalmologist) will conduct your child's eye exam. The exam will include an assessment of potential nystagmus, strabismus and photophobia. He or she will also use a device to visually inspect the retina and determine if there are signs of abnormal development. A test called an electroretinogram, which measures brain waves produced when light is shined in the eye, can indicate the presence of misrouted optical nerves.

If your child has albinism, he or she will almost certainly have the whole spectrum of functional eye problems. If he or she has only one of the eye impairments, such as nystagmus, another condition may be the cause. Disorders other than albinism may affect skin pigmentation, but these wouldn't cause the visual problems associated with albinism.

Complications

Complications of albinism include physical risks as well as social and emotional challenges.

Skin disorders

One of the most serious complications associated with albinism is the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Long-term exposure to the sun may also cause skin to become coarse, rough and thick (pachydermia) .

Social and emotional factors

The reactions of other people to those with albinism can often have a negative impact on people with the condition:

• Children with albinism often experience name-calling, teasing or embarrassing questions regarding their appearance, eyewear or visual aid devices.
• Many people with albinism find the word "albino" hurtful, because they're being labeled simply on the basis of a condition rather than being thought of as individuals.
• A long history of myths has attributed supernatural powers or deviant personalities to people with albinism. Even modern movies may depict the "albino" as the "bad guy."
• People with albinism usually look very different from members of their own family or ethnic group and, therefore, may either feel like outsiders or be treated like outsiders.
  

All of these factors may contribute to social isolation, poor self-esteem and stress.

Treatments and drugs

Because albinism is a genetic disorder, interventions to treat people with albinism are limited. Your child will most likely need to wear prescription lenses, which provide modest improvement in vision, and he or she should receive annual examinations by an ophthalmologist.

Although surgery is rarely part of treatment for albinism, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery on optical muscles that minimizes nystagmus and may provide modest improvement in vision. Surgery to correct strabismus may make the condition less noticeable, but it won't improve vision.

Your doctor will also conduct an annual assessment of your child's skin to screen for skin cancer or lesions that can lead to cancer. Adults with albinism should continue annual eye and skin exams throughout their lives.

People with Hermansky-Pudlak and Chediak-Higashi syndromes usually require regular specialized care to prevent complications and treat them promptly.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can help your child learn self-care practices that he or she should continue into adulthood:

• Use low-vision aids, such as a hand-held magnifying glass, a monocular or a magnifier that attaches to glasses.
• Apply sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Avoid high-risk sun exposure, such as being outside in the middle of the day, at high altitudes and on sunny days with thin cloud cover.
• Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants and broad-rimmed hats.
  Protect your eyes by wearing dark, UV-blocking sunglasses.

Coping and support

Coping with vision impairment

Many people with albinism develop their own coping skills to adjust to vision impairments. Tilting the head to one side can minimize the effect of nystagmus and improve vision. Holding a book very close can make it easier to see without causing any harm to the eyes. As a parent, don't discourage the use of these strategies.

Coping with educational challenges

If your child has albinism, begin early to work with teachers, special education instructors and school administrators. Start with educating the school professionals about what albinism is and how it affects your child. Also inquire about services the school can provide to assess your child's needs and meet them in the classroom.

Adjustments to the classroom environment that may help your child include:

• A seat near the front of the classroom
• Handouts of the content written on boards or overhead screens
• High-contrast printed documents, such as black type on white paper rather than colored print or paper
• Large-print textbooks
  

Coping with teasing and social isolation

Help your child develop skills to deal with other people's reactions to albinism:

• Encourage your child to talk to you about his or her experiences or feelings.
• Practice responses to teasing or embarrassing questions.
• Find a peer support group or online community through agencies such as the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation.
• Seek the services of a psychotherapist who can help you and your child develop healthy communication and coping skills.

DRY SKIN & WINTER ITCH

Beauty Tips

As winter approaches, our bodies turn toward flannel, our attention turns toward cheap Florida airfares, and our skin takes a turn toward something resembling Melba toast.

You can blame that toasted skin on the warm, toasty air that heats our homes, schools and offices. When it gets cold, we naturally warm up the house. The problem is, unless you add humidity to your surroundings with a humidifier or pans of water near radiators, a heated room has only about 15 percent relative humidity-as dry as Death Valley. And that turns our skin dry, flaky, scaly and usually itchy (and always bothersome).

Plus, there are other irritants to make matters worse--wind, cold, soaps, water (which dries skin when it evaporates), even added stress. Put it all together and your epidermis can dry out quicker than Aunt Gizelda's holiday fruitcake.

Dry skin and winter itch share a lot of symptoms with eczema and dermatitis, and some of the remedies for those problems can bring relief. But the key to making the winter season a merry one, itch-wise, is keeping your birthday suit well protected.

Here's how.

Keep skin moisturized.

Probably the most important thing you can do to prevent and treat dry skin is to moisturize daily with a cream-based moisturizer, advises Sheryl Clark, M.D., a dermatologist at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City. "An oil-free moisturizer is recommended for those who tend to break out. Also, those with sensitive skin should choose a moisturizer without perfumes or lanolin." The brands most highly recommended by experts include Eucerin, Complex 15, Moisturel, Aquaphor and Aquaderm-all available over the counter.

But don't get soaked.

You don't need expensive skin creams to keep skin moisturized. "Nothing beats plain petroleum jelly or mineral oil as a moisturizer, " says Howard Donsky, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and author of Beauty Is Skin Deep. In fact, he acids that virtually any vegetable oil or hydrogenated cooking oil--from Crisco oil to sunflower or peanut oil--can be used to relieve dry skin. But note: They do feet greasier than commercial moisturizers.

Don't be too hyper about your hygiene.

"Bathe in cool to tepid water as briefly as possible and no more than once a day," according to Michael Ramsey, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "Cleansing lotions are more gentle than soaps, and they're just as effective at removing dirt," adds Leonard Swinyer, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. And don't use a washcloth--just your fingertips. If you must use soaps, stick with mild brands such as Dove, Aveeno or Basis.

Add some oil to your bath.

Make the most of your tub time by adding a bath oil rich in moisturizers- -even when you apply creams after bathing.

Again, there's no need for the fancy stuff: Plain ol' castor oil is an excellent, low-cost choice. "It's one of the few oils that will disperse in water, and it won't leave a ring around the tub," says Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., professor of pharmacognosy at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and author of The Honest Herbal.
Make your own bath oil by mixing 1/2 cup of castor oil with ten drops of sandlewood-, pine-, rosemary- or mint-scented oil and storing it in a closed jar. Add one teaspoon of the mixture each time you bathe. For those who prefer store-bought brands, Alpha Keri body oil, Geri-Bath and Nutraderm bath oil are highly recommended.

Caution: Be careful in the bathroom, because these oils can make tubs and floors extremely slippery.

Dry yourself damp.

After bathing, pat your skin almost dry-never totally dry with a towel. While the skin is still damp, apply your moisturizing lotion. "It's more effective to apply moisturizer to damp skin immediately after bathing than to put it on totally dry skin, because the moisturizer is what holds the water in," says Kenneth H. Neldner, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. "A couple of pats with a towel will make you as dry as you want to be before you apply the lotion. You're trying to trap a little water in the skin, and that's the fundamental rule in fighting off dryness." If you have dry hands, he advises keeping some moisturizer near each sink in the house and using it as needed.

Be wary of wool.

Clothing made of wool--or any other fuzzy or heavy material--can be particularly irritating to excessively dry skin, says Stephen M. Purcell, D.O., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. "The last thing itchy skin needs is to have something scratchy over it. Cotton is probably the best material to wear, since polyester blends can also be irritating to some people."

Shave before bedtime.

Shaving is tough enough on your tender skin, but meeting the cold reality of Old Man Winter right afterward makes your dry skin even worse, adds Dr. Swinyer. Unless you're hampered by severe five o'clock shadow, shave before bedtime, when your puss won't be subjected to such a drastic change in temperature.

And avoid eye-opening after-shaves.

Their high alcohol content is too drying and zaps remaining moisture during this mean season, adds Dr. Swinyer.

Wear baggy,

loose-fitting clothing. In addition to being more abrasive, tighter clothing traps perspiration, which softens the outer layer of skin, breaks down its protective barrier and worsens dry skin, says dermatologist Rodney Basler, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. But looser-fitting clothes, particularly in "breathable" fabrics like cotton, allow perspiration to be absorbed naturally.

ACNE SCARS

Causes and Treatment

A general information all about the acne scars, effects of acne scars and its proper medication.

Macules and Scars:

Before I jump into the topic of scars, I need to clarify the difference between Macules and Scars. Macules may look like scars, but they are not scars in the sense that a permanent change has occurred. Macules are essentially the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions. They are normally flat, reddish spots that can remain for up to 8 months. But the difference between a Macule and a scar is that a Macule will end up disappearing completely whereas a scar will remain for years or indefinitely.

As for scars, this can also vary from person to person. With some individuals, scars may remain for a lifetime without change but with others, their skin will undergo a form of remodeling that will eventually diminish the scar.

Another factor that needs to be evaluated is the human element of scarring. People simply have different feelings about acne scars. Those who are distressed about their acne scars are much more likely to actively seek out treatment to moderate or remove the scar than those who are more indifferent about the scars.

Cause of Scars:

Let us first gain a better understanding of acne scars by first determining the cause of scars. A scar is a mark left in the skin by the healing of a wound or surgical incision in which the normal functional tissue (skin) is replaced by connective tissue (scar). In the case of acne, the lesion is caused by the body's inflammatory response to sebum, bacteria and dead cells that are trapped in the plugged sebaceous follicle.

When your skin tissue has suffered a lesion of some sorts, your body will attempt to heal the injured site. It does so by increasing the white blood cells in the area along with an array of inflammatory molecules whose function is to repair the damaged tissue and fight infection. In the end, the repair job can be messy, and the site of the lesion is now filled with fibrous scar tissue or eroded tissue. As for the inflammatory molecules and white blood cells, they can remain at the acne lesion for days and even weeks.

Take note of the fact that not everyone functions in the same way, and this holds true with our skin as well. Some people are simply more prone to scarring than others.

Treatment for scars:

Bear in mind that treating acne and treating acne scars are two completely different things. Treating your acne has nothing to do with treating an acne scar. Acne scars can indeed be treated, but it is important that an acne sufferer bring their acne condition under control first if they still suffer from moderate to severe acne.

Once your acne subsides, make an appointment with a dermatologist and discuss the methods (if applicable) of scar treatment(s) he/she recommend you undergo to treat your scars. Keep in mind that there are many methods with which you may treat your scars. These methods vary according to your scar type, size and location, type of skin, and of course, money $$$. All this should be discussed in great detail with your dermatologist.

Before undergoing scar treatment, ask yourself the following questions before having your dermatologist undergo the decided procedure(s) .: Are you willing to wait and see if the scars will subside on their own with time? Do your acne scars affect you emotionally and socially? Is your scarring substantial enough to warrant scar treatment? Can you afford the treatment or what treatment options can you afford?

Keep in mind, the objective of scar treatment is not to necessarily rid you of all indications of scars by completely restoring your skin. It very much depends on the severity of your scars, your skin type, your skins ability to regenerate, etc. Significant improvements can definitely be achieved, but complete restoration is often impossible.