There are several degrees of burns, ranging from the least severe first degree burn, to the major third degree burn. A first degree burn is minor and only affects the epidermis layer of the skin. It causes pain, redness and swelling. Second degree or partial thickness burns affect both the epidermis and dermis layers of [...]
The skin is the outer covering of the body made up of multiple layers of mesodermal tissue (middle “germ cell” layer). It protects the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. The skin functions by protecting the body against germs, and excessive water loss; it regulates heat and temperature, and synthesizes vitamin D.
Hives appear on the skin as red, raises, itchy rashes that are sometimes triggered by allergens. When the body is faced with an allergic reaction, the body releases a protein called histamine. When histamine is released, our capillaries leak fluid; the leaked fluid is what accumulates in the skin and promotes the rash. Hives, are [...]
Warts are common benign afflictions, however, as the term benign suggests, warts don’t indicate a serious health problem. They can be painful, and are a nuisance and this is why persons with warts are concerned about having them removed. Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which renders warts a viral infection and [...]
Poison ivy are plants that can occur anywhere, even in your own backyard. Poison ivy’s green leaves tend to camouflage well with other harmless plants and brush, so it is possible to touch it without being aware. You will notice that you had contact with poison ivy, only after the horrible rash and itching begins. [...]
Pimples plague many adolescents and adults, causing uneven skin coloration, pigmentation, scars and even lowered self esteem. Pimples are formed when hairs, sebum and skin cells group together and form a plug. This forms the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and soon after the area becomes swollen or inflamed, and as the plug disintegrates it [...]
The skin can come under a variety of ailments due to poor lifestyle choices and genetic makeup. For some, using harsh, commercially made products to alleviate skin ailments procures more ill than good. Some treatments are simply too harsh for some skin types, and in those cases, natural remedies are always better suited.
Boils are an affliction characterised by a localised infection, deep in the skin. It starts out as a tender, reddened area and develops, with time, into an area that is firm and hard. Eventually the centre of the hardened area will soften and become filled with white blood cells that the body sends to the [...]
Dry skin may be a bothersome condition that may be exacerbated, for example, during winter months when the air becomes drier. There are some underlying skin conditions that will allow dry skin to seem like a constant malady. These conditions include eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. But besides the drying effects of weather and other [...]
Dandruff is an irritation, resulting in the flaking and itching of the scalp. Those afflicted with dandruff will experience flaky, small white scales falling into their faces and onto their shoulders and eyebrows. Dandruff can stem from multiple sources, the most common being the over growth of the naturally occurring malassezia furfur fungus. Other contributors [...]