Condylomata Acuminata

Condylomata acuminata, which is also known as human papilloma virus or penile warts, is one of the most embarrassing and bothersome skin conditions that anyone could have. This is a condition where growths appear on the genitals.

These growths will appear as warts. These warts will be soft in texture. They can also have flesh colors to them. Warts that are not treated can develop cauliflower-like appearances. An increase in dampness can be experienced in some cases as well.

The effects of condylomata acuminata can involve more than just bothersome warts. It can also involve itching in the genital and anal areas. A greater amount of vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding can also be experienced in women.

What Causes It?

The most common cause of condylomata acuminata involves having sex with multiple people. This includes having sex at a young age or having sex with people who have unclear sexual histories. This is what causes condylomata acuminata to be a condition that is most often referred to as a sexually transmitted disease.

In fact, simply using protection during sex may not be enough to prevent it from being transmitted. This condition can be transmitted through any type of skin contact.

However, there is a potential that condylomata acuminata can occur in people who do not engage in sex. People who do not follow proper dietary rules or those who do not have proper hormones may end up suffering from this condition. A person who uses tobacco or has too much stress can also be more likely to develop it.

Age is one important concern to see. This condition has been found in children in some cases. It can also occur in people who have become weaker over age.

Treatment Options

The best way to treat condylomata acuminata is to use the right preventative measures. For example, it will help to either abstain from sex or have sex with only one person who does not have any venereal diseases.

Some treatments may be used to help with treating this condition in people. For example, it may help to work with Intron A therapy. However, it could also help to get liquid nitrogen or another type of topical treatment handled on the area.

Cryosurgery, laser therapy or excision surgery may also be used. It will help to ensure that consistent checkups after treatment can be handled. This includes pap smears for those who have had genital warts.

It will be critical to ensure that condylomata acuminata is reviewed. This is a condition that can be avoided if the right measures are used.

Cholinergic Urticaria

One skin condition that can occur as a result of internal physical functions is cholinergic urticaria. This is a condition that is often caused by heat problems. It often occurs after exercising or when the body is exposed to a substantial amount of heat that it may not be ready to accept. The effects of the condition can be especially difficult on some people.

What It Involves

This condition has been found to be caused by high levels of physical activity. A great amount of exercise or a bath in warm water can cause the body to become very warm and in some cases unbearably hot. It is believed in some studies that a rise in serum histamine may be the cause of cholinergic urticaria. Serum histamine tends to become more common in the body when it exercises and becomes warmer during the process.

This can cause the body to develop a series of marks with flares around them. These can have burning or itching sensations attached to them. These marks can appear on almost all parts of the body. They can also appear in about an hour after exercising. It is also assumed that sweating might cause cholinergic urticaria to occur. This might also be because of the heat that causes the sweating to occur.

The mast cells in the body may be impacted by cholinergic urticaria. This is because these could be impacted by histamines at a greater level.

A number of symptoms can be experienced. A person with cholinergic urticaria may experience diarrhea, headaches or pains in the abdomen. Some symptoms that relate to the respiratory tract may also be experienced.

Who Can Develop It?

Cholinergic urticaria can be developed by a variety of people. A person may be more likely to first experience cholinergic urticaria in one’s teens. It can also be easy for this condition to occur for years. An average person might suffer from it for about five to ten years on average.

Some studies have suggested that people with asthma, atopic eczema or rhinitis may be more likely than others to develop cholinergic urticaria. These studies have not been fully confirmed though.

Cholinergic urticaria is a difficult physical condition that should be reviewed when it comes to skin health. This difficult condition is one that can be bothersome and can cause many effects. This may be due to some histamine that may enter the body during high periods of activity.

Chilblains: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Chilblains, which are referred to as perniosis in some circles, are common skin reactions that can be found in some people. This is a condition where the skin can swell up and begin to itch. This is a condition that is often found in people who experience cold and humid temperatures. This can especially occur in people who come indoors from cold weather.

The skin can easily do more than swell up when chilblains are found around it. It can even become infected in a few cases.

How It Happens

Chilblains are caused by cold weather conditions. These include conditions that are humid but not freezing. This happens in that a person’s blood vessels will not respond to sudden temperature changes. This is especially in the case that the skin cannot respond to heat in a short period of time.

The blood vessels can constrict in cold temperatures. They may not be able to respond too quickly when the body gets into warmer temperatures. This can cause blood to leak from the vessels into the skin. This will cause chilblains to occur.

This can occur in a number of different areas. It often occurs on the toes and fingers in most cases. The nose can also be subjected to chilblains.

These can also happen to a variety of different people. Younger women tend to suffer from them the most. People with poor blood circulation, particularly smokers, can also be more likely to develop chilblains. People who are not clothed properly could suffer from them as well.

How They Are Treated

Chilblains can be treated though. For example, it will help to first wear proper clothes when outdoors in cold or damp conditions. Also, it will help to avoid any cases of direct heat. It might even help to ease the body and relax it before going outdoors in cold temperatures. It will also be a good idea to keep an impacted area warm if chilblains are found.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to get them treated. It can take about a week or two for the signs or symptoms of chilblains to go away. It may help to talk with a doctor about using a topical cream to help relieve some of the effects of chilblains.

It will be smart to watch for how chilblains can be treated. These are conditions that can be difficult for the skin to handle in a number of cases. However, they do not have to be too serious as long as the right preventative measures are used.

Bowens Disease: Information, Causes And Treatment

Bowen’s disease is a type of skin cancer which only affects the surface of the skin. It is named after the person who discovered it over a hundred years ago. The areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun and have Bowen’s disease have a red scaly patch which may be itchy, have a crust over it, and may even ooze.

This condition is often confused for a rash, fungus, eczema or psoriasis because of the red skin and scaly patches. A biopsy has to be performed on this area to ensure that it is a correct diagnosis because sometimes they are not red but brown in color and might look like melanoma or keratosis. When the diagnosis has been made earlier on in the development stage there is a higher chance of recovery.

For individuals that have had Bowen’s disease, they are at much higher risk than the average person to develop other types of skin cancer. It is this reason that individuals are recommended to have their skin checked by a dermatologist on a regular basis. The spots with this condition when not treated can spread to other parts of the body and five percent of cases of this condition develop into invasive types of cancer.

Causes of Bowen’s Disease

This condition is said to be caused by persistent exposure to the sun as well as aging. There are two other causes of this condition including the HPV-16 which is a type of wart virus that is also the cause of cancer of the cervix. The other cause is exposure to arsenic. Some water wells have been contaminated with this poison and while the poison may not kill the person, over time, there is an increased risk of developing this type of cancer as well as other skin cancers and invasive cancers.

Treatments

A common treatment for Bowen’s disease is a surgical excision. The cut goes a quarter of an inch after the edge of the skin cancer. In cases of larger forms of cancer, Mohs surgery is one of the best treatments with the highest success rates although surgical excision is also possible.

Individuals who do not want to have surgery have other options. There is such a thing known as the burning off of the area in question which is called the curettage and electrodessication’ of the cancer. The person may also choose to have liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and laser destruction. These all leave scars that are similar once the area heals.

There are different sites that can be given the x-ray or grenz ray radiation therapy in the case that the patients are not suitable for surgery. These methods are quite expensive and require the patients to make several visits to the hospital for treatment. The patient can also choose to use Efudex cream or Aldara cream.

Blue Nevi – Causes and Treatment

Blue nevi are blue-black moles also known as blue moles. They are commonly found on individuals that are of Asian descent. They are generally benign in nature even in the case that they are present for years. They are created by the pigment producing cells of the body collecting in one area that cause the formation called melanocytes. While they might be benign in most cases, new spots should be checked for cancer and melanoma.

There are two different types of blue nevus – the common blue and cellular blue. The common blue nevus is flat or slightly elevated and is presented in the form of a plaque or papule. It can vary in color between bluish-black and gray-blue. These spots are usually located on the upper surfaces of the hands and feet, the pelvic region, and on the head.

The cellular blue nevus at the beginning was thought to be a type of melanoma but is considered to be blue nevus even though this is still in debate. This is an uncommon type and they are usually large, between one and three centimeters in diameter.

Pathophysiology

Even though blue nevi are rare in documented cases of heredity, there are some suggestions that there may be a genetic predisposition towards this condition. They are often found in those of Asian descent that are in the United States and 60% of such individuals are found with them. This is much more than the 1%-2% of the white adult population and rarely even found amongst the black population. They also are rarely even found during birth, in infants or in children during their toddler stages. In fact, so rare that it is less than one child out of a thousand.

The blue color comes from the melanin that is in the epidermis in combination with the Tyndal effect. This Tyndal effect is created by the melanin taking in the certain long wavelengths of light with the shorter wavelengths which are then scattered. This in turn gives the blue color in the collagen bundles.

Mortality/Morbidity/Statistics

In most cases, these blue nevi remain benign even in the cases where the individual is experiencing symptoms with them. There have been rare cases where the spots have been identified as malignant melanoma. These cases are normally linked to the cellular blue nevi and not the common type. Women have been diagnosed with this condition more often than men and while the condition can appear at any age, the majority of the cases have been identified in patients that were in the twenties or older.

Barnacles Of Aging: Causes, Symptom And Treatment, Liquid Nitrogen Therapy

Barnacles of aging, or known by doctors as seborrheic keratoses are harmless areas of skin growth or spots that appear later on in adult life. It is mostly women that are concerned with these spots because of their appearance. Though some can be quite dark in pigmentation and resemble warts, they start out as light brown spots.

Though there are a number of reasons why these barnacles of aging appear, part of the reason is too much exposure to the sun. The breakdown of the skin plays an important role in the development of these as well because the top layers of skin become thinner and the skin as a whole becomes much less flexible. Spots and wrinkles appear as a result of this.

Liquid Nitrogen Therapy and the Side Effects

Barnacles of aging can be removed by using liquid nitrogen. This treatment needs to be applied on three separate occasions. This freezes the areas as well as the warts and pre-cancers.

There are some side effects that the individual should know about before going through with the treatment. Since the skin has been frozen, it will feel like it is burning as it is thawing out, and the skin looks red and develops blisters. After approximately four weeks, a crust will develop on the skin and will remain. Once the crust does go, the itching will disappear also. There is a chance that a permanent scar may be in that place. If the treatment doesn’t work, it can be repeated.

There will be additional itching from clothing rubbing against the treated areas but this can be reduced by alpha-hydroxy lotions and various mild topical steroid creams. If these continue to bleed or to itch then they are advised to be removed. This can be done using glycolic acid.

Aside from the already mentioned treatment, the keratosis can also be removed with a curette by scraping it off. This is usually only used when there are one or two spots. For any spots that are dark brown, a biopsy should be done first to ensure that it is not a spot of cancer.

Prevention

There are no known preventative measures for barnacles of aging at the moment. The darkening pigmentation of the skin may be heightened because of the UV rays but they do come with aging. Properly moisturizing the skin may delay the appearance of these spots but as age increases, so do the number of spots.

Atopic Dermatitis: Causes, Symptoms, Factor And Treatment

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic skin disease. The individual that has this condition will experience irritable, itchy and dry skin. There is swelling, inflammation and redness that come from the scratching of the inflicted areas; scales, cracks and crusts may appear in the skin over time. This is generally referred to as dermatitis. This condition is most common in young children but it can appear in adults. It can also appear during adulthood and some individuals never rid of the condition.

This condition is experienced by one in every ten adults but nearly three quarters of children have it during their first year of life. Almost ninety percent of people develop it by the time they reach the age of going to school. It is more commonly seen in locations that are dry but those with family history of the disease are the most likely to develop it.

The Cause, Symptoms, and Treatment

The precise cause of this skin condition remains unclear but research shows that individuals that are predisposed to other allergies are more likely to have this condition as well.

It may also be caused by deficiencies in the immune system. Individuals that have a low level of the protein cytokine seem to be at an increased risk as the protein is necessary for the immune system to work properly. When the immune system is compromised, it can cause inflammation without there being an infection.

There are various symptoms that a person may experience if they have atopic dermatitis. Such symptoms include:

• Dry, itchy skin;
• Rashes on the inside of the elbows, hands, feet, knees, wrists and face;
• Red and scaly skin that is a result from rubbing the area;
• Hives after the exposure to hot water;
• Inflammation around the lips;
• Added creases in the skin of the palms;
• Darker skin under the eyes caused by hay fever;
• Moisture lost from skin;
• Inflamed skin;
• Small bumps on face, thighs and upper arms.

The treatment is two-fold for this condition. There needs to be moisturizers added to the skin to reduce the symptoms. The individual also must avoid various things that can cause allergic reactions such as dust, pollen, and certain types of food.

There are medications that can be used to help as well to reduce the inflammation and to prevent further outbreaks. These medicines should only be used under supervision because they can permanently damage the skin.

Prevention

There are other things that a person may want to consider avoiding to prevent further outbreaks.

• Swimming and taking baths in hot water;
• Various soaps and perfumes that have scents or other chemicals;
• Cigarette smoke;
• High levels of humidity;
• Stress from anger, frustration and even embarrassment.

Athlete’s Foot: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that is quite common to the general public. This infection is found in the warm and damp places of the skin and covers the skin in scales, blisters, cracks and inflammations. The skin in the infected area can be white or red. The skin often feels like it is itchy, burning and stinging. Most cases of the infection are found between the toes. This infection is very contagious.

In extreme cases of athlete’s foot, there are other infections caused such as ringworm. A cut or a bruise around the area of the infection can be a cause of this transmission.

The Symptoms and Causes

The symptoms of this condition include red and white scales, itching, stinging, burning, the appearance of blisters around the soles of the feet as well as cuts, cracks and even oozing.

There are some cases of this condition that stem from overusing antibiotics as these substances kill good bacteria that normally get rid of bad bacterium. The most common places that this infection is contracted include showers, swimming pools and locker rooms or other such places that are warm and damp.

The Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis is made through observation but there may be skin biopsies on the lesions as well.

The best treatment is to catch it early. Individuals are recommended to clip and clean their toenails regularly to prevent flare-ups of the infection. This condition can spread from the foot to the groin so it is important to keep in under control. Socks and underwear should be kept separate even in the wash and they should be put on clean. Clean socks should be put on before the clean underwear to prevent spreading the infection to the groin. The feet need to be kept dry especially the places in between the toes. Towels used to dry the feet should only be used once.

Boosting the immune system to fight the infection can be done through increasing vitamin A, B, and C. To treat the infection, wash the feet once a day using salt water. Soak the feet in diluted vinegar once a day for ten days. Apply olive oil to the infected areas to keep them moisturized. Avoiding products with yeast can help this infection also.

Sufferers are advised to avoid wearing tight shoes and not to wear the same shoes every day. Anti-fungal drying powders can be used to dry up sweat. Wearing open shoes as much as possible is a wise idea and even going barefoot at home can help.

There are herbal treatments available for this infection:

• Place garlic in the shoes;
• Apply tea tree oil on the infected areas;
• Add grapefruit extract in the laundry water;
• Apply myrrh and lavender oil to reduce the redness and itchiness.

Aphthous Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Aphthous ulcers are more commonly known as canker sores. These are small painful ulcers that typically cause bad breath and craters in the mouth but should not be confused as being a form of cancer. They are most often found under the tongue or on the inside lining of the cheeks or lips. Usually they heal within two weeks and they don’t normally leave a permanent mark or scar. They are identified by their red tip but are mostly white or yellow. Twenty percent of people experience these at some point in time.

There are three main categories of these ulcers – minor, major and herpetiform. The first type is found on the soft palate and the floor of the mouth and they are generally small and rather shallow. The second type is larger and deeper than the minor while the herpetiform are more intense are appear in larger numbers than the others. Individuals who experience the last form should be tested for HIV because this condition is a main cause of herpetiform ulcers.

These sores are more commonly found in women rather than men but there is also a genetics factor to consider as well. They occur more in people that have a family history of them and even though they don’t usually inflict children younger than ten years old, they can be found in children as young as two. Usually these sores will appear one or two times in the course of a year but there are individuals who experience them more often.

The Causes and Symptoms

There are numerous causes of aphthous ulcers including the following: food or bacterium that causes various allergic reactions; a faulty immune system; vitamin B, iron and folic acid deficiencies; various cereals that can’t be digested correctly; injuries to the gums; ill-fitting dentures; and menstruation or other such things that result in changing hormones.

There might be a single ulcer or there might be a cluster of them present. These have the appearance of being red and swollen while the area around them is sensitive. There is a burning or tingling sensation. The sores appear quickly but leave after about two weeks.

The Treatment

These ulcers can be caused by various illnesses so to treat the ulcers, the underlying cause needs to be treated. Otherwise there are several different herbal remedies that can be used.

• Aloe Vera
• Chamomile
• Echinacea
• Licorice
• Myrrh
• Sage
• Tea Tree Oil

Individuals who are gluten sensitive should stay away from grain products. Certain toothpastes can cause these ulcers as well. Increasing levels of various B vitamins, iron, and zinc in the system can also help.

Actinic Keratosis: Causes, Signs And Preventation

The skin is the largest organ of the body and skin cancer, even though it has a cure rate of 95% when caught in the early stages, still accounts for approximately 2300 deaths every year. The pre-cancerous stage, sometimes called AK, is called actinic keratosis. Individuals may be more familiar with its other name – solar keratosis. This condition doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer but can be treated.

What to Look For

Actinic keratosis appears as scaly red patches on the skin that are usually located around the neck, ears, face and lips. It may also appear on the back on the hands or the forearms which are the easier areas to identify it. These areas are more at risk to develop AK because they are exposed for longer periods of time to the sunshine and to UV rays.

There are two main types of UV rays – UVA and UVB. The first type comes from tanning rays while the second are the burning rays. Both of these can cause actinic keratosis. The UVA rays are found in the tanning beds and while the manufacturers claim that it is only the UVB rays that cause damage, both according to dermatologists cause skin damage. Dermatologists recommend that individuals avoid the tanning beds.

Time Periods Involved and Recommended Protection

AK is not something that appears right away but actually takes years to develop. Half of the people of age 65 will have skin cancer because the body can absorb these rays for some time before being permanently damaged. The general population actually reaches the 80% level of maximum exposure by the time they are eighteen years of age.

There are plenty of types of sunscreen that a person can use and parents are advised to make sure their children are protected by at least SPF 15. SPF stands for sun protection factor which is the level that the substance protects the skin from the UV rays. SPF 15 in the lowest level that should be used but dermatologists say that SPF 30.

There are other ways to protect the skin from UV rays and ultimately help to prevent actinic keratosis. Wearing a tight-knit shirt or wearing jeans can block out the UV rays. A cap can protect the face but not the neck so a brimmed hat is more effective for this purpose. The UV rays are the strongest between 10am and 4pm between which times it is best to stay out of the sunshine.

A person can check to see if they have AK by standing in front of the mirror and checking each part of the body, especially those most exposed to the sun. If any signs of AK are noticed, an appointment with the doctor should be made immediately.

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