Eczema

Eczema is an inflammatory reaction of the skin caused by physical, chemical or biologic agents. The epidermis is inflammed or damaged by the repeated chemical or physical irritations. It falls under the classification of dermatitis that may be of irritant, non-irritant, allergic, phototoxic and photoallergic types. The type of eczema that arises after exposing to some kind of allergen is called as allergic eczema which is the most common type of eczema.

Eczema results from exposing to contact allergens or irritants.The common causes of irritant eczema are soaps, detergents, scouring compounds, and industrial chemicals. Pre-existing skin disease is the cause of non-irritant eczema. The predisposing factors of eczema include exposing to extremes of heat and cold, frequent contact with soap and water and the presence of any other skin conditions.

Eczema can affect anybody both adult and children alike. They also affect men and women equally since anybody can be allergic or sensitive to anything. It all depends on their own skin conditions. Men are more prone to produce eczematous reaction from the industrial chemicals because men tend to work in industries, while women are exposed to eczematous reaction when they come in contact with laundry or dish washing soaps and detergents.

Eczema begins when the causitive agent contacts the skin. The symptoms of eczema varies from person to person extending from itching to bleeding. The first reaction to eczema includes itching, redness, and burning, followed by edema, papules, vesicles, and oozing. Sooner the vesicles dries up, forms crust and finally peels. If the reaction occurs repeatedly, the person tends to scratch the skin which may lead to thickening of the skin and pigmentation. In course of time it may lead to bacterial infection.

The main aim of treating eczema is to rest the involved skin and protect it from further damage. Treatment for eczema includes,

* Application of bland, unmedicated creams or lotion over the inflammed skin to prevent them from further dryness.

* Application of a cool, wet dressing or Burow's solution over the vesicles to reduce itching and promote soothing.

* Applying a thin layer of topical corticosteroid in the form of cream or lotion.

* Medicated baths at room temperature may be prescribed for eczema which is over larger area of the body.

* A short course of systemic corticosteroids like prednisone may be advised for 7-10 days for those with severe conditions.

* Antibiotics may be prescribed if secondary infection occurs.

* Oral antihistamines may also be prescribed by certain doctors to control itching.

* Finely cracked ice added to the water can be applied over the affected area and also the fore head as a compress if fever occurs.

Tips to prevent eczema: It takes at least 4 months for an eczema to heal completely. Here are some of the tips that can prevent and as well as help in complete healing of eczema.

* Always keep your skin moist. Apply hydrophilic creams or petroleum jelly if you have a dry skin.

* Study the pattern and location of eczema and think over the things you touched that may have caused the problem.

* Try to avoid contact with those materials again.

* Avoid all kinds of external irritants like heat, soap, and rubbing.

* Avoid cosmetic creams or any topical lotion except the ones specifically prescribed for you.

* Wash your skin thoroughly immediately when you come in contact with any suspected irritants.

* Wear gloves while washing dishes or doing general cleaning. If you are using a rubber gloves make sure they are cotton-lined and don't wear them for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time.

Since eczema is not a disease in itself, but body's reaction to certain stimulants, prevention is always better than cure. Always remember to avoid anything that causes a reaction to your body and take suitable precautions when you have to handle agents that might have adverse reactions on your body.

Sinus headaches and migraine headaches

Headaches are terrible and they make the day miserable. Sinus headaches and migraine are two different types of headaches and they vary in their manifestation, pathophysiology and treatment. However, both are painful and can be eased by various techniques.

Sinus headaches: They are characterized by pain around the eyes (periorbital area) and facial parts especially in the mornings while awakening. They are sometimes confused with the migraine headaches, if the headache is single sided where only left or right sinus is infected. A careful history and diagnostic assessment will confirm the diagnosis.

Easing sinus headaches:

1. Sinus headaches are usually followed by common cold where the sinuses are blocked by thick mucus and are infected when left untreated. In order to loosen this thick secretion steam inhalation is the best treatment of choice. Boil water in a wide mouth vessel, remove them from the stove, add few drops of eucalyptus oil or vicks, place them in a comfortable and safe place, cover yourself with a blanket and start inhaling the steam through nose and exhale through mouth. This process will loosen secretion and relieve sinus pressure which directly will ease your headache. Hot shower, facial sauna and steam bath also works under the same mechanism to relieve pain.

2. Giving slight pressure over the painful eyebrows or cheek bone or teeth or even some parts of skull which are involved can relieve headache. Some try tieing towel or ribbon around the head to apply pressure but this is not advisable because it may interfere with blood supply.

3. Ice packs or ice compress can be applied to the temporal region which will cause vaso-constriction and there by relieve headache and reduce temperature (because they are accompanied with fever). Hot wet packs also soothe the affected area.

4. Gentle massages with vicks or tiger balm or axe oil do help.

5. Humidifier makes the air moist and when inhaled can thin the secretion which plugs the sinuses to certain extent and relieve pressure that causes headache.

6. Antihistamines like citrizine act as decongestant and sedative to relieve pressure and induce sleep.

7. Antibiotics like amoxicillin, ampicillin, septran DS or bactrim DS are used to treat the infection which in turn relieves headache.

8. Oral and topical decongestants like afrin or otrivin are prefered to loosen and drain out secretions.

9. Irrigating the sinuses also alleviates pain and infection.

10. If the above mentioned tips does not work and if the headache becomes a chronic problem, the exact cause is identified and surgery may be advised.

Migraine headache: This headache is preceded by a phase called aura where the person experiences visual disturbances (light flashes), some experience numb and tingling sensation over the hands or face, mild confusion, slight weakness of extremities and dizziness. The headache is throbbing and severe, usually associated with photophobia, nausea and vomiting. The person recovers from this headache after long hours of sleep with muscle contraction and muscle ache in the neck and scalp.

Migraine headaches can attack at any part of the day. It has a strong family history and usually affects the female gender.

Easing migraine headache:

1. If diet is the reason for this kind of headache, foods containing tyramine, monosodium glutamate, nitrates or milk products like cheese, chocolates and other processed foods should be avoided.

2. Oral contraceptives are believed to cause migraine headaches in some women. In such case, it can be discussed with your physician and proper decision can be taken.

3. Stress is considered the main reason reason for migraine headaches. A change in job or environment is advisable.

4. If habits like smoking or drinking is bringing about this headache, a lifestyle modification should be considered.

5. Certain medications like antihypertensives (hydralazine, diuretics), anti-inflammatory and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can provoke a migraine headache. If you are on such medications, it can be discussed with your doctor and appropriate decisions can be taken.

6. Having a regular sleep and meal pattern will definitely prevent and relieve this kind of headaches.

7. Ergotamine tartrate is the drug prescribed for migraine headaches which can be used orally, sublingually, intra-muscularly, sub-cutaneously, per rectum or by inhalation as well. It has its own side-effects and hence it has to be taken only with doctor's knowledge.

8. Sumatriptan is said to relieve moderate to severe migraine and is available in the form of subcutaneous injection which could be taken by the person himself.

9. Lying down quietly in a dark room with the head kept slightly elevated (30 degrees) can relieve an acute attack more easily.

10. Caffeine is said to arrest or reduce the severity of headache in 90% of migraine sufferers. Black coffee works good for many.

11. Different medication helps for different people. Analgesics, sedatives, antianxiety agents and antiemetics are wide range of medications that are administered to relieve headaches.

12. Propranolol, beta-blocker which halts the dilation of blood vessels in brain is believed to have antimigraine action.

Though headaches are the most common of all human physical complaints, it should be taken seriously. Headache is actually a symptom rather than a disease entity that may indicate other dreadful diseases. Seek treatment at the earliest because prevention is always better than cure.