Month: June 2015

How to get rid of keratosis pilaris

Do you have red, bumpy lumps on your upper arms? Do you find that your legs come out in a rash when your skin is dry, or during the winter months?

If so, it’s possible that you’re suffering from the skin condition, keratosis pilaris. While these rashes look unsightly, and can sometimes get inflamed or itch, the good news is that it’s relatively harmless. The bad news is, that there’s no known cure. However before you resign yourself to a lifetime of long sleeved shirts and full length pants, be assured that there’s plenty of things you can try to reduce the appearance of the spots, so if you want to know how to get rid of keratosis pilaris, read on.

Keratosis pilaris affects more than half of the adolescents around the world. Yet there is no definitive cure. It occurs when your body starts to produce an excess of the protein keratin, a creamy , white substance found in the tough, outer layer of your skin. This collects in the hair follicles to form a little plug, blocking the exit for the hairs developing in the follicle. These little plugs not only create raised, spiky bumps, but also affect the hair’s ability to grown normally. Often the hair will grow in a curled shape within the follicle itself, becoming inflamed and causing the skin around it to become red and angry.

Luckily there are several things you can do to improve the appearance of the skin. Firstly you should use non-soap based cleansers on your skin rather than soap, as this tends to dry the skin out, and make the bumps more obvious. Secondly you should take the time to moisturise any bumpy areas on a regular basis to keep the skin soft and supple.

Creams containing ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid or urea are often recommended, as these not only moisturise the skin, but contain natural exfoliants which will remove the top layers of skin, and loosen the keratin plugs. If you find that topical creams are not strong enough alone, use a rough wash cloth or pumice stone on the areas, but be careful not to rub too hard, especially if you’re using a pumice stone, as this can remove too much skin, and make the area very sensitive and sore.

If you find that your keratosis pilaris is causing you a lot of discomfort, a trip to your physician or a dermatologist may be the answer. They’ll be able to prescribe other treatments, such as retinol creams, chemical peels and dermabrasion which, while not specifically designed for treatment of this condition, have been known to improve it considerably.

What is Nasal Polyps Surgery

Nasal polyps surgery is the procedure during which nasal polyps (which can occur in the nasal passages or in the sinuses) are removed. Generally, surgery will be recommended if steroid therapy is not successfully or cannot be sustained in the long term, often due to safety concerns of using too much steroids. There are two main types of nasal polyps surgery – nasal polypectomy and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Persons with poorly managed asthma, as well as those with coronary disease or having irregular bleeding are not eligible for nasal polyps surgery.

Prior to surgery, the patient will be required to undergo tests such as nasal endoscopies, CT scans or X-ray scans. If the patient has any underlying conditions, further tests will be required, as some conditions can complicate the procedure. In addition, the patient is made aware that surgery may not meet expectations, especially with regards to the fact that 75% of patients undergoing surgery will experience re-growth of nasal polyps. Even with the removal of some nasal bone, polyps re-occurrence is still likely. As such, ongoing treatment may be required following surgery. In addition, surgery may not restore the sense of smell, which may be lost completely in patients with very large or very numerous polyps. Furthermore, there are risks involved according to the placement of the polyps. For example, for nasal polyps high up in the sinuses, surgery may damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Surgery can also cause scar tissue to form, which can be very uncomfortable in the nasal region.

Nasal Polypectomy is the most common type of nasal polyps surgery and it can be done using just a local aesthetic. This procedure is the one of choice for small nasal polyps that are close to the nostril entrance. The surgeon will hold the nose open with an instrument called a nasal speculum and then cut the polyps out using a special type of forceps. A suction device may be used to extract the polyp.

On the other hand, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is used for polyps that are not easily reached, such as those growing deep in the sinuses. A local or general anaesthetic will be used. In this procedure, an endoscope (a tube with a camera) is used to provide the surgeon better view of the area around the polyps. Then, small cuts in the face will be done and the surgeon cuts out the polyps through these incisions.

Are the red bumps on your legs keratosis pilaris?

If you’ve got red bumps on your legs, and you’ve ruled out the usual suspects of heat rash or shaving rash, then it’s possible that you’re suffering from keratosis pilaris. While most sufferers experience rough, bumpy red skin on their upper arms, the legs – especially the upper thighs – are a common place to find this unsightly, but harmless skin condition. But how do you know for sure if the red bumps on your legs are keratosis pilaris? Of course, you could just visit your physician and let them make the diagnosis, but there are certain indicators which suggest that your condition is indeed, keratosis pilaris.
Firstly, if one or both of your parents suffer, or have suffered in the past, from similar bumps and lumps, then it’s likely to be keratosis pilaris. This is because the condition is hereditary, and your chance of developing the skin condition is as high as one in two, even if only one parent was a sufferer.
Secondly, if you’re female, you’re more likely to suffer from the skin condition than males. Pregnancy has also been known to make the condition worse too.
Teenagers also seem to suffer more during this stage of their life, especially around the time of puberty. Even if you developed the condition as a child, you’re likely to see it worsen during your adolescent years. The good news is that it’s likely to get better as you get older, although some people still experience outbreaks of spots into their forties, and even right into their fifties. However, it’s very uncommon to find older sufferers, and tends to disappear completely once past your fifties.
If you’re of Celtic descent, especially if you have fair skin and light or reddish hair, you’ll probably find that you’re extremely susceptible to the appearance of red spots on your arms and legs. These often tend to improve during the summer, but get worse during winter months, or in dry conditions. Because of this, keeping the skin well moisturized at all times can be very helpful in reducing the occurrence of the spots.
If you suffer from red bumps on your legs, it’s highly likely that you’re also experiencing some keratosis pilaris on your upper arms and buttocks too. Whilst there is no known cure for the condition, as the bumps are hardened keratin which block the hair follicles, exfoliation and moisturising the area have been known to help.

How to cure piles

If you’re suffering from a bout of piles, no doubt you’re keen to try anything which will take away the discomfort and pain, so if you’re wondering how to cure piles, read on for some traditional and no so traditional haemorrhoid treatments.

 

At the first sign of piles, most of us will head to the drugstore to buy an over the counter remedy. These usually contain either corticosteroids, a low dose of steroids, and / orhttp://myhealthbusiness.info/hemorroids lidocaine, a local anesthetic to dull the pain.

 

They’re applied topically, as in directly onto your anus, and provide both relief and shrinkage of the haemorrhoid itself. They’re one of the easiest and more reliable methods of how to cure piles and probably the most widely used treatments amongst sufferers.

 

However, if you prefer to use more natural products or you can’t get to a drugstore, there are natural alternatives which work just as well as the over the counter haemorrhoid treatments.

 

These natural methods include using plant based substances such as aloe vera, witch hazel, apple cider vinegar and even the humble tea bag. They’re easy to use too.

 

Simply apply the liquid to a cotton pad and apply to your anus at regular intervals. They’ll not only soothe the area, but they’ll help to shrink the swollen veins too. The tea bags can be applied just as they are, after being soaked in water of course and allowed to cool slightly, you don’t want to use a red hot tea bag on your more sensitive areas.

 

Other methods proven to be successful in curing piles are sitting in a shallow tub of warm water in which you’ve dissolved a cupful of epsom salts. The salts and warm water will not only soothe but they’ll help to reduce the size of the piles too.

 

Changing the way you use the toilet can also help to cure piles. With the invention of the modern toilet we tend to sit down to empty our bowels. This is one of the worst positions you can adopt as it puts tremendous strain on your rectum. It’s far more natural to actually squat. Now while this may take some time to get used to, squatting actually straightens your rectum and makes passing stools much easier.
http://myhealthbusiness.info/hemorroids

 

 

And finally if we’re looking at ways how to cure your piles, we can’t ignore the fact that diet plays a big part, so make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fiber.

 

What are Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are growths that are found in the tissue or lining of the nasal passages. They are usually harmless or non cancerous but can grow in clusters or to a large size which then affects breathing. When breathing is restricted and the nasal passages become blocked, it is important to seek medical advice and obtain treatment either in the form of a medicated nasal spray or surgery to remove the polyps.

Typical symptoms experienced by someone with polyps may include a blocked or stuffy nose, flu like symptoms such as a runny nose, sinus infections, headaches and chronic snoring. As soon as these warning signs are noticed and the presence of nasal polyps detected treatment can commence.

Nasal polyps tend to grow near the sinuses and within the mucous membranes of the nose. Those who are susceptible to sinus infections are often most likely to develop polyps. They are more common in adults than in children and are classified as chronic when they are present for more than three months.

Treatment is possible and effective and unless large in size, nasal polyps can easily be treated with saline wash and a medicated spray. Keeping the nose free from blockages, cleaning it and rinsing as often as possible can prevent reoccurrence and further growth of nasal polyps.

It is said that nasal polyps generally come about as a result of infected or inflamed sinuses caused by possible allergies, asthma, sleep apnea or a genetic condition. Although treatment is possible it is recommended that once contracted, preventative measures should be taken to maximise effectiveness.

Are the red bumps on your arms Keratosis Pilaris

You may have read about the skin condition keratosis pilaris, a common, but harmless skin condition which affects many teenagers and young adults. Most sufferers experience rough, slightly raised red bumps over the skin of their upper arms, although it can affect other parts of the body too. While generally these are not painful, they may be itchy, and sufferers are often most concerned by their unsightly appearance.

If you’re suffering from red bumps on your upper arms, you too may be suffering from keratosis pilaris. So if you want to know if the red bumps on your upper arms are keratosis pilaris, read on.

As a hereditary condition, you’re likely to suffer from keratosis pilaris if your mom or dad have it too. It tends to run in families and, unfortunately, if one parent has it, you have a one in two chance of developing the condition. It normally makes its first appearance in childhood, and gets worse as you enter puberty.

It can, however, affect people of all ages, so if you’re no longer a teenager, but still suffering from red bumps on your upper arms, it’s likely to be keratosis pilaris. It’s also more common amongst females rather than males, and people who already suffer from the dry skin conditions of eczema and ichthyosis are also likely to suffer from keratosis pilaris. While it’s prevalent all over the world, being of Celtic descent means that you are more susceptible to the condition too.

So generally speaking, if you’re a teenage female of Celtic descent who has a parent who also had the condition, your red bumps are more than likely a product of keratosis pilaris.

The condition can also present itself on other areas of the body too. Although red bumps on the upper arms are the most common form of keratosis pilaris, it’s also found on the buttocks and fronts of the thighs. In some cases, sufferers can experience a rash on their forearms and upper back, and in some extreme instances, on the eyebrows, face and scalp, or even over the entire body. Three types of keratosis pilaris have been identified: keratosis pilaris rubra – red inflamed bumps; keratosis pilaris alba – rough bumpy skin with no inflammation, and keratosis pilaris rubra faceii – which is a reddish rash on the cheeks.

If you suspect you have keratosis pilaris, and it’s causing you undue anxiety or has become painful, it may be wise to visit your physician for advice.

How to cure hemorrhoids naturally

Hemorrhoids – the butt of many jokes – sorry for the pun, but if you suffer from hemorrhoids you’re probably feeling somewhat embarrassed and it’s probably something you don’t want to talk about with your friends.

 

However, as it’s estimated that between 50% and 75% of Americans will suffer from hemorrhoids at some point during their lives, be assured that you’re not alone.

 

While many sufferers will resort to over the counter hemorrhoid creams from their local drugstore or pharmacy, if you’re wondering how to cure hemorrhoids naturally, read on for some tips.

The pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids can be reduced by changing your diet.

If you’re a lover of fatty foods and alcohol, you’ll need to cut these out while upping your intake of water and adding more fiber. This has the double effect of not only softening your stools, thereby relieving the symptoms, but also increases the bulk of your stools which will stop you straining so much when you’re on the toilet.

However, while altering your diet is probably the main thing to do to cure your hemorrhoids naturally, this method does take a few days to work, so in the meantime there are several things you can do to relieve your symptoms. Firstly, always make sure that you clean your anus thoroughly after going to the toilet.

 

Use either dampened unscented toilet paper or a baby wet wipe. Applying cold compresses are also a great idea, especially if you impregnate them with natural ingredients. Try apple cider vinegar which is one of the most popular methods to cure hemorrhoids naturally.

 

Simply soak a cotton wool ball in the vinegar and then apply to the affected area. Continue to do this at regular intervals and you’ll soon find that the inflammation will die down.
Another popular remedy is applying coconut oil to the piles. This is an age old remedy which has been handed down through generations of people looking to cure hemorrhoids naturally. It’s a really simple solution, you simply apply directly to the skin and repeat under your symptoms subside. Of course, always wash your hands before and after application.

The cure all wonder plant Aloe Vera is also another great home remedy if you’re looking how to cure hemorrhoids naturally. Once again, you simply apply the soothing gel on a regular basis until the discomfort starts to ease and the piles disappear.

 

Safe Permanent Nasal Polyps Cure

Neither steroid therapy nor surgery is a permanent cure for nasal polyps. Polyps re-growth occurs in practically everyone using steroids, and occurs in about 75% of the patients undergoing surgery. This is because the underlying cause of the polyps is still there – whatever is causing the nasal passages’ cells to become irritated and inflamed is still there. Hence, after a while, fluid accumulates in these cells again, and soon enough these are pulled down resulting in nasal polyps.

The answer to getting rid of nasal polyps permanently is simple if you have understood the previous two sentences. All we need to do is to make sure that the nasal passages never get irritated and subsequently inflamed. We do this in two steps. First, we remove any possible factors that can irritate the cells – you manage allergies appropriately (e.g. did you know that you should NOT use aspirin if you are asthmatic?), you make sure that the air in your home is not too dry (get a humidifier), you avoid the use of certain colognes/perfumes and cosmetics, you avoid irritants in some common foods, etc…

The next and most important step is to make sure that the body is in an anti-inflammatory state. This will make it virtually impossible for nasal polyps to ever occur, because the cells in the body are not capable of excessive inflammation (which is required for polyps formation). This will not only guarantee that you will never experience polyps again, but will also keep you protected against chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. To ensure the body is in an anti-inflammatory state, you simply need to tweak your diet a bit (avoid some foods and limit others), add in one or two supplements (depending on what your diet is lacking), and add in a few minutes of breathing exercises per week.

Doing this will keep you nasal polyps free forever! Now, how do you get rid of nasal polyps in the first place? Thankfully, you can also achieve this safely, naturally, and without resorting to steroids or surgery. All you need to do is to apply some specific herbal extracts and inhale the vapour of herbal mixtures for a few minutes each day. Doing this, you will be able to cure your nasal polyps in as quickly as 4 days, especially if you incorporate some lifestyle and dietary changes. As you will be taking a natural route, you will have no risk of side effects and your polyps will shrink down faster than you ever thought possible!

 

Hemorrhoid home treatment methods

If you find yourself unlucky enough to be suffering from the discomfort of piles, you may be interested in some of these hemorrhoid home treatment methods which have been used by Americans for centuries to relieve the symptoms. Hemorrhoids are not only extremely common amongst the American public, but they’re also extremely irritating and can become very painful if left untreated.

As over 50% of Americans will suffer from them at some point in their lives, they’re a very common condition but, due to their intimate nature, many people prefer not to talk about them. Of course, there are many creams and ointments which you can get easily from a drugstore, however if you prefer more natural hemorrhoid home treatment methods, you may want to try some of these.

Hemorrhoids can cause a lot of discomfort, especially if they’ve prolapsed outside the anus. Coupled with the itching and bleeding when you pass a stool, you’ll often feel pain and discomfort in the area too. One way to relieve this is to take a ‘sitz’ bath. Now this is exactly as it sounds. You literally fill the tub with a few inches of warm water and sit in it. Add in either a handful of Epsom salts (once again they’re available from the drug store) or a cup of cider vinegar and sit in it for about 15 minutes. It’s best to sit back with your knees raised – an undignified position, but it does give maximum exposure to the affected area – and you’ll soon find that any pain is reduced and the irritation is soothed.

Other hemorrhoid home treatment methods include applying various natural substances on a cotton pad, with apple cider vinegar, aloe vera and witch hazel being amongst the favourite and most effective treatments. These soothe and heal and help to relieve any pain, itching and swelling associated with hemorrhoids.

More unusual, albeit very simple, hemorrhoid home treatment methods include using used teabags. Not only are they good for helping puffy eyes, but the tannin contained in the tea also helps with piles too. Use warm tea bags as you’ll find the warmth soothing and the natural astringency of the tannin will help to shrink those piles back down to normal.

And finally, why not squatting over the toilet instead of sitting? It’ll not only help you to pass your stools as it straightens out the rectum, but you’ll also get killer quads!

What is keratosis pilaris (chicken skin)?

If you’re one of those people who suffer from unsightly raised bumps on the top of your arms, you’ll probably want to know what is keratosis pilaris and how it’s caused. First of all, be assured, that you’re not the only one with this condition. Surprisingly it’s more common than you think, with an estimated 40 – 50% of adults and 50 – 80% of adolescents reporting some form of the condition.
So what is keratosis pilaris? Keratosis pilaris is a very common but harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy. The appearance is similar to permanent goose pimples and is often referred to as chicken skin, as it resembles the skin of plucked chicken. Affected areas are usually covered in tiny, spiky bumps, about the size of a grain of sand, which can be flesh colored, white in color or red, and will feel rough to the touch, a little bit like sandpaper.
Known to run in families, the condition is hereditary, and the unfortunate news is that if one parent suffers from keratosis pilaris, you will have a 1 in 2 chance of developing the condition yourself.

Put simply, keratosis pilaris happens when your body produces too much keratin, the creamy white protein based substance found in the top layers of the skin. This keratin builds up over the hair follicles like a little plug, preventing the hairs from growing normally, and giving the skin in the area a bumpy, spotty appearance.
It can affect all areas of the body, although the most common place to be affected is the back and outer sides of the upper arms, with some sufferers finding that they suffer from lumps and bumps on their buttocks and the front of the thighs too. Occasionally sufferers will have patches of ‘chicken skin’ on their forearms and the upper back, with the most rare variant affecting the face, scalp, eyebrows and, for some unlucky people, the entire body.

The only parts of the body it can’t affect are the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as these are covered in glabrous skin – i.e. skin with no hair follicles.
Luckily, while keratosis pilaris can look extremely unsightly, it’s not contagious and can’t be spread from contact with a sufferer. However, for sufferers it can be itchy, and even painful if the skin becomes swollen and inflamed.

The good news is that it tends to improve in the summer months, and most sufferers report an improvement as they get older, with cases of keratosis pilaris being almost non-existent in older people.

 

1 2 3 4