Natural Cures For Skin Allergies

Hives are an allergic skin reaction during which certain cells release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause small blood vessels in the area to leak and this causes the raised patches of skin - somewhat circular in shape. There may only be one or there can be many red patches. They last from one to three days. They can be white, pink or red and are itchy. They may also burn or sting. If the allergic reaction involves other systems of the body there may be a wheeze and difficulty in breathing, swollen lips and eyelids and general flushing. This can be a serious allergic situation and medical assistance needs to be sought immediately.

Our bodies are equipped with an immune system that is designed to recognize harmful substances that get into our blood stream or organs. The harmful substance or allergen enters our bodies and the immune system reacts through a system of plasma proteins called immunoglobulins - these search out and destroy the intruder. This is a complex process with many steps involved. During the process the cells release histamine and other chemicals that cause the familiar allergic symptoms - swelling, itching, hives or sneezing and so forth. In the lungs these chemicals can cause muscle spasms, which in turn narrows the air passages making it difficult to breathe.

To have this allergic reaction our systems must first be primed - become sensitive to the allergen. One or more encounters with the allergen are required before the sensitization develops. The first exposure 'programs' our immune system to recognize and react in a certain way when encountering the allergen. Subsequent exposure results in the allergic response.

The factors that trigger an allergic reaction can be varied and may include:

• Grasses and other plants
• Pollen
• Insect bites
• Food additives and certain foods
• Drugs
• Any of an enormous range of chemicals found in the air, water and generally in the environment
• Dust
• Animal dander
• and so forth

When the body is in good health it can be very tolerant to the invasion of incoming chemicals or foreign proteins. However, if the liver is overloaded with toxic material and the lymphatic system is already congested with unsuccessful attempts to clear waste from the tissue an allergic reaction can manifest. Some people are genetically predisposed to producing large amounts of histamine. Stress will also play its part with most conditions. When the body is in a relaxed state many instances of inflammation in the tissues can be avoided.

What you can do

All of the recommendations for hives and other allergic reactions are aimed at improving overall health and vitality. This is achieved by removing toxins from the body, making sure that a healthy eliminative diet is eaten, that the body has the nutrients that it needs to heal and obtain balance.

However, the first place to start is to eliminate the offending substance from contact or entry into the body. If the allergen problem is food or food additives, for example, it is important that the foods be eliminated from the diet. If the problem is dust or moulds or pollens it is important for these to be eliminated - so that the immune system has a chance to rest and regain its balance.

• Follow safe colon cleansing principles - this means that the whole body - including the lymphatic and immune systems will be cleansed and this is an effect way to assist the body to regain a balanced immune system.
• The diet needs to be based on salads, vegetables, fruit and a moderate level of protein intake. It is particularly important for anything that suppresses the immune system and congests the lymphatic system needs to be removed from the diet. This means all sugars, dairy products, fatty food, all process and refined foods and fatty foods. Eliminating these foods will also provide the body with the opportunity to begin eliminating toxic material. This will begin to allow a rebalancing of the immune system.
• In addition to eating a healthy diet it is important to supplement the nutrients that are eaten so that there are plenty available for the healing process. The nutrients that are needed can be obtained from a good multivitamin and mineral supplement. In particular vitamins C and the B group vitamins are needed.
• It is also important to limit the toxic load that the body has to deal with as much as is possible. This means stop smoking , avoid alcohol, reduce or eliminate the chemicals that are used in and around the house, use organic foods and so forth.
• There are two groups of herbs that will provide assistance. Those cleanse the liver and those that cleanse the lymphatic system. Herbs for cleansing the liver are:

• Dandelion

• Milk thistle
• Burdock
• Centaury
• Fringe tree Herbs for cleansing the lymphatic system are:
• Red clover
• Burdock
• Cleavers
• Violet leaves In addition to the liver and lymphatic herbs the following can be useful. The following can be made as a tea and then applied as a compress to the affected area.
• Liquorice (licorice) has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties. It acts in similar ways to cortisol - the bodies own anti-inflammatory hormone. As well as using liquorice internally as a tea you can also apply the tea to the affected skin with a clean cloth three or four times per day. Be aware of the issues related to liquorice before you use it internally.
• Chamomile is also an anti-inflammatory that you can take internally as well as applying the tea to the hives three or four times per day. You can also use it in a lukewarm bath. If you are allergic to other members of the daisy family you may also be allergic to chamomile.
• Diluted, distilled witch hazel can be used externally to ease the itching.

The following is a useful formula:

• 4 tablespoons chamomile
• 1 tablespoon licorice
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoonful turmeric or 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 3 cups water

Place the herbs into a medium saucepan and add the water. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and allow to cool. Place on a gauze cloth and apply to the affected area. Refrigerate any left over for later use.

Hives are an allergic skin reaction that cause raised patches of skin. There may only be one or there can be many red patches. They are one of a range of conditions that indicates hypersensitivity of the immune system. The underlying problems that have lead to the hypersensitivity and allergic responses need to be addressed - as well as providing immediate relief from the skin inflammation.By Dr Jenny Tylee

White Scars & Hypopigmentation: Their Causes & Cures

White scars and hypopigmentation (loss of skin coloring) can result from trauma to the skin.

Scars take on a white appearance because melanocyte production has been impaired. Melanocytes make melanin- the pigment that gives the skin its color. If melanocytes are damaged, so is the skin's ability to produce darker skin tones.

After damage to the skin, whether or not hypopigmentation or white scarring occurs depends on how the injury took place.

Causes of hypopigmentation and white scarring

For example, if you were riding a bicycle, fell and only scrapped your knee, this would have created a superficial abrasion on the skin. A scab would develop to protect the wound. Over the course of the few days, the scab would fall off. Once the scab shed away, the skin would then produce pigment in response to sun exposure and eventually, the color of the scar would match that of the rest of the skin.

On the other hand, had the bicycle fall involved a deep gash to the knee, most of the pigment producing layers of the upper skin would be damaged while the deeper layers of the skin would need to repair the injured tissue.

To start the dermal repair process, the skin would then knit together collagen and elastin to protect blood vessels beneath the skin. If blood vessel damage occurred, increased amounts of inflammation would accompany the wound healing process. Under these circumstances, a mild form of fibrosis, or excessive scarring, may happen because of the increased in skin damage and inflammation.

With this build-up of scar tissue, melanocytes may not reach the surface of the skin where they make melanin and give color to the skin. This results in white, coarse scar tissue.

Laser resurfacing & hypopigmentation

Unlike bicycle accidents, laser re-surfacing is a form of intentional scarring. Since laser resurfacing corrects skin damage by inflicting tiny wounds in the skin, laser treatments can cause hypopigmentation. At times, the hypo-pigmented spots may not show up until two to six months after the laser treatment.

Treatments for white scarring and hypopigmentation

Treatments for white scarring that result from acne scars or accidents include medications for vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disorder of unknown cause involving loss of pigmentation in patches of otherwise normal skin.

Dermatologist Dr. R.W. Urbanek, reported to E Skin and Allergy News that a product know as V-Tar helps combat the effects of hypopigmentation. According to Dr. Urbanek, this compound causes the skin to produce melanocytes which in term create melanin and restore the skin's normal pigmentation.

Dr. Urbanek has seen improvements with using V-Tar in as little as eight daily applications. However, side effects of V-Tar include a burning sensation when exposed to direct sunlight. This can be mitigated with using a sunscreen. You can ask you doctor for V-Tar.

Ironically, when hypopigmentation results from skin resurfacing, the treatment could involve more laser resurfacing. In a study published in Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. James E. Fulton revealed his method for treating hypopigmentation that resulted from laser or chemical skin resurfacing.

Dr. Fulton gave 22 patients who had hypopigmented scars a pre-treatment with a vitamin A and glycolic acid lotion. Next, the patients received a series of laser and chemical resurfacing treatments. After the resurfacing treatments, researchers specially bandaged the treated hypopigmented scars and allowed them to heal.

At the conclusion of the study, melanocytes did return to the previously hypopigmented area and ultimately the skin spot blended with the rest of the skin's natural tone.

Preventing hypopigmentation and white scarring

Since hypopigmentation and white scarring have historically proven themselves difficult to cure, the best treatment is really prevention. You can help prevent hypopigmentation by properly bandaging deep wounds immediately after they happen. In the case of skin resurfacing, ask your health practitioner what steps she is taking to avoid post hypopigmentation and what you can do, in addition to wearing a good sunscreen, to prevent possible hypopigmentation.

Sources:

Norra MacReady. Tar Product Tackles Hypopigmentation Quickly. E-Skin and Allergy News: March 2002, Vol 33, no 3, p 39.

Fulton J.E., A.D. Rahimi; S. Mansoor; P. Helton; P. Shitabata. The Treatment of Hypopigmentation After Skin Resurfacing. Dermatologic Surgery. January 2004, Vol 30, no 1, pp 95-101(7).

By Naweko San-Joyz

Tingling Sensation Every Morning? Is It Arthritis?

The aging process brings many unpleasant things, like developing poor eyesight, feeling sore and achy in the morning and having thick, unsightly toenails thanks to nail fungus. It can also bring mysterious symptoms that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Morning soreness and stiffness is pretty common, but what if you wake up with a burning or tingling sensation in your feet or hands? That could be a sign of something more serious that you really should see your doctor about.

This tingling sensation is one of the many symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This is a bit different from osteoarthritis, which occurs when your joints experience wear and tear with age. Rheumatoid arthritis is actually a long-term autoimmune condition that develops when your immune system sees healthy tissue as an enemy and attacks it. With rheumatoid arthritis, this ends up causing inflammation in the joints and the tissues around the joints. In more serious cases, it can lead to inflammation in the organs as well. You don't necessarily have to be older to get this condition, but it does tend to occur more in people, especially women, who are middle aged or older. No one knows exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but it might have something do with genetics, hormonal changes or infections.

A tingling sensation in your feet or hands usually isn't the first sign of this condition. You might have experienced earlier signs of it without realizing it. The first signs of rheumatoid arthritis are typically mild pain and stiffness in the joints in certain areas on both sides of your body, like your feet, fingers, knees or wrists. Your joints might also feel a little warm to the touch when you first wake up. The pain and stiffness usually lasts for about an hour in the morning. Fatigue is also another early sign of this condition. Tingling and burning can gradually develop over time, as well as chest pain when you're breathing in, burning or itchy eyes, trouble sleeping and a dry mouth and eyes.

Making an appointment with your doctor is very important since rheumatoid arthritis needs to be carefully managed in order to avoid serious complications, such as organ inflammation and permanent joint damage. Your doctor will run tests to see if you have this condition. If so, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan, which generally includes antirheumatic or anti-inflammatory medication, regular exercise and physical therapy. Even if you haven't experienced any of the other symptoms of this condition, it's still a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. This kind of tingling can also be caused by other conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes and nerve disorders.

Having a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis doesn't mean you're doomed to a life full of joint pain. The earlier you start managing this condition, the better off you'll feel overall. So, don't ignore that morning tingling in your hands or feet. Set up an appointment with your doctor, so you won't have to keep worrying about what's causing it.

By Sandy Getzky

Spider Veins Are Most Common In Women Between The Ages Of 30-70

Spider veins are when a small group of blood vessels, located near the skin's surface becomes dilated. They are small vessels that will become larger. This normally happens when the vein's pressure increases and they will exceed their normal resistance to blood flow. They are found on the legs and face normally and will look like red or purple sider webs. This is why they are called spider veins.

Spider veins are most common in women between the ages of 30-70, but some men do have spider veins. Over 80 million Americans suffer from either spider veins or varicose veins.

Do not confuse the two together! Although spider veins and varicose veins are used intertwine, the two differ. Varicose veins are large and can be quite painful, while spider veins will stay small and are noticeable because of their color.

Varicose veins will increase your changes of heart attacks or strokes, while spider veins are usually no health threat. Even though they do not pose much of a threat to your health, you may find that they make it unbearable to stand for prolonged periods of time. Spider veins do not have a link to any illness or disease, but are considered a symptom of aging. Surgery can not remove the veins, but you can find many treatments that will either relieve your discomfort or remove them all together.

Spider veins are a form of varicose veins that will cluster either on the legs or face. It is a common problem amount women and they can form anywhere on the legs or even body, although, they mostly appear on the face, legs, and thighs. When they occur on the face they are usually beneath the eyes and around the nose.

The reason why people make a big deal about spider veins is the fact that it is a flaw in their skin. Today, society puts such hype on the fact that everyone needs to be beautiful and have perfect skin. Although, flawless skin is one of the accounts for beauty, it's not realistic. To get rid of these veins, many people will go through cosmetic cover-ups to conceal them and will go to major lengths to get rid of their spider veins. Many times with the cover-up procedures, customers are disappointed.

For the face, the veins can now be treated with a light that will produce results within days. For larger areas or leg veins, Sclerotherapy must treat them. Sclerotherapy is injecting small veins with a salt solution that will make them close and disappear. This can be performed in a doctor's office and it doesn't require any anesthesia. It usually takes about twenty minutes and it will take about eight weeks of treatment before results can be seen.

By Jarl Jacobsen