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Skin Care 101
27 April 2018
The skin functions to:
- Enable you to experience sensations.
- Protect your body from microbes.
- Help to regulate body temperature.
Eczema
Skin becomes rough, inflamed, itchy or prone to bleeding. This condition is usually treated with topical creams or over-the-counter medication.
Psoriasis
An inflammation where the skin when the skin becomes thickened and itchy, often affecting the elbows, knees and scalp. It can be alleviated with creams and ointments while more severe cases are treated with oral medication.
Dandruff
Dandruff is not actually caused by a dry scalp, but by the build-up of oils and skin cells. Regularly wash your hair and use a suitable anti-dandruff shampoo.
Exposure to mild or harsh irritants can cause skin tissue damage. Some common types of burn are:
Thermal burns
- When the skin comes in contact with a source of strong heat like a flame, boiling water or steam.
- For mild burns, immerse the area under cool tap water for a few minutes.
- Do not apply remedies like butter or ice as they may increase the chance of infection or worsen the injury.
Chemical (caustic) burns
- Caused by contact with acids, bases, bleach or strong chemicals.
- Ingestion can cause internal organ damage.
- Rinse the affected area under running water for 10 to 20 minutes and seek medical attention.
Friction burns
- Caused by the skin rubbing against a surface continuosly, like a carpet burn.
- The skinning or chafing is usually treated by easing the pain with running it under cold, running water and applying an anti-inflammatory cream, and preventing infection.
- Slather sunscreen even when it's cloudy! Protect your skin with sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays of at least SPF 30 and higher.
- Avoid peak sunlight. The sunlight is at its brightest from 11am to 2pm.
- Regularly change sheets & pillows for skin's sake. Damp and unclean pillows and bedsheets can be hotbeds for fungal or bacterial growth and dust mites.
- Beauty sleep works. Have sufficient amount of rest and always remove makeup, dirt or grime before retiring for the day.
- Stay hydrated. Did you know that 64% of our skin is made of water?
- Manage that stress. Stress hormones can aggravate skin conditions like acne and eczema.
- Look out for abnormal skin growths lika spot, rash or a nodule, or changes in mole growth. Regular examinations to take note of any unusual signs and changes is key to treating skin cancer early.
References
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/tips-for-gorgeous-skin#3
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/check-for-signs-of-skin-cancer.html
https://www.cancercenter.com/skin-cancer/risk-factors/
https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-treatment-pdq
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/treatment-16/treatments-for-you
https://www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355845
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/severe-dandruff#2
https://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/thermal_heat_or_fire_burns/article_em.htm#what_are_the_home_remedies_for_thermal_burns
https://www.healthline.com/health/chemical-burn-or-reaction
https://healthfully.com/treat-friction-burn-5566181.html
The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.
