Dr. Curtis McElroy

Author: docmac

  • What Is A Fungal Skin Infection?

    What Is A Fungal Skin Infection?

    According to Medical News Today, a fungus is “one of a wide range of living organisms, some of them beneficial to health, others less so.” Members of the group of eukaryotic organisms, fungi exist as molds and microorganisms, yeasts and mushrooms. Fungal skin infections on humans are common, and include yeast infections, athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm and other conditions.

    ” Yeast Infections

    Cutaneous Candidiasis is another name for a fungal attack of the skin more commonly known as a yeast infection. The candida fungus creates an itchy, red sometimes scaly rash on the skin. As with most other fungi, candida prefers warm, moist, dark areas. This is why it is usually found in the armpits or around the groin. If you are obese, have diabetes or are taking antibiotics, your risk of a yeast infection is elevated.

    Candida can create diaper rash in infants, and a common yeast infection of the mouth or throat is called oral thrush. The most common yeast infection is found in the vagina, but this type of fungal attack of the skin can occur anywhere on the body. An itching or burning sensation may accompany bumps that resemble pimples, swelling, pain, pus, or infected areas that ooze a thick, clear fluid. Yeast infections of all kinds are effectively treated with medicated creams, suppositories, and in the case of oral thrush, with a lozenge or mouthwash.

    ” Athlete’s Foot

    Tinea Pedis is better known as athlete’s foot. This fungal skin infection got its name because it prefers moist, warm environments, and athletes participating in sports for extended periods of time are prime candidates. Their feet sweat is as they experience physical activity, and since socks and shoes are worn sometimes for hours in many sports, the feet of casual and professional athletes frequently develop this condition.

    Locker rooms, swimming pools and the floors of public restrooms and showers are breeding grounds for Tinea Pedis if not cleaned and sanitized frequently.

    Symptoms include blisters, redness, an itching and burning sensation, and cracking of skin on the feet. The most common athlete’s foot occurs between your toes. Athlete’s foot is easily remedied with antifungal medication which can be purchased over-the-counter. In extreme and rare cases oral drugs may be prescribed.

    ” Jock Itch

    Clinically referred to as Tinea Cruris, the more common name of this fungal skin condition is jock itch. The word jock is another name for athlete, and like athlete’s foot, this infection of the skin is common for those who participate in sports frequently. This fungus prefers warm, moist areas of the body. It causes an itching sensation which is usually a found on the inner thighs, around the genitals and on the buttocks.

    Jock itch shows up as an itchy, red rash and is more frustrating and discomforting than actually being a serious health concern. Flaking, cracking and peeling skin is sometimes present. Similar in behavior and treatment to athlete’s foot, jock itch responds well to antifungal sprays, powders, creams and medications.

    ” Ringworm

    Not a very serious health condition, Tinea Corporis is not a worm at all, but rather a fungal infection. It can show up anywhere on your skin and appears as a red, circular, flat sore. Scaly skin is sometimes present. The exterior of the sore may be raised while the skin in the center looks normal. This condition can be spread through direct contact, and is more effective as a contagion when heat and humidity levels are high. A topical application of antibiotic creams is usually all that is needed to clean up the problem.

  • What Is Psoriasis?

    What Is Psoriasis?

    Psoriasis is a skin condition where the skin cells build up. The cells don’t shed the way they should. This results in raised itchy red or silvery, flaky or scaly dry flakes, that are extremely itchy.

    It is commonly seen on the elbows, knees, wrists and scalp, but can appear anywhere on the body. It is caused by abnormal white blood cells that affect normal skin shedding and results in rapid proliferation of the skin cells.

    Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease, but is believed to be genetically inherited. As of now, there are no cures for psoriasis, but there are medications used to manage and control symptoms of psoriasis.

    Some people will experience remission from psoriasis and have clear skin for months, but this remission doesn’t last long for psoriasis sufferers as it tends to return, especially if medications are stopped.

    There are different manifestations of psoriasis. Mild psoriasis can be very light and may only appear as dryness or minute patches can be seen on the skin. Some people are not even aware they have psoriasis at all.

    There are also instances where psoriasis is so severe that the whole body is covered with red, thick scaly skin and the person visibly appears to be affected with a terrible skin disorder.

    Psoriasis can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex or race. Studies have shown that psoriasis symptoms tend to worsen during winter. Stress, infections, and certain medications can also worsen psoriasis symptoms.

    Psoriatic Arthritis

    In some cases, psoriasis can cause tenderness, swelling and pain in the joints, as well as inflammation in the connective tissues. This phenomenon is called psoriatic arthritis. This can result to dactylitis (swelling of the fingers and toes) and spondylitis (affects the hips, spine, and knees).

    Psoriasis Traditional Treatments

    The main treatment for psoriasis are topical treatments, such as lotions, creams, and ointments. Cortisone creams and ointments with salicylic acid are also used to remove the scaling of the skin.

    Pills and immune injections are also administered to boost the immune system as psoriasis is worse among individuals with weakened immune systems.

    Phototherapy is another method used to treat psoriasis by means of ultraviolet light.

     

    Psoriasis Natural Treatments

    Some medications used to manage psoriasis can be harmful and can cause complications especially to individuals with predisposing illnesses.

    Therefore, natural treatments and remedies have been used as a safer way to manage psoriasis. Some of these are:

    ” Moisturization

    Dry, scaly skin is the most common symptom of psoriasis and it’s the dryness that is responsible for the itchiness, so a good moisturizer applied daily all over the body provides your skin the necessary hydration it needs and alleviates itchiness caused by the drying of the skin.

    ” Bathing

    Bathing helps hydrate the skin, but too much bathing can also leave your skin dry. Lukewarm water helps for better moisturization. Use bath oils to further moisturize the skin. Pat the body dry and apply more moisturizer!

    ” Sun Exposure – Not Too Much

    Vitamin D is good for the skin, but excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn and worsen psoriasis. Always apply a sunscreen to sensitive skin and limit your sun exposure to 20 minutes a day, and avoid the midday burn hours.

    ” Quit Smoking

    Studies shows that smoking has negative effects on the skin, so if you have psoriasis, you have another reason not to smoke. Smoking leaves the skin dry and scaly and tends to make psoriasis worse.

    Although psoriasis can have a genetic predisposition, there are steps you can take to manage symptoms of psoriasis.

  • Skin Cancer and Melanomas – What You Need to Know

    Skin Cancer and Melanomas – What You Need to Know

    Having a doctor tell you, “It’s cancer,” can be life-changing. There are numerous treatments for a wide variety of cancers, but as with many conditions, the best cure is prevention. Experts tell us that skin cancer is greatly preventable, by astute management of solar exposure.

    Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer by far, and melanoma is less common than other varieties. It is the third most commonly diagnosed skin cancer.

    However, melanoma skin cancer is also much more likely to spread than those other more common cancers of the skin. Is also the most dangerous form of skin cancer, because the DNA damage is irreversible. This often triggers mutations that lead to malignant tumors. What you may think is a simple mole could be a melanoma tumor, caused in the vast majority of cases by intense UV exposure. This is why wearing sunscreen is so important if you are outdoors and exposed to the sun for more than 10 or 20 minutes at a time.

    A single, significant and prolonged exposure can cause melanoma, or it may develop over time from continued UV exposure.

    There is good news though. Identified and treated early, melanoma can almost always be cured. The problem is when it begins to spread and advance throughout the body, multiplying and hiding in places that are very hard to treat.

    Melanoma deaths in the United States number more than 10,000 annually. The death toll globally is thought to be somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 every year. If you notice a mole or growth on your skin, don’t take any chances. Get it checked out immediately.

    Melanoma can appear as a black or brown spot, but may alternately be red, purple, blue, pink or even white. If you are concerned about a small growth or discoloration somewhere on your skin, have a dermatologist or your general practitioner take a look, just to be on the safe side.

    2 Most Common Forms of Skin Cancer

    It is believed that somewhere between 10% and 20% of all people will develop some type of skin cancer in their lifetime. In the United States, roughly 1 in every 7 people can pencil in a date with skin cancer, and it is found in young and old alike. Research shows a single serious sunburn can elevate your risk of developing skin cancer by as much as 50%. The following are the 2 most common forms of cancer of the skin.

    ” Basal Cell Carcinoma

    This skin cancer affects roughly 800,000 Americans annually. This is far and away the most common form of skin cancer, and the roughly 3% occurrence rate in the US is also found in other modern countries. Chronic exposure to sunlight is the leading cause of basal cell carcinomas, most often found in those of middle age or over. If you have fair skin, blonde or red hair and blue, gray or green eyes, your risk is elevated. Basal cell carcinoma will not spread.

    ” Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    This is the second most common skin cancer, occurring in the outer layer of the skin. Again, middle-aged and elderly people, those with fair complexions and anyone who undergoes frequent sun exposure are at the highest risk. You may notice a bump or red, scaly patches on the lips, the face, the ears or the mouth, which is a telltale sign of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. If not treated in a timely manner, this type of skin cancer can spread to other areas of the body.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy