A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some interesting facts that were not necessarily related to eczema and psoriasis.  Today I decided to stay on track.  I have some more interesting facts but they are related to eczema and psoriasis.

These are the sort of things that don’t get mentioned in the everyday articles written about these conditions.  I hope you find them as interesting as I do.

Fact #1
Experts predict that 15% of young children suffer from atopic eczema.  It is more common in urban areas than rural, small families than large families and in wealthier families.  The reasons for this are unclear.

Fact #2
Eczema, asthma and hayfever are all; closely related.  They are all atopic conditions with a strong familial basis.  It is estimated that approximately 50% of children with eczema will develop asthma or hayfever.

Fact #3
Psoriasis affects approximately 2 – 4% of the population.  The first symptoms usually appear between the age of 10 – 35 years, although it can appear at any age.

Fact #4
Almost 50% of psoriasis sufferers will experience psoriasis of the fingernails where the nail appears pitted.

Fact #5
In the UK 1 in 10 people suffer from eczema.  That is 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 8 children.

Fact #6
In the UK eczema costs 288 million pounds every year.  Amazingly one third of this amount is spent by the eczema sufferers themselves on topical treatments – creams, oils, ointments etc.

Fact #7
Occupational dermatitis/eczema, a type of skin inflammation caused by contact with irritant substances used in the workplace is thought to account for over half of the working dayslost in the UK every year.

Fact #8
Studies show that approximately 60% of Americans are deficient in omega 3 and 20% have so little that test methods are unable to detect any in their blood.

Skin infections are a common problem associated with eczema.  The problem is the eczema is just so itchy it is hard not to scratch.  The skin is already tender, fragile and irritated so repeated scratching can easily break the skin.  An infection on top of the eczema at this point is common.

Infected eczema can be identified by raw oozing areas.  Yellow, crusted patches will also develop.  The legs, wrists, hands and face are the areas most commonly affected.  Once an infection is present it is not uncommon for movement of the area to become limited and to feel generally unwell.

Medical treatment is required

Medical treatment is required.  An antibiotic cream may be prescribed to apply directly to the infected skin or in some cases oral antibiotics may be required.

The easiest way to treat an infection is to prevent it occurring in the first place.  Keep the skin clean and well moisturised and try not to scratch.  Keep nails short and if necessary wear mittens.

One in five children will develop eczema at some stage during their childhood.  And whilst eczema usually develops before the age of two years and has resolved before the child reaches school age, this is not always the case.

It is uncommon for eczema to develop before the age of two months.  However eczema developing in the early months of life, (usually between two and four months) is typically characterised by a rash that oozes and is crusty.  In these early months the rash most often appears on the face first and gradually extends to the limbs, especially in the elbow and knee grooves.

Many children have outgrown the worst of their eczema by the age of two years but for some the eczema rash is only just appearing.  Eczema first appearing around the age of two years tends to present as a drier rash and the skin is often scaly.

Eczema is itchy

Regardless of the age that the eczema appears and the characteristics of the rash, all eczema is itchy.  It is the itch that often makes the eczema most uncomfortable and has the potential to cause the most damage to the skin.

Despite the fact that most children outgrow their eczema, the condition has no cure. Eczema must run its course.  For some this may take a few months or the condition may appear at intervals over several years.

For others the eczema rash is present on the skin continuously for its entire duration which may be for years.  It is possible that this may extend beyond childhood into adolescence and even into adult life.

Moisturising is vital

Treatment of eczema is therefore aimed at controlling the symptoms. The main symptoms include dry, inflamed skin, a red rash and of course the itchiness.  Keeping the skin moist by using moisturisers is the first line of treatment.

Well-moistened skin is less easily irritated, less likely to crack and become infected and less prone to being itchy. Regular use of a moisturiser is vital in effectively treating eczema.

There are many creams available that have been especially formulated to control the symptoms of inflammation and itchiness.  For the best effects they will usually need to be used along with a good quality moisturiser.  Eczema creams can be purchased by a doctor prescription, over the counter from a chemist or natural health store or over the internet.

Finding the right cream for your baby can take some time as eczema is very individual and the effects that different treatments have will vary from person to person.

When selecting a non-prescription cream it is important to select one that has few preservatives and no added perfumes as these may aggravate rather than ease the discomforts of eczema.

To effectively control eczema ongoing care and treatment is required.  The condition itself will last for months, even years and persistent ongoing skin care will help to ensure that the symptoms of eczema are kept to a minimum.

When you have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis it is very beneficial to read as much as you can so that your knowledge of your condition is as broad as possible.  The problem is that many people write in terms that many of us do not understand.

What exactly is a macule?  Is it like a nodule or more like a papule?

It can get very confusing and trying to work out the terminology can take away from the information in what you are reading.

Below are a list of terms and their meanings commonly used to describe skin blemishes.

Blister:  Fluid enclosed in a small pocket under the upper layer of the skin (epidermis).  A blood blister is filled with blood and is the result of an injury.  A water blister is filled with clear serum.

Boil:  Tender, red, swollen area that is filled with pus.  It is an abscess on the skin and can be caused by bacteria, inflamed sweat glands or clogged sebaceous glands.

Cyst:  A closed capsule filled with fluid or a thick material.

Lesion:  A sore.

Macule:  A blemish on the skin that is flat.

Milia:  whiteheads.

Nodule:  A small solid bump.  It may develop in any layer of the skin and be as big as 2 cm in diameter.

Papule:  A small solid bump (usually smaller than 1 cm) that rises above the surface of the skin.  Also known as a pimple.

Pustule:  A small pimple in the skin filled with pus.  Usually arising from the sweat glands or hair follicles.

Vessicle:  A small blister.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by an overproduction of skin cells.  The condition not only affects the skin but may also affect the joints and nails.

Nail Psoriasis

It is believed that up to 50% of people affected with the inflammatory skin condition, psoriasis will experience a degree of psoriatic nail involvement.  This is a common chronic problem that usually affects the fingernails, however the toenails may also be involved.

The classical symptom of nail psoriasis is pitting of the nails.  The nails may develop small holes and become severely misshapen.  Nail discolouration is also a common feature, as the nails become yellowish brown in colour.

As the condition worsens the nail may crumble or separate from the nail bed.  This is the result of the psoriasis affecting the skin under the nail.  This condition is often not only unsightly but painful.  Pain may become so severe that it restricts daily activities.

Nail psoriasis responds slowly to treatment.  The condition is often difficult to treat, as there is no single treatment that will help everyone.  It is therefore important to prevent the condition from progressing.

We should all take care of our nails.  This is especially so for anyone suffering from psoriasis, whether their nails are affected or not.

How to care for your nails

• Do not use your nails as a tool.   They are not screwdrivers or scrapers.

• Do not clean the nails or under the nails too vigorously.

• Keep the nails at a sensible length to reduce the risk of trauma or injury.

• Avoid nail polishes containing formaldehyde or the solvent tolvene.

• Avoid nail polish removers containing acetone.

• Soak affected nails regularly and apply a moisturiser afterwards.

• Soak thickened nails before carefully filing them with an emery board.

• Wear well fitting, roomy shoes to minimise pressure and friction on the nails.

• Nail hardeners and artificial nails will improve the look of intact nails.

Having trouble relieving that itch?

One of the main problems for people with eczema is that persistent, drive-you-mad itch. It seems to go on and on and no matter how much cream you use it just won’t go away.

Ever tried a cold compress?

Simple, easy, safe

Inflamed eczema skin is always hot due to dilated blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. By cooling the skin and constricting the blood vessels the heat will be taken out of the skin and the itch will be reduced.

Remember the skin is inflamed, not sprained. A cold compress is needed not an ice pack. You do not want to freeze the sensitive skin. Similarly you do not want to dry the skin out more so you do not want the pack to be moist or wet.

A dry, cold compress can be used intermittently offering remarkable, temporary relief to inflamed, itchy skin.

Sometimes I read things that I find quite amazing.  They don’t always have anything to do with eczema or psoriasis or even the skin but they still have a bit of the “wow factor”.

Today I thought I would share some of those little facts – just because …

Fact #1
In the course of a life time you will , while sleeping eat 70 assorted insects and 10 spiders.

Fact #2
50 000 cells in your body will have died and been replaced by new cells while you have been reading this sentence.

Fact #3
The most common non contagious disease in the world today is tooth decay.

Fact #4
A person’s entire skin weighs around 4kg (8.75 lb) which is around 7% of the total body weight.

Fact #5
The average person sheds 18kg (39.5 lb) of skin cells in a life time.

Fact #6
About 3% of white adults have psoriasis, however it is uncommon in colored people.  It affects both sexes equally and is rare in small children.

Fact #7
In the last 30 years the number of people with eczema has doubled.

It has been around forever but it seems that the incredible benefits of Omega 3 are only just becoming widely known.  Sure naturalists have advertised the benefits of Omega 3 for years but it seems to me that it is only in far more recent times that omega 3 has been considered an important asset to our bodies.

Omega 3 is a powerful weapon against many common diseases and ailments including heart disease, cholesterol, hypertension, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, menstrual cramping, acne, diabetes, depression, dementia, Attention Deficit Disorder, inflammation and eczema.

In fact omega 3 is vital for general well being.

Buy Mega Oil Today!

In history the relevance of omega 3 has been of less significance as the typical diet contained sufficient omega 3 naturally for it not to be a problem.  Our modern way of life in the western world has changed this.

We now eat less fresh fruit and vegetables grown naturally in our own back yards and less oily fish freshly caught by our hunting husbands.  Our diets now are highly processed.  Many of our foods are tinned, packaged, pre prepared or heaven forbid “fast”.  The end result for most people of the western world is a diet low, or in many cases, completely deficient in omega 3.

What is Omega 3?

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid (or polyunsaturated fatty acid) found in fish tissues and some leafy green vegetables.   They were originally classified as “Vitamin F” until it was realised that they must be classified with the fats.

Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are particularly valuable because the body needs them to function properly but is unable to manufacture them on its own.  EFA’s protect cell membranes throughout the body keeping them efficient at admitting healthy substances while barring damaging ones.

Put simply Omega 3 is one of the “good fats” and our body needs it to stay healthy.

Omega 3 has been found to have many benefits:

It improves the health of the cardio vascular system by lowering serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels to make blood less viscous, thinner and less sticky and therefore less likely to clump together.  High cholesterol, heart disease and high blood pressure are all less likely when a diet high in omega 3 is observed.

Omega 3 also acts as a mood stabiliser and memory enhancer.  It therefore has a beneficial effect in the control of ADD, depression and bipolar disease as well as dementia in old age.

It reduces the inflammation associated with gout, lupus and fibrocystic breasts thus minimising the resulting symptoms of joint pain, swelling and generalised discomfort.

Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory actions and skin soothing properties that give it a powerful skin-healing ability.  The red, itchy skin associated with eczema, psoriasis, acne and sunburn will often respond to these positive qualities of omega 3.

And the list goes on…..

Omega 3 is found naturally in oily fish like salmon and mackerel, walnuts, flaxseeds, canola oil and leafy green vegetables.  The Japanese rarely experience conditions related to low levels of omega 3 because their diet naturally contains many of these foods.  For those living in the western world and eating the typical diet of today omega 3 is not so plentiful.  In fact the normal dietary intake of omega 3 in most western countries is pitifully low.

Omega 3 supplements are required

An omega 3 supplement is required by most western living people in order to maintain an optimal degree of health.  Supplements are available from most health food stores in  either tablet or liquid form.

The Graham’s Mega Oil is a dietary oil supplement designed specifically for this purpose.  Not only is it high in omega 3 but it has a calculated ratio of omegas 3, 6 and 9 that will enhance the immune system, decrease inflammation and improve general well being even more than omega 3 on its own.

Mega Oil is available in a liquid form and is ideal as it can be taken directly from the spoon or added to your favorite foods like pasta, salad or yogurt.  This makes it a more palatable way to take omega 3 and an easier way to give it to children.

Some closing thoughts

As I have yet to see vege gardens appearing in my neighbours back yards or our husbands setting off to work with a fishing line in one hand and a spear in the other it would seem that the Mega Oil type supplement of omega 3 is a must if we are going to get control of the ever inflating conditions of our modern way of life.

I believe it is time we took a look at our diet and started to reduce the amount of heart disease, skin conditions, obesity, behavioral disorders and autoimmune diseases we are now suffering.

A bucket load of oily fish or a tablespoon of Mega Oil.

I know which one I would prefer.

Psoriasis doesn’t look good!

And because of this people who do not have psoriasis are often quick to judge the condition and the person who has the condition.  To help eliminate some of those falsely believed judgments here are some true facts about psoriasis:

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition.
Psoriasis is red, scaly and itchy.
Psoriasis runs in families and is therefore hereditary.
Psoriasis is rare in young children.
Psoriasis affects both males and females.
Psoriasis is more prevalent in Caucasians.
Psoriasis is sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Psoriasis usually affects otherwise healthy people.
Psoriasis is not contagious.
Psoriasis has no cure.

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent skin disease characterised by discrete, bright red patches covered with silvery scales. The cell production in psoriasis has malfunctioned so the psoriasis sufferer develops cells much more quickly than a person without psoriasis.

The rapid production of the psoriasis cell results in an abnormal cell being produced which appears different and does not offer the same protective functions as the normal cells of the skin.  Psoriasis most commonly affects the scalp, trunk, knees and elbows. The nails are also commonly affected developing a pitted appearance and flaking at the free edge.

We all hate germs, and many of us spend a lot of time removing any trace of them from our homes.  We may however be doing more harm than good.

In layman terms, there are two types of germs.  ‘Good’ germs that our bodies need to stay healthy and ‘bad’ germs that make us ill.  Modern trends have us not only killing the ‘bad’ germs, but also killing off any trace of the ‘good’ germs.  Everyday bacteria, viruses and fungi are all necessary germs for maturity of a child’s immune system.

Without the ‘good’ germs a child’s risk of actually developing an allergic condition such as eczema or asthma are significantly increased. Other autoimmune conditions are also on the rise such as Type 1 diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases.  In these conditions, as with any allergic condition, the immune system is attacking something that is not a threat to the body.

Professor Graham Rook of Royal Free and University College in London says, “Allergies have gone from being rare to being something that affects 40 – 50% of kids in some inner cities.”

Rook believes the likelihood of developing these allergy-related conditions is greatly reduced if children are brought up on a farm or if they have older male siblings.

The modern way of life in western societies means there is more air conditioning, poor ventilation and a tendency to indoor lifestyles, combined with an obsession to clean away all the ‘good’ germs. This is resulting in the immune systems of our children not developing as well as they once did.  The end result is allergy and allergy-related conditions.

How do we overcome this problem?

The answer is not to stop cleaning, but rather to revert back to a more natural way of life.  Use natural ventilation by opening windows rather than closing your home up and relying on air conditioning.  Encourage children to play outside rather than inside.  And of course we still need to clean but perhaps we should be a little less obsessive about it.