Symptoms of Skin Diseases

Symptoms of Skin Diseases

The symptoms of skin diseases are as varied as the causes. Some of the most common symptoms include inflammation, itching, blisters, and dryness. Many times the symptoms may overlap each other and it takes a specialized skin doctor, also known as a dermatologist, to get to the root of the problem.

Causes of Skin Disease

Skin diseases may be caused due to local problems (such as eczema), or may be exhibited due to a deeper underlying condition (such as acne). It may even be caused due to an auto immune disease (such as psoriasis) or due to infestations by tiny insects (such as scabies). Let us take a look at some of the common skin diseases and their causes:

1. Acne: Acne is a condition that affects almost every individual during puberty. It is caused when hormonal imbalances in the body which are experienced mainly during puberty, cause the production of excess oil (sebum) on the skin. This oil blocks the pores of the skin, trapping any bacteria that reside in the pores, and providing them with ideal conditions to grow and multiply. The trapped bacteria and dirt lead to inflammations which are termed as acne or pimples.

2. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease that affects the skin as well as the joints. As is the case with many auto-immune disorders, the exact causes behind psoriasis are unclear; however, it is presumed that an accumulation of toxins in the body may be the root cause.

3. Eczema: Eczema is characterized by extremely dry skin that frequently develops rashes and may sometimes also ooze fluids or blood. Eczema may either be genetic or may be caused by external factors such as harmful chemicals.

Home Remedies for Skin Disease

Home remedies offer an inexpensive and safe option for treating skin diseases. For example, regularly washing your face with a face wash that contains tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial agent, helps to kill the bacteria residing in the pores of the skin and helps to reduce instances of acne. Epsom salt baths or mud baths coupled with frequent exposure to sunlight are excellent home remedies for psoriasis. The application of oatmeal or seawater can help reduce the inflammation and itchiness associated with eczema.

Diet for Skin Disease

A proper, well-balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients helps to keep you healthy and is also good for the skin. Consuming fresh fruit and vegetables is especially beneficial in treating conditions such as psoriasis. Eczema can sometimes be triggered by food allergies, so it is a good idea to identify and avoid any food sources that aggravate this condition.
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Leg Cramps - Causes and Treatments

We have all experienced leg cramps [the involuntary contraction of a single or a group of muscles] at some stage in our lives, while varying in duration and pain they can be quite incapacitating and tend to involve the calf muscle, hamstring or quadriceps. The sudden onset of a cramp can be very painful [with a lot of discomfort] and although this does not last for long it can leave a person writhing in agony for the duration [can be less than a minute].

Age does not play a role in the cramps appearance but the elderly do tend to get them more than the younger generation. Nocturnal leg cramps [not to be confused with restless leg syndrome] are very painful and quite problematic in that they interfere with a persons sleep, though they do not last long, night cramps can leave the person feeling listless and tired.

Symptoms

* Sudden onset, twitching sensation, Excruciating pain, Muscle tenderness, Hardness and tenseness of the affected muscle, Inability to move the affected limb

Causes

It is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the cramp but the following may induce the problem.

* Pregnancy - probably due to the additional strain on the limbs and will end once the baby has been born
* Exercise - over exercising may also cause the muscles to cramp
* Dehydration - poor fluid intake
* Muscle fatigue - over-exertion
* Excess weight - puts extra strain on the affected muscles
* Medicine - some side effects from certain medications e.g. diuretics
* Hormonal, electrolyte or fluid imbalance
* Unusual exercise - doing something that you do not do as a norm e.g. hanging curtains or gardening
* Abnormalities of the nerves or muscles
* Lack of blood to the affected area

Factors that could aggravate the occurrence:

* Excessive intake of alcohol
* Lack of activity
* Sedentary lifestyle
* Mineral or vitamin deficiencies [calcium and potassium]

Night cramps could be a symptom of some other condition e.g. Addison or Parkinson's disease

Treatments

1) Drink plenty of fluids - do not rely on your intake of coffee or alcohol [these are diuretic] rather drink plenty of water or re-hydration liquids
2) Wear good shoes - you need to support yourself properly when walking
3) Do some stretching before going to bed - this will help relax the muscles and aid in limiting the occurrence of nighttime cramps
4) Ensure that your diet is well balanced - helps provide all the minerals and vitamins needed to prevent the condition
5) During an episode try to relax the body, deep breathing will assist while trying to do this
6) Massage - lightly massage the affected area with a soothing balm [in the natural direction of the muscle]
7) Soak in a warm bath or take a hot shower - this will aid in relieving the pain
8) Stretch the muscle gently - do this in the direction that your body wants it to stretch
9) Cold packs - these will assist in relaxing the tensed muscle
10) Heating pad - will help alleviate the pain after an episode
11) Avoid tight bed covers, these can make your feet point in the wrong direction

Essential foods to ensure your minerals and vitamins are at their right levels
bananas, grapes, apricots, raisins, all green leafed vegetables, tomatoes, all citrus, pork and lamb, fish - tuna especially, potatoes, corn

Try including a few of the above in your daily food intake to ensure the correct nutritional balance. As with all medical problems - if you feel that nothing is helping solve the problem - go see your doctor.
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