Bed Bugs

http://www.medicinenet.com/bed_bugs/article.htm

Bed bugs facts

• Bed bugs are small, oval non-flying insects that feed by sucking blood from humans or animals.
• Bed bugs can live in any area of the home and can reside in tiny cracks in furniture as well as on textiles and upholstered furniture. They tend to be most common in areas where people sleep and generally concentrate in beds, including mattresses, boxsprings, and bed frames.
• Bed bugs are most active at night and bite any exposed areas of skin while an individual is sleeping. The face, neck, hands, and arms are common sites for bedbug bites.
• A bed bug bite is painless and is not noticed. Small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin are the most common sign; redness, swelling, and itching commonly occur.
• Typically, no treatment is required for bed bug bites. If itching is severe, steroid creams or oral antihistamines may be used for symptom relief.
• Fecal stains, egg cases, and exuviae (shed skins) of bed bugs in crevices and cracks on or near beds are suggestive that bed bugs may be present, but only observing the bugs themselves can confirm an active infestation.
• A professional pest-control company may be required to help identify and remove bedbugs from the home.

What are bed bugs? What do bed bugs look like?

Bed bugs are small, oval non-flying insects that belong to the insect family Cimicidae, which includes three species that bite people. Adult bed bugs reach 5 mm-7 mm in length, while nymphs (juveniles) are as small as 1.5 mm. Bed bugs have flat bodies and may sometimes be mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches. Bed bugs feed by sucking blood from humans or animals. Adult bed bugs are reddish brown in color, appearing more reddish after feeding on a blood meal. Nymphs are clear in color and appear bright red after feeding. The wings of bed bugs are vestigial, so they cannot fly. However, they are able to crawl rapidly. Temperatures between 70 F-80 F are most favorable for bed bugs, allowing them to develop into adults most rapidly and produce up to three generations per year.

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 9/20/2011

Hailey-Hailey disease

http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/SkinInformation/AtoZofSkindisease/HaileyHaileydisease.aspx

What is Hailey-Hailey disease?

 

Hailey-Hailey disease is also known as familial benign chronic pemphigus. It is a rare inherited skin condition, in which red scaly areas or small blisters appear at sites of friction.

 

What causes Hailey-Hailey disease?

 

A small error in the DNA code for a gene on chromosome number 3 (one of the 46 chromosomes that we all have) has been shown to cause Hailey-Hailey disease. Normally this gene plays a part in ensuring that the cells in the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) stick together properly. In Hailey-Hailey disease, this adhesion of cells is impaired, resulting in separation of the cells in the epidermis, especially in areas of skin prone to friction such as the groin and under the arms. The altered gene runs in families and affects both men and women. Hailey-Hailey disease is not contagious, or a result of allergies. There is a tendency for Hailey-Hailey disease to get worse with sweating and friction, as well as in hot weather.

 

Is Hailey-Hailey disease hereditary?

 

Yes – see above. The condition is inherited in a pattern known as 'dominant inheritance', which means that there is a 1 in 2 [50:50] chance that each child of an affected parent will inherit the skin problem.

 

What are the symptoms of Hailey-Hailey disease?

 

Affected skin may become uncomfortable and itchy if the skin surfaces are continually rubbing against each other, such as in the groin when walking. Outbreaks tend to settle down in a few days with appropriate treatment (see below), and may improve without treatment. Very rarely, a severe flare-up in an area such as the groin, genital area or in the crease of the buttocks may make walking and working so uncomfortable that a patient might need a few days rest.

 

What does Hailey-Hailey disease look like?

 

The first signs of the condition usually appear between the ages of 15 and 40 years, but it may begin outside this age range. The severity varies enormously and is unpredictable. Red, scaly areas or small blisters appear at areas of friction, especially at the sides of the neck or in the skin folds under the arms, the groin or under the breasts. The skin looks entirely normal inbetween active episodes, and does not scar. Many patients notice that their condition improves as they get older.

 

How will Hailey-Hailey disease be diagnosed?

 

It is very common for the condition to be mistaken for eczema, contact dermatitis (due to an allergy), a sweat rash, a fungal infection or impetigo (a bacterial skin infection). If required, the diagnosis of Hailey-Hailey disease can be confirmed by examining a sample of the skin (a biopsy) under the microscope.

 

Can Hailey-Hailey disease be cured?

 

No. The underlying genetic defect cannot be altered; however, treatment does help and long remissions are common.

 

For further information about Hailey-Hailey disease please see this page on the website of the British Association of Dermatologists

Pityriasis Lichenoides

http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/SkinInformation/AtoZofSkindisease/PityriasisLichenoides.aspx

What is pityriasis lichenoides?

 

Pityriasis lichenoides is a rare skin disorder that will not harm your general health. The condition ‘pityriasis lichenoides’ means that the rash is scaly (pityriasis) and that it was once thought to look a bit like lichen (a type of plant that lives on rocks) because it is made up of small bumpy areas. 

 

There are two types, i) a short-lived form usually found in children (known as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA)), and ii) a more long-lasting form known as pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC). 

 

What causes pityriasis lichenoides?

 

The cause of pityriasis lichenoides is not known, but the symptoms that occur in the childhood form suggest that it may follow a viral infection. It is more common in males than females. Neither type of pityriasis lichenoides is infectious.

 

Is it hereditary?

 

No.

 

What are the symptoms of pityriasis lichenoides?

 

The main thing you will notice is raised spots that tend to come in crops. New spots can itch or irritate as they come up. 

 

What does pityriasis lichenoides look like?

 

The short-lived acute form (PLEVA): There may be a mild illness with a fever. The rash starts as separate pink spots, which form a little blister and may turn black. A crust forms on the surface and drops off to leave a small scar. The spots come up in crops, and so the rash consists of spots at various stages of development; some are small pink bumps, others have small blisters on top, and others are black in colour. The rash can look like chickenpox but takes much longer to clear. It rarely affects the face, but the spots are usually scattered on the trunk and limbs.

The chronic form (PLC): The spots look less angry and are covered with a firm shiny scale. A good diagnostic pointer is the way this scale, covering the top of a spot, can be scraped off as a single chunk, to reveal a shiny brownish surface underneath. The spots fade within 3 to 4 weeks, but new spots may then arise. The rash can clear up within a few weeks or persist for years.

How will it be diagnosed?

 

The look of the rash suggests the diagnosis; however, PLEVA can look like chickenpox (though it lasts much longer) and PLC can look like psoriasis, lichen planus or even insect bites. The examination of a small sample of the rash (a skin biopsy) under the microscope should confirm the diagnosis. 

 

Can it be cured?

 

No treatment is certain to cure pityriasis lichenoides.

Athlete's foot facts

• www.medicinenet.com/athletes_foot/article.htm
• Athlete's foot is a common dermatitis of the webs of the toes and soles of the feet.
• When caused by a fungus, athlete's foot may spread to the palm, groin, and body.
• Fungal infections of the feet are contagious and can be spread person to person or by walking on contaminated objects and floors.
• Athlete's foot may cause foot itching, burning, pain, and scaling.
• When athlete's foot is caused by a fungus, it can be treated with antifungal medications, many of which are available over the counter.
• Keeping the feet dry by using cotton socks and breathable shoes can help prevent athlete's foot.

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a very common skin condition that affects the sole of the foot and the skin between the toes. It is usually a scaly, red, itchy eruption and occasionally may be weepy and oozing. It affects the feet of athletes and nonathletes alike. Although it is frequently caused by a fungal infection, other causes may be indistinguishable without proper testing.
The medical name for athlete's foot caused by a fungus is tinea pedis. There are a variety of fungi that cause athlete's foot, and these can be contracted in many locations, including gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools, nail salons, airport security lines, and from contaminated socks and clothing. The fungi can also be spread directly from person to person by contact. Most people acquire fungus on the feet from walking barefoot in areas where someone else with athlete's foot has walked. Some people are simply more prone to this condition while others seem relatively resistant to it. Another colorful name for this condition is "jungle rot," often used by members of the armed services serving in tropical climates.
However, without proper growing conditions (a warm, moist environment), the fungus may not easily infect the skin. Up to 70% of the population may develop athlete's foot at some time during their lives. An infection by athletes foot fungi does not produce any resistance to subsequent infections.

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 9/22/2011

Vitiligo

http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/SkinInformation/AtoZofSkindisease/Vitiligo.aspx

What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and so become white. It is common, and affects about 1% of the world’s population.
What causes vitiligo?
The pigment that gives your skin its normal colour is melanin, which is made by cells known as melanocytes. The cause of vitiligo is not yet fully known but many think that it is a disease in which the body makes antibodies to its own melanocytes, and in doing so destroys them. After that, the skin cannot make melanin properly, and vitiligo is the result. In support of this idea is the way that people with vitiligo are more likely than others to have diseases, caused in much the same way, of other organs such as the thyroid.
It affects men and women of all races equally, but is most easy to see in people with dark skins. It is not catching.
Is vitiligo hereditary?
Only about a fifth of people with vitiligo know of someone in their family who has it; but the exact type of inheritance has not yet been worked out. One problem here is that so many people have no idea if their relatives are hiding vitiligo under their clothing.
If you have vitiligo, it does not follow that your children are sure to get it too.
Diet. There is no medical evidence of any dietary link and vitiligo. Therefore no dietary changes are recommended.
What are the symptoms of vitiligo?
These fall into two groups:
The sun burns the pale areas very easily. This is sore, and when the burn has settled down, the pale areas of vitiligo will stand out, more strikingly than before, against a background of tanned skin.
Many people become embarrassed or depressed by the look of their vitiligo, and by the questions that other people ask them about it.
What does vitiligo look like?
The most common sites for vitiligo are:
The exposed areas – vitiligo often begins on the hands and face.
Around body openings: the eyes, nostrils, mouth, umbilicus, and genitals.
In body folds: the armpits and groin.
Anywhere your skin has been damaged, for example by a cut or a burn.
Areas around pigmented moles (as part of “halo naevi”).
In one rare (segmental) type, vitiligo crops up on just one part of the body.
Although vitiligo not more common in people with a dark skin is it much more obvious. Premature greying of the scalp hair can accompany vitiligo.
Course of the disease. Vitiligo can start at any age, but about half of those who get it do so before they are 20. Its course is hard to predict, but it tends to progress slowly, with periods of stability, often lasting several years. The patches slowly change their shape and size, and the skin around them may be darker than normal. The hairs growing out of a patch of vitiligo may keep their normal colour or turn white too.
Some pigment comes back in a few patients but seldom does so completely. If it returns via the hair follicles, the areas do not look much better when they turn from white to speckled.
How will vitiligo be diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually easy to make on the basis of the look of the patches (white with a normal skin texture) and the fact that the areas of vitiligo on the left side of the body roughly mirror those on the right. An ultraviolet light  (Wood's lamp) can help to show up white areas that could have been missed in a pale-skinned person.
Once the diagnosis of vitiligo has been made, your doctor may want to check you for thyroid disease, and for other autoimmune conditions that are more common than usual in people with vitiligo.
Can vitiligo be cured?
Vitiligo occasionally goes away by itself, and some treatments may slow its progress, but a cure cannot be guaranteed.
For information about available treatments please visit this page on the website of the British Association of Dermatologists

10 Tips for Identifying and Treating Skin Rashes

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/problems/treating/10-tips-for-identifying-and-treating-skin-rashes.htm

You've been working in the yard, ripping out all those unwanted weeds. Sure, grass may make you a little itchy, but now you're scratching a small red patch and wondering where it came from. Could it be a skin rash?
Skin rashes are common, and there are a lot of them. Some come from an allergic reaction, while others could be fungal or viral. Generally speaking, a rash is considered any change to your skin's normal color or texture [source: WebMD].
Let's look at some tips for identifying different kind of rashes, as well as some ways to clear them up.

Hirsutism

What is hirsutism?
Hirsutism is the term used when a woman grows too much body or facial hair in a pattern seen normally occurring only in men.
What causes hirsutism?
Androgens are often thought of as 'male hormones' but, in fact, both men and women produce them - men usually in greater amounts than women. Testosterone is the best-known androgen, but there are several others too. Hirsutism can be caused either by abnormally high levels of androgens, or by the hair follicles being more sensitive than usual to normal androgen levels.
A small minority of women with hirsutism produce too much androgen and sometimes this is due to an underlying medical condition. In addition, some medicines can cause hirsutism - these include hormones, anabolic steroids, and sometimes oral contraceptive pills.
In fact, most women with hirsutism have no hormone imbalance or underlying medical condition. Many women develop more facial or body hair gradually as they get older, especially after the menopause. Few realise how common this is - but at least 25% of normal middle-aged women remove unwanted facial hair. In addition, women from different ethnic backgrounds have different patterns of hair growth, in which it can be normal to have some hair on the face, nipples or stomach.
Is hirsutism hereditary?
A tendency to hirsutism does run in some families and is not associated with an excess of androgens. It is normal in some families with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ancestry.
What are the symptoms of hirsutism?
Having too much hair can be highly embarrassing and cause great distress.
What does hirsutism look like?
The excess of thick, often dark, hair may be seen on the face, chest, abdomen and upper back. Women from certain ethnic groups tend to have more body hair than others and for them it may be quite normal to have some hair in these areas.
How will hirsutism be diagnosed?
Women with mild hirsutism and regular menstrual cycles seldom have an underlying medical problem. However, if a medical problem exists, your doctor should be able to detect it by asking you questions and then, if necessary, by performing blood tests.
It is important to see your doctor if your hirsutism is:
Severe
Developing quickly (over 1-2 years), or before puberty
Accompanied by menstrual problems
Associated with features suggesting an increase in androgens such as thinning of the scalp hair, baldness, or deepening of the voice
Accompanied by obesity or diabetes


Can hirsutism be cured?
Although a ‘cure’ is unlikely, local areas of excessive hair growth can often be cleared by electrolysis or laser therapy. The treatment of hirsutism with medication is usually less satisfactory as the problem often comes back when treatment stops.
For information about available treatments please go to this page on the website of the British Association of Dermatologists

11 Common Skin Problems and Solutions

http://www.menshealth.com/spotlight/skin/common_problems.php

By Abby Lerner

As the body's protective outer-shell, your skin puts up with a lot. Harmful elements such as chemicals, infections, cuts, scrapes, and sunlight keep the seemingly delicate organ under near-constant assault. The addition of sweaty gym-sessions and stress send your epidermis into overdrive, leaving it no choice but to react.

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We're not saying a flawless exterior is impossible, but it takes effort. We talked with Dr. Monica Carezani-Gavin, owner and medical director of Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, about how to deal with common skin problems and what to do when something pops (or shrivels) up.

Your Skin and Rosacea

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/skin-conditions-rosacea

Rosacea is a common disorder that mainly affects skin on the face. It causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. Over time, the redness can become more intense, taking on a ruddy appearance. Blood vessels may become visible.
In some cases, rosacea appears on the chest, back, or neck. It can affect the eyes, causing them to feel irritated and to appear bloodshot or watery. People with rosacea can also develop red solid bumps and pus-filled pimples. The disorder can cause the nose to take on a bulbous, swollen appearance called rhinophyma.

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Rubella

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Causes of Rosacea

The cause of rosacea is not known; however, different theories exist. One theory is that rosacea may be a component of a more generalized disorder of the blood vessels. Other theories suggest that the condition is caused by microscopic skin mites, fungus, psychological factors, or a malfunction of the connective tissue under the skin. Although no one knows for sure what causes rosacea, some circumstances and conditions can trigger it.

Risk Factors for Rosacea

Rosacea affects an estimated 14 million Americans -- most of them don't know they have it.
People who have fair skin and who tend to blush easily may be at a higher risk for the disorder. Rosacea appears more often among women, but men tend to have the more severe symptoms. A possible reason for this could be that men generally delay medical treatment until rosacea becomes advanced.

Is There a Cure for Rosacea?

While there is no cure for rosacea, medical therapy is available to control or reverse the signs and symptoms. If you suspect that you have rosacea, consult your doctor.

Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea

Rosacea's appearance can vary greatly from one individual to another. Most of the time, not all of the potential signs and symptoms appear. Rosacea always includes at least one of the primary signs listed below. Various secondary signs and symptoms may also develop.
Primary signs of rosacea include:

• Flushing. Many people who have rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. The facial redness, which may come and go, often is the earliest sign of the disorder.
• Persistent redness. Persistent facial redness may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away.
• Bumps and pimples. Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop in rosacea. Sometimes the bumps may resemble acne, but blackheads are absent. Burning or stinging may also be present.
• Visible blood vessels. Small blood vessels become visible on the skin of many people who have rosacea.

Other potential signs and symptoms include:

• Eye irritation. The eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot in some people with rosacea. This condition, called ocular rosacea, can also cause styes as well as redness and swelling of the eyelids. Severe cases, if left untreated, can result in corneal damage and vision loss.
• Burning or stinging. Burning or stinging sensations may occur on the face and itchiness or a feeling of tightness may also develop.
• Dry appearance. The central facial skin may be rough, and thus appear to be very dry.
• Plaques. Raised red patches may develop without changes in the surrounding skin.
• Skin thickening. In some cases of rosacea, the skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, resulting in a condition called rhinophyma. This condition often occurs on the nose, causing it to have a bulbous appearance.
• Swelling. Facial swelling can occur independently or can accompany other signs of rosacea.

Signs and symptoms of rosacea may develop beyond the face, affecting areas including the neck, chest, or ears.