● Alcohol : Drinking should be done in moderation. Alcohol can have a dangerous side effect when mixing with certain medications. ● Vitamin A : Clients with a compromised barrier should avoid certain derivatives of vitamin A that are likely to cause severe reactions of peeling and redness. (Campbell et al., 2018). When to refer eczema to a dermatologist Eczema is a chronic skin disease, marked by unyielding itching and scratching. Recent studies report that 16.5 million adults in the U.S have atopic dermatitis (eczema). (Atopic dermatitis). Therefore, it is more likely that a skin care professional will encounter an eczema client in their practice. In the event that a professional notice the following issues during a consultation, refer the client to a physician immediately, as these clients require a more aggressive form of treatment:
● Clients who develop an itchy rash. ● Clients who have a family history of eczema or are experiencing a moderate to a severe case of eczema. ● Clients with yellow to light brown crust or pus-filled blisters over existing eczema patches. (When should you call your doctor about eczema?) Eczema awareness month Although 6.6 million people are affected with moderate to severe eczema symptoms, eczema can look and feel different for each client. The month of October 2019 has been recognized as National Eczema Awareness Month. (October is National Eczema Awareness Month, 2019). The purpose is to raise public awareness, raise funds for eczema research, and for the eczema community to share their personal stories about living with eczema.
IMAGES OF ECZEMA
A picture of eczema on the inside of the wrist area with inflammation and hyperpigmentation:
A baby affected with a severe case of eczema:
WHAT IS PSORIASIS?
immune system, and exposure to external factors known as triggers. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis occurs in all racial groups; however, it is reported, that 3.6 percent of Caucasians have psoriasis, compared to 1.9 percent of African Americans. Furthermore, studies state that one out of three people affected with psoriasis reported having a relative with psoriasis, too. Psoriasis is a recurring inflammatory skin disorder that is not contagious. Unfortunately, there is no cure. Psoriasis can show up anywhere, but typically affects the nails, scalp, knees, elbows, and back. Sudden flare-ups of psoriasis of the hands and feet should be treated promptly, especially if accompanied by blisters, cracking and swelling. Psoriasis can affect the facial area, including, eyebrows, ears, nose, upper lip, forehead, hairline, and back of the neck. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, scalp psoriasis can manifest as a mild to severe form of crusted plaques covering just the hairline or the entire scalp and is very similar to eczema, which is often mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) when found on the scalp. (Campbell et al., 2018). However, seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic form of eczema that appears on the scalp, upper back, and nose, where sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands) are located. Seborrheic dermatitis tends to be greasy and the scales yellow or white; whereas scalp psoriasis is thick, painful, and silver in color.
According to current studies, 125 million people worldwide, accounting for two to three percent of the total population, have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches to appear on the skin. (About Psoriasis, 2019). Psoriasis is named for the Greek word psora “to itch.” (Morin, 2014). It is a dysfunction in the body’s immune system that causes the body to attack itself. (Nordqyist, 2017). The role of a properly functioning immune system is to defend the body against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, transplanted organs, and tissues. Psoriasis is identified by: inflamed skin, with patches of redness, itchy, flaky, scaly, silvery, white patches of abnormal skin, that can crack or bleed. These symptoms occur when skin cells tend to grow too quickly. (About Psoriasis, 2019). Skin cells are naturally replaced every 21 to 28 days, through a process called desquamation or cell turnover. (Nordqvist, 2017). The new skin is created in the stratum germinativum, the deepest layer of the deepest layer of the epidermis, and there are always new skin cells on the surface of the skin. However, with psoriasis, new cells grow every two to six days. Instead of shedding off, the buildup of the dead cells on the surface of the skin form silvery, scaly, thickened plaques. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, and can occur at any age, but usually between the ages of 15 to 35. Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, they must have a combination of specific genetics, a faulty
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