Prevent the oil buildup

Acne happens as a result of excessive sebum that clogs up the pores. To prevent this oil buildup, you should wash your face twice everyday. Use a mild soap or liquid based cleanser.

Do not scrub

Scrubbing might give you the feeling of doing a good, hard job of cleaning your skin but it can actually make your acne worse. Scrubbing can irritate the skin which can result in an acne flare-up. Wash your skin gently and use your hands instead of a washcloth.

Use the right products

Make sure that any cosmetic products you use- make up, moisturizer, sunscreen- are oil free. Look for labels like ‘oil free’, ‘noncomedogenic’, or ‘nonacnegenic’ on the product packaging.

Use hair gels and sprays carefully

Styling your hair isn’t going to cause acne but your gel or hair spray can contribute to acne if you aren’t careful using them and apply them to your face by mistake. These products can clog up the pores which can lead to acne.

Carefully remove makeup

Before going to sleep, don’t just quickly wash your face and call it a day. Whenever you remove your makeup, take the time to cleanse your face. Residual make up can clog up the pores.

Keep your hair away from your face

This is mostly an issue for people with longer hair. Keep your hair clean and tucked away from the face to reduce the oil content.

Avoid caps and hats

You could get pimples along your hairline by wearing baseball caps and hats. Avoid them if you have an acne problem.

Clean up after work outs

Whether you’ve been exercising or just sweating a lot, make sure you take a nice shower or bath afterwards. Remaining clean and dry is important in reducing acne.

Don’t touch

It’s true for most skin conditions: touching and scratching only makes it worse. Our hands are the most effective way of transporting bacteria and, by touching your face, you only provide them with a free ride! Try to avoid the temptation!

Don’t pick, pop and squeeze

Most importantly, you should not pick, pop, squeeze or otherwise mess with your pimples. You acne will grow worse.

Try over the counter solutions

Products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can help prevent acne and even treat it. But always be careful of using these products as you might be allergic to an ingredient (and hence make the acne worse) or damage your skin. Visit us at the MedHelp clinic for advice on acne prevention and the right products for your skin.

ACNE

A skin condition, acne has some very clear and unpleasant symptoms. It manifests itself in bumps on the skin, ranging from whiteheads and blackheads to pimples (red bumps) and pustules (pus-filled bumps).

Causes

The exterior of your skin consists of thousands of tiny little pores or hair follicles. This pores contain sebaceous glands that make sebum- the natural, body produced oil that provides moisture for your skin and hair. In the normal functioning, these glands make just the right amount of sebum and the pores are fine. But hormonal changes (such as the one experienced by preteen and teenage boys) can cause an increase in the oil production which, combined with bacteria and dead skin cells, can clog up the pores on your skin and, therefore, cause acne.

The acne that teens and kids get as a result of hormonal changes is known as acne vulgaris and it usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and upper back. Puberty is often accompanied by acne but, bad as it might seem at that time, most people grow out of acne problems by the time they are in their twenties.

Acne can also be hereditary. If your parent had acne growing up, chances are that you will too. Another cause of acne is stress. It’s no wonder that teenagers are worst hit by acne: the hormonal changes as a result of puberty and teenage angst and depression can both result in an acne outbreak!

Types

The blemishes and zits that appear as a result of acne can be categorized as follows:

• If the pore closes up after getting clogged up, it will bulge out from the skin and result in a whitehead.
• If the pore stays open despite the clogging, its surface will darken and you will get a blackhead.
• If the walls of the pores are broken, sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells can get under your skin and cause the infection known as pimples.
• Cysts are more serious infections that happen due to clogged up pores that open deep into the skin.

Poisonous Plants

If you have gotten a rash from a poisonous plant in the past, find out all you can about the plant, what it looks like and where it grows. That way you can avoid coming in contact with it unintentionally. Also, when you’re outdoors on a camping trip or a walk through the woods, make sure you wear long sleeved tops and pants. The more your body is covered, the less likely it is to rub against poisonous plants.

Bugs

If you get rashes because of certain bug bites, use an insect killer to make your home and workplace a bug-free zone. Apply an insect repellant ointment to your skin before going outside for maximum protection.

Allergic or irritant contact dermatitis

Many people are allergic to substances like certain metals (nickel is an oft-cited irritant), bubble baths or products that are made from certain ingredients. If that’s the case with you, make a conscious effort to avoid the particular irritant. Stop wearing nickel jewelry and say goodbye to bubble baths.

Eczema

Eczema and other dry skin conditions require particular care. For starters, you can stop using soaps as they can drain the moisture from your skin and make it dry and parched. Use clean liquid based cleansers and moisturizers instead. Creams, lotions and sunscreen should be a part of your regular skin regime. Also, take cool showers instead of hot baths or showers. Hot water showers and baths can do substantial damage to your skin over time and reduce the existing moisture content.

Remember to apply moisturizer when your skin is wet. It shouldn’t be dripping wet but there should be enough water on your skin for the moisturizer to capture and retain it. Using moisturizing products on dried and parched skin isn’t as effective. Again, prevention is better than cure. Your skin is less likely to become dry and itchy if you use moisturizer to prevent the conditions- not treat them.

Sun

Red and itchy skin and bad sunburns can happen to any of us if we are exposed to the sun long enough. However, these problems are especially frequent if your skin is already photosensitive and has a history of sun-related rashes. Always use sunscreen before you go out to protect your skin from the harmful effects of sunlight.

What to do if you have the rash?

The good and bad part of having a rash is that you get to know right away if you have it. It will start irritating you and you will probably feel itchy and uncomfortable. If the rash appears while you are at your school or workplace, you should see an appointed nurse within the building.

When you develop a rash, the temptation to scratch at it will be quite potent. However, scratching only worsens a rash and doesn’t do any good besides making you feel better. If you start scratching the rash, you’re in the danger of turning the rash into an infection or a scar. So remember- no matter how badly you want to scratch yourself, its better if you don’t.

We discussed the many types of rashes in our previous article. Whether your rash is because of eczema or a poisonous plant, your symptoms would be similar- red and itchy patches of skin. By seeing a dermatologist, you can pinpoint the exact type of rash you have and get just the right treatment for it. For instance, the dermatologist might recommend emollients (special moisturizers) for eczema but cool showers, calamine lotion and/or antihistamines for rashes developed because of poison ivy. Emollients preserve the moisture in your skin and keep it smooth while soothing the itchy feeling. And used in only severe cases, antihistamines decrease the redness and itchy feeling.

Rashes such as hives that are caused by allergic reactions require special treatment. Your dermatologist will ask you for your history with allergens, and question you about the type of foods, substances, medicines or insects you’ve come in contact with recently. A medical test might also be administered to identify the allergen that’s causing you problems.

Knowing the particular allergen types that cause rashes on your skin helps you prepare better for the future. Since no cure has been found for allergies, avoiding the substances that cause allergic reactions (such as hives) is the most effective preventive measure. After all, you don’t want to develop hives at the restaurant only to discover later that you’re allergic to peanuts!

For further advice and rash treatment, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

A rash (or dermatitis) is a swollen or irritated area of the skin. Alongside redness, itchiness, lumps, bumps and scales, rashes can also be dry and scaly. Rashes cover a broad group of conditions including blisters, hives and pimples. And as your mother can probably tell you, you had ‘diaper rash’ when you were a baby. Most of these rashes don’t signify serious trouble but when they are accompanied by fevers or are the result of an allergic reaction (in the case of hives), they could be symptoms of serious medical conditions.

TYPES OF RASHES

Hives (also known as urticaria) appear as pale or reddish swellings in response to exposure to an allergen like a certain type of food, medicine or bug bite. While you could also get hives because of a virus, if the cause is an allergy, it’s because the body’s immune system had released a chemical named histamine to combat the allergen but, as with all allergic reactions, it’s doing more bad than good.

Here are some other types of rashes:

Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a common rash which causes dry, chapped and bumpy skin on, usually, the elbows and knees. In its more serious form, eczema can cause redness, scales and swelling all over the body.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

An irritating agent, such as a particular chemical, soap or detergent, can cause irritant contact dermatitis. Even a nasty sunburn is a type of irritant contact dermatitis as it also causes red, swollen and itchy skin.

Allergen Contact Dermatitis

Whether it’s a food item or a certain metal, you could get a rash because of an allergic reaction. So for instance, if you are allergic to the metal nickel, wearing any jewelry that contains that metal would trigger an allergic reaction which would appear as a rash. Any area of your skin that the jewelry touched could turn red, crusty and scaly.

 Urushiol

While the name ‘urushiol’ might strike you as unusual, it’s a resin or oil that appears commonly in poison ivy, oak and sumac. If you’ve been out camping or taking a walk along some wild trek, you could contract a rash because of your proximity with urushiol.

Join us next week as we discuss treatment for rashes. For instant treatment and more advice, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

What is a work injury?

A work injury can be defined as one you have sustained at the workplace at no fault of your own. So, for instance, if an installation falls over you and hurts you, your employer is to blame. But if you cut yourself while opening a regular soda can, you can not hold the employer liable. Understanding this difference is vital in order to approach the matter in an informed way and make sure that you don’t have to give up your rights.

 What to do right after the injury

Reporting a work injury right away to your management is essential in ensuring that you will be compensated for your injury and medical expenses. Most companies have a pre-set time frame in which a work injury has to be reported for the claim to be valid. If your condition is severe and requires urgent medical attention, you should make that your first priority and ask a coworker to call for emergency help and report the injury on your behalf. Most workplaces in the US have a system in place already that deals with work injuries so notifying the right person shouldn’t be a problem.

If your injury is comparatively minor, you can get first aid and report the injury yourself. You will be expected to give a detailed account of the injury, including its exact nature, extent, time and any witnesses, to the concerned personnel.

Your company might want you to see a company doctor or agree to reimburse your expenses if you decide to see an external or preferred physician. However, it is important to find out about your company policies beforehand so that you don’t run into problems later on. For instance, your own health insurer might not cover work injuries and expect your employer to pay for the expenses. In that case, you will need to report your injury in a timely manner and follow your company instructions regarding the healthcare provider you should see and the forms you will need to fill.

In case your injury requires you to take some time off work, your company should give you a paid leave. However, that is also only possible if you have fulfilled your employer’s requirements regarding work injuries.

For emergency treatment and more advice on work injuries, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

1.       Always wear protective gear

If you are biking or playing football or baseball, wear a helmet. A helmet is a common and useful protective gear for a range of sports but it’s not the only thing you need. Depending on what sport you play, you will probably need eye protection, pads, special shoes known as cleats, mouth/knees/elbow guards and/or a protective cup etc. It is important for kids to consult their coaches and parents for advice on the right protective gear.

2.       Warm up before you start

Before you start playing, you should take some time to properly warm up. Lots of kids- and even some professional players- sometimes just dive right into the game without giving their body a chance to prepare itself for the physical exertion. Your warm up should ideally be between 15 to 30 minutes and it should begin with a light jog. The jog should be followed by gradual stretching that will help your muscles loosen up and get ready for the game.

3.       Play by the rules

There are rules for every game. They tell you about the right way to play the game and they tell you what’s allowed and what’s not. The rules not only govern a fair game but also ensure player safety. When you and the rest of players know their roles and the right way to interact with each other, there are bound to be far less injuries.

4.       Be mindful of other players’ safety too

Sports injuries can spell disaster for a player’s life and even be fatal. And no game win is as important as player’s health and life. When you keep this in mind, you’ll be able to engage in fair, courteous gameplay where all the players watch out for each other. It could be something as small as telling another player that their shoelaces are untied but it could end up saving them from a nasty sport injury. You will need the good karma for professional success!

5.       Don’t keep playing if you are injured

This is the golden rule in sports safety. Don’t jeopardize your health just because you don’t want to stop playing or are eager to get on the field again. An injury that hasn’t had the time to heal completely could turn into a far worse condition if you start playing again without recovering. You might have to sit one game out. But it’s far better than missing out on sports all your life because you became reckless.

PREVENTION IS KEY

All the best sportsmen and players know that safety comes first. If you sustain an injury as soon as you step out on the field, you could miss out on the whole game- and at times- your whole possible career. In our next article, we will discuss some tips that can help you protect yourself and prevent sports injuries. But first let’s take a look at the types of sports injuries.

TYPES OF SPORTS INJURIES

Sports injuries can be broadly divided into two categories, acute traumatic injuries and overuse or chronic injuries.

ACUTE TRAUMATIC INJURIES

If you’ve ever sustained a sport injury from a single sudden blow that was powered by a single application of force, you have experience an acute traumatic injury. Acute traumatic injuries stem from sudden accidents and can range from the slightly unpleasant to life threatening. Following are the types of acute traumatic injuries:

• Fractures: The cracking, breaking and/or shattering of bones.
• Bruises: Medically known as contusions, bruises are a result of swelling or bleeding in muscles and other body tissue.
• Strains: Strains entail the stretching and tearing of muscles or tendons. A tendon is basically the end of the muscle and it connects the rest of the muscle to the bone.
• Sprains: Ligaments are tissue that join bones and cartilages and strengthen the joints. A stretch or tear in ligaments can cause sprains.
• Abrasions: These are the scrapes we know so well.
• Lacerations: Lacerations are cuts and wounds to the skin that usually require stitches.

OVERUSE/CHRONIC INJURIES

Overuse/chronic sports injuries develop over time. Repetitive training (as in running, tennis etc.) can cause chronic injuries. They include:

• Stress fractures: Stress fractures are the tiny bone cracks that can develop as a result of repeat pressure on the same area. For instance, they can develop in the feet if you’re a basketball player as that involves a lot of jumping.
• Epiphysitis or apophysitis: These are growth plate overload injuries.
• Tendinitis: Repetitive stretching can cause tendon inflammation known as tendinitis.

If you or someone you know has suffered a sports injury, visit us at the MedHelp clinic right away for treatment and advice.

Following are the four biggest misconceptions about skin cancer:

1.       You only need to visit a dermatologist once a year

Most people are under the impression that a yearly visit (if at all) to the dermatologist for a mole check is all you really need to stay on top of things and be pre-warned about any possible cancer signs. However, while this may be true for some lucky people, the truth is that if you’re fair skinned, have suffered sever sun burns in the past and/or have a family history of melanoma, you’re at a much higher risk for skin cancer and you should see a dermatologist at least twice a year. You should always have your skin profiled by a qualified medical expert to better understand your particular skin type, its vulnerability to certain risks and the ways you can protect it.

2.       Sunscreen should be applied when you get to the beach

Most of us put the sunscreens in our bags and purses before heading out and only lather them on when we finally hit the beach. However, such a short notice is not enough for the sunscreen to do its work. Sunscreens take around an hour to absorb into your skin so you should always apply them well in time. And since you’re exposed to sunlight as soon as you head outside- and not the moment you step on the sand- you shouldn’t wait to be fully exposed to the sun before applying sunscreen.

3.       Base tans are harmless

Tanning is essentially skin damage so the mentality that base tans protect you from burns and skin damage is a total myth. The base tan basically involves you dipping yourself into harmful UVA/UVB rays two times over. Skin damage is inevitable and no amount of self-assurances is going to change that!

4.       Dark skinned people don’t need to worry

Fair skinned people have historically been at higher risk for skin cancer but dark skinned people aren’t safe either. Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate on the basis of skin color and you could get it even if you have dark skin and have never had bad sun burns. In fact, skin cancers are more difficult to detect in darker skins because the signs are not as easily recognizable as they are with fair skins.

Visit MedHelp clinic today for more skin advice.

In children, colds are a very common ailment and could be the result of many non-allergy related causes. However, if you think your child comes down with a cold at roughly the same time every year- and the cold lasts longer than a week every time- you should see a doctor about any possible allergies your child may have. By asking you questions about the symptoms and when they occur, your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis, prescribe any necessary medication or refer your child to an allergist for any required skin tests or therapy.

Standard skin tests involve allergists testing you or your child for common allergy types. You will be exposed to a number of possible environmental or food allergens that you could have an allergic reaction to. This way, you can zero down on the substance you’re allergic to and get treatment and advice for your condition.

A skin test can be conducted either by dropping liquidized allergen into a pricked area of your skin or by injecting the allergen directly under your skin. While this sounds risky and painful, it really isn’t if the test is performed under careful, controlled and standards-abiding conditions like those in our MedHelp clinic. In cases where the allergic reaction is predicted to be intense (as with small children), blood tests can be performed instead of skin tests. That way you can avoid exposure to an allergen that you’re highly sensitive to and which can cause you significant disease or physical harm. Note that while blood tests may be deemed necessary in certain cases, they are both more expensive and less sensitive for diagnosing allergies.

If you’re allergic to the allergen administered to you during the skin test, a reddish lump will appear on the ‘infected’ area of the skin after 15 minutes.   However, positive result of a skin or blood test showing an allergic reaction is only valid if you or your child also show associated. So for instance a skin/blood test showing an allergic reaction to dust mites would only be valid for a child if the child sneezes frequently while playing on the floor. If the child seems to have no allergic reactions to a dusty environment, the skin/blood test results are deemed indefinite.

If you think you or your child might have any allergies, pay us a visit at MedHelp clinic. Our trained team of doctors and medical experts will provide you with a diagnosis and advise you about treatment options.