Archive for October, 2009

Heat Rash Babies

Most bumps and blotches on a newborn baby are harmless and clear up by themselves. A rash is any skin bumps or blotches. The rash can be red, skin-colored, or slightly lighter or darker than skin color. By far the most common skin problem in infants is diaper rash.

Another common skin problem that occurs with babies is heat rash. With heat rash babies pores of the sweat glands become blocked. This generally happens when the weather is hot or humid. As the infant sweats little red bumps and possibly tiny blisters form because the blocked glands cannot clear the sweat.  When the weather is hot or humid, the infant sweats, but because of the blockage of the sweat glands, this sweat is held within the skin and forms little red bumps, or occasionally small blisters in young infants.

Some helpful suggestions to avoid heat rash are during the hot season dress your baby in light-weight, soft, cotton clothing. Cotton is very absorbent and keeps moisture away from the baby’s skin. If air conditioning is not available a fan may help evaporate moisture and cool the infant. Place the fan far enough away that there is only a gentle breeze drifting over the infant. Avoid the use of powders, creams, and ointments. Baby powders don’t improve or prevent heat rash. Creams and ointments tend to keep the skin warmer and block the pores. Most often, heat rash goes away on its own. Severe forms of heat rash may need medical care, but the best way to relieve symptoms is to cool your skin and prevent sweating.

Heat rash is also known as prickly heat and miliaria and it does not just affect babies. Though it’s most common in infants, heat rash affects up to a third of adults living in tropical climates and can bother anyone during hot, humid weather. Heat rash develops when your sweat ducts become blocked and perspiration is trapped under your skin. Symptoms range from superficial blisters to deep, red lumps. Some forms of heat rash can be intensely itchy or prickly.

Heat rash usually heals on its own and doesn’t require medical care. See your doctor if you or your child has symptoms that last longer than three or four days, the rash seems to be getting worse or there are signs of infection such as increased pain, swelling, redness or warmth around the affected area or pus draining from the sores.  Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or groin and fever or chills are all warning signs of a more serious condition.

Heat Rash Miliaria

Rashes can be caused by many different kinds of things and many of them are very distinguishing.  A rash can be defined as any spots or red markings that appear on the skin, which is often itchy. There are many different types of skin rashes or dermatitis.

Dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation or swelling. Symptoms of dermatitis include redness and inflammation of the skin.  This is usually localized. The red area may form tiny blisters that leak clear fluid, and then become crusty. There is also severe itching. This is probably the worst part about a rash. There are actually many different kinds of dermatitis. Exposure to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac is an example of contact dermatitis because a rash due to an allergic reaction develops as a result of direct contact to the skin. Other common causes of contact dermatitis include allergic reaction to wearing certain jewelry such as nickel, wearing certain perfumes, using certain cosmetics, shampoos, laundry detergents for your bed linens and clothes, household cleaners or solvents and the list goes on.

People develop rashes for different reasons, but usually it is due to an allergic reaction to something, either by direct contact or by ingesting something that the person in allergic to. Also rashes can be symptoms of certain diseases, such as chicken pox, measles or scarletina. Heat rash, miliaria or prickly heat are just a few of the names for what is typically known as heat rash.  It is most common in babies and young infants when they become overheated.

Miliaria crystallina is another type of heat rash. In this particular rash the skin doesn’t get red and inflamed. The normal appearance is of small clear vesicles. These are without any redness or other symptoms. Miliaria crystallina is a type of heat rash that occurs when the sweat ducts become blocked and rupture. These sweat ducts are closer to the skin surface though and don’t get inflamed, leading to the classic appearance of small clear vesicles on the child’s skin, typically on their neck, head, or upper chest.

Prickly heat, which is also known as miliaria rubra, is the most common type of heat rash. In this form of heat rash, the sweat duct becomes red and inflamed and manifest as small bumps with a red halo around them. They can be found grouped together inside the folds of his or her skin, such as the neck, armpits, and groin.

Eczema Pictures

Eczema is a disease in a form of dermatitis or inflammation of the epidermis. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. Eczema pictures show this to include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema which is swelling, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions, although scarring is rare.

Doctors do not know the exact cause of eczema, but an abnormal function of the immune system is believed to be a factor. Some forms of eczema can be triggered by substances that come in contact with the skin, such as soaps, cosmetics, clothing, detergents, jewelry, or sweat. Environmental stimulants like substances that cause allergic reactions may also cause outbreaks of eczema. Changes in temperature or humidity, or even psychological stress, for some people lead to outbreaks of eczema.

Eczema can be intensified by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can be beneficial to skin healing and relief of symptoms. There is no known cure for eczema, so the treatments aim to control the symptoms like reduce inflammation and relieve itching.  Corticosteroid creams are sometimes prescribed to decrease the inflammatory skin reaction in eczema sufferes.

While any area of the body may be affected by eczema, in children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles. In infants, eczema is commonly seen on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck.

Eczema can sometimes occur as a brief reaction that only leads to symptoms for a few hours or days. In other more severe cases, the symptoms persist over a longer time and are referred to as chronic dermatitis.

Soaps and harsh detergents should not be used on affected skin because they can strip natural skin oils and lead to excessive dryness. Instead, the use of moisturizing body wash, or an emollient like creams or lotions, will maintain natural skin oils and may reduce some of the need to moisturize the skin. Another option is to try bathing using colloidal oatmeal bath treatments. In addition to avoiding soap, other products that may dry the skin such as powders or perfume should also be avoided.

Heat Rashes

Prickly Heat occurs when sweat glands get blocked and sweat is trapped under the skin. Prickly heat, which is also known as miliaria rubra, is one of the most common types of heat rashes. In this form of heat rash, the sweat duct becomes red and inflamed and manifest as small bumps with a red halo around them. They can be found grouped together inside the folds of his or her skin, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Symptoms are itching, redness of the skin and tiny blisters.  It’s most common in hot humid weather. Anyone can develop it and it usually only lasts a few days. When the skin is cool and dry, it will disappear.

Although heat rash usually goes away on its own in a few days, some children do require treatment.  This may be as simple as removing the child from the environment that triggers the rash.   Moving the child inside to a cooler, air conditioned environment also goes a long way to easing their discomfort.  Mild strength topical steroids, although these usually aren’t needed can be used for treatment if necessary. Calamine lotion is another remedy often used on itchy baby heat rashes.  Another option to try is compresses with cool water.  In the event a secondary infection does occur, antibiotics will probably be needed to treat it.  Another alternative is to dress the child in less clothing.

Heat rash is also called miliaria. Heat rash is most common in babies and young infants when they become overheated.  This happens either because it is too warm outside or they are simply overdressed.  It could also be because they have a fever.  Miliaria profunda occurs in people who have experienced repeated episodes of prickly heat.

Miliaria crystallina is another type of heat rash. In this particular rash the skin doesn’t get inflamed, leading to the standard appearance of small clear vesicles. These are without any redness or other symptoms.

A key factor in preventing heat rashes like these is avoiding excessive heat and humidity when possible. Some ointments, including moisturizers, or oil based products can block the sweat ducts and should not be used on a child’s skin. Most methods of preventing heat rash start with the goal of keeping your child from getting overheated. Take steps to dress your child in weather appropriate, loose fitting clothing, so that he doesn’t get overheated.  These things go a long way to prevent the discomfort of getting heat rashes.

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot Groin

Superficial fungal infections of the skin, known as dermatophytes, are some of the most common self-treatable trivial medical conditions affecting the population today. As many as one in five Americans have a dermatophyte infection at any particular time. When talking about the number of people affected the overall frequency is exceeded only by acne. Dermatophytes are limited to the upper layer of skin, where they subsist on the dead skin cells called keratin. There are several common dermatophytic infections constantly active in the United States. Ringworm, athlete’s foot, groin infection or what is commonly referred to as jock itch, are also quite common. It is difficult to determine the exact incidence of groin infections. It is not a reportable disease. Another factor that hinders documenting cases is the fact that patients are able to recognize it and treat it until it is cured.

Itching of the groin and in the genital area can be bacterial, but more often than not is caused by fungal infections. Humidity and moisture are contributing factors to coming down with any fungal infection. What occurs is similar to the growth patterns that are seen in molds, mildew, and similar plant species. They prefer warmth and moisture to be more specific. Clothing that fits tightly is thought to be an influencing factor in most fungal groin infections. For women, wearing pants instead of dresses has been labeled as one such influencing factor. Two significant factors come into play here. The first is the potential for moisture to accumulate underneath tight confining garments. Another is the risk of wearing clothing that has become contaminated and is not cleaned well. That is why most experts will recommend boiling the underclothing or contaminated garments thoroughly to minimize the occasion of the infection coming back.

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot also may cause jock itch or tinea cruris, which is an infection of the groin.  Toenail infection (onychomycosis), and fungal infection of the hand called tinea manuum can also be spread by athlete’s foot fungi. Vice versa having any of these other fungal infections is a risk factor for athlete’s foot. Most people who get this rash are in good health. Ringworm, athlete’s foot, groin infections occur more often in teenagers and young adults.   These infections are also more likely to show up if a person is experiencing hormonal imbalances or has a suppressed immune system.

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot Tinea Pedis

Athlete’s foot is a rash that occurs on the soles of the feet and the skin between the toes. It is the most common fungal infection in the United States and is estimated to affect up to 70% of the world’s population at some time in their life. Ringworm athlete’s foot, tinea pedis in medical terms, is common worldwide in adults of both sexes and all races.  In a study done comparing professional and college soccer players to non-athletes did show that athlete’s foot was notably more common in the soccer players. This infection is not only found in athletes. It is also common in military personnel, boarding school students, and farm workers.

There are three main types of athlete’s foot.  Each type has a different appearance and symptoms, though any two or even all three types may occur together.  Interdigital athlete’s foot is an infection of the web spaces between the toes.  It is most often seen between the 4th and 5th toes. The skin appears moist and waterlogged and is often itchy.  This is the most common kind of athlete’s foot.  It has been found that some people seem to be much more susceptible to athlete’s foot than others.  Even in those who have an otherwise normal immune system. There is a type of immunity known as the innate immune system.  It could be that slight variances in this system may make some people more resistant to athlete’s foot than others. Studies have shown that a protein with antimicrobial properties, known as beta-defensin-2, is elevated in skin from people with athlete’s foot, suggesting that this protein may play a role in host defense against fungus.

Ringworm, athlete’s foot, tinea pedis are all names for this contagious skin infection.  It may be contracted by using locker rooms and communal showers that are teeming with the causative fungi. It is more common in areas of high heat and humidity and in people who wear shoes. It is a fact that in cultures where people go barefoot, athlete’s foot is quite rare.  The fungi that cause athlete’s foot require moisture in order to grow. Feet that spend hours a day confined in shoes provide the damp dark environment needed.  To prevent athlete’s foot be aware of these risk factors, living in a warm humid climate, wearing air-tight shoes, using locker rooms and public showers, having another fungal infection such as jock itch, fungal toenails, or fungal infection of the hand, Immunosuppression and diabetes mellitus.

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot Cream

The ringworm fungal infection, athlete’s foot is often treated with topical antifungal agents, which can take the form of a spray, powder, cream, or gel. The most common ingredient in over-the-counter products is miconazole nitrate. In the United States the typical concentration found in products is two percent.  Tolnaftate is also quite popular. One percent concentration is normal in the U.S. for it. Terbinafine is another over-the-counter drug. There are a big variety of prescription antifungal drugs available. These encompass many different drug families. They are ketaconazole, itraconazole, naftifine, nystatin, caspofungin. In one study it was found that allylamines which are terbinafine, Amorolfine, naftifine, butenafine, cure slightly more infections than azoles.  Azoles include miconazole, ketaconazole, clotrimazole, itraconazole, and sertaconazole.  Undecylenic acid which is a known castor oil derivative is a fungicide that can be used for athlete’s foot and other skin infections. Whitfield’s Ointment or benzoic and salicylic acid is an older treatment that is still used on occasion.

There are many conventional medications like over-the-counter and prescription medicines as well as alternative treatments for athlete’s foot .and other fungal skin infections.  In most cases of ringworm athlete’s foot cream seems to be the treatment of choice.  Keep in mind that the practice of good hygiene is always important with any treatment plan you use. Conventional treatment typically involves daily or twice daily application of a topical medication along with hygiene measures to help with prevention. To prevent the infection from returning a person should keep feet dry and good hygiene practices can never be stressed enough. Severe or prolonged fungal skin infections may require treatment with oral anti-fungal medication. Zinc oxide based diaper rash ointment is another option that may be employed. Talcum powder can also be used to absorb the moisture.

Some makers of these products have made claims that a gel penetrates the skin more quickly than a cream and does not promote the excess moisture.  No matter which ringworm athlete’s foot cream or gel used, curing the infection may take as long as 45 days, or in extreme cases possibly longer.  The recommended course of treatment is to continue to use the topical treatment for four weeks after the symptoms have subsided. This is to ensure that the fungus has been completely eliminated. It is quite common for patient to end treatment too quickly because in most cases the itching associated with the infection goes away more quickly than the actual infection.

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot Contagious

Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, contagious rashes can all be contracted if you come into direct contact with someone who is infected.  Touching contaminated items can also spread the infection. Direct skin contact also raises the chances of Ringworm or other contagious skin infections. Humans are far more likely to contract Athlete’s Foot or Ringworm from places like a school, playground, gym, or shower facilities. Tinea corporis in medical terms, but Ringworm to most people, is the name used for minor skin afflictions of the trunk, legs or arms of a dermatophyte fungus. Dermatophytes are a group of related fungi that infect and live on the top layer of the epidermis.  Ringworm in the feet is a skin infection is called Athlete’s Foot and caused by this fungus that can affect the scalp, skin, fingers, toenails or feet.

The term Ringworm refers to round or oval red scaly patches that appear on the skin.  They are often seen to be less red and scaly in the middle or can even look healed at the center.  It is typical for one ring to develop inside another preexisting ring. Acute Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot infections show up as itchy inflamed red patches that may be pustular.  Chronic Ringworm is more likely to be found in sweaty body folds.  Severe cases of Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, contagious rashes and the like all have a tendency to be hard to treat and have a likely-hood of recurrence.  There are non-fungal conditions that look a lot like Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot and other contagious rashes.  They include impetigo, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Discoid eczema, Lichen simplex, Contact allergic dermatitis and Pityriasis rosea.

Athlete’s Foot symptoms may appear suddenly and then spread rapidly.  In chronic cases there is a slow growing area of a relatively mild, minimally inflamed, rash.  It will more than likely affect exposed areas and it is not uncommon that it could also spread from other infected areas.  Athlete’s Foot is most often treated with antifungal drugs topically applied. Topical therapy is adequate in most patients with Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot or other contagious rashes.   It is normal for creams containing anti-fungal agents to work by hindering the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol. This is a necessary part of fungal cell membranes. If ergosterol synthesis is completely or partially blocked, an intact cell membrane can no longer be produced. This effectively kills the fungus. Keeping feet clean and dry, not sharing socks or contaminated articles and wearing shower shoes goes a long way to keeping Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot contagious as it is from spreading.

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot Rash

There are various signs and symptoms of ringworm athlete’s foot rash and will, in most cases, not be apparent at the same time.  Some symptoms that may indicate you have contracted an affliction of ringworm, athlete’s foot rash are itching, stinging and burning between your toes, itching, stinging and burning on the soles of your feet, itchy blisters are some of the signs.  Other signs are dry flaking skin, especially between your toes and on the soles of your feet, excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet, and toenails that are thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed.

With athlete’s foot and jock itch infection, the skin often becomes itchy, and the rash can spread quickly.  It is a common occurrence to have both jock itch and athlete’s foot at the same time.  This is no surprise since both are caused by fungi.  Athlete’s foot rash as well as jock itch is a form of ringworm.  Not a worm at all it affects the outer layers of skin, hair, or nails.  The infection is in reality a fungal infection affecting the feet and can also spread to other body parts.

Athlete’s foot rash is an extremely common skin disorder. It is the most common and perhaps the most persistent of the fungal infections. As hinted by the name, in instances of fungal ringworm, athlete’s foot rash is widespread in male athletes, but definitely not limited to them. Using public showers and locker rooms will increase the prospect of getting athlete’s foot rash.  Fungi breed, grow and spread in steamy locker rooms where you will find wet towels, sweat dampened workout clothes, and damp floors.

Athlete’s foot rash is an itchy rash affecting the feet that is very common.  Athlete’s foot rash normally is not serious but the infection is aggravating and a nusiance. Secondary bacterial infection can result from the fungal infection and is something to watch out for.  These other complications may develop as breaks in the skin, open sores, ulcers.

To prevent the spread of the fungus from your feet to other areas such as the groin, put your socks on before you put on your underwear.  Wear shower shoes when public showers and locker rooms are used.  Dry off well after you exercise and shower.  Don’t share your towel with anyone.  Workout clothes, underwear, socks, and towels should always be washed after each use.

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot Toenails

Ringworm is a widespread fungal infection. The dermatophyte fungus that causes ringworm of the foot and ringworm of the nails live on human skin. Ringworm of the foot is also called athlete’s foot. It appears as a scaling or cracking of the skin, especially between the toes.  Ringworm of the nails causes the affected nails to become thicker, discolored, and brittle, or to become chalky and disintegrate.

The infection most commonly shows up between the toes first and then moves to the arch. Between toes the fungus may have an uneven border with scaling present. Flare-ups may cause increased redness, and irritation. The soles of the feet may become infected causing skin thickening as the fungal infection spreads. Severe cases can cause pain, itching, inflammation and redness. When ringworm athlete’s foot affects the toe nails, they may become infected causing a change in color, thickness and surface smoothness. Mild cases may be treated with topical anti-fungal products. Oral medication may be required in severe systemic cases.

A toenail fungus or fingernail fungus will develop when conditions are right. The first condition is the presence of a warm and damp environment. These conditions allow a rapid growth and the spread of the dermatophytes. Socks and shoes are perfect places to foster this environment. Socks that do not absorb moisture away from the feet become breeding grounds of the nail fungus. Vinyl shoes or shoes that are too tight and do not allow the feet to breath will encourage the feet to sweat. The moisture encourages the nail fungus to grow.

Nail fungus or in medical terms,Tinea Unguium, comes from tiny organisms that live in fingernails as well as toenails. These microorganisms use nails of our fingers and toes very effectively as barricades. If the infection sets in the barricade may prevent treatment of the skin ailment.  Nail infections are fairly common. The nail bed is where the fungi usually grow. The fungus grows slowly but luckily does not accumulate in other internal organs of the body.

The mere presence of the dermatophytes on the skin does not immediately mean a ringworm athlete’s foot toenail fungal infection. The good news is fungal infections are not considered contagious nor are they easily transmitted by different individuals. As is common with most infections, nail fungus affects people with weaker immune systems. Be aware that fungi easily survive on weak defense systems.