Types of Skin Rashes

All types of skin rashes may or may not have the same causes and treatments. In this article, let's read about some of the most common ones that we can fall prey to.

Our skin is subjected to numerous conditions in the course of our daily lives. For example, dirt, pollution, sun poisoning, etc. Our skin often faces these things without any major reaction. However, not everyone has such strong skin. Sometimes, our skin just gives in, and we develop different types of skin rashes. There are various reasons and symptoms why skin rashes in adults or children occur. They may or may not be the same. Some of the most common skin rashes have been mentioned in the proceeding article. Lets find out what they are.

Different Types of Skin Rashes

As mentioned earlier, developing a skin rash can be due to many reasons. It could be a skin rash due to over exposure to the sun, or simply an allergic reaction to something. You could develop a rash on your face, or on your legs. Itchy skin rashes are probably the most common diseases and disorders of the skin. While some may fade away with the right medication or local application, some may require prolonged treatment. So, take the necessary steps if you are diagnosed with a specific rash. Now, let us see some rash types, along with their causes.

Skin Rashes Caused by Viruses
Viruses are a major cause of quite a few rashes that people may develop. When a person has a rash due to a viral infection, he may experience bumps all over the body. These bumps are red and itchy when formed. Gradually, they turn from the red, to a yellow, and finally a flaky brown as they fall off. The itchy rash, can often times be very painful for people. Visit a doctor if you have a doubt about any sudden eruptions on your body. Though the rashes generally disappear within a fortnight, it's always better to have an expert opinion. Given below are the most common virus rashes that people can experience:

• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Rubella
• Roseola Rash
• Shingles
• Fifth Disease
• Warts
• Molluscum Contagiosum

Skin Rashes Caused by Fungus
Another cause of rashes and other skin disorders are fungal infections. The major cause of fungal infections is coming in contact with people already having a rash, or from pets. Fungal rashes are red, and in the form of pustules. They are contagious, and the best way to avoid them is to have and maintain a very stringent hygiene routine. Fungal rashes are commonly mistaken for eczema, which requires a different treatment. Local applications work well for a fungal infection, but not without medical consultation. Here are some most common forms of fungal rashes:

• Ringworm
• Yeast Infections
• Athlete's Foot
• Jock Itch
• Tinea Versicolor

Skin Rashes Caused by Bacteria
Skin rashes are also caused due to certain bacteria. Bacterial rashes are characterized by small pus filled boils which can be quite painful. They are most common among children, and can also arise due to simple negligence, like scratching an inflamed insect bite, not maintaining simple personal hygiene, etc. Here are some skin rashes caused due to bacterial infections:

• Impetigo
• Skin Abscess
• Syphilis Rash
• Strep Throat Rash
• Lyme Disease
• Cellulitis Infection Rash
• Scaled Skin Syndrome
• Scarlet Fever Rash
• Malar Rash

Skin Rashes Caused by Allergies
Another major reason, and probably the most common cause of skin rashes is an allergic reaction. Your body may not be able to adjust with certain conditions or substances. Developing itching and other types of skin rashes are the body's way of reacting to these irritants. There are various substances that you could be allergic to, and the boils, sores, itchy skin, flakes, etc. that manifest on your skin when you come in contact with them, are symptoms of these allergies. Given below are some of the allergic rashes that are most commonly seen and experienced:

• Hives
• Nettle Rash
• Dermatitis
• Allergic Eczema Rash
• Hay Fever Rash

Skin Rashes Caused Due to Other Reasons
Apart from these most widely known and experienced skin rashes, there are some other reasons for them too. Given below are some other ones, that you might want to read up on, if you think you're experiencing them.

• Skin Rash from Sun
• Scabies
• Chlorine Rash
• Psoriasis
• HIV Rash
• Discoid Rash
• Insect Bite Rashes

Remember, you can develop skin rashes on any part of your body. Some rashes have been listed below, according to the area in which they occur.

• Skin Rashes on Legs
• Skin Rashes on Hands
• Inner Thigh Rash
• Itchy Neck Rash
• Dry Skin Rash on Face
• Baby Rash on Face
• Forehead Rash
• Groin Rash
• Armpit Rash
• Torso Rash
• Rash on Lips
• Mouth Rashes

Though these different skin rashes may sometimes seem embarrassing to talk about, you must make it a point to visit the doctor if your symptoms persist. Timely help, if not taken, can make a simple rash develop into something more dangerous.

Are You Allergic to Jewlry?

Women are very fond of jewelry and enjoy wearing them. But unfortunately, few of us develop sensitivity towards metals used for jewelry making and suffer from allergic reaction whenever we wear our favorite piece. Go through this article to learn about jewelry allergy and its treatment.

Women love to adorn themselves with jewelry at weddings, parties, social gatherings and even regularly. They love to show off their delicate pieces to everyone around, to gather attention and appreciation. But some women are not fortunate enough to wear their favorite jewelry simply because they are allergic to it. Are you allergic to jewelry? If yes, you are about to find out what is the reason behind developing such a reaction and how to treat jewelry allergies in sensitive people.

Nickel is a metal with a silvery-white color which is often used in combination with other metals to make alloys. Stainless steel is the most visible example of nickel alloy wherein iron and nickel are used in combination to form stainless steel. Nickel is also used to make jewelry, hairpins, buttons and several other items that we use in our daily life. Nickel is used in jewelry making to provide stability and toughness to soft metals and is one of the major reasons behind jewelry allergy.

Causes of Jewelry Allergy
Nickel is one of the prime causes of jewelry allergy. With body piercing gaining popularity these days, the incidence of nickel allergy is rising to a great extent. The appearance of allergic reaction can be within a few minutes of contact with the metal or after many instances of contact. The occurrence of the reaction varies from person to person and can develop at any age. Other reason behind jewelry allergy is latex. It is sometimes used to make non-metal charms for a jewelry piece. Allergic reactions can occur due to solvents used for latex production or latex itself. It must be kept in mind that latex-specific reactions are far serious than nickel-specific reactions.

Associated Symptoms
The allergic skin reaction caused due to nickel is referred to as contact dermatitis, i.e., inflammation of the skin. Other symptoms include redness of the skin and itchy feeling. This may further increase in severity to form blisters on the affected area which may break to form thick scales and crust. The skin may gain a dark, leathery appearance after some days of the reaction. The allergy is usually caused at the site of contact with the metal but sometimes, the reaction may be found to occur in other places as well.

Diagnostic Test
Nickel allergy is confirmed using skin patch test. In this test, the dermatologist uses a hypoallergenic tape to apply allergens on the upper back of the person and leaves it as it is for 48 hours. After the stipulated time period, the person revisits the doctor, who checks for the development of allergic reaction due to specific allergens. A person with nickel allergy will reflect hypersensitivity to nickel within 2 days. On confirmation of the allergen, treatment is provided.

Treatment Provided
A person with jewelry allergy has to bear it life-long. An allergic reaction is usually treated using a corticosteroid cream prescribed by the doctor which is applied topically on the affected region. In severe cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics if an infection is developed. Allergy causes extreme tingling sensation in the affected area but, a person must resist the temptation of scratching as it may lead to infection.

Preventive Measures
Following preventive measures should be undertaken for jewelry allergy.

• Use 18K gold studs for piercing ears and avoid wearing any other metal jewelry until the skin has healed completely.
• Wear solid gold or sterling silver jewelry to avoid allergic reaction due to nickel.
• Use earring sleeves to avoid the contact of earrings with the skin.
• Wear hypoallergenic jewelry made up of titanium, gold or surgical steel in case you are sensitive to other metal jewelry.
• If you are wearing a piece of jewelry regularly, you can ask the jeweler to coat it with platinum which is non-allergic.

Jewelry allergy is a cause of serious concern among women as they are the ones most interested in wearing them. If you suffer from jewelry allergy, stick to wearing pure gold and silver ornaments to avoid development of allergic reaction or simply wear jewelry which are tagged hypoallergenic. In this way, you will be able to fulfill your wish of wearing your favorite jewelry pieces without any worry!

By Priyanka Kosta Sonkushre

Does Sleeping Late at Night Cause Acne?

Known causes of acne are many. How is sleeping late at night related to acne is a much debated topic. The article given below will help you figure out what the reality is so that you get your facts cleared related to this topic.

You have an important meeting at the office next morning and your power point presentation for the meeting is not yet ready. What do you do? You sit back till late night and complete the presentation so that you are completely ready to give your best shot. Doing so, you sleep for only 2 hours before getting ready for the meeting. As you stand in front of the mirror what do you see? Oh God! You have a pimple on your face! What a bad site it would be. You wonder why you got that pimple on the same day of the meeting and feel annoyed. After the meeting is over, you sit quietly and wonder - Does sleeping late cause acne? The answer is probably yes.

Acne is a skin condition which is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and papules or pustules which are inflamed growths on the skin surface. The skin has several pores which contain a hair follicle and an oil gland. These oil glands or sebaceous glands under the skin are responsible for secreting oil to keep the skin lubricated. Excess oil secretion leads to blockage of the pores due to accumulation of dirt, causing inflammation which is known as a pimple. Sleeping late at night is related to acne in an indirect way. There is no clear evidence suggesting that sleep deprivation is directly related to acne formation however, studies reveal that indirectly, less sleep causes acne and worsens the existing ones.

Effects of Inadequate Sleep on Health

When you sleep late at night frequently, you tend to deprive your body of the adequate amount of sleep required for rejuvenation. This results in -

• Stress
• Increased inflammation
• Increased insulin resistance
• Depression

Relationship Between These Effects and Acne

Sleeping late at night provides inadequate sleep, the effects of which are mentioned above. So, how are these effects responsible for acne formation? Let's deal with every effect one by one. First effect of less sleep is stress which is a very well known cause of acne. Increased stress in a person results in stimulation of adrenal glands which are responsible for producing androgens. Secretion of these hormones in the body triggers acne formation. Stress also affects the immune system of the body thus, taking longer time to heal preexisting acne.

Lack of sleep is known to induce systemic inflammation. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports that, inadequate sleep leads to increase in inflammatory cytokines. Increase in these substances in the body increases its tendency to produce inflammation. As we know, that acne is inflammation of blocked pores in the skin, it is clear that this inflammation is triggered due to increased amount of cytokines in the body.

Insulin resistance is a condition when the body has to produce more insulin for maintaining blood glucose level. Lack of sleep leads to increased insulin resistance thus, forcing the body to produce more insulin. This also leads to increased sebum production and inflammation which are potential causes for acne formation.

Sleep deprivation leads to altered mental and emotional framework which can cause depression in individuals. Depression creates a negative attitude in the person's mind which hampers the overall well-being of the individual. Poor overall health decreases healing ability of the body thus, affecting acne in a negative way.

Above citations suggest that although sleeping late at night does not contribute to acne formation directly, it definitely affects the factors which are responsible for acne formation thereby, contributing towards it. Acne is a very common problem among teenagers which can be controlled by taking adequate rest and trying home remedies for acne. This will not only give them a glowing skin but will help them face the world with confidence.

What to Eat For a Healthy Brain

A healthy diet means a healthy body and a healthy body includes a healthy brain. What should such a diet contain?

A good diet contains some substances with different functions in the organism. The majority of these substances have energetic functions. The neuron is the most sensible cell when it comes to a lack of glucose in the blood, because it doesn’t have its own storage of glucose as other cells have (for example, the hepatic cells, the muscle cells, etc.) and a severe hypoglycemia will ultimately lead to coma. Other substances, by participating to some reactions, protect our body from toxic intermediate metabolites, other catalyze reactions that would be impossible in the homeostatic conditions of the organism (and such substances are the vitamins). Let’s take a brief look at these substances and see where we can find them.

Antioxidants:
Antioxidants are chemical substances that neutralize free radicals (which are harmful molecules with electrons deficiency). Without neutralization, free radicals attack the cell membrane and then the genetic material, therefore, the disease appears as a consequence of the first steps. Antioxidants are disease preventives, so they maintain the health of the brain. Where can we find antioxidants? Antioxidants are present in foods like:

• Fruits: Prunes, raisins, cranberries, blackcurrant, raspberry, oranges, grapes, cherries, kiwi, grapefruit, apples, bananas, apricots, peaches, pears, melon, water melon, nuts.

• Vegetables: Kale, spinach, beets, onions, corn, eggplant, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, celery, cucumber, garlic.

• Other foods: Grains, mushrooms, salmon (rich in selenium), green tee, saffron, eggs, vegetable oils (rich in E vitamin)

B9 Vitamin:
Folic acid or B9 Vitamin is involved in the normal development of the cell. Studies have shown that people with depression have a low level of folic acid in their blood, so scientist conclude that folic acid plays also a role in peoples' good disposition. Folic acid is found in vegetables (spinach, broccoli), fruits (oranges), yeast, grains etc.

B6 Vitamin:
Pyridoxine or B6 Vitamin, besides the various roles which it plays in the organism (the proper functioning of the immune system, enabling the metabolism of amino acids, proteins, steroids, fat and hemoglobin) pyridoxine improves the memory. B6 vitamin is found in: Yeast, grains, milk, eggs, fish, bananas, avocado, nuts, etc.

B12 Vitamin:
B12 Vitamin prevents senility and anemia and it is found in: chicken, beef, pork (especially the liver), eggs and dairy.

Phosphatidylserine:
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid which is found in all cell membranes but especially in the brain. Phosphatidylserine rejuvenates the memory and it is found in lecithin (which we can get by eating chocolate).

E Vitamin:
Tocopherol or E Vitamin is a strong antioxidant found in soybeans, corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, germ of cereals, green vegetables and tomatoes.

C Vitamin:
C Vitamin is an essential nutrient involved in many important metabolisms (the metabolism of glucose, collagen and folic acid) and is also involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters which are vital in the normal functioning of our organism. We can get C Vitamin from a large variety of foods:

• Fruits and vegetables like: Oranges, lemon, melon, raspberry, tangerine, passion fruit, mango, blueberries, pineapple, grapes, apricot, grapefruit, spinach, tomatoes, cabbage.

• Meat: Beef liver, pork liver, brain, lamb, scallops, cod, lamb hearts, eggs and milk.

• Plants: Like underbrush and rose hip.

Selenium:
Selenium is a mineral which in small quantities has a good effect upon our health. It is found in vegetables (especially in vegetables which have grown in selenium rich soil), but also in eggs, fish, chicken, red meat and garlic.

Coenzyme Q10:
The Coenzyme Q10 is present in every cell of our body and meets two major functions: It is implied in the energy producing process and it is a powerful antioxidant. It is found in foods like fatty fish (especially in mackerel and sardines) beef heart, liver and kidneys, eggs, soy and peanut.

Ginkgo Biloba:
Ginkgo biloba is a plant that slows the aging of the brain.

When it comes to the brain’s health, besides food, the hydration of the body is also highly important for our health because without water our cells begin to die. Juice, coffee (which is a diuretic) and other commercial drinks can’t take the place of water, so obviously we shouldn’t prevent dehydration by consuming such drinks. Another fact four our brain’s health is to not smoke because smoking, besides the damage that causes to the heart and lungs, increases the risk of dementia.

A very important factor, a positive attitude is a healthy way of living. Studies have shown that happy people are less likely to have Alzheimer’s disease! Be joyful and healthy!

Credits to Claudia Miclaus

Falling Asleep at Work

Falling asleep at work is one of the most annoying problems for any employee. But this problem can be effectively handled with some simple measures, which are discussed in this article. So find out some amazing tips on how to keep away from falling asleep at the workplace with this article.

Nothing can be as embarrassing as falling asleep at work, which often puts a question mark on an employee's efficiency and productivity. When it becomes a habit, then no need to mention that it can also affect your career adversely. But still, staying awake at the workplace at some specific time of the day, especially in the afternoon or after having a heavy lunch seems quite tough for many like us. If it happens once in a while, then it is not such a major cause of concern. But some people have been observed to simply fail to resist the urge to close their eyes for a while, and then fall asleep for a considerable period of time at their workplaces. So, it is quite important to find out the exact causes of falling asleep during the working hours, which can be quite different for every individual.

Factors to be Blamed for Falling Asleep at Work

Most of us have a tendency for falling asleep at work after lunch, which is quite natural and can be attributed to a heavy lunch. The next common factor which can be held responsible for feeling sleepy at the workplace is inadequate sleep. During the week days, many people fail to sleep sufficiently, owning to hectic daily schedule. But we need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily to stay alert and feel fresh throughout the day, and many of us may need to sleep even longer than this. So naturally, when we do not get sufficient amount sleep in the night, our body gets tired easily, for which we might fall asleep during working hours. Find more about importance of sleep.

Another common cause for this problem can be the 'sleep wake cycle'. Generally, there are two periods in a day when we feel sleepy, one is the late night hours, from midnight to 6 to 7 am, and another period is the mid-afternoon time, usually from 1 to 4 pm. So, it is completely natural to feel sleepy about 7 to 8 hours from the time we get up from the bed. The important point is that afternoon time is also the time when we eat our lunch. So, the cumulative result is an urge to sleep, which is so strong that many of us fail to resist. If you are taking certain medications like antihistamines, even then you can experience excessive drowsiness during daytime. However, if you are experiencing this urge for a long time, even after having enough sleep at night, then it is the time to visit your physician, as you may have some other problems like sleep apnea and sleep disorders.

How to Stop Falling Asleep at Work

The simplest way to stay completely alert and feel energetic throughout the day to is get 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night. But, if you still have the tendency to fall asleep at odd hours of the day, then try the following tips on how to keep from falling asleep at work:

• If you are looking for the easiest way to avoid falling asleep at work, then drink a glass of water. For a better result, drink cold water if possible. It would simply refresh your body and mind by helping your body to get rid of toxins.
• Along with drinking water, also splash some water on your face and the eyes. Usually, your eyes get strained as you constantly look at the computer screen for hours. Splashing some water on the eyes would help to refresh them.
• Avoid having a heavy lunch. Instead, have a light lunch and start your day with a healthy breakfast, which can help to keep you mentally and physically alert for the whole day.
• Strong and fresh smell, as that of peppermint can make you alert or feel less drowsy. You can either go for chewing gum or a candy with peppermint flavor.
• Another simple way to prevent falling asleep is to take a walk around and get some fresh air. Many times, sitting for a prolonged period can be the reason for feeling sleepy, especially during the afternoon or evening.
• Caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea can no doubt help you to stay awake, but excess intake of these beverages is not a healthy option, and besides, their effect lasts only for a couple of hours. So, do not over indulge yourself in coffee and tea while trying to stop falling asleep at work.
• If listening music for a short while is allowed at your workplace, then it is the best bet for refreshing your mind. Be sure to take your headphones in such a case, and not disturb anyone else while working.

So these are some of the simple and easy ways which you can try to keep yourself from falling asleep at workplace. But if these measures fail, and this habit is affecting your work efficiency, then it is better to have a talk with your physician to find out the factors responsible for this condition, and the corrective measures to be followed.

Does Chocolate Help Prevent Headaches

Does chocolate help prevent headaches or is it the other way round? This article brings to you some basic facts on what effects can this 'sweet treat' have on people who are prone to headaches.

Headache, as it is known, is one of the most common medical problems faced by many. For some it may be felt like a discomforting throbbing sensation or a sharp pain which may either stay localized, or keep radiating throughout the head. While for some, it might be nothing more than a dull ache. This ailment can have a wide array of causes, which may be more appropriately regarded as triggers. And according to what scientists have determined, chocolate is one name that is included in the list of all such triggers. Thus chocolate, after a certain limit, rather than preventing headaches causes them. Let us know more on this from the following section.

Is Chocolate One of the Offenders?

By what I have put in the above section, you might have guessed that chocolate is of no help for people prone to headaches or migraines (severe and recurring headaches). But what is more important to know here is what led medical experts to conclude that chocolate could be one of the potential triggers of headache in people.

Among other substances, chocolate contains caffeine and phenylethylamine. And these two are known to be the factors which trigger headaches and migraines in people. If we speak of caffeine, it is true that it forms one of the common ingredients of several headache medications. In other words, caffeine helps in curbing headaches. But according to scientists, consuming more than 200 milligrams of it a day, may reverse the effect thus causing headaches, and even abnormal irritability. Apart from headaches, know what else can be the side effects of caffeine from this Buzzle article.

Coming to the other ingredient in chocolate, it is about phenylethylamine. It is a natural trace amine that is present in foods including chocolate. And it acts as a neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It is known to alter blood pressure levels in the body, and that of the blood-sugar. It has also been reported to bring about changes in the cerebral blood flow. And due to all such effects, this substance in chocolate also acts as a trigger of headaches.

It is also important to make a note of the fact that some people may be sensitive to caffeine, while some to phenylethylamine. And that may explain why a person complains against headache if he/she eats chocolate and not when drinking caffeinated beverages. Doctors have also come across people who show sensitivity to both these ingredients of chocolate.

So it can be inferred from the above explanation that chocolate may not contribute in the prevention of headaches, but it may cause otherwise. However, the word is not to completely avoid eating chocolate but enjoying it in moderation. Doctors suggest eating moderate amount of dark chocolate which contains at least 70% cocoa, and without any milk. Chocolate is known to contain more antioxidants that fruits and vegetables. So eating it moderately would not only add to health, but would also minimize chances of the onset of headaches or migraines.

Some Additional Information

In order to cope with and prevent frequent bouts of headaches, other than avoiding eating too much of chocolate, limiting alcohol, aspartame, caffeine-rich products, salty foods, and processed foods is advised. Avoiding frequent exposure to bright lights, loud noises, and odors, and shunning smoking also helps. People who get plenty of sleep, and try to follow a regular go-to-sleep and wake-up time table, suffer less from headaches, and so do those who maintaining a healthy diet, and an active lifestyle.

That would be it for this brief discussion on the linkage between chocolate and headache. So as mentioned, for people who get headaches from eating chocolate, moderation is the key. And even if small amount of it causes the same, then avoiding it completely is what doctors would recommend.

By: Rajib Singja