Tinea Versicolor

Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor or ptyriasis versicolor is another common and harmless skin condition that affects skin color.

Causes: It is caused by yeast called Malassezia, which normally exist in small numbers on the skin. Certain conditions however, can cause the overgrowth of the yeast, causing the development of white and reddish-brown spots on skin. Moist, warm, and oily skin encourages yeast overgrowth especially in the upper arms, neck, abdomen, and thighs. It is not a contagious disease.

Risk Factors: Conditions that lead to the appearance of white spots on the skin related to tinea versicolor include warm and humid climate, excessive sweating, oily skin, malnutrition, pregnancy, medications such as corticosteroids, or any factor that may weaken the immune system.

Treatments: Antifungal medications such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, or miconazole may be used to treat the infection. Shampoo containing selenium sulfide may be applied as a lotion on affected skin before bedtime. This may be rinsed off in the morning. One should consult a dermatologist if symptoms persist after these over-the-counter treatments applied for at least two weeks.

ATHLETE's FOOT

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, 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.

Without the proper environment (warmth and moisture), the fungus may not easily infect the skin. Up to 70% of the population may develop athlete's foot at some time. An infection by athlete's foot fungi does not confer any resistance to subsequent infections.

CAUSE:-Athlete's foot is most commonly caused by the fungi Trichophyton rubrum or T. mentagrophytes,but may also be caused by Epidermophyton floccosum. Most cases of athlete's foot in the general population are caused by T. rubrum; however, the majority of athlete's foot cases in athletes are caused by T. mentagrophytes.

What does athlete's foot look like?

Most cases of athlete's foot are barely noticeable with just slightly dry, flaky skin. More extensive athlete's foot may look like red, peeling, dry skin areas on one or both soles of the feet. Sometimes the dry flakes may spread onto the sides and tops of the feet. Most commonly, the rash is localized to just the bottoms of the feet. The space between the fourth and fifth toes also may have some moisture, peeling, and dry flakes.

There are three common types of fungal athlete's foot: 

(1) soles of the feet, also called "moccasin" type;

 (2) between the toes, also called "interdigital" type; and

 (3) inflammatory type or blistering.

Occasionally, it may appear as small or large blisters of the feet (called bullous tinea pedis), thick patches of dry, red skin, or calluses with redness. Sometimes, it may look like just mild dry skin without any redness or inflammation.

Fungal athlete's foot may present as a rash on one or both feet and even involve the hand. A "two feet and one hand" presentation is a very common presentation of athlete's foot, especially in men. Hand fungal infections are called tinea manuum. Fungal athlete's foot may also be seen along with ringworm of the groin (especially in men) or hand(s). It is helpful to examine the feet whenever there is a fungal groin rash called tinea cruris. It is important to treat all areas of fungal infection at one time to avoid reinfection. Simply treating the soles and ignoring the concurrent fungal infection of toenails may result in recurrences of athlete's foot.

Treatments

Without medication, athlete's foot resolves in 30–40% of cases and topical antifungal medication consistently produce much higher percentages of cure. Allylamines such as terbinafine are considered more efficacious than azoles for the treatment of athlete's foot.

Medication

Conventional treatment typically involves daily or twice daily application of a topical medication in conjunction with hygiene measures outlined in the above section on prevention. Keeping feet dry and practicing good hygiene is crucial to preventing reinfection. Severe or prolonged fungal skin infections may require treatment with oral antifungal medication.Zinc oxide-based diaper rash ointment may be used.For temporary/emergency relief from symptoms in the field, after clearing dead skin and thoroughly drying the affected area skin moisturiser should then be applied until thoroughly absorbed to prevent affected skin from drying out and cracking or rubbing and subsequent infection.Excess moisturiser should be wiped off dry and periodically reapplied. Talcum powder can be used to absorb excess environmental moisture to inhibit the infection.

Topical

There are many topical antifungal drugs useful in the treatment of athlete's foot including: miconazole nitrate, clotrimazole, tolnaftate (a synthetic thiocarbamate), terbinafine hydrochloride, butenafine hydrochloride and undecylenic acid. The fungal infection may be treated with topical antifungal agents, which can take the form of a spray, powder, cream, or gel. Topical application of an antifungal cream such as terbinafine once daily for one week or butenafine once daily for two weeks is effective in most cases of athlete's foot and is more effective than application of miconazole or clotrimazole. Plantar-type athlete's foot is more resistant to topical treatments due to the presence of thickened hyperkeratotic skin on the sole of the foot. Keratolytic and humectant medications such as urea, salicyclic acid, and lactic acid are useful adjunct medications and improve penetration of antifungal agents into the thickened skin. Topical glucocorticoids are sometimes prescribed to alleviate inflammation and pruritus associated with the infection.

A solution of 1% potassium permanganate dissolved in hot water is an alternative to antifungal drugs.

Oral

For severe or refractory cases of athlete's foot oral terbinafine is more effective than griseofulvin. Fluconazole or itraconazole may also be taken orally for severe athlete's foot infections. The most commonly reported adverse effect from these medications is gastrointestinal upsetness.

HICCUPS

What Are Hiccups?

Hiccups are repetitive, uncontrollable contractions of the diaphragm. Your diaphragm is the muscle just below your lungs. It marks the boundary between your chest and abdomen. The diaphragm regulates breathing. When your diaphragm contracts, your lungs take in oxygen. When your diaphragm relaxes, your lungs release carbon dioxide.

The diaphragm contracting out of rhythm causes hiccups. Each spasm of the diaphragm makes the larynx and vocal cords close suddenly. This results in a sudden rush of air into the lungs. Your body reacts with a gasp, creating the sound characteristic of hiccups.

Singultus is the medical term for hiccups.

Onset of Hiccups

There is no way to anticipate hiccups. With each spasm, there usually is a slight tightening of the chest or throat prior to your making the distinctive hiccup sound.

Most cases of hiccups start and end abruptly, for no discernable reason. Episodes generally last only a few minutes. Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are considered persistent. Hiccups that last longer than two months are considered intractable, or difficult to manage.

Causes of Hiccups

Numerous causes of hiccups have been identified. However, there is no definitive list of triggers. Hiccups often come and go for no apparent reason.

The most common causes of short-term hiccups include:

• overeating
• eating spicy food
• consuming alcohol
• drinking carbonated beverages, such as sodas
• consuming very hot or very cold foods
• a sudden change in air temperature
• excitement or emotional stress
• aerophagia (swallowing too much air)

Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are categorized by the type of irritant that caused the episode. In some cases, episodes can last for weeks. Hiccups that last for more than two months are considered intractable.

The majority of persistent hiccups are caused by injury or irritation to either the vagus or phrenic nerve. The vagus and phrenic nerves control the movement of your diaphragm. These nerves may be affected by:

• irritation of your eardrum, which may be caused by a foreign object
• throat irritation or soreness
• goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
• gastroesophageal reflux (stomach acid backing up into the esophagus)
• an esophageal tumor or cyst

Other causes of hiccups may involve the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. If the CNS is damaged, your body may lose the ability to control hiccups. CNS damage that may lead to persistent hiccups includes:

• stroke
• multiple sclerosis (a chronic nerve disease)
• tumors
• meningitis and encephalitis (infections that can cause swelling in the brain)
• head trauma or brain injury
• hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid on the brain)
• neurosyphilis and other brain infections

Hiccups that last for longer periods also can be caused by:

• overuse of alcohol
• tobacco use
• an anesthesia reaction after surgery
• certain classes of drugs, including barbiturates, steroids, and tranquilizers
• diabetes
• an electrolyte imbalance
• kidney failure
• arteriovenus malformation (a condition in which arteries and veins are tangled in the brain)
• cancer and chemotherapy treatments
• Parkinson’s disease (a degenerative brain disease)

Sometimes, a medical procedure can accidentally cause you to develop long-term hiccups. They can be caused by procedures used to treat or diagnose other conditions, including:

• use of catheters to access the heart muscle
• placement of an esophageal stent to prop open the esophagus
• bronchoscopy (when an instrument is used to look inside your lungs)
• tracheostomy (creation of a surgical opening in the neck to allow breathing around an airway obstruction)

Risk Factors for Hiccups

Hiccups can occur at any age. They can even occur while a fetus is still in the mother’s womb. However, there are several factors that can increase your likelihood of developing hiccups.

You may be more susceptible if you:

• are male
• experience intense mental or emotional responses, ranging from anxiety to excitement
• have received general anesthesia (you were put to sleep during surgery)
• had surgery, especially abdominal surgery

Treating Hiccups

Most hiccups are not an emergency. However a prolonged episode can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. Contact your physician if you have hiccups that last longer than two days. Your doctor can determine the severity of your hiccups in relation to your overall health and other conditions.

There are numerous options for treating hiccups. Typically, a short-term case of hiccups will take care of itself. However, the discomfort may make waiting out hiccups unbearable if they last longer than a few minutes.

The following treatments for hiccups can be tried at home:

• Breathe into a paper bag.
• Eat a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
• Hold your breath.
• Drink a glass of cold water.
• Pull on your tongue.
• Lift your uvula with a spoon. Your uvula is the fleshy piece of tissue that is suspended above the back of your throat.
• Attempt to purposefully gasp or belch.
• Bring your knees to your chest and maintain this position.
• Try a valsalva maneuver by holding your breath and bearing down.
• Relax and breathe in a slow, controlled manner.

If you still have hiccups after 48 hours, talk to your doctor. Your physician may attempt gastric lavage (stomach pumping) or carotid sinus massage (rubbing the main carotid artery in the neck).

If the cause of your hiccups is unclear, your physician may recommend tests. These can help detect any underlying disease or condition. The following tests may be useful in determining the cause of persistent or intractable hiccups:

• blood tests to identify signs of infection, diabetes, or kidney disease
• liver function tests
• imaging of the diaphragm with a chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• echocardiogram to assess heart function
• endoscopy, which utilizes a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end to investigate your esophagus, windpipe, stomach, and intestine
• bronchoscopy, which utilizes a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end to examine your lungs and airways

Treating any underlying causes of your hiccups will usually make them go away. If persistent hiccups have no obvious cause, there are several medications that may be prescribed. The more commonly used drugs include:

• chlorpromazine and haloperidol (antipsychotic medications)
• benzodiazepines (a class of tranquilizers)
• metoclopramide (a nausea drug )
• baclofen (a muscle relaxant)
• nifedipine (a blood pressure medication)
• seizure medications, such as gabapentin

There are also more invasive options, which can be used to end extreme cases of hiccups. They include:

• nasogastric intubation (insertion of a tube through your nose into your stomach)
• an anesthetic injection to block your phrenic nerve
• surgical implantation of a diaphragmatic pacemaker. This is a battery-powered device that stimulates your diaphragm and regulates breathing.

Consequences of Untreated Hiccups

A long-term episode of hiccups can be uncomfortable and even harmful to your health. If left untreated, prolonged hiccups can disturb your sleeping and eating patterns, leading to:

• sleeplessness
• exhaustion
• malnutrition
• weight loss
• dehydration

How to Prevent Hiccups

There is no proven method for preventing hiccups. However, if you experience hiccups frequently, you can try to reduce your exposure to known triggers.

The following may help reduce your susceptibility to hiccups:

• Don’t overeat.
• Avoid carbonated beverages.
• Protect yourself from sudden temperature changes.
• Don’t drink alcohol.
• Remain calm, and try to avoid intense emotional or physical reactions.

Mosquito bites treatment

Mosquito bites are the itchy bumps that appear after Mosquito use their mouth parts to puncture your skin and feed on your blood. Most mosquito bites are harmless, but occasionally a mosquito bite causes a large area of swelling, soreness and redness. This type of reaction, most common in children, is sometimes referred to as skeeter syndrome.

Bites from mosquitoes carrying certain viruses or parasites can cause severe illness. Infected mosquitoes in many parts of the world transmit West Nile virus to humans. Other mosquito-borne infections include yellow fever, malaria and some types of brain infection (encephalitis).

But mosquito bite can be cure via home remedies.

Mosquito bites treatment:-

1. Vinegar

When you first notice the itchy bite, try applying a small amount of vinegar directly to the bump. If you have many bites, you may want to take a very hot bath in a tub filled with water and 2 1/2 cups of vinegar. I would personally recommend using organic apple cider vinegar.

2. Aloe

Aloe vera is another excellent remedy for mosquito bites, as well as many other conditions. Not only will it help ease the itching and swelling from the bit, but it will also aid in healing the wound. You can use fresh gel directly from an aloe plant or organic aloe juice. They both work well at providing relief.

3. A Dry Bar of Soap

Another remedy for mosquito bits is to rub a bar of dry soap directly on the bite. This will help provide temporary relief to the itching. Remember to wash it off throughly after the itch fades away. I personally use e3 live peppermint soap, and it works well.

4. Baking Soda & Water

Another simple remedy for mosquito bites is to make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Then apply this paste generously to the affected area. You should feel the swelling and itching subside shortly afterwards.

5. Onion

Other than making you produce tears, a fresh slice of onion can also help take the sting out of a bite. Simply place a fresh slice on the affected area for several minutes until the itching subsides. Be sure to wash the area thoroughly afterwards.

6. Toothpaste

For quick relief from mosquito bites, try applying a small amount of all-natural peppermint or neem-based toothpaste. Allow the paste to dry and leave for as long as desired.

7. Raw Honey

Simply, take a small amount of honey and apply directly to the bite. Honey also has anti-microbial properties that can help prevent infection. I would personally recommend using local raw honey.

8. Lime and/or Lemons

I usually apply a small amount of lime juice directly to the bites. Lemon juice also works well. I have also heard that rubbing the bite with the lemon or lime peel helps, but I usually prefer to use the juice. This also helps in keeping the wound from becoming infected from the grit and grime of fingernails.

9. Essential oils

There are many essential oil that can help provide temporary relief for mosquito bites. My favorites are tea tree, rosemary, neem, lavender, witch hazel and cedar oil. Take a small amount and dilute it with water, then apply directly to the bite.

10. Salt Paste

Take finely ground salt and mix with a small amount of water until you have a thick paste. Apply this salt paste directly to bite. I personally use Himalayan salt and find it works best, but iodized salt will also work. The important thing is to make sure it’s finely ground.

11. Garlic

Try rubbing a piece of raw garlic on the wound. It is possible that you will feel a small amount of mild burning, but you should feel some major relief afterwards. This is not one that I use with my children, and is wise for to use caution when using this natural remedy. The smell of garlic (and neem) will also help repel the mosquitoes from biting you more later.