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What
can you do about acne?
Acne can make teenagers' lives a misery,
affecting confidence and self-esteem.
Spots on your face, back or neck result
when extra hormones cause the production
of too much oily sebum. When these become
more troublesome and difficult to clear
up the condition is known as acne. It affects
around 15 per cent of teenagers.
Girls may notice before their periods that
their acne becomes worse. Squeezing spots
may aggravate the condition, sunshine helps
it (but not sun beds) and, interestingly,
poor hygiene probably does not make it worse.
Try and avoid stress as this may cause a
flare up. Although, there is no conclusive
evidence that diet affects acne, going for
a low saturated fat, low-sugar diet with
plenty of water, fresh fruit and vegetables
promotes general good health and our skin
often reflects this.
Treatments include topical applications,
used directly on the skin, obtained either
on prescription or from your pharmacist.
Oral antibiotics, hormone and other treatments
as well as preparations to deal with scars
can be discussed with your doctor.
What can you do about eczema?
The word eczema, which is interchangeable
with the term dermatitis, is derived from
the Greek 'to boil over', a good description
of this skin condition whose symptoms include
inflammation, itching, redness, blistering
and bleeding when scratched.
There are several types of eczema, but one
of the most common ones is atopic eczema,
triggered by allergens and often, but not
always, linked to asthma and hay fever.
There is frequently a strong genetic basis
for atopic eczema and allergic triggers
include pet dander (the dry flaky skin from
cats and dogs), feathers, house dust mite
and pollen. Food allergies sometimes go
hand in hand with a contact allergy, so
it's worth testing to see if you're allergic
to dairy products, eggs, wheat and other
suspect foods that seem to trigger reactions.
Moisturisers are particularly important
in maintaining skin integrity. Use frequently
and liberally at least twice daily. Depending
on the type of eczema, different ointments,
lotions and oils are available either on
prescription or from your chemist. Ordinary
soaps often have a drying affect, so opt
for an alternative like aqueous cream, which
is less of an irritant. Steroid treatment
may be used, usually externally, directly
on to the skin in the form of ointment,
creams, gels and lotions. This treatment
is often effective and because the steroid
concentration is low there are usually minimal
side-effects. Anti-histamine preparations
may help to reduce itchiness, especially
at night and if the eczema has become infected
antibiotic creams may be applied.
If your eczema is dragging you down, go
and have a chat with your GP and discuss
these and other treatment options available.
What can you do about contact dermatitis?
There are several types of dermatitis. We
have already considered the one triggered
by allergic reactions, but this skin disorder
can also be as a result of exposure to irritants.
These include water, metal working fluids,
petrol, solvents, fabrics, detergents and
cosmetics. Symptoms are often noticed on
individuals exposed to these, or who have
their hands in and out of water regularly,
such as hairdressers, mechanics and nurses.
Irritants can break down the skin barrier,
allowing other infections in.
Avoid known irritants and always dry your
hands thoroughly after washing. Steer clear
of chemicals where possible, including detergents,
petrol and white spirit. Use gentle cleansing
agents instead of soap and liberal amounts
of moisturisers and emollients on a regular
basis. Calendula cream is a good moisturiser,
but occasionally may cause allergic reactions.
Always dry your hands properly after washing.
What can you do about greasy skin?
Greasy skin is caused by overactive sebaceous
glands. It tends to run in families but
when you are a teenager the problem is usually
worse.
Clean your skin first thing in the morning
and last thing at night, using a mild cleanser
that is not too drying. Choose non-oil based
make-up, opting instead for non-comedogenic
cosmetics. Always remove make-up before
going to bed.
Try to have a stress-free life and maintain
general good health through a balanced diet.
This will also help to stave off infections
- even physical stresses like influenza
have been associated with outbreaks.
Remember that it is quite normal for menstruation
to make symptoms worse.
What can you do about psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a non-infectious inherited
skin condition in which the epidermis makes
new cells too quickly. Flaking skin develops
on the knees, elbows or behind the ears.
Treatments that can be discussed with your
doctor include steroids applied to the skin,
emollients, tar baths, ointments and creams
to remove scaling, and a cream called Dithranol.
Warm bathing and moisturisers can help,
as can a vegan or cleansing diet. Alcohol
aggravates psoriasis.
What can you do about dry skin?
Pure olive oil or Calendula cream can be
used in liberal amounts on the face and
other dry areas of the body. Reduce the
amount of showers and baths you have and
only wash the affected area with soap once
a day, using just water for other washes.
Always rinse well to prevent leaving soap
residues and instead of rubbing, pat your
skin dry with a towel.
Keep the central heating down in your house
and avoid saunas and steam rooms as these
cause further dehydration. In the winter
prevent chapped hands by wearing gloves
in the cold weather and use rubber ones
for washing up. For those allergic to rubber,
cotton gloves may prevent reaction when
worn underneath.
Try to include more essential fatty acids
(from seeds and their oils) and plenty of
fruit and vegetables in your diet. Drink
plenty of water every day and cut down on
alcohol, tea and coffee as these are also
dehydrating.
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