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Skin
Conditions
Rosacea:
A disorder
involving chronic inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids;
it may cause redness, vascularity (increased prominence of the blood vessels),
swelling or hyperplasia (increase in size of the tissue), or skin eruptions
similar to acne.
The cause of rosacea is unknown. The disorder involves enlargement of the blood
vessels just under the skin. It occurs most often in fair skinned people,
particularly those who blush easily. Women are more commonly affected, but men
are usually more severely affected. Symptoms usually begin between ages 30 to
50.
Symptoms:
1. Rashes.
2. Eryhema red areas on the face).
3. Discrete areas or the entire face.
4. A tendency to flush, blush easily.
5. Increased vascularity (telangiectasis) of the face.
6. A red, bulbous nose.
7. Acne – like skin eruptions.
8. A burning or stinging sensation of the face.
Signs and tests:
Your physician can usually diagnose rosacea with a thorough medical history and
physical exam.
Treatment:
There is no cure known for rosacea. The treatment is aimed at the control of
redness, inflammation,and skin eruptions. Long-term treatment (5 to 8 weeks or
more) with oral antibiotics such as tetracycline may control skin eruptions.
Oral medications similar to Vitamin A (isoretinol or Accutane) are a stronger
alternative. The treatment of skin eruptions may also include long-term
treatment with topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) antibiotics
such as metronidazole. In severe cases, laser surgery may help reduce the
redness. Surgical reduction of the nose hyperpalasia may also improve the
patient's cosmetic appearance.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention for rosacea. Patients with rosacea may help control
their disease, however, by avoiding triggering factors. For many, sun avoidance
and sunscreen use is helpful. Others are aggravated by embarrassment, hot or
spicy foods, alcohol, or extremes of temperature.
What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is a disease in which skin cells lose the ability to divide and grow
normally. Healthy skin cells normally divide in an orderly way to replace dead
cells and grow new skin. Abnormal cells can grow out of control and form a mass
or 'tumor'. When abnormal cells originate in the skin, the mass is called a skin
tumor.
A skin tumor is considered benign if it is limited to a few cell layers and does
not invade surrounding tissues or organs. But if the tumor spreads to
surrounding tissues it is considered malignant or cancerous. Cancer cells crowd
out and destroy nearby healthy cells forming growths called malignant tumors.
Most skin growths, however, are non-malignant, benign (not harmful) tumors.
There are three layers of skin:
Epidermis - the outer layer of skin.
Dermis - the middle layer of the skin; contains nerves, blood vessels, sweat.
glands, hair follicles, and oil-producing cells that keep the skin from drying
out.
Fatty layer - the deep layer of skin.
Skin cancer begins in the
epidermis, the outer layer of skin. The epidermis has three kinds of cells.
Squamous cells are cells that progressively flatten and fill with protective
keratin (a tough, insoluble protein that makes skin almost completely
waterproof) to form the outmost surface of the skin.
Basal cells are small cells located at the base of the epidermis that serve as a
reservoir for squamous cells shed from the skin.
Melanocytes are cells that produce a dark material, or pigment, that gives the
skin its color.
Each of these cells can suddenly start to divide abnormally and become
cancerous. The main types of skin cancer are named after these cells.
Understanding Cancer:
The body is made up of different types of cells that normally divide and
multiply in an orderly way. These new cells replace older cells. This process of
cell birth and renewal occurs constantly in the body. 'Cancer' is the name for a
group of diseases in which certain cells in the body have changed in appearance
and function. Instead of dividing and growing in a controlled and orderly way,
these abnormal cells can grow out of control.
A tumor is considered benign (not cancerous) if it is limited to a few cell
layers and does not invade surrounding tissues or organs. But if the tumor
spreads - or has the potential to spread - to surrounding tissues or organs, it
is considered malignant, or cancerous.
Cancer (malignant growths) occur when:
1. Some cells in the body begin to multiply in an uncontrolled manner.
2. The body's natural defenses, such as certain parts of the immune system,
cannot stop uncontrolled cell division.
3. These abnormal cells become greater and greater in number.
Aging Skin:
During our early adolescent and teenage years, most of us rarely think about our
skin and the aging process that will one day affect the condition and appearance
of our skin. However, after our early 20s, aging changes will begin to show up
in the skin; changes which will progress as we age into our 30s, 40s, 50s and
beyond.
It's never too late to begin taking care of your skin and protecting it from
future damage. Although your skin will continue to age as you get older, you can
take certain precautions and use certain products to help keep your skin looking
healthy, refreshed, and youthful.
How Does Skin Change With Age:
As we approach our 30s, our body's production of collagen and elastin (two
substances that give the skin firmness and elasticity) begins to slow down. The
collagen and elastin also begin to loosen and unravel which results in skin that
sags and has poor elasticity. A young person, with plenty of both collagen and
elastin, has firm, smooth, unwrinkled skin. As that person ages, the loss of
collagen and elastin causes the skin to become looser and less supple. At the
same time, fat cells beneath the skin may begin to disappear. With the loss of
this supportive fat, collagen, and elastin, plus the pull of gravity, the skin
begins to sag and form wrinkles. The skin also loses the ability to moisturize
itself and retain moisture with age, leading to skin that is drier, possibly
with itchy, irritated patches.
With age also comes the appearance of those familiar lines and wrinkles that we
associate with older skin; frown lines (those between the eyebrows) and crow's
feet (lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes) begin to appear as a
result of permanent small muscle contractions.
Your Habits, Your Skin:
In addition to the natural processes that occur in our bodies and skin as we
age, other long-term habits can cause damage to our skin. Sun exposure is the
most damaging external factor that affects the condition and health of our skin
and is the primary cause of prematurely aging skin (called photoaging) and skin
cancers (including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma).
In fact, many of the features we associate with aged skin are actually caused by
sun exposure, and not by the natural aging process. Photoaging can cause a
number of skin conditions, including:
1. Fine wrinkles.
2. Liver spots (a.k.a. age spots).
3. Dilated blood vessels.
4. Roughened skin.
Smoking cigarettes is also harmful to the skin. Smoking causes the blood vessels
in the top layers of the skin to narrow (constrict), which reduces the blood
supply, reduces the amount of oxygen available to the skin, and reduces the
removal of waste products and dead cells. This process contributes to the
reduction in collagen and elastin and prevents Vitamin A from bonding with skin
cells to repair skin damage, leading skin to have a grayish or bluish cast and a
leathery texture. Smoking also restricts circulation, taking away the rosy blush
of young skin. The facial expressions smokers make when smoking may also cause
wrinkles, with wrinkles appearing around lips pursed around a cigarette and
around eyes that squint to keep out smoke. .
Common Signs of Aging Skin:
When skin ages and accumulates damage from sun and other habits, a number of
skin conditions may result including:
1. Lentigines - Also known as "age" or "liver" spots, lentigines are flat, brown
spots that usually show up on the face, hands, back and feet. These spots are
not dangerous (and are not a sign of liver disease). If, however, you notice a
dark, flat area with irregular (not rounded) borders, see a dermatologist to
ensure that it is not a melanoma.
2. Bruises - Older skin bruises more often than younger skin and takes a much
longer time to heal. Bruises that don't heal after a week or so should be seen
by a dermatologist.
3. Wrinkles - As skin becomes less elastic, it begins sag, particularly around
the eyes, mouth, forehead, and cheeks.
4. Telangiectasias - Often called "broken capillaries," telangiectases are
visible, dilated blood vessels in the face, usually caused by sun damage.
5. Actinic keratoses - These are rough, warty, reddish or brownish growths,
caused by sun damage and are often a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma (skin
cancer).
6. Cherry Angiomas- These are red, protruding growths on the body caused by
dilated blood vessels. They are harmless and occur in about 85% of those over
middle-aged.
7. Seborrheic Keratoses - These are brown or black raised spots, or warty
growths on the skin's surface.
Keep Your Skin Looking Younger:
It's best to start protecting your skin during childhood, however, anyone at any
age can begin to take the necessary precautions to help protect the skin, keep
it looking young and healthy, and hopefully slow down the affects of aging.
Following are some tips on how to achieve younger looking skin.
1. Minimize Sun Exposure - Minimizing sun exposure is the most important thing
you can do to protect your skin and keep it looking young. Wear sunscreen of at
least SPF 15 when outdoors, and protect the face with a brimmed hat. Try to
avoid sun exposure from approximately 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which is the most
hazardous time for UV exposure.
2. Protect Skin From Dryness - Aging skin can be dry, flaking and itchy. Use a
moisturizer containing petrolatum or lanolin immediately after bathing. Also,
use milder soaps and consider bathing less often and using less drying warm
water to bathe rather than hot water.
3. Drink Plenty of Water - Drinking water throughout the day ensures proper
hydration of the body and helps to reduce skin dryness. Doctors and
nuitritionists recommend drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water every day.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet - Eating a healthy, balanced diet will benefit your body
as well as your skin. Fruits and vegetables are particularly important for
preventing premature skin aging since they contain many antioxidants.
5. Exercise - Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease
premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin
looking young and healthy.
6. Stop Smoking - Quitting smoking at any age reduces further damage to skin.
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