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Eczema Treatment

Eczema is a term used in medicine to describe a common skin condition in today's world. In the vast majority of cases, it is a type of dermatitis or epidermal inflammation. The outermost layer of our skin is called epidermis, and when common symptoms such as a change in diet, stress, smoking & environment, it can cause inflammation on the skin leaving red blotchy patches. It is a truly unmerciful skin problem that leads to dryness of different parts of the body, even if they are not directly inflamed (redness). There are many different symptoms of this condition, and some of the most common ones include:

• Redness
• Hives
• Itchy Skin
• Dry skin
• Cracking
• Blisters

Also, it is not unusual for eczema sufferers to have long term side effects of continuous scratching which include: mild skin discoloration & removal melanoma on the skin.

Eczema is not contagious & if the person is not scratching his/or her skin, it is purely cosmetic. The skin discolorations are side effects of a patient's body trying to heal after a skin breakout.

What is a skin breakout? It is when a person has an uncontrollable urge to itch mainly from an increase in inflammation in the body.

What causes inflammation? Inflammation of the skin is different for everybody, as stated before, the most common triggers are:

•  Allergies (foods,animals,environment)
•  Stress (very common)
•  Alcohol
•  Smoking
•  Poor diet
•  Not drinking enough water
•  Sleep (Sleep reduces inflammation throughout the body)
•  Body overheating

It’s good to point out that psoriasis is often confused with eczema. Although they have some similarities, they are different skin conditions. You can determine the difference between the two as eczema is usually found in the joints, or the flexor points in this area to be more precise. Which are generally the "hot" spots on our body, this is where you are more likely to sweat which will cause irritation on the skin. Psoriasis also has a dry layer of skin above the redness which can sometimes be hard to tell the difference, you can read our guide on psoriasis here. 

TREATMENT?

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Our suggestion:

We also recommend to use the C+ Cream in conjunction with the Graham Body & Bath Oil as these two products work by coating the skin with the Oil to hydrate and barrier whilst the cream works to fight inflammation with the powerful herbs (Calendula, Gotu Kola and Propolis) and control bacteria (Manuka Honey). You can read more here. 

Grahams Natural C+ Eczema Dermatitis Cream offers 6 hours of hydration

Unfortunately, there is no universal cure for this skin disease. However, it is worth mentioning that there are many different kinds of topical treatments specially designed for skin problems. These treatments are focused on limiting the breakout, lowering the intensity of inflammation while easing discomfort and itching.

In many cases, doctors are prescribing corticosteroid pharmaceutical drugs for eczema. The science behind corticosteroid medications is simple – they can reduce itching by reducing the inflammation in the body or on the skin which in result lowers the intensity of redness and soothes the dry patches. While these creams will work, these creams have huge side effects from long term use. 

In most cases, people can expect:

• Increased skin sensitivity
• Thinner skin (very easily bruised)
• High blood pressure
• Suppressed hormone production
• Weight gain
• Pimples
• Cushing syndrome (moon face)

This is the reason why many doctors will try to limit a patient's use of this drug.

There are cases where antibiotics can be quite helpful too. There are situations when your skin becomes very inflamed and develops cracks and wounds in different parts of the skin. The skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can make the skin appear worse. Frequent scratching will continue to open the skin's protective layer and leave it vulnerable to bacteria.

We strongly recommend the natural approach for dealing with Eczema, with a cream or gel with all natural ingredients you eliminate all of the side effects associated with chemical based products. A natural cream works by using powerful herbal ingredients such as the ones in our C+ Eczema Cream, to extract the heat and inflammation on the skin.

In the last decade, the use of immune suppressants as a treatment for allergies linked to skin problems is becoming more popular. Medical professionals utilise these drugs when patients suffering don’t notice any improvement with conventional therapies. As the name suggests, immune suppressant injections are taken to make the immune system stronger. A strong immune system may improve your skin by strengthening your immune system to not react with common allergies. However, this is a very atypical treatment which requires regular medical checkups and professional monitoring.

One of the most important aspects of maintaining and keeping eczema under control is a proper moisturising routine on a daily basis to avoid the problems with dry skin. The best time to moisturise is directly after a shower or bath; this is when the skin's pores are raw and open. If patients have dry skin, they can expect even more problems. So, maintaining a moisturised skin barrier is one of the best things that you can do.  

TYPES OF ECZEMA  

Believe it or not, there are different types of eczema! To start with, there is atopic eczema. It represents an allergic disorder which is usually triggered hereditary (passed down in the family). This is typical for people whose other family members may have other health issues like asthma and hay fever. In most cases, it comes in the form of a rash that leads to intense itching, especially in the areas on the bend of the knees, elbows, neck, chest & inner thighs.

Another common type is called xerotic eczema, which is mainly known as winters itch. This type is found in individuals with extreme cases of skin dryness. During the winter period, patients suffering from xerotic can experience even more problems, with it usually affecting the core area, legs, and arms of patients.

Contact dermatitis is yet another kind of type of skin problem which is very common these days. It can be classified as irritant and allergic. About 75% of people affected by contact dermatitis have the irritant type of this condition. It usually occurs when a person touches or uses some ingredient that their body is allergic too. Patient's should stop touching or using the source that triggers this type of eczema in the first place. Many types of chemical based soaps, detergents or washing cleansers will trigger contact dermatitis on the skin.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is another common type of eczema & is commonly found in babies too which is known as cradle cap. This particular kind of eczema is often associated with dandruff, peeling or flaking of the scalp. Mothers should be careful is when the baby or infant experiences severe cradle cap.   

CONTROLLING

The good news is that there are many different things that people can do to control the irritations & minimise the effects of this skin condition. Try and stay away from harsh detergents, soaps, powders, and chemicals. There are natural hypoallergenic detergents and moisturising soaps on our website that specifically made for people with sensitive skin! It is also a good idea to avoid perfumes and powders of any kind. These products are not good for the skin and will most likely make the situation even worse. 

Feel free to contact us if you have questions!

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is defined as a very persistent autoimmune skin condition. Contrary to popular belief, this skin disease is not contagious. The disease has an impact on the joints and the skin. It usually leads to scaling and redness on the skin of the affected individual. In most cases, outbreaks come in the forms of patches which are known as psoriatic plaques. They represent relatively small patches of the skin in which the skin is inflamed, and there is an intensified production of the skin. That’s why the extra skin created by the body accumulates at the patches and has a particular white colour. In most cases, patients have patches on the skin in the knee or elbow area. But, many patients are witnessing the emergence of outbreaks in the genital area and on the scalp. However, psoriasis is not the same as eczema even though they share some of the same characteristics.

It’s crucial to understand that it is a very persistent disease. However, every patient is experiencing a different severity. Some patients are that are dealing with mild cases and have only a couple of tiny patches. On the other hand, some patients have it severe and have spots all over the body. Modern medicine has still not identified the exact cause of this disease. However, most experts support the theory that it is a result of a certain genetic disorder. 

TREATMENT

Every person who is dealing with psoriasis is different, due to the fact that people are different and the fact that there are many different types, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor before starting treatment. In other words, there is no universal treatment that works for everyone. Dermatologists and physicians in general, conduct many different treatments to determine the best treatment for specific patients. Some treatments that provide better results in certain patients. Generally speaking, the type of treatment patients should follow related to the type of psoriasis, the location of the disease, the intensity, extent, sufferer’s sex, age, quality of life and other treatments that they may practice at the moment.

It’s worth mentioning that many topical treatments that have proven to be very effective. For instance, the use of moisturisers and bath treatments is recommended by many dermatologists. By using these treatments, you will be able to ease the dryness, reduce redness and soothe the skin patches. Also, ointments that are used directly to the problematic areas can help patients lower irritation, inflammation, reduce skin accumulation and improve the physical appearance of the problematic area. However, topical treatments can come with certain side effects too. For instance, if a person practices such treatment for an extended period of time, the content used in these treatments can lead to irritation to the unaffected skin from chemical based products. We always would suggest our Psoriasis Cream for a natural option.

Our Suggestion: Grahams Natural Psoriasis Cream (Class I Medical Device)

What is Class l Medical Device?

Another effective treatment that is frequently used in cases of psoriasis is phototherapy. It turns out that many sufferers who are exposed to direct sunlight (without staying too long) can enhance their condition. Phototherapy is based on ultraviolet light exposure for a short period. 

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms associated with this skin condition are quite general. Some of the typical symptoms and signs of the presence of this skin disease are parts of the skin that are dry, inflamed and red. Flaky skin is another common symptom. Psoriasis can often be associated with eczema, and it is important to know the difference, click here to read about eczema. Typically, the skin on the area affected by psoriasis comes with a silver or white colour. In addition, some sufferers point out that in addition to flaky skin, dryness, inflammation, and redness; they also have itchy skin, irritation and even mild pain. It takes a visual checkup for a doctor to determine the presence of this persistent disease. There is no need to perform special tests or other medical procedure to detect psoriasis. If there are some other symptoms present on the skin, doctors may conduct a skin biopsy.

We find many of the problems associated with this skin condition is mainly from allergic reactions from foods. We wrote a blog post here, on the top 5 foods that may trigger your eczema or psoriasis! 

TYPES 

Just like many other skin conditions, it can come in a few different forms. We will now present the most common types.

Plaque 

this is the most general type of this skin condition. About 85% of all patients diagnosed have this type of psoriasis. It usually occurs in the form of elevated inflamed skin regions. The skin in these areas is flaky and white.

Flexural 

this type is described as a smooth patch of skin affected by inflammation. In most cases, it is found in the bends of the skin. Friction and perspiration will make the situation worse.

Nail 

this leads to the modification of the physical appearance of toe and finger nails. The changes usually come in the form of ridges in the nails, discoloration of nails, thickening of the skin located under nails, pitting and crumbling of nails and loose nails.

Guttate

this type is characterised by relatively small round patches. The patches are small, but they are usually covering large areas. They are most commonly found on the scalp, core section, legs, and arms.

Erythrodermic

this is another type which usually covers a larger area of inflamed skin. Redness, extreme dryness, pain swelling and itching are some of the symptoms of this particular type.

Pustular 

you can easily recognise pustular psoriasis because it has a specific appearance. It comes in the form of elevated sores that look very similar to blisters. They too have pus. Typically, these patches/blisters occur on the feet and hands.  

PREVENTION

There are some things that people can do to prevent or at least lower the chances of occurrence and re occurrence of this terrible skin condition. Things like smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol and stress can worsen the situation. In addition, people prone to skin problems should not stay in extreme heat climates or environments, as the head will worsen the condition. Additionally, they should stay away from powders because they usually make the skin drier. When it comes to detergents and soaps, use products that contain ingredients that are 100% natural to reduce the risk of reactions related to chemical based products.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us!

Rosacea Treatment

Rosacea is one of the most common skin problems today. This is a specific type of disorder that affects the blood vessels. According to some statistics, almost half of the population of our planet is dealing with this skin condition. But, what is interesting is that people are still not familiar with this disease. 

COMMON SYMPTOMS   

Rosacea sufferers are experiencing many different symptoms of this skin disorder. However, the most common one is the altering of the skin color. Namely, the natural skin color turns into red color. It can occur everywhere, but in most cases, it occurs on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. In addition, it is not unusual to spot this skin condition characterized by flushing of skin and redness on the neck, chest, scalp and ears. Once the it starts spreading and making progress, this slight changing of color can become permanent. Additionally, many patients are witnessing increased visibility of small blood vessels especially at the surface of the skin, reddish eyes and bumps that may have an infection. Even though bulbous noses are not a common symptom, it is worth mentioning this symptom because it is very difficult and dangerous. The so-called maiden rosacea is characterized by nagging redness. In many cases, people believe that this redness is caused by temperature changes, exercising or intense cleansing. It’s good to point out that even though it may appear similar to acne vulgaris or seborrheic dermatitis, they are different. However, they are often linked together as they will affect the person at the same time.

CAUSES?  

The scientific community is still divided when they are debating the cause. This is quite understandable because there is no scientific evidence about the exact cause of this skin condition. However, there is a pattern which indicates what can cause this disorder. For example, it usually occurs when stimuli dilate blood vessels. This activity ultimately damages blood vessels. Such “malfunctioning” blood vessels dilate easily. In addition, they stay dilated permanently or for a long period of time. As a result of that, people witness the occurrence of redness and flushing that affects the skin.

Of course, there are many other things that can trigger rosacea. For instance, many experts believe that food can lead to flaring. For instance, spicy foods and alcohol can result in symptoms. Initial scientific studies have shown that certain medications and topical irritants can lead to rosacea too. Commercial skin care products focused on wrinkle reduction usually contain chemicals like benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, isotretinoin etc. All these irritants can worsen the situation of sufferers.

Topical and nasal steroids are especially dangerous for people who are prone to rosacea. It is the best idea to talk to a doctor and find alternative medications. It turns out that things like bacteria and mites can lead to worsening of your skin. In fact, several studies have shown that many people affected have a specific species of mites called Demodex on their skin. In most cases, people who have developed rosacea as a result of steroid use are the ones affected by Demodex. So, they are just worsening the situation and only in rare cases they are a direct reason for the occurrence of this skin problem. On the other hand, intestinal bacteria and few other types of bacteria can trigger this skin condition too. The intestinal bacteria are found in the digestive tract. If their number is increased, we are talking about neurological dysfunctions. The situation can get worse if the intestinal bacteria trigger the kallikrein-kinin system. 

Our suggestion: Grahams Natural Rosacea Cream (Class I Medical Device) 

What is Class l Medical Device?

TYPES

Every type comes with specific symptoms in addition to the common symptoms. It is possible for one patient to have multiple types.

Phymatous rosacea: This type has a direct impact on the eyes, nose, cheeks, ears, chin and forehead. In addition, phymatous rosacea is also related to nose enlargement problem known as rhinophyma. There is another health disorder related to phymatous rosacea and that’s increased the visibility of tiny blood vessels close to the skin’s outer layer. Some other symptoms of this type include irregular skin surfaces and nodularity. Finally, the skin usually becomes thicker.

Ocular rosacea: As the name suggests, this type usually has an impact on the eyes. It comes with symptoms like itching and burning and a constant feeling that the patient has something stuck in the eyes. Patients suffering have to deal with dry and red eyelids and eyes. Eye irritation is not unusual in cases like this.

Papulopustular rosacea: There are many people who believe that they are having problems with acne even though they are dealing with this type. The typical symptom of papulopustular rosacea is the occurrence of red bumps (papules) with pus. These bumps are known as pustules. These papules last for about five days before they are naturally dissolved. Patients with this type experience continuous redness on a certain part of their skin, an occurrence known as erythema. The papules are prone to blushing and flushing and some patients can experience itching or burning sensations. 

TREATMENT

The most efficient types of treatments depend on the type of rosacea and the severity of the situation. It is up to the dermatologist to detect the symptoms and diagnose the correct type before recommending a suitable treatment.

Laser treatment 

this is a very popular treatment. During this treatment, dermatologists use special light that penetrates the epidermis which is focused on the dermis capillaries. The heat that the device creates dissolves capillary walls which are processed by the body.

CO2 laser treatment 

this is a subtype of laser treatment which relies on CO2 beams. They cut the tissues and eliminate tissue formations. CO2 laser treatments are usually used in cases of phytamous rosacea.

Antibiotics

those interested in getting quick relief from papules, pustules, inflammation, redness and rash can count on antibiotics. Both oral and topical antibiotics usually work well. Tetracycline antibiotics and metronidazole are the best options. Generally speaking, oral antibiotics are a much better option. 

"Rosacea has been a part of my life for as long as I can
remember. Its the one thing that I really hate about my skin.
I have been using Grahams Rosacea Cream morning and
night for the past 2 months. My redness has calmed quite a
lot although not disappeared totally but then I never really
expected that. My skin feels soft and hydrated. For anyone
with Rosacea, sensitive and reactive skin I would suggest
giving Grahams Rosacea Cream a try."
Anna Maree

PREVENTION

There are also a few things that people can do to avoid this skin condition. For instance, they can start a regular, gentle, skin cleansing routine. Furthermore, they should avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Whenever they are planning on staying longer in the sun they should use sunscreens, hats, and sunglasses. Finally, there are some foods that can make people more prone to causing a reaction or worsen the existing situation. Healthy eating will not only keep you safe from skin issues but from many other disorders and diseases so it is always advised. Try an elimination diet to see what might be causing problems with your skin, if nothing works or your skin doesn't improve, keep eliminating food types! 

Feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions!