Can Tuberculosis Be Diagnosed With TB Skin Test?

December 23, 2009

TB skin test, also known as PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) is a latent tuberculosis infection test used to confirm the disease in humans. The skin test is sensitive to both mycobacterium tuberculosis and mycobacterium bovis, believed to cause tuberculosis in humans.

This test was developed based on the fact that Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection delays hypersensitivity skin reaction to certain bacterial components. These skin tests show that if you have a latent tuberculosis infection, meaning though the infection isn’t active, you are a carrier of the bacteria, which would become active anytime.

Though positive skin test needs several criteria, including defined undulated borders and non-redness of skin, not all TB skin tests are positive. In some cases, your health care provider may seek a second skin test at later date to confirm the results. If the results turn positive, the physician may order a chest x-ray and other tests to check if the disease is latent or active. Undertake TB skin test if you are in close contact with someone with active tuberculosis, inspite of having received BCG vaccine. Though the vaccine helps protect young children, it wanes with age.

Various Options To Treat Cellulite

September 14, 2009

Cellulite is an unsightly jiggling, dimpled flesh found on upper thighs, stomachs, upper arms and buttocks of women as they age. A study recently conducted by a leading cosmetic brand states that 70% women have cellulite, while other physicians believe the number to be as high as 90 %. There are limited treatment options available. It is claimed that exercise helps build muscles in affected areas, masking cellulite and enhancing circulation. Additionally, a healthy diet prevents cellulite through appropriate weight maintenance. However, they can’t reduce the cellulite already appeared on the skin.

Some of the newer anti cellulite treatment options include cold-laser massage, Vela smooth, Synergie, Fat-Melting injections, Liposuction, Fatburners and Skin Firmers. Most typical ointments only attack the skin and not the source. The effect is temporary and wears off when the cream is discontinued.

Other anti-cellulite treatment options include anti-cellulite creams and coffee grounds. Here too, the effects are temporary. Another anti-cellulite treatment option is Mesotherapy, in which a solution of amino acids, vitamins and homeopathic medications are injected under the skin to break down fat cells. Select those depending on your skin condition and budget.

Acne Skin Care, prevention and treatment

August 31, 2009

Acne skin care is important for prevention and treatment of pimples, pustules, whiteheads and blackheads. Though not a serious medical condition, acne causes significant emotional and psychological trauma.

Acne skin care and prevention starts from within. Remember - your skin health depends on what you feed it. Keep your hair clean. Hair oils and dirt can clog tubes leading to oil glands on top of the skin. Hands can also transmit dirt and oils to the skin. Keep your hands off acne! Picking, popping, pushing and rubbing can worsen the condition.

Include a mild cleanser to wash your face at the beginning and at the end of each day. Also use gentle technique as scrubbing may aggravate acne.

With diligent skin care and treatment, most teens and young adults can reduce the amount of acne or prevent it altogether. However, without good skin care and solid nutritional diet, people are likely to suffer from poor skin condition, increased aging process and high chances of acne.

Treatment and Prevention of Body Acne

August 7, 2009

Though one usually associates acne with the face, few know that it can also form on the back, neck, thigh and butt area. People having body acne can purchase them from drug stores, department stores and mail order companies. Most of them are only through dermatologist prescription.

You can use the same medication for body acne that you use for facial acne. However, the intensity of body acne varies from person to person. However, you can do your bit by always keeping your skin clean and dry. Sport light and airy cotton clothing and use good quality soap and a body brush while bathing.

Once you are out of the shower, ensure that you soak all water from your body with a clean towel before putting on your clothing. Wearing clothes while your body is still wet will set your skin up for more acne breakouts. Relieve yourself of body acne now! Find a product that works for you and use preventative skin care to contain the outbreaks.

Aging and Your Skin

April 25, 2009

Aging is a natural part of life. It is a phenomenon that everyone would want to stop from happening.  One evidence of aging is the skin losing flexibility and age spots.  Natural skin care products can help in making you appear years younger than your actual biological age.  You, too, can benefit from these products and delay the effects of aging over your skin.
A dermatologist or skin care professional can help you determine the best products to use.  Just as most things about your body, your body will age according to your own lifestyle, die, and overall genetics.  It is important to make a well-informed decisions on which treatment to use.  Your skin care expert will first make an assessment of the type of skin that you have and go from there.  As there ae different types of skin, this will determine the best anti-aging skin care product that you should use to get the maximum results.
People who do not want to go under the knife for an aesthetic procedure will definitely consider other alternatives, with realistic results in mind, topical treatment can be the best alternative for you.  You can look young with younger-looking skin.

Natural Remedies for Cradle Cap

March 17, 2009

Having a newborn in the house is a culmination of the nine month wait. Becoming parents (again) would involve all the thrills and shrills. Things are definitely to change around the house. With a new person to be responsible for, any parent would definitely appreciate all the help that is available for them.

One of the worst things that can happen is having our bundle of joy going sick, no matter how simple or severe it may be. Though relatively harmless, cradle cap is still a nuisance and it can lead to more serious problems as your baby grows up. Cradle cap is known to develop into more serious problems like atopic dermatitis, it is also commonly misdiagnosed as psoriasis. With your very fragile newborn, it would be inadvisable to risk any further complication.

Treatments for cradle cap have been wildly speculative and the results are highly varied. Your baby’s skin is sensitive and can be subject to irritants and ailments. I don’t advise experimenting. Turning to natural remedies will help cure and prevent cradle cap. There are topical remedies now available that can cure and prevent cradle cap. No more taking chances, no more cradle cap, no more worries!

Your Skin and Your Future

March 2, 2009

When it comes to skin care, there are only two kinds of people. There are those that take their skin care seriously and those that would care less about their skin. You will fall in either category. Today, not only women have taken skin care as part of their health regimen. Men also have started to take care and be meticulous of how their skin looks and feels, resulting in an ever expanding market for quality skin care products.

With the ever-changing demands of the market, new products are coming out to meet these demands. These products help people look and feel better about themselves because of healthy looking skin. To remedy the different maladies and condition a person has, or just for maintenance. Healthy skin tells so much about a person; it can connote healthy living, a good upbringing, and overall good status quo.

If you think that good skin only goes skin deep, think about the social implications you will be benefitting from if you had good, glowing, fair skin. New doors just might open for you just by looking great. So next time you go on a blind date, a job interview, or just be out with friends, think of how better other people will see you if had fair skin.

Natural Solutions to Stretch Marks

January 16, 2009

Stretch marks are skin conditions where the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. The skin by nature is an elastic matter that accommodates movements of the body. When overstretched, collagen is disrupted and will form scars. That scar is what you know as a stretch mark and which you may see around your body.

This reddish line appears differently from the surrounding skin, it becomes visible with pregnant women, successful weight loss, teenagers and body builders. While girls make fuss about stretch marks, guys get them too but they would rather keep this to themselves. Stretch marks are hard to remove, though you can make them significantly less noticeable and, if prepared, prevent getting them at all.

There are many available stretch marks solutions that can be found on the market today. Natural scar and stretch marks creams applied topically can help the skin recover from the damage, while some can be used during pregnancy to prep the skin and prevent stretch marks forming. There are also laser treatments available if your need is desperate, whilst tummy tucks can also hide scars as well as excess pounds. At the end of the day it is all about skin care - if you are kind to your skin you can minimise the effect of stretch marks naturally.

 

Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite This Year

January 2, 2009

Bed bugs are nasty little critters. Think of it as a parasite sucking the blood out of you. Think Dracula for that matter because it sucks blood only on midnight when you are away in dreamland. This is because bed bugs do not like sun and they are patiently waiting on your bed for easy access to your warm body.

Bed bugs belongs to bug family Cimicidae, his cousins will include your pet fleas and bat bugs. Their size is about an apple seed. Bed bugs are commonly mistaken for fleas or small cockroaches. Beds are usually their most convenient habitat but they can be found in furniture, clothing, walls and dark crevices just like your ordinary bugs.

The most disturbing thing about this uninvited guest is their bite itself. While asleep, they will insert two needle point tubes into the skin. The first tube would be for drawing blood and the other contains their own saliva with anticoagulants and anesthetics to the bite area. This will ensure their success in drawing your blood without interference. However, that saliva is usually an allergen to the person they bit making this person break into a rash or sometimes to a more life threatening allergy. Happy New Year.

 

Spotting a Skin Abscess

November 10, 2008

A red, hot and painful swelling which is filled with puss is usually the first sign that you have a skin abscess. If your body’s immune system is strong the white blood cells sent straight on over should be able to cope and clear it up by themselves. This will mean the abscess will clear up without any discharge and instead you will be left with a hard painful lump for a while.

Abscesses on the skin surface can cause nearby glands to become swollen and sore. For example an abscess on the arm could cause swollen glands in the arm pit. Provided you treat the abscess early though you should be able to get away with just mild discomfort. If needs be the puss will need to be drained safely, allowing the infection to heal and the skin to repair itself. Draining can be done using a dry dressing covered with magnesium sulphate paste.

 

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