Vitiligo - white patches appears on the skin

Vitiligo is otherwise known as leukoderma and is a condition in which white patches appears on the skin. Medically it is known as achromia and is a skin disorder. Mostly Indians and Mexicans are affected by this. Depigmented area increase progressively. This causes more mental problems than physical ones.

Symptoms
Itching

White patches on skin

Dark spot within white patches

Pigmentation all over the body

Change in skin colour (skin turns to white)

More chance of sunburn

Causes
Body heat, exposure to wind are all likely to cause this disease. Excess heat may cause problem with proper blood circulation. Losing of skin pigment called melanin that gives colour to skin. Sunburn, viral infection and physical trauma to skin can trigger the condition. When exposed to sun skin reddens and then the out skin layers peels off and darker skin forms in the area. This can also happen if melain production is blocked. Melanin producing cells called melanocytes area attacked and destroyed by unknown factors. In such a case skin loses its colour. Genetic factors are another cause for vitiligo. Pressure of tight cloths, wearing of gloves etc are also likely to cause this disease.

Treatment
Certain Vitamins are helpful in treating Vitiligo. Folic acid, Vitamin b12 and Vitamin C are prescribed to those with this disorder. Light therapy is yet another method of treatment. It is found that supplementing with amino acid L-phenylalanine (LPA) is also helpful. Exposing to sun is also found to have some affect on Vitiligo. Restoration of normal skin by surgery is yet another method. Bleeching of normal skin is also done. Using sunscreens can help to reduce spreading of disease to more area. While using sun protection creams the Sun protection factor (SPF) must not be less than 30 SPF. Cover ups can be used like cosmetics. Topical Corticosteroid Creams or Topical Oxsoralen are used for spot treatments. Mini grafting is yet another method in which normal skin is transplanted to affected area. Tattooing (micropigmentation) is a method in which pigments are implanted in to skin with the help of surgical instrument.

Alternative medicine
PUVA (psoralen and ultra-violet A) is the primary treatment available. Psoralen is derived from a herb called Psoralea cordyfolia. Skin is exposed to Psoralens (acts as photoactivators) along with UV-A in a controlled amount to rejuvenate malanocytes. There are several other chinese herbal medicines which are combination of herbs. Some of them are Compound Tablet of Tribulus containing spirodela, ho-shou-wu, xanthium etc. Another one is a combination of herbs like astragalus, peony, raw and cooked rehmannia etc. In addition to this Shou Wu Decoction is also prescribed by chinese medicine. There are certain external treatments also. Among Chinese medicine Vitiligo resolving capsules, liniment, paste and lotion are also available. Homeopathy is found effective for treatment of vitiligo. Ayurvedic medicines are also found helpful in treating Vitiligo.

Links
http://www.medicinenet.com/vitiligo/article.htm
http://www.leucoderma.com/app/default.asp
http://www.vitiligoguide.com/
http://www.vitiligoguide.com/vitiligo-treatment/
http://www.vitiligoskindisorder.com/show/alternative-treatment/

Scleroderma - an auto immune disease that affects the skin

Scleroderma is an auto immune disease that affects the skin. This affect connective tissues leading to inflation, scars and thickening of skin. Most commonly skin over tips of elbows, fingers and face. Mostly women are more affected by the disease than men. Scleroderma can be classified into two diffuse and limited. In diffuse form skin of face, chest, abdomen etc thickens symmetrically. Some times organ diseases also occur which might be serious. Bowels, lungs, heart, esophagus and kidneys are most commonly affected. It can even lead to high blood pressure. In limited form only skin of face and fingers are effected. This effect takes place slowly and is also known as CREST. As per this name CREST

C stands for tiny calcium deposits called calcinosis, commonly found in elbows, knees etc in white colour in superficial skin. This might need a surgery or might be tender enough to fall off if infected.

R is for Raynaud's phenomenon which is spasm of small artery vessels. Commonly they are found in arteries to fingers, nose, tounge, ears or toes. They change colour to blue, white and then red when exposed to extreme heat, cold or emotions.

E goes for Esophagus, the condition in which muscles function poorly or lower part of esophagus stops functioning. Esophagus may widen leading to backflow of stomach acid causing heartburn, scarring or inflammation.

S refers to Sclerodactyly ie. tightening or thickening of skin of toes and fingers. This may limit the motion of fingers and toes and they will appear puffy and shiny.

Finally T is for Telangiectasias, tiny red spots that blanch on pressing and represents dilated capillaries on face, mouth or hands. It is not necessary that all these symptoms exist along.

When the disease diffuse it is called as systemic sclerosis. Some might also be affected with some other connective tissue diseases. When symptoms of scleroderma are found with systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms or of polymyositis it is called mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Linear scleroderma is a condition in which hardened skin is found as a strip along leg. If affected to a child this can stunt bone growth of affected leg. The disease can be dangerous to your heart leading to conditions like myocardial disease, arrhythmias or conduction system abnormalities. Kidneys and lungs are also affected due to tightening of blood vessels.

Symptoms

Irritation
Skin hardening
Pigmentation
Inflammation
Progressive tissue fibrosis
Occlusion of the microvasculature
Calcium gets deposited in connective tissues
Blood vessels of hands and feet narrows
Swellimg of esophagus
Red spots on face and hands
Hypertension
Sensitivity to cold

Causes

It is found that genes has a role in causing Scleroderma. Cellular and humoral immunological derangement is considered as a cause of this disease. Activation of fibroblast and injury to Endothelial cell are other causes. At times environment also plays a vital role. Exposure to silica, to solvents like trichloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, epoxy resins, carbon tetrachloride, radiation or radio therapy are environmental factors leading to this disease. When environmental or genetic factors activate the immune system causing injury to tissues patient is affected by this disease. parvovirus B19 is an accelerating agent like human herpesvirus 5 and Cytomegalovirus. Families with Scleroderma patients are found to be affected with other autoimmune diseases also. Body tissues are affected by its own immune system leading to this disease. Certain drugs like Bleomycin and pentazocine can also cause this disease.

Treatment

As this particular disease can lead to several other problems it is better to consult a rheumatologist. He will refer you to other specialists like a dermatologist, a nephrologist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a pulmonary specialist etc for different problems faced by you. Medicines like Pantoprazole (Protonix), is used to treat ulcer in stomach. For that affecting heat medicines like nifedipine, bosentan, nicardipine are prescriped as they are calcium channel blockers. Skin discolouration and hardening is treated with corticosteroids or moisturizers. In extensive form antibiotics like minocycline is prescribed. Phototherapy also gives some positive results. Vasodilators are used for relaxation and there by help to expansion of blood vessels. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can be given to maintain blod pressure. Aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen etc can be given as Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Antacids help digestion and decrease acidity while D-penicillamine delays the spreading of disease. Steroids are prescribed to reduce inflammation. Cyclophosphamide and methotrexate are immunosuppressants. At times cosmetic or orthopedic surgery is necessary to correct contractures of joints, to treat scars or skin deformities. Stretching exercise helps to keep joints flexible and strong. Avoiding Vitamin C greater than 100mg/day and excessive smoking are other methods necessary.

Alternative medicine

It is found that herbs can cure scleroderma to a good extent. Extracts from hydrangea root, a herb commonly used in Chinese medicine was proved effective in halting the progress of an autoimmune disease in lab and is yet to be proved on a human body. Acupuncture can relieve from the symptoms of sclerosis. Among Chinese medications are treatments using medical extracts from dried beetles, earth worms, scorpions, centipedes etc. One of the chinese medicines are Yangshen Huoxue Tang a combination of extracts to warm kidney and vitalize blood. Different herbs used in Chinese medicine are effective blood vitalers, yang tonics, spleen qi tonics and warming agents. Rehmania is a common herb used in medicines. Cornus is another herb used to treat kidney. Meditation and yoga are found effective to reduce tension, depression and anxiety caused by scleroderma. Transcendental Meditation is helpful to reduce brain's response to pain. It is said that you can control the disease by changing life style, by introducing healthy diet, regular physical exercise and body cleansing along with different natural traditional therapies.


Links

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331864-treatment

http://scleroderma.jhmi.edu/patients/treatment-options.html

http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/311/main.html

http://arthritis.about.com/od/sclero/Scleroderma_Cause_Diagnosis_Symptoms_Treatment.htm

Different kinds of skin ailments like Psoriasis,Acne,Eczema and Urticaria

Psoriasis:
Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic, non contagious skin disorder that appears in many different forms and can affect any part of the body, including the nails and scalp. The skin, in the patches that are affected, substituted it self at a much quicker rate than the rest of skin normally does.

Acne:
Acne is presentation of skin ailments which usually occurs in adolescence especially with a strong family history of allergic disorders. Severe acne can be lead to serious and permanent scaring.

Eczema:
Eczema generally appears as dry or weeping, intensely itchy skins with raised areas that look like small blisters.

Urticaria:
Urticaria refers to a group of disorders in which red patches and weals occur in the skin due to release of chemicals from mast cells.