Skin Disorders Basics

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• QHow can I protect my children from skin injuries?

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  A Dr. Elif E. Oker, MD , Medical Toxicology, answered

  Reality check: You cannot completely protect your children from skin injuries. Kids will be kids so it is inevitable that they will experience minor cuts, bruises and scrapes. 
  What you can do is try to prevent serious injuries, such as lacerations, that require stitches or burns from heat or chemicals.
  Prevention, education and planning are the key to preventing serious injury in children.
  Some tips:

  1. Be sure your kids have scissors and utensils that are made for kids.
  2. Supervise children when they are handling objects that can cause injury including things that are made for kids.
  3. Teach your children about safety and safe habits.
  4. Child-proof your home and be sure to keep chemicals, matches, lighters, knives and similar objects out of their reach.

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• QHow can stress cause skin problems?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  Stress and skin problems can go hand-in-hand. Whether you're stressed about your job, a family member's health, a crumbling marriage or your first child going off to college, stress has a sneaky way of showing up on your face and skin. Think of it as your body's way of communicating what's going on inside to the outside world. There's even a name for it: psychodermatology.
  
  The stress in your life turns up on your face. For instance, studies find that stress triggers 62% of psoriasis episodes (an inflammatory skin condition), with flares occurring within days of the emotional upset. Most hyperhidrosis episodes (in which you sweat excessively) are related to stress, and 94% of episodes in women with rosacea -- a skin condition marked by excessive redness and bumps on the face -- have an emotional trigger.
  
  Thus, you can see the very strong mind/body connection that exists between our emotions and our skin health. The connection is probably related to the immune system and the way it reacts to stress. Short bursts of stress -- like those from a good workout -- can improve your skin. But when you're exposed to chronic stress -- stress that just won't stop -- or a lot of stress all at once, your immune system can get overloaded. The result? Negative effects on your skin. So it's important you learn to recognize the stressors in your life and modify your reactions to them. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback and breathing training can help you cope better with life stresses and reduce their effects on your skin.

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• QWhat is a Wood's light exam?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Wood's light exam is a test that a doctor may use to detect skin infections and certain other disorders of the skin. To perform Wood's light exam, a doctor darkens the room and looks over the skin using a special light or lamp. (This test is also called Wood's lamp examination.) This test is painless and no preparation is necessary.
  

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• QHow is skin injury diagnosed?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Because there are many kinds of skin lesions, it can be difficult to tell whether one is a result of a skin injury or a disease. In order to make this decision, doctors consider your family and health history, occupation, exposure to sunlight or radiation, drug use, and travel.
  
  If your doctor still cannot diagnose your skin injury, he or she may take a biopsy, a section of the skin lesion for testing, or skin scrapings. A black light may also be used to check for some diseases.
  
  To diagnose a burn, a doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms and the experience that allowed you to contract the burn. The doctor will also examine your skin. If the injury is severe, your doctor might also need to determine how much of your body is burned and how it might have affected the rest of your body.
• QHow do I care for someone after surgery for phimosis?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Circumcision can be a traumatic experience, involving bleeding, pain, weeks of recovery time, and risk of complications. You should be available to provide both emotional and physical support. Pick out loose-fitting underwear and pants for him to wear. Make sure he takes the prescribed painkillers on schedule every day. Ensure that the penis is cleaned daily to prevent the wound from becoming infected, and change the dressing. If he has any bleeding in the day after surgery, have him apply pressure to the area gently for 10 minutes. Ice packs may also be used for pain and swelling in the day after surgery in 20-minute applications. He should avoid vigorous exercise while healing. Remind him not to pull off any scabs that might form, even if they become itchy and irritating.
• QWhy do I get sun spots?

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  A Dr. Jordana S. Gilman, MD , Dermatology, answered

  

  Sun spots are often called age spots, but you don't have to be old to get them, says dermatologist Dr. Jordana Gilman. To find out why even young people might see spots -- and how to prevent them -- watch this video.

  
  

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• QAre sun spots benign?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Usually, yes. Sun spots are benign most of the time, but you should consult a doctor about any irregular changes to your skin. It's never safe to assume a spot or mole is benign. Likewise, check with your doctor before beginning any treatment or therapy for sun spots.

  Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing to safeguard your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

• QWhat natural sun spot remedies can I try?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Lemon juice applied twice a day is a common home remedy. But be extra careful when in the sun: The lemon juice will make your skin more sensitive to UV exposure, so remember to cover up and don't forget to apply plenty of sunscreen. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing to safeguard your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

• QAre there any ways to get rid of stretch marks?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  I'm sorry to say that it doesn't appear that any topical treatments can eliminate stretch marks. A lot of damage takes place when the dermis tears and irritation ensues. There is some evidence, however, that daily massage may help prevent marks in the first place, so ask your mate to give regular rubs to the most common places where stretch marks appear—your abdomen, thighs, and breasts (we're guessing he won't mind a bit). Using cocoa butter or vitamin E as the massage cream has been reported anecdotally to help, but the research is limited.
• QWhat is xerosis?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Xerosis is a dry skin condition caused by a decrease in the water level in the stratum corneum, or the outermost layer of skin. Since that outer layer depends on a specific, minimum level of moisture to keep it functioning properly, a decrease in this water content can lead to flaking, scaly, dry skin that is rough to the touch.