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Dealing with common skin complaints
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Milia (whiteheads)
What it is: Milia are common, keratin-filled spots that usually appear around the eyes, on the cheeks and on the eyelids in all ages, from infants to adults. Primary milia are believed to arise in sebaceous glands that are not fully developed, and are more common in infants but can occur in children and adults. Secondary milia are seen in a number of blistering disorders and following dermabrasion due to disruption of the sweat duct.
How to treat it: Milia should never be attacked with pins or fingernails as there's a danger of infection and scarring. To treat them yourself, hold a comfortably hot, wet facecloth over the skin for a few minutes, to loosen and remove dead skin cells. Use an exfoliating facial wash containing salicylic acid to remove the top layer of skin, which will enable the cysts to fall out. If you prefer to leave it to the professionals, Matis Treatment ACN, from £30 (01322 290 101), is a non-invasive treatment designed to purify and rebalance the skin.
Psoriasis
What is it: Affecting approximately three per cent of the Western population, psoriasis is a not-yet curable disease. It begins deep in the immune system but is revealed by a dramatically increased number of skin cells in the top layers of the skin. Normal skin cells mature in 28 to 30 days and then are shed from the skin's surface. With psoriasis, a malfunction in the immune system causes skin cells to regenerate much more quickly - every three to four days. As the skin cells accumulate, they form scaly areas of skin.
How to treat it: Topical steroids, topical coal tar preparations, occlusion therapy (which involves covering the skin with an airtight, waterproof wrapping of mild to moderate steroids or moisturisers), and wet-wrap bandaging are typical psoriasis treatments. In the private sector, the XTRAC FDA-approved Excimer laser system (07000 560 821), offers an 80 per cent chance of successfully treating and sustaining recovery from the condition. A course of treatments starts from £500. Dead Sea minerals are known to relieve eczema and psoriasis-related irritation and itching; try the Malki Dead Sea range, from £3.10, which includes bath salts, mineral soap and black mud mask soap. Available from Boots stores nationwide or visit deadseabathcare.co.uk
Nutritional tips from Penny Povey: Lots of oily fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, low sugar, low fat, dairy free. Avoid alcohol, greasy foods, spicy foods, refined carbohydrates, additives, processed foods, caffeine and soft drinks.
Supplements: Essential fatty acids.
Milia (whiteheads)
What it is: Milia are common, keratin-filled spots that usually appear around the eyes, on the cheeks and on the eyelids in all ages, from infants to adults. Primary milia are believed to arise in sebaceous glands that are not fully developed, and are more common in infants but can occur in children and adults. Secondary milia are seen in a number of blistering disorders and following dermabrasion due to disruption of the sweat duct.
How to treat it: Milia should never be attacked with pins or fingernails as there's a danger of infection and scarring. To treat them yourself, hold a comfortably hot, wet facecloth over the skin for a few minutes, to loosen and remove dead skin cells. Use an exfoliating facial wash containing salicylic acid to remove the top layer of skin, which will enable the cysts to fall out. If you prefer to leave it to the professionals, Matis Treatment ACN, from £30 (01322 290 101), is a non-invasive treatment designed to purify and rebalance the skin.
Psoriasis
What is it: Affecting approximately three per cent of the Western population, psoriasis is a not-yet curable disease. It begins deep in the immune system but is revealed by a dramatically increased number of skin cells in the top layers of the skin. Normal skin cells mature in 28 to 30 days and then are shed from the skin's surface. With psoriasis, a malfunction in the immune system causes skin cells to regenerate much more quickly - every three to four days. As the skin cells accumulate, they form scaly areas of skin.
How to treat it: Topical steroids, topical coal tar preparations, occlusion therapy (which involves covering the skin with an airtight, waterproof wrapping of mild to moderate steroids or moisturisers), and wet-wrap bandaging are typical psoriasis treatments. In the private sector, the XTRAC FDA-approved Excimer laser system (07000 560 821), offers an 80 per cent chance of successfully treating and sustaining recovery from the condition. A course of treatments starts from £500. Dead Sea minerals are known to relieve eczema and psoriasis-related irritation and itching; try the Malki Dead Sea range, from £3.10, which includes bath salts, mineral soap and black mud mask soap. Available from Boots stores nationwide or visit deadseabathcare.co.uk
Nutritional tips from Penny Povey: Lots of oily fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, low sugar, low fat, dairy free. Avoid alcohol, greasy foods, spicy foods, refined carbohydrates, additives, processed foods, caffeine and soft drinks.
Supplements: Essential fatty acids.
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iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB