Posts Tagged ‘Inflammation’

Collagen skin care is big business, but it is a business that is poorly regulated. There are a variety of different collagen treatments on the market. In the US, most of them fall under the supervision of the FDA’s cosmetic branch.

The FDA wants consumers to know that cosmetics are not regulated in the same way that food and drugs are regulated. They have published articles, newsletters and even a website that helps consumers learn the facts about cosmetics.

Collagen skin care products are considered cosmetics, because they do not provide health benefits. Sometimes, cosmetics include drugs, included to treat acne, eczema or other skin conditions. These drugs will be listed as “active ingredients” on the label. Sun-screening compounds are also listed as active ingredients.

The ingredients in collagen treatments are not considered active by the FDA, because they are not known to provide any benefit to the skin’s health. They are strictly for short-term improvements in the appearance. Are collagen treatments effective for that purpose?

They may provide a temporary improvement in your appearance, but they are just as likely to cause redness, irritation, inflammation or an allergic reaction like hives or rashes. You can easily see that in the before-and-after pictures published at websites selling expensive collagen skin care masks.

The faces in the photos appear to look less wrinkled, but you can also see redness, which indicates inflammation. That minor inflammation may cause a puffiness that stretches out wrinkles temporarily. But, if used on a regular basis, this inflammation can damage the collagen-fibers that make up the skin, eventually leading to more wrinkles, more redness and lost firmness.

You see, collagens are basic proteins that are constructed from amino acids within the skin’s cells. The protein in collagen treatments cannot be broken down, when applied directly to the skin, so there is no way for the cells to get the needed amino acids to actually build new fibers. One of the causes of wrinkles and an aged appearance, in general, is decreased production of new cells and fibers, which is something that naturally accompanies the aging process.

If, instead of collagen skin care products, you look for creams that contain amino acid complexes, they can penetrate the skin’s outer layers. Amino acid complexes containing small amounts of copper and zinc have been shown to stimulate the production of new cells and fibers, in clinical studies.

They also have a proven safety record. Cosmetic companies, in the US, are not required to prove that the ingredients in their products are safe, before releasing them. The FDA recommends that consumers test cosmetics on a small patch of skin, before continuing to use them.

But, if a company only includes ingredients that are safe enough to eat, then there is no reason for concern. Sometimes, it is the additives, like artificial preservatives and fragrances, in collagen treatments that cause problems. If you look for all-natural products, you’ll be happier, safer and look better in the long run.

Just remember that the most effective collagen skin care creams don’t even contain collagens. Amino acids are the ingredients to look for.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/discover-the-truth-about-collagen-skin-care-treatments-706175.html

Technorati Tags: acne, Active Ingredients, Allergic Reaction, Amino Acids, Collagen Fibers, Collagen Treatments, Eczema, Firmness, Health Benefits, Hives, Inflammation, Proteins, Screening Compounds, Skin Care, Skin Care Products, Skin Care Treatments, Skin Cells, Skin Conditions, Term Improvements, Wrinkles

http://www.drswaims.com/deadseasaltsexfoliatingsoak.html
Dead Sea Salts Exfoliating Soak – These unique salts are usually found only in upscale spas and are Step 1 of Dr. Swaims Skin Care Plan. Dr. Swaims unique formula of lavender, rosemary, and other essential oils combined in a synergy of natural teas and botanical infusions provide an aromatic balance designed to promote the energizing scent of rosemary and the calm healing affects of lavender. These unprocessed, authentic salts provide maximum therapeutic effects with proven benefits for those who suffer from Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and many other disorders. Exfoliate immediately after your soak and youll be amazed as the unwanted, dry skin washes away.. AMAZING RESULTS FOR CRACKED HEELS. Soak in salts twice weekly and enjoy!

NOTE: The pure white salts in color commonly found on your local store shelf are processed, removing the beneficial minerals. Our Dead Sea Salt Soak is off white in color and may contain brown specks which are the minerals or the herbal essential oils that make our authentic Dead Sea Salts so unique and thats a bonus!

Duration : 0:2:37

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Technorati Tags: 720, acne, Acupunture, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, AntiFungal, Arthritis, Block, care, Circulation, cracked, Dead, Dermatitis, Diabetic, dr, Eczema, Emu, Feet, Fibromyalgia, Fissure, Flip, Flop, Heels, Hemp, herbal, Inflammation, Ingredients, Joint, Limb, Max, moisturizing, natural, Nerve, Neuropathic, Neuropathy, pain, Phantom, Points, Pressure, products, Psoriasis, Raynauds, Relief, Reliever, Salts, Sea, Shingles, skin, Sunburn, Swaim, Tendonitis, topical

My daughter is now 9 months old. She’s had severe eczema since she was born. For many months we struggled with remedies that had little to no effect. It became worse and worse. Our G.P. had her try a steroid ointment, Hydro cortisone .1%. It also had little to no effect. After months of her suffering through our attempts, we took her to the Sick Kids Hospital of Toronto, Ontario. The Doctors there were amazing and within HOURS her eczema was cleared up and is still controlled to this day. What my doctor had tried was on the right road but not quite there…. what they prescribed was three short baths a day and two separate steroid ointments. Hydro cortisone at .1% for her face and Betamethisone at .05% for her body, all sealed in with a layer of Vaseline. What made the difference was the ointment versus the cream… it has to do with the water content.Now I know that many people are concerned with using the steroid ointments. I was informed that as long as there is a need for them within the system that it does not cause any problems. I only trust these doctors after speaking to MANY. So, parents, please take my experience and help your babies. I’ve done the field work, please reap the rewards. Now at 9 months old, she’s been on the regiment for 5 months her eczema is completely controlled and she is finally starting to grow out of it. She has only one bath a day and I only do her face when she needs it, every two days or so and her back and body once a week or whenever there’s irritation. I really wanted to share this info with other parents out there who are struggling with this. There were no unanswered questions I could post on though! As a side note, some doctors recommend anti-histamines at night to help with irritation and inflammation occurring over night…. tricky stuff, you don’t want the wee ones becoming used to the sedation as a means to fall asleep.

I hope this information finds its way to those who need it.
A few other points
-my GP thought it was food related, found out this is not possible. KEEP THEM ON THE BREAST.
-cologne and perfume are HUGE irritants.My daughter can not kiss daddy after he’s shaved
-Heat also irritates her.
When an irritant is present I can quite litterally watch her skin react.
If your child is at all similar, please take the advice and help them. It’s made all the difference in the world.
Do not worry about diet. It does not effect the condition. Also, perfumes of any kind are a no-no. As mentioned, perfumes of any kind effect her immediately, be forwarned, parents. Breathable fabrics are also a must. Those lovely fluffy sleepers and blankets are nice to look at but the polyester is a huge irritant.
I have not noticed a reaction when she is emotional. She is a VERY relaxed child, though. So that could be why. Even at her worst, when she was scabbed all over her face and head, she was not overly bothered by it. We handled her scratching with mittens for a couple of months until she needed to start using her hands…. and yes, Sick Kids is absolutely amazing.
To be brutally honest, I brought this information because I tried all the "home remedies" I found on the internet and for severe eczema they do not work at all. This regime is for babies who who are covored in sores and are suffering. Sorbeline is a great treatment for mild cases. Honey I’m not too sure about. I just want parents out there looking for a solution, to see this testimony…. I’ve done the work for you, as has my daughter testing the home remidies and over-the-counter products. For SEVERE baby eczema, don’t even waste your time. Take this information to your GP if they have not found the solution and ask.

Zyrtec isn’t that bad and helps retard the migration of eosinophils, thus lowering the risk of asthma and other allergies by reducing inflammation (first link – research article).

Have you tried baths with plain bath salts (like Dead Sea salts)? Those baths seem to help my son’s eczema. Certainly there is plenty of evidence that both softened water or bleach baths are helpful, just the bleach baths need further studies and you need the right directions for doing them. We compromise by offering sea salt baths.

As for the steroid treatments, yes it’s steroids and yes over use is associated with thinned out skin – especially the ones by prescription. But as a biochemist I will assure you that the large molecules can not travel very far beyond the local area applied and will not effect her endocrine system or liver at all, it’s only local so do use them to help when it’s bad. You don’t want a child with a skin infection, babies and children have been known to scratch down to blood vessels and bone when sleeping because of the itch of infection.

OH yeah, does she also have a reaction when she’s very emotional? My youngest does, I can see it move on his skin, totally weird.

Technorati Tags: 5 Months, 9 Months, Anti Histamines, Babies, Baby Eczema, Baths, Cortisone, Doctors, Eczema, Eczema Treatment, Hydro Cortisone, Inflammation, Ointments, Rewards, Sedation, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto Ontario, Unanswered Questions, Vaseline, Water Content

A compound known as Pimecrolimus is used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is made available in the form of a tropical cream by Novartis, under the trade name Elidel. This is believed to be effective against atopic eczema. Immunomodulators are pharmaceutical drugs which work by benefiting the immune system. In essence these drugs actually suppress the immune system in the specific affected area. This means the body’s immune system is not able to develop its typical signals on the affected site. The normal symptoms include rashes, itching, scaling or inflammation. This way Elidel helps in counteracting a potential eczema attack.

The ‘Therapy Guidelines Committee’ of The British Association of Dermatologists had issued a guideline way back in the end of 2002, requesting doctors to not use such drugs as main line treatments but to rather reserve them as second line treatment. This association suggested that such drugs should be reserved for patients that conventional treatments do not work for.

Recently, at the start of 2006, the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it mandatory for Elidel packaging to carry a black box warning stating the possible risk of cancer of lymph node or skin. The link between cancer and Elidel has not yet been proved, so it is just a possibility. And so the long term use of Elidel should be avoided.

Nevertheless when other treatments fail, then some relief can be found by using Elidel, but it must be taken with care and precaution. There are certain guidelines for usage of Elidel. It is important to always go and consult your doctor before starting on a course of Elidel. Also the doctor must be made aware of the patient’s complete past history of infections and medications taken. FDA categorizes drugs and compounds according their known, unknown, favorable and unfavorable effects. Elidel is in the pregnancy category C, which indicates that effect of Elidel is not known on an unborn baby. Elidel should not be used by pregnant women or any woman who is still breastfeeding her baby. For more info see http://www.eczemacuretreatment.com/causes-prevention/eczema_perspiration.html

For patients who are using Elidel there are again some precautions that need to be exercised. It is strictly for external application on skin. Swallowing Elidel can cause serious side effects. It must always be stored out of the reach of children and pets. Clothing and hands must be washed after contact.

After applying Elidel sunlight or ultraviolet radiation must be avoided. This can be ensured by remaining indoors or going out with loose, protective clothing covering all parts of your body. Sun lamps, tanning beds should be avoided at all costs.

With some precautions, it is possible for many people to benefit from the use of Elidel. There are some risks associated, so it’s important to consider whether or not it’s right for you.

Amanda Fain
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/elidel-topical-medication-may-help-eczema-131806.html

Technorati Tags: Atopic Dermatitis, Atopic Eczema, Conventional Treatments, Dermatitis, Eczema, Elidel, Food And Drug Administration, Food And Drug Administration Fda, Guidelines Committee, Immune System, Immunomodulators, Inflammation, Lymph Node, Novartis, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pimecrolimus, Precaution, Pregnancy Category C, Topical Medication, Unborn Baby

I have the Canadian version with Bio-Dyne. I brought it for under eye puffiness. I wonder if I can be use for eczema, It indicate that it relieves pain & itch.

No… the pain and itching that Preparation H is used for is dilated blood vessels. Eczema is dry skin. You need to moisturize daily… and go see your doctor. They will prescribe a steroid cream for the itch and inflammation of eczema.

Technorati Tags: Amp, Bio Dyne, Blood Vessels, Dry Skin, Eczema, Eye Puffiness, Inflammation, Preparation H Cream, Steroid Cream