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

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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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

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

Duration : 0:1:58

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Eczema is a chronic skin disease which it a combination of inheritance and outside triggers (things which set off a reaction).

The skin is inflamed, itchy, and red, it may have fever in it as well as open lesions, usually from scratching. It affects approximately 17 million Americans, the majority of which have less severe forms of the disease. Many of these suffer from Atopic Dermatitis, which is what most people refer to when they say the word eczema.

Of these people, less than 20% of the skin is affected. The symptoms can be: itchiness, inflammation, cracking, open lesions, scaling and extreme pain. These can usually be alleviated through the use of steroidal medications.

Many people are fearful of steroidal treatments for eczema because of side effects that they have heard about in association with steroids. Good communication with an experienced dermatologist who will monitor your use of corticosteroids (the topical steroidal treatments frequently prescribed for eczema) will lessen your risk of side effects. Treatment with these medications has proven very useful in alleviating the symptoms of eczema.

Treatment is designed to alleviate current symptoms or prevent future symptoms from arising (flare ups). It takes a combination of patient cooperation in avoidance of triggers, skin care, and proper use of prescribed medications to achieve these goals.

Medications like corticosteroids should always be monitored by your physician or dermatologist. It is important to have an experienced doctor to be the monitoring party. Through careful monitoring, the possibility of severe side effects is nearly eliminated, even with long term use. Your part in this is to use the medication exactly as prescribed. Too few applications will not produce desired results and too many will bring the more serious side effects into play.

Topical corticosteroids:

Ointments and creams which are applied to the skin’s surface are topical medications. Topical corticosteroids are the favorite form of prescribed medication for alleviating symptoms of eczema. You can find extremely mild forms of these in non prescription products like Cortaid, but they seldom give much relief for eczema sufferers.

Prescription strengths have a wide range of potency and your doctor/dermatologist will generally attempt to alleviate symptoms with a very mild dose (like hydrocortisone) initially and work up from there. Only very mild forms can be used in sensitive areas and around eyes.

Corticosteroids in mid range potency are available in a lotion and are excellent for symptoms on the torso area. High range potency is usually saved for more severe symptoms that refuse to respond to other less strong treatment. This dosage is only used to clear the rash and should not be sustained any longer than necessary to achieve this effect.

Depending on the severity of the eczema flare up and the prescription strength, your rash should clear within one to three weeks. Highly potent medications are usually prescribed to be used for a few days, then left off for a few days, then used again with the cycle repeating until the eczema symptoms are gone.

Systemic corticosteroids:

Systemic medications are medications which are taken into the body through oral doses or through injection. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids is a final phase attempt to treat symptoms of eczema that will not respond to either topical treatments or phototherapy.

Usually, you will have a high dose the first day followed by about half that dose for a few days, and then half of that again for the final days of treatment. Systemic corticosteroid usually lasts no more than 10 days and provides nearly immediate relief for the patient, although complete clearing takes longer.

Systemic corticosteroids should never be taken by anyone who has not had them prescribed or by pregnant women (birth defects are possible). Children may use them through doctor orders, but should not be on them repeatedly.

Possible side effects:

It is important to remember that listed side effects are directly related to dosage strength, method of administration, patient age, affected area, duration of therapy, and monitoring by your doctor. With careful dosing and monitoring, the more serious side effects should not affect you.

Corticosteroids can cause: cataracts, Glaucoma, nausea, vomiting, growth retardation, peptic ulcers, hypertension, osteoporosis, stretch marks, spider veins, weight gain, infection, thinned skin, and dilated blood vessels.

Louise Forrest
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-truth-about-steroidal-treatment-of-eczema-113787.html

Technorati Tags: Atopic Dermatitis, Avoidance, Chronic Skin, Dermatitis, Dermatologist, Eczema, Eczema Treatment, Extreme Pain, Flare Ups, Inflammation, Ointments, Open Lesions, Patient Cooperation, Prescribed Medications, Skin Disease, Steroids, Topical Corticosteroid, Topical Corticosteroids, Treatment Of Eczema, Ups

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- You develop an otherwise unexplained rash and have a family history of eczema or asthma. You should have a medical diagnosis of the condition.

- The inflammation does not respond within a week to treatment with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. A physician may suggest more aggressive forms of treatment.

- You develop yellowish to light brown crust or pus-filled blisters over existing patches of eczema. This may indicate a bacterial infection that should be treated with an antibiotic.

- During a flare-up of eczema, you are exposed to anyone with a viral skin disease such as cold sores or genital herpes. Having eczema puts you at increased risk of contracting the viral disorder.

- You develop numerous small, fluid-filled blisters. You may have eczema herpeticum, a rare but potentially serious complication caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Technorati Tags: Antibiotic, Asthma, Bacterial Infection, Blisters, Cold Sores, Eczema, Eczema Herpeticum, Emergency Department, Family History, Flare, Genital Herpes, Herpes, Herpes Simplex Virus, Hydrocortisone, Inflammation, Medical Attention, Medical Diagnosis, Medical Treatment, Rash, Skin Disease

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