Dandruff is a chronic disorder, which significantly affects the scalp region and is characterized by the appearance of minute white flakes on the scalp. Although dandruff does not cause serious problems, recurrent appearances of dandruff can be embarrassing for the concerned person.

Symptoms

If you spot numerous white flakes repeatedly on the shoulders or on the shoulder region of your shirt and experience severe itching around the scalp, particularly during weather changes, it is likely that you are suffering from dandruff.

Causes

Dandruff might develop due to a lack of proper hair care, side-effects of certain shampoos or hair care products, seborrheic dermatitis (characterized by scaly red coloured patches on one s scalp), dry or oily skin, eczema, excessive stress, hormonal changes, side effects of serious diseases such as HIV or Parkinson s disease (a disease of the nervous system that impairs human body mobility) and also cold weather conditions.

Prevention and treatment

You can control dandruff by applying any of the following treatments:

    Therapy involving peeling and subsequent strengthening of the scalp might help in the complete elimination of dandruff. The therapy is developed with the help of highly operative anti-fungal ingredients which sanitize the scalp and regulate the growth of the fungi  Malassezia  to a normal level. This helps in the elimination of the intense itchy sensations and the minute white flakes around the region of the scalp. The therapy also aims to provide adequate nourishment to the hair. This therapy helps in the flattening of the dandruff affected hair strands along with the subsequent reinforcement and protection of the hair follicles. If the dandruff is caused due to an oily scalp, this therapy might be useful in the regulation of the unnecessary and excess oil level.
    In order to treat dandruff, a therapy aimed at the purification and balancing of the scalp might be helpful. This treatment incorporates a mixture of natural oils which help in the subsequent nourishment of the scalp; the therapy helps your hair to regain its lost vigor.

Further recommendation

Along with the aforementioned therapies, you can also use certain products which might help as well:

1. Anti-dandruff lotions contain a healthy amount of effective ingredients which aim at the removal of the itchy sensation on the scalp along with the subsequent elimination of dandruff.

2. You can also use anti-dandruff shampoos on a regular basis which help to remove dandruff and strengthen the scalp.

Dandruff: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Pilonidal Sinus is the small channel in your skin near the tailbone that may sometimes be filled with pus or fluid. This accumulated pus leads to the formation of abscess or cyst. Pilonidal cysts occur near the coccyx or tailbone, right at the top of the buttock crease. Pilonidal sinus consists of dirt, hair and debris that penetrates your skin, becomes embedded and thereby causes infection. Once the cyst gets infected, you may see blood or pus oozing out of the channel, which causes severe pain.
Pilonidal sinus usually affects men and young adults (after puberty). This type of skin disease is mostly observed in people who sit for a prolonged period, such as desk-job workers, truck drivers etc.

What are the causes and symptoms? 
Doctors suggest pilonidal sinus or cysts is caused due to factors such as - hormonal changes during puberty, friction resulting from wearing tight clothes, prolonged sitting, hair growth etc. The hair growing in the region is forced to burrow back beneath your skin. In certain cases, the patient may develop multiple sinuses which connect under the skin.

The signs and symptoms of pilonidal sinus include-

  Pain when standing or sitting for long
  Swelling of the cyst
  Redness and soreness around the affected skin
  Formation of multiple holes (sinus tracts) in the skin
  Foul odor
  Blood or pus oozing out of the abscess
  Hair sticking out of the lesion
Pilonidal sinus can be embarrassing and painful if left untreated for long.

What is the treatment for this condition?
Pilonidal sinus usually goes away on its own, without medical intervention. However, if the cyst becomes infected, it may have to be operated or drained. The commonly used treatment procedures are-

  Conservative treatment - if the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, your doctor will prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat a broad range of bacterial infection. This will relieve you from the pain and discomfort resulting from infection.

  Lancing - this procedure involves using a scalpel to open the abscess. Your doctor will give you an anaesthetic prior to the operation. The channel is then cleaned properly to drain out blood, pus or hair. The wound is packed with a sterile dressing and left to heal. It usually takes about a month for the wound to heal, after which no further treatment is required.

  Phenol injections - for this procedure, first and foremost, your doctor will give you anaesthetic so that you don t feel any pain. A chemical compound known as Phenol is injected into the cyst. Phenol acts as an antiseptic and is used to harden and eventually close the lesion. This procedure needs to be repeated multiple times to achieve the desired result.

  Surgery - if the pilonidal sinus tends to recur, or if you develop multiple sinus tracts, the most preferred choice of treatment is surgery. The surgeon will open the lesion, remove the debris and pus, and then suture the wound. You will be given an anaesthetic prior to the surgery, and once the treatment is done, you will need to change the dressing more often.
If you suffer from pilonidal sinus, you will also need to maintain good hygiene. Make sure you clean and wash the area with a mild soap, and rinse properly. If your job requires you to sit for a prolonged period, take a break in between your work. Avoid wearing skin tight clothes. Adopting these measures will help prevent the occurrence of pilonidal sinus.

Treatment For Pilonidal Sinus!

Sunburns are caused due to long stretches of exposure to the sun. People living in tropical countries are more prone to sunburns. The harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can lead to skin pigmentation that if not treated, can become a permanent skin condition. The worst aspect of sun tanning is that it keeps piling on your skin layer after layer. It is therefore absolutely essential to cover the skin of your face and arms while venturing outdoors. 

Medications are effective in certain cases, but in some other cases, the afflicted person's skin is so sensitive that medicated ointments fail to show improvement. Ayurvedic home remedies can be put to use to avoid alarming side effects. 

Sunburns are characterized by the following symptoms:

 The affected area is usually hotter than other parts of your skin 
 A stinging and itching sensation may develop
 Red and pink patches may be seen on your face and arms or around the neck
 Acute sunburn can even make a person suffer from fevers and fatigue 

 These ayurvedic ways can be followed at home to treat sunburns:

 Use black tea to cure sun rashes and sunburns: refrigerate some black tea if possible. This cold beverage must be applied to the areas that have been harshly affected by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Applying black tea on your skin multiple times in a day can repair the damage already done.
 Coconut oil is a great way to remove sun tan: coconut oil has been held in high esteem since ages. It is known for its ability to cure rashes. One must use coconut oil on the red patches every night before going to bed.
 Aloe vera gel can do wonders with your affected skin: instead of using creams that contain aloe vera; one should use aloe vera gel by extracting it directly from the plant. Aloe vera can heal the burns and can also soothe the burning sensation.
 Cucumber in combination with lemon juice can remedy sunburns: lemon juice has acidic effects that helps in lightening sun tan. When this juice is used with cucumber paste, the latter cools down an irritated skin area and rejuvenates it from within.

Treating Sunburns with Ayurveda

Skin is the first and foremost organ exposed to the onslaught of a variety of germs and bacteria. Your skin fights against these germs to keep you safe and healthy. Thus, skincare should not be treated as an element of vanity. A skincare regimen is something essential for your overall wellness.

Ways you should adopt to take care of your skin on a daily basis:

1. Dry skin should be kept safe from harsh face washes: Face washes have a milder effect as compared to soaps, but they surely aren't good for the health of your skin. Skin, especially that on your face, is delicate. To retain its natural glow and nourishment, care should be taken to maintain its natural oils and nutrients. Washing your face repeatedly with harsh face washes can make your skin dull and rough. If you have a dry skin, you should be extra careful to retain the natural oils of your skin and hence should stay away from soaps or face washes.

2. A skin with large pores should be exfoliated frequently: Skin with large, open pores is usually oily. Excess oil can lead to several other problems like acne, pimples or skin pigmentation. Such kind of skin should therefore be exfoliated and toned as part of a person's daily routine. Exfoliation rids your skin of dead cells, which on continued accumulation, can lead to infections. However, toning helps in tightening your skin.

3. Sunscreens should be used irrespective of the prevailing weather: Whether it is sunny or cloudy outside, sunscreens are a must. You should never venture outdoors without applying sunscreen on the bare parts of your body. Sunscreen lotions are known to prevent you from the harmful UV rays of the sun that can subject you to the threat of skin cancer. It is absolutely necessary to apply these lotions generously and at least twenty minutes before a person goes outside.

4. Hydration is the best suited way to have a healthy skin: When it comes to the look and well-being of your skin, hydration is indeed important. Drinking plenty of water and fruit juices can keep your skin moisturized naturally. Make sure you include fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

5. Settle for herbal or natural face packs: Herbal or natural face packs run from a lower propensity to react with your original skin type. This helps you to avoid chances of contracting acne or any other kind of fungal or bacterial infection. You should make efforts to grind turmeric at home to apply it on your face instead of buying a readymade pack. This way, you steer clear of chemical substances and their disadvantages.

5 Skincare Tips You Should Follow Regularly

Blisters can be a very major inconvenience. Though it seems to be a good idea to pop a blister yourself as it can otherwise cause distraction or may be uncomfortable and unsightly, puncturing it often does more harm than good. Here are a few ways mentioned about how to treat blisters. Read on more to find out all about it.

1. For a Blister which has not popped
a) Try not to pop the blister as the pus if spread can affect other areas
b) Leave the blister uncovered or cover it with a loose bandage
c) Avoid putting pressure on the area of the blister. If the blister has appeared in areas where applying pressure is unavoidable like for example at the bottom of the foot, put mole skin around the blister in a circular fashion such that the mole skin gets the shape of a donut.

2. For a blister which has been popped
a) Wash the area where the blister appeared gently with warm water. Apply gentle soap in the area as well to disinfect the region. Do not by any chance use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or iodine in the area as it would cause complications.
b) Smooth down the skin flap which remains after the blister pops. 
c) Apply antibiotic ointment in the affected area to prevent infections
d) Cover the region loosely with help of a sterile bandage or gauge.

3. When to drain a blister
a) For blisters which are painful, large or in awkward spots, it is better to drain them. Be careful and cautious while draining the blister and follow the below mentioned tips.
b) Wash the area where the blister has appeared.
c) Take a needle and sterilize it with alcohol and water.
d) Make an incision at the edge of the blister and carefully squeeze out the pus.
e) Wash the blister again and pat dry. Do not remove the skin flap which remains there after draining.
f) Smoothen the skin flap and apply antibiotic ointment in the region.
g) Wrap it up with a loose sterile bandage or gauge.

4. Follow up
a) Change the bandage on a regular basis, whenever it is wet or dirty.
b) Consult a doctor immediately if signs of infections like red streaks around the affected region, fever, or accumulation of more pus occur.

However, for blisters which have formed due to spider bites, chicken pox or such consult a doctor first.

All About Blisters and their Treatment

Skin inflammation caused due to overexposure to the harmful rays of the sun is known as sunburn. UVA and UVB are the ultraviolet rays that cause maximum damage to your skin. Overexposure to the sun triggers the development of melanin (color imparting pigment) on the upper layer of your skin or the epidermis, resulting in the formation of a tanned skin. Severe sunburn can damage your DNA also.

The most common symptoms of sunburn include:

Your skin may appear reddish in color
You may notice wrinkles
On touching, your skin may feel hot
Frequent itching sensation may make you feel irritated
Blisters may pop out due to sunburn
You may suffer from fever too and that may result in nausea
Your blood pressure can also reduce which can make you feel week
Your skin may be swollen
Some of the risk factors are mentioned below:

Fair skinned people are more prone to sunburns.
Working outdoors for prolonged hours can cause severe sunburn.
Sunburn can hasten your process of aging.
The blisters can result in infections.
Sunburns can also result in the formation of skin lesions.
Sunburn can sometimes lead to skin cancer.
Sunburn can be treated in the following ways:

Bathing in cold water can give you some relief.
Aloe Vera creams have cooling properties; applying aloe vera cream or gel on the affected areas can offer temporary relief.
Sometimes, sunburn can make you feel dehydrated, so it is advised to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
Anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin can help you to treat skin inflammation.
Home remedies like applying orange peel paste on the affected areas can help you to treat mild cases of sunburn.

Sunburn - 8 Signs That You are Suffering from it 

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