Dr. Swapna Kunduru

‘Hives’, also known as urticaria, is the outbreak of pale red, swollen bumps on the body. It can occur on any part of the body including the face, back, arms or legs. It is a type of hypersensitivity reaction in which the cause for the reaction is idiopathic (unknown). Also, it can come in various shapes and sizes. Hives can be associated with redness, itching, and a burning and stinging sensation. These can last for more than a minute or even more than that; up to days.

What causes hives?
Most of the times, hives are idiopathic, i.e. the reason that causes this type of hypersensitivity reaction is unknown. The bumps are caused by the action of histamine that makes the plasma in the blood leak out of the small blood vessels. Histamine is a substance that is released from a specialized cell and is what causes allergic responses in general. There are three types of hives- namely, acute, chronic urticaria and physical urticaria. Acute urticaria is when the hives last for less than six weeks. Chronic urticaria occurs when the hives last for more than six weeks.

Physical urticaria refers to the condition when the hives are triggered due to causes such as heat, cold, sun exposure, sweating, pressure and exercise. Although, this condition is mainly idiopathic, there are common causes that may trigger this condition such as:

• Foods such as nuts, fish, chocolates, milk and milk products
• Environmental triggers such as pollen grains, dust etc
• Medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
• Insect bites
• Latex
• Blood transfusion
• Bacterial infections including strep throat and urinary tract infection
• Pet dander
• Plants such as poison oak or poison ivy

What are the symptoms of hives?
Hives are usually self-diagnosable. The various symptoms of urticaria are:

1. Swollen red bumps known as wheals
2. The red bumps can occur suddenly and subside all of a sudden as well
3. “Blanching” which is characterized by the whitening of the swollen red part.
4. They occur on any part of the body and can change shapes, and sizes. It can become larger or it can reduce in size; it can also move around in the body.

What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition that results in shedding of hair in small and random patches. Alopecia in general affects the scalp, but then again it can also occur in other parts of the body.
The exact reason for alopecia still remains undefined. Nevertheless, it has found that most people who have a family history of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes are the most vulnerable to this condition. The good news for you is that although this illness has no cure, there are treatments which can help your hair regrow quickly and may also, in many cases, prevent future hair loss.

How is Alopecia diagnosed?
While the doctor may be able to diagnose this disease by simply looking at the extent of hair loss, he can also examine a few strands of the hair samples under a microscope. If needed, your doctor can also perform a scalp biopsy to rule out other conditions that may have caused the hair loss, such as fungal infections like tinea capitis. While performing a biopsy, the doctor will remove a small piece of skin (no more than the nail on your little finger) on your scalp for analysis. If other autoimmune conditions are suspected, blood tests may also be done. The specific blood test that needs to be performed depends completely on the particular disorder that your doctor suspects.

How is Alopecia treated?

1. Medical Treatment: Minoxidil helps in stimulating hair growth and also prevents further hair loss. Other commonly used therapies include corticosteroid creams and steroid injections and ointment. In certain cases, photo-chemotherapy can be used as a part of the treatment plan to promote hair growth. Photo-chemotherapy is a type of radiation therapy that combines ultraviolet radiation along with oral medications as a follow-up.
2. Alternate Therapy
   • If you wish, you can also choose alternate therapies to treat this condition. These therapies include:
   • Acupuncture (on the scalp)
   • Aromatherapy
   • Herbal supplements
   • Vitamin supplements (like vitamin E)

 In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Apart from the cosmetic worries, baldness can cause major esteem issues. Hereditary or genetics do contribute to about 95 percent of the cases pertaining to baldness (alopecia) while the remaining 5 percent might be due to the side effects of certain medications, illness, stress or diet. Here is where cosmetic procedures come to your rescue in treating this condition.

1. Sprinkling colored, powdery fiber sprinkles on one’s scalp helps in covering up the thin hairy regions, hence rendering them a fuller appearance.
2. Hair pieces or wigs produced from human or synthetic hair actually veils the baldness, furthermore boosting one’s style statement.
3. Hair transplants are used in filling in one’s bald areas, thereby making it the sole permanent solution to baldness. Tiny strands of hair are eliminated from the areas with thicker growth and substituted in the bald regions.
4. Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is a therapy wherein concentrated blood plasma comprising of growth proteins is injected into the scalp through a thin needle to stimulate healing of the wound.
5. Scalp reduction involves cutting off the bald regions to stitch the rest of the scalp together.
6. Often, tissue expanders are used to stretch the hair bearing scalp to the adjacent bald area with the help of the tissue expansion technique.
7. When stress becomes the root cause of hair fall, Astressin-B, a stress-hormone blocker, works to inhibit the stress stimulating hormone.
8. A natural biological substance known as Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is implanted on the part containing the damaged tissues to speed up healing.
9. Bontress Lotion, made of red clover extracts, prevents reduction of hair.
10. Hair multiplication or cloning method requires the extraction of donor hair cells from existing hair follicles, after which the cells are multiplied in a lab for injecting into the bald portions.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Impetigo is a skin disorder that is contagious in nature and primarily affects children; it is characterized by the appearance of red sores on the skin. The face, neck and the hands of a child are usually affected by this condition. This disorder tends to develop around the region where the diaper is worn by a child. It is caused by the bacteria; Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Pyogenes. The disorder is classified as:

1. Bullous impetigo: It is a type of impetigo which is common among children below 2 years of age. The blisters initially appear on the body, legs and the arms.
2. Impetigo Contagiosa: Another common form of impetigo, this is the most contagious of all the types. The symptoms show up as red sores around the mouth and the nose.
3. Ecthyma: This is considered to be the most severe form of impetigo because it affects both the top and the lower layers of the skin. The blisters that form may later turn into ulcers or open sores.

Symptoms
In this disorder, red pus filled sores appear on the skin. Once they burst, they leave a yellow colored crust. The rashes will cause constant itching along with the appearance of swollen lymph nodes.

Causes

1. Direct skin to skin contact
2. Coming in contact with things that the affected person has had contact with
3. Bites from certain insects and animals
4. Skin injuries

The factors outlined below increase the risks of getting affected by this disorder:

1. Being below 6 years of age increases the risks
2. Certain skin conditions which have been irritating your skin
3. Not following proper hygiene
4. Being exposed to hot and humid climatic conditions
5. Being diabetic

Treatments
The treatment for this disorder depends on how severe the symptoms are. If the symptoms are mild then simple hygiene procedures can help with the symptoms.

1. At home treatments: For mild symptoms, clean the area thoroughly multiple times. After washing, pat dry the skin and apply an antibiotic ointment on the area.
2. Antibiotics: If the at home treatments do not work then you will require medications. Antibiotic creams are prescribed that are applied on the skin. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed for severe symptoms.

The disorder can be prevented by following proper hygiene procedures. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, use clean toiletries and keeping your fingernails short are some steps you can take.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Skin cancer occurs when the DNA of the cells undergo mutations, thus causing unsystematic cell growth which evolve into a cancerous mass. This abnormality stems from the over-exposure of your skin to the Ultraviolet Radiations of the sun.

However, there are other factors too that escalate the risks of skin cancer.

1. Fairer skin tone: Inadequate pigmentation or melanin content in the skin offers less protection against the harmful UV radiations. Having red or blond hair or light-colored eyes makes you more vulnerable to this condition.
2. Sunburns: A history of sunburns can often be the root cause behind skin cancer.
3. Excessive exposure to the sun: If you spend a considerable amount of time under the sun and especially if your skin is not protected by clothing or sunscreen, you tend to get a tan. A tan is the skin’s response to extreme UV radiations.
4. Moles: Abnormally large moles, known as dysplastic nevi, are more likely to turn malignant. Watch out for any change in the texture of the moles, which is one of the most important symptoms of skin cancer.
5. Family history: According to studies, genes are considered to be one of the causes behind skin cancer. Hence, a family history of this condition could spell trouble for one.
6. Personal history: Having suffered from skin cancer previously in life could endanger one even more.
7. Pre-cancerous skin injury: Skin lesions, also known as actinic keratosis, make you prone to developing pre-cancerous growths on the skin. These could appear as scaly rough patches, ranging from brown to pink in color. They usually crop up on the hands, head and faces of people who are comparatively of a fairer skin tone.
8. A weak immune system: People having a poor immunity system, including the ones affected by HIV/AIDS or are on immunosuppressant drugs which follow any organ transplantation have greater risks of developing cancer.
9. Exposure to radiation: Radiation therapy is an often used treatment method for treating various skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Having been exposed to radiations, one could be indisposed to this condition even more.
10. Exposure to certain chemicals: Exposure to certain substances such as arsenic might increase your vulnerability manifold.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Sweating is a natural process of the body to release heat. Any impairment in the functioning of the sweat glands makes sweating a difficult process. It results in a condition known as Hypohidrosis, which is characterized by an inability to sweat or extremely low sweat produced. It may affect parts of your body or the entire body. When the body is unable to produce enough sweat, the body overheats, which may lead to a heat stroke.

This disorder is caused by a number of factors. A brief overview of the causes is given below:

• Damage to the nerves: Conditions that can cause damage to the nerves can hamper the functioning of the sweat glands. Some of them are diabetes, Fabry’s disease (a condition wherein fat accumulates in cells) and Parkinson’s disease.
• Skin problems: Suffering severe burns can damage the sweat glands. Some other factors that can cause similar damage are trauma, radiation and infection. Skin disorders such as psoriasis and heat rashes can also affect the sweat glands.
• Medications: Medications such as anticholinergic drugs can hamper your body’s ability to sweat out sufficiently.
• Genetic defects: In certain cases, the condition is inherited from your parents by means of a defective gene.

Symptoms 
The symptoms of this disorder are

• Dizziness
• Muscle pain
• Reduced sweating.

One may always feel hot from within and have a flushed appearance. Mild symptoms of this disorder are however not noticeable.

Treatments
If the condition has only affected a certain part of the body, then treatment might not be required. If the disorder occurs due to an underlying problem, then the problem needs to be treated firstly. If the cause is a medication, then the doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine.

You can adopt certain preventive measures such as wearing loose clothing and avoiding overdressing. Avoid going outside when the temperature is on the rise. Cold compresses can work wonderfully in this regard. If this condition is not treated, it can lead to overheating and ultimately, a heat stroke. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hailey-Hailey Disease is a rare dermatological condition that was first discovered and described by the Hailey brothers in the year 1939. The other name for the disease is benign familial chronic pemphigus. It is a hereditary skin disease. It can occur at any stage of life. However, it is more commonly seen in the middle-aged people. It can affect people of any race and ethnicity. It cannot be cured easily and persists the entire lifetime.

Quick facts about it!

1. The skin cells become unstuck from each other, and they fall apart
2. Painful eruptions form on the skin
3. Crusty rough and symmetrical growth of rashes can be spotted
4. The rashes are mostly seen on the skin folds
5. The skin surface tends to macerate and crack
6. Lesions keep forming continuously and disappearing without leaving scars
7. Skin surface tends to gradually thicken
8. The cracked skin surface is exceptionally painful
9. Fingernails show a pale white band across them
10. Symptoms are worse during the months of summer. The skin condition is aggravated by heat, sweat and friction.
11. Bacterial infection may occur and worsen the skin condition by giving off an unpleasant odour.

Hailey - Hailey Disease 

1. Prolonged courses of antibiotics can only help to relieve the symptoms but there is no complete cure.
2. Topical ointments, lotions, creams and antibiotics can help to reduce the skin irritation to some extent.
3. Antibacterial solutions can be applied on the affected areas.
4. Corticosteroid can help to temporarily reduce inflammations and flare-ups.
5. Bleach baths can be taken twice a week to reduce superficial infections.
6. It is important to wear loose and comfortable clothing that does not cause too much friction to the skin.
7. It is best to avoid heat, sweating and sunburn as much as possible to prevent flare-ups and further inflammation.
8. Maintaining hygiene is of utmost importance.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hair is technically dead tissue and considering that, we spend a whole of a lot of time and currency on our hair. That is probably because hair plays a big part in our appearance. Changing your hair color or merely getting a different hairstyle can change your appearance to an extent that some might find you unrecognizable. On the contrary, you can go into a week-long depression, if your hair stylist has let you down with the bob-cut your favourite celebrity has sported so beautifully. Like nails, hair is an extension of the epidermal layer of the skin and is mainly composed of proteins. Apart from adding to your appearance, it also provides warmth and protection to your head.

So it is obvious that maintaining healthy hair is something we all want and would like. Here are a few tips that will help that mane flow beautifully-

1. Ripe avocado: Mash some ripe avocado without the pit, mix it with an egg and apply it to your hair. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Avocados are rich in essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins that help add lustre to your hair. This is advised to be done once a week if you have damaged hair or once a month for healthy hair.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Adding one part apple cider vinegar to two parts of lukewarm water and applying it to your hair can help balance the pH of your scalp. It may not make your hair smell like a dream, but it will help bring out the natural red highlights in your hair.
3. Lemon Juice: Apply lemon juice to your scalp to get rid of dandruff and get clean scalp.
4. Egg and shampoo: This combination can help strengthen your hair. This mixture adds protein to your hair. Take an egg and mix it with a small amount of shampoo and lather it up for 5 minutes and rinse well.
5. Essential oils: Add some essential oil to your shampoo to get a beautiful lustre to your hair.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Winter in a tropical country like India is always something we all look forward to. Time to take out your sweatshirts and jackets! However, apart from the long nights and heart-warming conversations by your fireplace, winter can also be the time for a different set of skin problems. The cold and dry winds can take away all the moisture from the skin, making it dry and chapped. Thus, precaution is the word of the season, if you want to keep your skin healthy.

You can use these strategies to keep your skin healthy and supple throughout the winter:

1. Apply lukewarm water on the face: Don't use very hot water to wash your face, as it can strip away the essential oils and make your skin dry. Rather, splash your face with lukewarm water as it helps in retaining the moisture.
2. Use a moisturizer: Once you have finished washing, use a moisturizer to seal in the moisture content of the skin. This helps prevent the skin from drying, keeping it healthy.
3. Pick your moisturizer carefully: If you are already prone to dry skin, these few winter months will surely aggravate the problem. Use a moisturizer that is oil based; pick moisturizers that have ingredients which nourish your skin.
4. Never forgo the Sunscreen: Just because its winter does not give you the license to do away with the sunscreen; it can be as damaging as the summer sun. Use a sunscreen before venturing outdoors and make sure to pick a sunscreen that suits your skin.
5. Use a humidifier: Winters mean dry minds, thus you may require a humidifier to prevent the skin from drying.
6. Drink sufficient water: One tends to consume lesser water during the winter months, which is again not good for your body at all. Irrespective of the season, doctors always recommend 2-3 liters of water every day, even though it means more trips to the loo.
7. Never forget to exfoliate: Winter can cause dead cells to accumulate in your skin and cause it to look dull. Periodic exfoliation can help with dead cell removal and keep your skin healthy.
8. Avoid toxins: In case of disorders such as dermatitis or eczema, you should avoid coming in contact with allergens that can trigger these conditions.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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