To Help You Manage Eczema

Eczema can be a difficult thing with which to live. It can be more than itchy. It can be painful and require lifestyle changes to maintain comfort and prevent irritation. If you have eczema, there are plenty of options for treatment. You should consult with a professional because your triggers are unique to you.

Keep track of what irritates your condition.

Every person with eczema has different triggers. For some, there are a few items, of which it is easy to keep track. For others, many things could possibly cause a painful reaction. It is important to maintain a list of these things to help avoid flare-ups as much as possible.

Moisturize as often as possible.

Dry skin is the primary problem for people with eczema. Even without the condition, dry skin is itchy. So, find a moisturizer clear of any potential irritants, and use it regularly. Bathe with a moisturizing wash if possible, and moisturize afterward; skin is more prone to drying after being cleansed. Thick creams and ointments often last longer in terms of moisture on the skin.

Wear comfortable clothes that do not chafe or irritate.

Clothing fibers can be an irritant, even if you’re not allergic to them and they’re not a specific trigger for you. Simple, natural cloths, such as cotton, are usually best. Any fabric that scratches your skin at all should be avoided. Always wash the clothes in fragrance free detergent to prevent further irritation.

Adjust your skin care routine.
Most of us bathe in hot water with soaps, dry off, apply many things such as fragrance and makeup to our bodies, and go about our day. This is a lot for your skin. Lukewarm water and gentle cleansers are best. Avoid scrubbing, both in the water and while drying. Always apply a moisturizer afterward, and reduce the number of additional chemicals you put on your skin.

Manage your stress.
Everyone’s skin reacts to stress, and for people with eczema this is a potentially painful problem. The irritation itself can also cause stress, creating a frustrating cycle. It is important to find healthy ways to manage the stress which will result in less inflamed skin.

Do not scratch. Ever.
It may be hard, but avoid it at all costs. It will only make the symptoms worse. Keep your moisturizers and prescription products on hand to deal with sudden itchiness and patches.

Get the right medication and use it as prescribed.

Sometimes these lifestyle management efforts alone are not enough for severe eczema. Medication may be required, and so it is important to see a doctor and get the right kind for you, and take it as prescribed. This is all in addition to daily maintenance.

We can help you manage your eczema. Call us at Inverness Dermatology and Laser and let’s work toward making your life with eczema much easier.

Sunscreen, Sunblock, and SPF

You may have read or heard of some claims that sunscreen with a high SPF could be unhealthy. Does information like this, particularly when it conflicts with so much other available information, make you wonder what is in your sunscreen, your sunblock, and what SPF really means?

What are Sunscreen, Sunblock, and SPF?

Sunscreen was created to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, called “Ultra Violet rays” (UVA or UVB). Sunscreens are topical skin protectors; they form a protective barrier on your skin. Generally, the higher the SPF, the longer you can be out in the sun without burning. If it takes you 30 minutes to burn, then, theoretically, a sunscreen with SPF 30 should protect you thirty times longer. This is not always the case, as it depends on how much direct sunlight you get, whether you sweat or are in water, and the contents (no sunscreen can protect you entirely from all of the sun’s rays).

What’s in the stuff?
There are risks no matter what you put on your skin; there is always the potential that someone could be allergic to something in sunscreen. That’s why there are different types.

• Sunblock: Sunblocks are physical sunscreens. They contain elements such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to serve as physical protection—a block—from the sun. They can also reflect the sun’s rays. Zinc based sunscreen is best for sensitive skin. Micronized forms apply quickly and easily without leaving the thick, white residue of older zinc-based formulations.
• Sunscreen: Some sunscreens are made of synthetic chemicals, such as oxybenzone, which the skin absorbs for a deeper protection. These are the types of sunscreens that are more likely to cause skin reactions because of that absorption. Additionally, oxybenzone has a chemical reaction when hit by the sun that can cause some adverse skin reactions.

There are a wide range of chemicals and ingredients that may be in your sunscreen or sunblock. However, if you’re going to be outside, having something to protect your skin is essential. So, what to do?

We recommend using an SPF of at least 30 containing zinc oxide.  It’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist to make sure you get what’s best for your skin. Want more information on protecting and preserving the health of your skin? Call us at Inverness Dermatology and Laser.

What is Vascular Laser Treatment?

Do you have visible lesions or veins on your skin that are bothering you? You may want to consider vascular laser treatment. This procedure utilizes laser light to penetrate the skin to the blood vessels. The light destroys the blood, which is then processed out of the body naturally. Thus, the bruising and coloring of the skin lesion fade without damaging the overlying skin.

The length or number of treatments will vary for each individual depending on the size of the lesion or lesions and the severity of the reason for laser therapy. There may be mild discomfort or pain during the process, but is generally well-tolerated. The sensation has often been referred to as a “rubber band snapping”.

After the process, sunscreen and sun avoidance are recommended. The treated areas may appear a little bruised for a few days, but these bruises will fade normally. The skin should be treated as gently as possible when washing, or applying and removing makeup. Healing time and recovery will depend upon the condition and the level of treatment.

At Inverness Dermatology & Laser, we offer vascular laser treatment for a variety of issues. We also offer some financing options if you are concerned about cost. Come talk to us and let us walk you through the process, and get you on your way to better looking skin you’re more comfortable in.

The Importance of Good Skin Care Habits

Good skin can make a huge difference in your physical appearance.  Taking care of your skin can help you to make sure that you do everything you can to look fresh, rested, and young.  Taking care of your skin is also beneficial to your health as well.

The Importance of Good Skin Care Habits

One of the most important habits that you need to practice for good skin care is to make sure that you avoid getting sunburn or that you otherwise avoid too much exposure to harmful UV rays.  First and foremost, you want to stay out of tanning beds, as this type of concentrated UV rays can be especially dangerous. If you want to have a tanned glow, the best way for you to get that glow is to get a spray tan or a fake tan so you are not using a tanning bed to expose your skin to damage.

Your skin could also be exposed to damaging UV rays outside of a tanning bed when you go outside. As you go about your normal day, you could find yourself getting more sun than it is healthy for your skin to get. To avoid this, it is a good idea to wear lotion with sunscreen, foundation with sunscreen, or simply to make putting on sunscreen a part of your normal morning routine.

When you wear sunscreen on a regular basis and you protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, this can help you to significantly reduce the chances that you might develop skin cancer. Skin cancer is a common type of cancer that can be fatal if it is not treated in a timely manner and the cancer spreads.  It is worth wearing sunscreen just for the skin cancer prevention impact alone.

While wearing sun screen and avoiding tanning beds are both important to your health, doing these things also matters to your appearance as well. If you get too much sun, this will make it more likely your face will develop deep wrinkles. You could also develop unsightly age spots, which you don't want to do.  Wearing sun screen on a regular basis and taking good care of your skin can help your skin to stay tight, clear, and wrinkle free for longer so you won't have to worry about looking your age.

Good skin care habits are also about maintaining an overall healthy body. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin (and body) hydrated and try to eat good healthy foods rather than eating greasy junk food which could contribute to causing breakouts on your skin.

Maintaining healthy skin is something you should try to do every day.  If you do end up developing a mole that looks like skin cancer or if you are not happy with the appearance of your skin, you should seek a medical professional with experience in the field of dermatology to find out what your options are for testing for and treating cancer and/or for improving your skin's appearance.