Time To Switch Over From Synthetic To Organic Soaps

Now if you are given the option to choose between homegrown fruits and synthetic fruits, what would you choose? Just any person across the world would choose homegrown fruits over synthetically produced fruits. Now, is it not very logical to follow that natural skincare products have an upper edge over the ones that have been synthetically produced?

More popular by the name of handmade soaps, natural soaps are rich in such luxurious ingredients that lend a smooth and silky feeling to the skin. These natural sops use the purest of the pure ingredients to form such a formula that can be effectively used to treat skin irritations.

There is great worth in using organic concoctions on facial skin especially because these organic solutions are skin friendly. They contain no such element that can cause to prove harmful for the skin. Synthetic beauty products are supposed to contain countless toxic ingredients which easily seep into the skin and gradually into the bloodstream of the user. Does it not sound scary? Yes, it actually is because prolonged usage of such products can cause even more scary skin problems.

Switching over from synthetic soaps to natural ones is one of the most wise skincare decisions one can ever make. Natural soaps not only treat existing skin problems, they also prevent new ones from appearing in the first place. With the unabated pollution and environment degradation, it is actually a worthwhile to switch over to organic cosmetic solutions. Believe us, there are a whooping number of people who are shifting from synthetic to organic solutions and they are really happy about the change.

So, it is your turn now! Get up and throw away all those synthetic products that you have hitherto been using. You will see the difference for yourself! Good luck to you!

Is it Acne or Folliculitis?

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle that is most commonly bacterial, but can occasionally be caused by a fungus. It can be either superficial in the follicle or deep in the skin.

There are also forms of folliculitis which are non-infectious such as those caused by tars, oils and greases that come into contact with the skin.

When, Where, And Who Gets Folliculitis?

Superficial staphylococcal folliculitis is quite common and is seen in people of all ages. It is probably more common in those who have eczema and diabetes. You might see it on your face, scalp, upper trunk, buttocks, or as a sty on your eyelids.

Deeper staphylococcal folliculitis is uncommon and may be seen as boil-like lesions in diabetics. There is also a condition called sycosis, which is a pustular folliculitis, particularly in the bearded area of men.

Gram-negative folliculitis is only rarely seen, usually on the face of those who have been taking antibiotics on a long-term basis for acne. Gram-negative folliculitis is most often seen in people who have been in a hot tub or whirlpool that has been contaminated by the bacteria pseudomonas.

Fungal Folliculitis:

Trichophyton folliculitis is mostly seen in women who shave their legs, presumably spreading this from their athlete’s foot fungal infection.

Pityrosporum folliculitis is usually located on the upper back and shoulder of young people. It is more common in individuals who are immunosuppressed.

Candida folliculitis can be seen on the scalp and in occluded moist areas, such as under the breasts and in the groin areas of people who are obese.

Lab Tests:

Swabbing the skin, then sending it to a laboratory for bacterial and yeast cultures will confirm the infection.

A skin biopsy may be required to confirm deep fungal of yeast folliculitis.

Blood sugar tests and/or HIV testing should be done for those who have repeated infections or an infection that does not have the typical symptoms

What Can I Do About My Folliculitis?

Self help:

Good hygiene with regular hand washing is a must to minimize the risk of staph infections. Keeping your skin healthy and avoiding factors that can over-dry your skin, causing it to crack should be avoided. Picking and squeezing the skin causes minor damage, which in turn makes it easier for infection to set in. A skin that is clean and intact with no abrasions or sites of friction or irritation is less likely to become infected. In some circumstances, there may be a role for antibacterial cleansers. Hot tubs need to be checked regularly for pH and antiseptic levels.

Medical treatment:

If you think you have folliculitis, the most important thing for you to do is to see your doctor in order to confirm the diagnosis, so that you can seek folliculitis treatment. Ideally, the organism causing the infection should be identified and its sensitivity to antibiotics should be established.

Sometimes, your doctor will treat an infection based on his or her clinical suspicion, especially if the appearance is typical.

Bacterial folliculitis can be caused by the following bacteria

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Gram-negative bacteria

Pseudomonas (hot tub folliculitis)

• E. coli
• Klebsiella
• Fungal /yeast folliculitis
• Candida albicans
• Pityrosporum ovale
• Trichophyton rubrum

Topical treatments:

Topical antibiotics and antifungal creams to treat staphylococcal folliculitis:

The choice of folliculitis treatment will depend on the cause of the infection as well as how deep and extensive it is. Topical antibiotics should be used in the short term to minimize the risks of bacterial resistance.

Topical antibiotics can clear superficial localized infections. The affected area should be treated with the appropriate cream or ointment two or three times a day. Chronic staph can be carried inside the nose, and can be a factor if the infection recurs. In such a case, nightly application of the ointment inside the nose will clear the reservoir of the bacteria. Oral antibiotics will be required if there is an inadequate response.

1) Fusidic acid:

Fusidic acid is an antimicrobial that was isolated by Godtfredsen, et al, in Europe from the fermentation of Fusidium Coccineum. It was introduced into clinical practice in 1926, as an oral drug. About twenty years later, it was introduced in Canada as a topical drug.

How do I use this medication?

Fusidic acid is available both as a cream and as an ointment. You should apply it thinly on to the infected area 3-4 times daily.

How does it work?

Fusidic acid inhibits protein synthesis in the bacteria and without that capacity, the bacteria will die. The topical formulation penetrates a damaged, infected horny layer better than intact skin. It is related to the cephalosporin, an antibiotic produced by Cephalosporium, a genus of fungi.

Will there be side effects?

Side effects from the topical preparations are very uncommon. There have been no human tests done during pregnancy and lactation, but there have been no adverse reports.

Can I take other medications?

There are no interactions from the topical formulation of fusidic acid.

Which brands are available?

• Fucidin® 2% cream and ointment available as well as Fucidin HCl®, which is combined with 1% hydrocortisone acetate
• Fucidin Intertulle® - impregnated into a gauze
• IV, tablets and oral suspension (250mg/5ml) are available, IM and subcutaneous administrations are too irritating

2) Mupirocin:

A natural product of Pseudomonas fluorescens that has antibacterial actions against gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptoccus. It has some activity against gram-negative organisms. It is inactive against anaerobic bacteria chlamydia and fungi.

How do I use this medication?

Mupirocin is available both as a cream and an ointment. You should apply it thinly on the affected area 3 times a day for up to 10 days. It may be used on all ages except for in the USA where the Bactroban nasal ointment is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

How well does it work?

Mupirocin is easy to apply and is very effective against the common skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. It works well for impetigo as well as bacterial folliculitis. The incidence of resistance remains low. For localized impetigo it works as well as oral antibiotics in 90% of cases. It is not effective against Pseudomonas or fungi. It is useful in the treatment of chronic Staph carriage in the anterior nares (nose).

How does it work?

It is unlike other antibiotics in that it inhibits bacterial isoleucyl transfer-RNA synthetase blocking protein synthesis. It is bacteriostatic at low concentrations and bacteriocidal at high concentration. There is virtually no systemic absorption via intact skin and anything that is becomes metabolized to monic acid and quickly removed by the kidneys.

Will there be side effects?

Local:

Dry skin, swelling, burning pain itch and rash. The effects are usually mild. Allergic reactions are rare. Polyethylene glycol will be irritating if the ointment is used around the eyes.

Systemic:

Renal toxicity from absorption of the polyethylene glycol vehicle (ointment only) if large amounts are used in open wounds or burns.

Which brands are available?

• Bactroban ointment 2% mupirocin (polyethylene glycol base)
• Bactroban cream 2% mupirocin (oil-water based emulsion)
• Bactroban Nasal - for the nose and is in a white paraffin/glycerin base (not available in Canada)

What conditions are treated by this medication?

• Skin staphyococcal infections including impetigo, folliculitis, burns, and wounds
• It is also used to treat streptococcal infections

Acne and Ingredients to Avoid

Acne is not a new problem; people have been suffering from it for many thousands of years. In ancient Egypt for instance, oils were often used to soften and smooth the skin. It is only in recent times that people have begun to use acne creams made of chemical ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, among others. These can not only have unwanted side effects, like the drying of healthy skin or the bleaching of clothing, but can be very costly.

It’s no mystery that our grandmothers seemed to know best. When it comes to health and skin, the more natural the ingredient, the better. Of course, there are times when natural remedies may not be as effective and that is Ok. However, just be aware of the natural options you have first, before you waste a lot of money on another product that doesn’t work. Many people today discovering the old-world secrets in caring for their bodies more naturally, and are turning to natural and herbal remedies, such as the following simple ‘kitchen cures’.

Acne Remedy #1: Make a paste of nutmeg powder and milk, and apply to your face in a thin layer. Leave on for up to an hour, or even overnight.

Acne Remedy #2: Take an orange peel and leave it to dry, and then grind it to a powder. Mix with water and apply directly to the pimple.

Acne Remedy #3: Applying garlic directly to a pimple can also be a great remedy, as garlic is a natural disinfectant.

Acne Remedy #4: Mix a spoonful each of fresh lemon juice and cinnamon. Apply to the acne overnight for several nights in a row to be effective.

Acne Remedy #5: Take fresh leaves of fenugreek and grind to make an acne remedy that is also said to be effective in reducing wrinkles. It should be left on for only fifteen minutes.

Acne Remedy #6: Papaya juice, which is high in natural enzymes, makes a wonderful acne solution all on its own.

Acne Remedy #7: Boil a cup of milk, and then allow to cool to room temperature, and add a spoonful of limejuice to make a acne face wash.

Acne Remedy #8: Mix rosewater, cucumber juice and lime juice in equal amounts. Apply to clean face and leave on overnight.

Chemical skin care ingredients you should avoid if you are acne-prone or have oily skin in combination with acne:
• Butyl stearate
• Cinnamon Oil
• Isotearyl isostearate
• Cocoa butter
• Jojoba oil
• Coconut oil
• Decyl oleate
• Myristyl myristate
• Myristyl propionate
• Octyl palminate
• Octyl stearate
• Peppermint Oil
• Isopropyl stearate
• Isopropyl, isostearate, myristate or palmitate

Try several of these natural remedies and see which one is best for you, be aware that it can take several days to have an effect. Make sure you use clean spoons and dishes to mix your remedies, and remember to wash your face as usual in between treatments.

Natural Home Remedies for Acne

While there are thousands of products on the market today to cure or prevent acne, bellow are some natural remedies you can start using right away from home. Start first by cleansing your face to rid of oil and dirt before you apply the remedy listed below. Anyone who ever started the day with a horrible spot on their face or suffered the embarrassment of breakouts, knows having acne is no picnic. It can damage your social life and affect relationships with friends and family.

Oranges and Lemons
Oranges and lemons can be very effective in treating acne. Simply squeeze an orange or lemon juice onto a cotton pad or a small towel, and then dab it onto the acne infected areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This acid in the citrus juice will minimize your pimples and take the redness away after a couple of days.

Raw potato
Simply slice a raw potato and rub it on your acne areas. The vitamins in the raw potato help rid redness and improve your complexion. The potato properties actually break down the bacteria causing acne.

Some natural anti-acne products you will find in the market are Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Zinc, and Vitamin A and have been used with some success to cure acne. A word of caution about ‘natural’ skin care items. They often contain certain chemicals for preservation purposes. Some of these may not be advisable for you if you’re pregnant or have certain special health considerations. As mentioned, it is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any therapy.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It is very effective against acne as it contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes. Acne is often caused by bacteria and the Terpenes either outright kill them or weaken them enough to be destroyed by protective antibodies. There are very little side effects from using Tea Tree Oil.

Aloe Vera
The watery gel from Aloe Vera plant is also a highly effective natural cure against acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be taken internally and helps clean up and detox the digestive tract. This in turn can help clear up the skin.

Zinc
Zinc is taken in the form of capsules. It helps to strengthen the human immune system and to repair the skin.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A tablets are also a natural and effective acne cure. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E also helps in countering acne. It is a natural antioxidant and beneficial for the skin. Vitamin E comes in soft gelatin capsules that contain Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, and Water.

Some Natural Homemade Cures to counter Acne
The most important thing to do if you suffer from acne is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking water is very beneficial to your skin. Don’t forget to include fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet to bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion.

Before bathing, apply a mixture of pure tomato pulp – fresh from the tomato– honey and rose-water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off.

At night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerine, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.

Regular Yoga exercises will also improve skin and overall health.

Things to Avoid
Avoid touching your face all the time, keep your hair away from your face, and avoid picking at pimples.

If you are prone to acne try to avoid using heavy make-up –it is preferable to avoid make-up altogether until your skin can heal itself.

Understanding Acne and Hormone Levels

Most of us have at one stage or other sought an acne remedy when suffering from that troublesome and common acne problem that first appeared in our early teen years. Many more have continued to suffer into our adult life. A rare few have avoided the embarrassment of pimples appearing at the worst possible time – knocking self-esteem to its lowest - usually when we are trying to make a good impression. A fast and effective remedy is what we want if acne is a problem.

Acne is caused by hormonal changes that occur during adolescence when oil glands in the skin become hyperactive. This additional oil combined with dead skin cells that block hair follicles and skin bacteria infect the hair follicles producing a breakout of the skin. Result? Clear skin is marred and embarrassment can follow.

There are many acne remedies available from natural home varieties to potent pharmaceutical drugs. Modern preferences are to avoid drugs because of their side effects and rather find a natural acne remedy. One acne remedy is to cut a raw potato in half and rub the flat section over the affected areas in an attempt to neutralize the bacteria that is causing the trouble in the pores. If it works for you, great.

The truth is acne comes second only to premature aging in the charts for skin disease. If you are a sufferer you will likely be aware that flare ups will always occur before a special event. You can put all the blame on testosterone produced by the adrenal glands which are trying to help you deal with the stress of that interview, wedding or important presentation.

Another acne remedy is to go on a fast for several days and to change the diet to healthier eating of mainly raw food. No doubt there is an element of truth in following this acne remedy but it does require some discipline as fasting and a strict diet regime is often too much like hard work for the majority.
High in iodine foods, shellfish, leafy vegetables including spinach and cabbage, and peanuts are other potential problem foods. If you have an acne problem, experiment with your diet. If you crave certain foods that may aggravate this problem curtail consumption to see it there really is a difference in acne activity
If you have a special sensitivity to a food, small amounts of anything - even soft drinks, chocolates will not make a major difference.

One of the more widely spread (and often believed) myths about acne is that it is caused by dirt or grime. It’s more likely to be because of oily skin, in which case simply washing regularly with either a mild soap, special acne skin cleanser or even antiseptic soap and warm water can make a big difference to controlling and managing oily skin. And don’t forget to keep your hair clean - again, depending on your skin type, your hair can also become extreme oily if not cared for properly.

The bad news is that acne cannot be cured, but the good news is that it can be treated. If you’re suffering with only mild acne, then some form of non prescription (over the counter) acne medication will no doubt have a positive impact for you. If you have bad or severe acne you will definitely need to see a doctor to get some professional advice.

A vitamin A deficiency can lead to skin problems. Not all cases of acne call for professional attention. An occasional blemish or pimple could be called “drugstore acne”. Topical antibiotics prevent about fifty per cent of blemishes, and are a significant breakthrough for treating average acne.

Acne Prevention Tips

Acne Prevention

You can possibly prevent acne from affecting your skin or at the very least, moderate the outbreaks. Science has not yet discovered a fool-proof method that will work for everyone with an acne problem, but there are many things you can do to control it. Treating your acne outbreaks properly is something that must be done, especially if you are prone to suffer from severe cases.

Acne is a very common skin condition which produces whiteheads and blackheads on the face and upper torso. It affects people differently, being mild for some and quite debilitating for others. Acne untreated or treated improperly can cause permanent scarring which requires extensive time and expense to effectuate any level of cure.

Proper Cleansing

Acne is mainly caused by bacteria that get into the pores on your skin, and the first and most important thing you need to do is to prevent this from becoming a problem. Bacteria are everywhere, and while there is no way to keep them from getting on the skin of your face or other areas, you can remove them before they cause a problem. There are many good cleansing products on the market today that contain anti-bacterial elements to help you get rid of bacteria on your skin. No matter how thoroughly you think you are washing, in all likelihood bacteria still remain.

A second step you should take to prevent acne is to use an exfoliating product on your skin. The dead skin cells that are always present on your skin can often contribute to acne formation. They do this by blocking your pores. This leads to oil becoming blocked in the pores, also known as follicles, which is one of the major causes of acne. The dead cells are also used as a food source by the bacteria which furthers their breeding. Using an exfoliating product does a good job in removing these dead skin cells.

Both anti-bacterial cleansers and exfoliates can be found in just about any pharmacy or super store at very reasonable prices. There are usually several brands and price ranges from which to choose, so you should be able to find products that suit you.

What To Do When More Care and Treatment Are Needed

For many people, washing their face and skin properly and using exfoliates is enough to manage the acne blemishes they have. For others, however, these two methods do not contain the acne outbreaks. These people should see a dermatologist or some kind of skin specialist. This is the person who can prescribe whatever medication that is needed to get the condition under control.

When it comes to treating and preventing acne, there are many products on the market that can help some, or maybe most, people. When you are using facial/skin cleansers, exfoliating products or topical medications, it is very important that you follow the directions given for them. Most of them should be used regularly if you are to get any benefits.

In conclusion, not everyone can have a clear complexion, but many will find relief in these products for acne prevention and treatment.