Skin Rashes: What Causes Them?

11/15/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

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Pretty much all of us have had a rash at some point in our lives. Some of us may even get them regularly. Rashes are areas of irritated skin that can take many forms – they can be red, scaley, bumpy or blistered. They don’t look pleasant, and can often be itchy or painful.

Some rashes are easy to diagnose like diaper rash. Others can appear without us realising and may require a bit of detective work to diagnose. Below are just some of the common causes of rashes.

Allergies

Allergic reactions and sensitivity to certain substances are the most common reasons for rashes. Such rashes can take several forms.

Pure allergic reactions typically result in redness and small bumps called hives. Triggers for these rashes could include certain foods, medication, contact with animals or contact with certain materials like latex.

If your skin is dry and irritated, this is more likely to be a form of eczema known as contact dermatitis. Causes of these rashes can include cleaning chemicals, soaps, detergents, certain cosmetics or even certain metals like nickel.

Sites like Asthma & Allergy Associates can help you to explore treatment methods and prevention strategies. Once you know the trigger, you should reduce contact and look into hypoallergenic alternatives if they are an option.

Stress

Some rashes are the result of underlying conditions. These rashes may be brought out by allergic reactions to substances, but can also often be brought out by stress.

Types of rash conditions that are often triggered by stress include psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and stress-induced hives. Stress may also increase your chances of developing infection-based rashes like impetigo due to lowering the immune system.

Finding ways to destress can help reduce flare-ups of these types of rashes. There are many stressbusting techniques that you can try.

Bites/stings

Animals and plants can often cause rashes when they sting or bite. These may take the form of a large red bump, or an area of small bumps (hives).

Nettles, ants and mosquitoes are a few common culprits behind mystery rashes. Such rashes are often not a concern, but you should see a doctor if they grow or get more painful. This post at MedicineNet explains more as to when to worry about an insect bite.

Using insect repellent sprays may prevent bites. It’s also advised that you cover up your arms and legs when exploring areas of long grass or boggy areas where bites and stings are more likely.

Sun exposure

Sun exposure can cause all kinds of different rashes. Sunburn (which is technically more of a burn than a rash) is the most obvious. Heat rash and sun rash are other types of rash that are more similar to an allergy.

Wearing sun lotion, keeping cool and not spending too much time in direct sunlight can stop you from getting these types of rashes. Some people are more susceptible than others due to their complexion or underlying skin conditions – if you are more likely to get rashes, you will need to be more careful in the sun.

Viruses/bacteria/fungus

Various infections caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses can lead to rashes. Examples include chickenpox, measles, shingles, cellulitis, impetigo, ringworm and athlete’s foot are all examples.

These types of rashes tend to cause a greater level of pain and itchiness and are often accompanied by spots, blisters or bleeding. It is important to see a doctor for these types of rashes as they may require prescription medication to treat. Some can also be contagious, so it’s important to cover them up.

Lifestyle, Tips

What To Know When Getting A Body Piercing For The First Time

11/14/2023 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Getting a body piercing for the first time is somewhat exciting and a little daunting at the same time. After all, if you’ve never experienced a piercing before, such as your earlobes as is fairly common at a younger age, then you won’t really know what to expect.

Everyone has a different pain threshold and when it comes to the piercing itself, the level of pain can vary from one to the next. Regardless, it’s important to know exactly what to expect when getting a bodily piercing, wherever that may be located.

Here are a few things you’ll need to know when getting a body piercing for the first time.

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Do your research

First and foremost, do your research. It’s important that when it comes to getting piercings, you know what each one involves and what to expect from the piercing process itself. This guide to dermal piercings, for example, is useful for anyone who might be getting this type of piercing for the first time.

Research is important because you want to know the ins and outs of what is essential in an invasive procedure. There are some risks and side effects to piercings that are good to know about, especially if you’re going for piercings in more unique areas of the body in general.

With a bit of research, you’ll get a better understanding of what to expect and hopefully, that will ease some of the concerns or anxiety you might be feeling toward an upcoming appointment you’ve booked.

Know your budget

Budget is an important one as the price it costs to get a piercing can vary from one person to another.

Knowing your budget is useful, especially when it comes to making sure you’re not being ripped off or paying too little for a certain piercing specifically.

The price of a piercing will include the piercing of the body part itself and then whatever piece of jewelry you use to be the first piercing you wear. Remember, that for many piercings, you have to wait a number of weeks for it to heal before you can take it out.

Therefore, it’s good to pick something you like and can wear for a long period of time to begin with. A budget is good to have so that you can save before the appointment and have a bit more scope for your choice of piercer and the jewelry you might want.

Consider your pain threshold

What’s your pain threshold like? It differs from one person to the next but the amount of pain that can be experienced when getting a body piercing can vary depending on where you’re getting pierced.

It’s known that certain parts of the ear can be more painful than others. Sensitive areas like the chest can be more sensitive, so it’s useful to know what you think you can handle, even though the pain is temporary and short-lived.

Choose a licensed and qualified piercer

One of the most important decisions to make when it comes to getting a body piercing is choosing a licensed and qualified piercer. There are some piercers that offer great value for the piercing but they might not necessarily have all the qualifications and licenses to do piercing professionally or at least to a high standard.

It’s always worthwhile going with an experienced piercer for peace of mind. At the same time, you want someone who knows what they’re doing and more importantly, can recommend the appropriate aftercare needed.

Get recommendations from trusted family and friends

If you’re struggling to find someone to pierce your body that you trust, then it’s worth getting recommendations from trusted family and friends. This is helpful when it comes to procedures such as bodily piercings where you’re putting your health and safety into the hands of a stranger.

Most piercings are fairly harmless and don’t involve much in the way of recovering, however, it’s something that’s definitely important to get right. Even if it’s a small piercing, there’s a risk of dirty tools being used to the wrong advice given when it comes to aftercare of the piercing itself.

Invest in high-quality jewelry

Finally, when it comes to any body piercing, it’s better to invest in high-quality jewelry, than the cheaper options which may cause more problems when it comes to the risk of infections, etc. Make sure to look for stainless steel jewelry types as these tend to be the best when getting a body piercing.

With these tips, you’ll feel more confident as you walk into your first body piercing appointment!

Going Healthy, Health, Life

3 Potential Causes Of Hair Loss

11/14/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Hair loss is experienced by many and can vary in degree. Although it is normal to shed hair every day after combing or brushing, there may be cause for concern when it comes out in clumps. It may be due to underlying medical issues or purely genetic. Hair loss affects both men and women but for men there’s an 80% prevalence rate for pattern baldness. With that said, this post takes a look at three potential causes of hair loss.

Genetic reasons

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If you have a biological parent losing their hair naturally, chances are you would, too. Science explains this as the hereditary sensitivity to the DHT hormone, which causes the hair follicles to shrink. Families with this trait often experience this as early as their twenties or by age fifty when aging sets in. Understanding your family’s genetic history is important to help you understand why you’re experiencing hair loss and helps you learn where your susceptibility stems from. Although genetic factors are beyond your control, advancements in science and technology have proven useful. Solutions like topical minoxidil and oral finasteride have proven to be effective in treating hair loss in males and females, although men use them more. The increase in hair transplant procedures also shows that many opt for this technique to regain a headful of hair.

Hormonal fluctuations

Fluctuations in hormones can significantly affect your hair follicles, potentially leading to patches on your scalp. This type of hair loss happens gradually, and for women, it may be misinterpreted as a reaction to a new shampoo or conditioner. Increased androgen production, triggered by certain conditions like PCOS, can cause this reaction in women. Thyroid issues can also be another underlying factor for hair loss. If it happens over time, it would help to see a specialist to ascertain the underlying cause. Also, Vitamin D deficiency is another common reason for hair loss. That is because this vitamin is essential for hormone synthesis, so the more you lack it, the less hair you have. The same goes for Vitamin E, which is influential in balancing hormones. Some vitamins to balance hormones for females can help restore normal function in the body. And this leads to the next point.

Nutritional deficiencies

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The adage ‘you are what you eat’ is true at this stage because your body will respond to what you consume. Your hair follicles need essential minerals and vitamins to thrive and grow healthy, but may not always receive the right levels due to diet and other factors. Iron deficiency is one of the main nutritional issues people face in their diet. It causes reduced blood flow to the scalp, leading to reduced nutrient flow to the base of the hair. The more this occurs, your hair loses zinc, vitamins A and C, reducing the strength and healthy growth of hair. An easy way to combat these nutritional deficiencies is to maintain a well-balanced diet. It shouldn’t be a one-off thing because your hair needs constant nutrition to keep growing healthy. A professional can help you bridge the nutritional gaps impacting the quality of your hair and stop the loss in its tracks. Certain supplements rich in essential vitamins can also help manage your hair loss problems.