What triggers eczema?

What worsens eczema or atopic dermatitis? There are different elements in the environment that could trigger the condition. Knowing what causes eczema flare ups helps in the management and control of symptoms. Here are some of the most common triggers for those who experience eczema:

skin-itching — Image source: kidneybuzz.com

Stress

For years, doctors have been telling those with eczema to stay away from the things that cause them stress. When people feel tense, tired, or anxious, their bodies try to protect their skin by boosting inflammation. However, things get worse for those with eczema.

Extreme temperature

People with eczema feel itchy when they experience excessive sweating because of heat. During cold months, their skin also gets too dry, which leads to an eczema flare up.

Allergens

People who have reactions to common allergens like pollen, dust mites, dandruff, and certain kinds of food are not just prone to sneezing. If they have eczema, they can experience its symptoms for longer.

Infections

Eczema can be triggered by viruses that thrive in the environment. Herpes virus, molluscum virus, and fungi like ringworm or athlete’s foot can cause infections that can aggravate eczema.

Hormones

Hormones can cause eczema flare ups, too, especially in women who experience hormonal imbalance while on their monthly period.

Dr. Kenneth M. Reed is the founder of DermASAP. He is passionate about providing timely care to patients experiencing dermatological issues. Visit this Twitter page to read more about dermatology and other topics related to the medical field.

A Primer On Dandruff And How To Prevent It

A common skin condition, dandruff is neither an indication of poor health nor a life-threatening condition. It is more of a cosmetic challenges rather than a medical one. Still, people should be more aware of what it is, why it happens, and how to prevent it.

Despite common belief, dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene. Dermatologists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause. It has been found that those with irritated or oily skin are more prone to developing the condition. The increase of oil in the skin can inflame the scalp, causing it to produce extra skin cells. On the opposite side of the spectrum, those with dry skin are also at high risk of getting dandruff. The dandruff flakes for dry skin are usually small and localized in the scalp.

Dandruff treatment takes into consideration two factors: age and severity. Those more advanced in age are more prone to developing dandruff. There are shampoos and scalp preparations that balance the skin pH in the scalp, but some can be too harsh for elderly skin. The mildest treatments contain salicyclic acids or green tea tree oil, which are known for their skin shedding and healing properties.

Dandruff usually comes and goes with the changing of seasons. Thus, people should take note what time of the year or any additional factors that contribute to their dandruff. Knowing this information will prevent it. In very severe cases of dandruff, it is best to consult a qualified dermatologist.

Dr. Kenneth M Reed is trusted by hundreds of people for his superb knowledge in skin care and other dermatological procedures. Learn more about skin care when you subscribe to this YouTube channel.

How Stress Might Be Aggravating Skin Problems

There is yet to be a study that establishes a clear connection between stress and skin disorders, but it is well-known that the nervous system is responsible for processing stress, as well as stimulating a response to that stress.

For instance, when people are subjected to physical, emotional, or mental pressures, the brain signals the release of certain hormones. This triggers a range of physiological events that may exacerbate multiple health conditions, including skin disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia areata (hair loss), rosacea, and urticaria (hives).

Studies linking the brain, stress, and flare-ups would help the medical community develop and introduce other treatment options: therapy or medication that would block the signals from the brain to neuroreceptors that would activate the immune system’s response.

Meanwhile, to avoid a breakout, people suffering from certain skin disorders can practice relaxation techniques such as meditation.

Dr. Kenneth M. Reed is a member of the New England Dermatology Society and American Society of Dermatological Surgery, and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He completed his medical training at the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and was one of the few offered to attend the combined dermatology program at Harvard Medical School. Subscribe to this blog for more updates on his profession.

What You Need To Know About Tattoo Removal

Getting a tattoo is a commitment. It’s not only an involved and painful experience having the design etched on one’s skin, but the artwork is more or less permanent. Unfortunately, despite all that, many people still change their mind about their tattoos and want them removed. Fortunately, thanks to current technology, tattoo removal is now possible. For those who want to “erase” their skin art, here is some useful information.

Image source: huffingtonpost.co.uk

Reasons for tattoo removal

People have their tattoos removed for a variety of reasons. Some just get sick of how the tattoos look, while others need to get rid of their skin art for their jobs or lifestyle adjustments. Others just don’t like the finished product.

Tattoo removal technique

Tattoos are composed of ink pigments injected into the skin with a needle. The procedure has similarities with how a sewing machine works. Depending on the design and client’s pain threshold, it can be an arduous and painful process, and results can be mixed.

Image source: wikipedia.org

Meanwhile, removal process such as utilized in DermAsap is painless and involves using a laser that targets the colored skin cells with high-intensity infrared light. Laser tattoo removal typically requires multiple visits, the number of which is contingent on the type and color of ink used, tattoo location, the tattoo’s vibrancy (older tattoos tend to be relatively faded) and the color of the patient’s skin, as some skin colors are more responsive than others.

For best results, patients should ask their doctor questions about the process and if there are any side effects to be expected as there are instances of temporary swelling or blisters which subside after a while. The healing and removal procedure varies according to the individual, the tattoo, and even the laser used, so it’s best to ask several reputable doctors before committing.

Dr. Kenneth M Reed is the founder of DermAsap, a clinic that provides expert care to patients with acute skin conditions. Follow this Twitter account for more about dermatology and skin conditions.

What’s a Tummy Tuck?

Many people go through extreme diet and exercise to achieve their target weight, but their smiles turn into frowns when they realize they have excess skin in their abdominal area. Childbirth, weight gain, and sudden weight loss can cause the tissue of the abdomen to sag. This can be inevitable, even if the person tries his or her best to stay in shape.

A lot of these patients get a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. This treatment gets rid of unwanted fat and excess skin. It also smoothens and tightens the abdominal area.

Not all who want a tummy tuck get it at first try. Candidates for the procedure must be healthy. It won’t work for those who smoke or have fluctuating weight. Patients must maintain a stable weight before it can yield the best results. About 30 to 50 percent of the abdominal skin is removed by the procedure. It also gets rid of stretch marks, and gives the abdomen a slimmer appearance.

Those who get a tummy tuck may get a new belly button after the procedure. Because the skin is pulled to create an hourglass shape, the old belly button could look out of place. There are also times when the abdominoplasty lifts the thighs.

Dr. Kenneth M. Reed is the founder or DermASAP in Plymouth. Learn more about the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty by visiting this website

An Overview of Psoriasis: Triggers, Types, and Treatments

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis lesions proliferate on the outermost layer of the skin when new skin cells grow and replace the old ones at an unusually fast rate. Scientists have yet to discover the exact cause of this occurrence, but medical studies have shown that immune system and genetics contribute to psoriasis’ development. However, doctors have established external factors that trigger the disease. These triggers include stress, skin injury (Koebner phenomenon), streptococcus infection, and medications (lithium, inderal, antimalarials, etc.). Lesions usually appear on the scalp, knees, or the outer elbows, but they can show up on any part of the skin.

HG_484_06_PsoriasisScalp_640x480_thumb_LA

Image source: conditions.healthguru.com

There are five types of psoriasis. The most common type is plaque psoriasis. The raised, red patches of plaque psoriasis are usually painful and itchy. The severe form is erythrodermic psoriasis. Other types of psoriasis are guttate, inverse, and pustular.

Dermatologists choose the best treatment depending on the kind and the severity of the disease. Treatments include topical solutions, phototherapy, systemic medications, biologic drugs, and new oral therapies.

dt_150831_psoriasis_elbow_800x600

Image source: medscape.com

Dr. Kenneth M. Reed is a board-certified medical doctor, a graduate of Harvard Medical School’s dermatology residency program, and a member of the American Society of Dermatological Surgery. With 25 years of practice in the field of dermatology, he has co-founded companies such as Early Cell, Prescient Pharma, and DermAsap. For more information about him, visit this blog.

No More Razors: Get Rid of Unwanted Hair with BBL Hair Removal

Having unwanted hair can be a source of insecurity for many people. They have to go through constant grooming methods like tweezing, waxing, and shaving that can all be time-consuming.

Image source: deal.com.sg

BBL is an innovative way for people to experience permanent hair removal. It uses the Sciton BBL broadband light source that targets hair follicles in their growth phase, preventing them from producing hair. Areas that can be treated include the face, back, arms, legs, bikini area, underarms, and chest.

The treatment uses photothermal energy. It disables hair growth by heating the follicles. Not all hair will be removed in just one session. For patients to see effective results, the BBL hair removal process should be done in several treatments. After the initial six to eight appointments, patients must schedule annual visits for touch-ups.

Before the appointment, patients can shave the body part to be treated, but are not encouraged to wax or pluck. It is also advised that patients wear loose and comfortable clothing on the day of the treatment. Patients may feel a mild stinging sensation during the treatment, but it is only temporary. After the treatment, patients may experience redness, swelling, and other post-treatment discomfort. Tanning, plucking, and waxing are discouraged between treatments.

Image source: goodhousekeeping.com

DermASAP, established by Dr. Kenneth M. Reed, provides patients with skin care problems with top-notch and timely dermatological services. Learn more about Dr. Reed and his clinic website.

First blog post

This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.

Dr. Kenneth M Reed MD