Different types of Skin Problems, Symptoms, Prevention, and Cure

According to a survey published in the Saudi Gazette in April 2016, 65% of women in Saudi Arabia suffer from skin ailments, along with more than half the children in the country. The study also revealed that while the variety and frequency of skin conditions might vary, the most common cause is the volatile climate of the Kingdom, with extreme weather conditions that include high temperatures and lack of humidity. The situation is not too different in other countries in the Middle East. Here’s a look at some of the most common skin problems experienced by people in this part of the world.

Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin problems, where the oil clogs the pores on the skin, leading to pimples. It can appear anywhere on the face, neck, shoulders, chest or back, and comes in many forms.

Causes:

• Hormonal Imbalance
• Overactive Sebaceous Glands
• Eating Junk Food

Symptoms:

• Itching
• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Red and painful pimples with pus

Prevention:

• Wash the skin gently with soap for no more than two times in a day
• Don't pop or squeeze the pimples
• Avoid rubbing the affected areas
• Wash sweat and oil off as soon as possible
• Maintain a healthy diet

Treatment:

• Applying creams and lotions
• Antibiotic or other prescribed medication
• Laser Resurfacing

Eczema

The word eczema is derived from the Greek word “ekzein”, which means “to boil out”. And as the name suggests, it is an inflammation of the skin that involves signs like redness, itching, weeping, oozing and even crusting. It is more common in infants and children.

Causes:

• Environment
• Genetic factors
• Allergens like dust mites, pollen and dandruff
• Microbes, like bacteria, virus and fungi
• Hormones
• Stress

Symptoms:

• Rashes on the scalp and cheeks
• An extra fold of the skin under the eye, called the Atopic pleat
• Inflammation of skin around the lips
• Dry skin
• Constant urge to rub and itch

Prevention:

• Bathing regularly, at least once a day
• Wearing clothes made of breathable material
• Avoiding activities that lead to excessive perspiration

Treatment:

• Using anti-inflammatory creams
• Antibiotics
• Photo-therapy
• Medicines to treat viral and fungal infections
• Moisturizers for the skin

Skin Cancer

Overexposure to the sun and UV rays increases the risk of skin cancer. This disease damages the fibers in the skin, called elastin, which results to the tearing and breaking off of the skin. The damage may not be visible at a young age but starts to show its effect as time passes.

Causes:

• Uncontrolled growth of skin cells
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiations from the sun
• X-ray exposure
• Scars or burns

Symptoms:

• Small blood vessel may be visible within the tumor
• Depression
• Bleeding
• Sore throat that doesn't heal

Prevention:

• Apply a good sunscreen before going out
• Use sunglasses
• Cover as much skin as possible

Treatment:

• Laser Treatment
• Chemotherapy
• Drugs and medication
• Cryosurgery or freezing
• Radiation Therapy

6 Best Methods to Reverse Hair Loss

According to a report by Euromonitor International, published in May 2016, hair care is considered an important ritual in the GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia. In fact, this is one country that registered the highest growth in the sale of hair care products in the world. The report went on to say that women in Saudi Arabia spent heavily on high quality hair care products, both through retail channels as well as through salons.

While the causes of hair loss and thinning are many, some basic steps to promote growth can prove to be effective hair loss treatment. If the problem persists, it is best to consult a professional and address the problem from the root (pun not intended)! Here’s a look at some such steps you can take at home.

1.      Get a Head Massage

What do you do to make your face look good? You get a facial, right? It works exactly the same way for your hair as well. Getting a good massage can keep those luscious locks and your scalp healthy. All you need to do is apply some oil and rub it in gently for about 10 minutes. Leave it in for some time or even overnight and shampoo it off the next day. Just do it once in a week and the results will speak for themselves.

2.      Wash Well

It is important to keep your scalp and hair clean. However, shampooing too often can lead to the loss of natural oils, which are essential for hair health. Professionals recommend that you shampoo every alternate day or, if possible, twice a week. In addition, choose a shampoo that does not contain parabens and sulfates, chemicals that are bad for you and the environment.

3.      Use a Wooden Comb

One of the biggest reasons of hair fall is using an old and fine comb. On the other hand, a wide-wooden comb is more gentle and provides a massaging effect on your hair. So, replace your plastic comb with a wooden one and see the results.

4.      Exercise

Getting involved in physical activities is just as good for your physique as it is for your hair. When you exercise, sweat is released and unclogs the hair follicles to make way for new hair. It also increases blood flow to the scalp, which is essential for healthy hair growth.

5.      A Healthy Diet

Include fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, iron, calcium, biotin and zinc in your diet. Eat oranges, bananas and leafy vegetables to provide the essential nutrients for healthy growth.

6.      Opt for a Good Hair Loss Treatment

If you experience continuous hair loss, then don't be shy to consult a specialist. This is the only way you can identify the cause and receive the right hair loss treatment. Make sure you choose an experienced and trusted clinic for best results.

How to Ensure a Healthy Menstrual Cycle

Did you know that a woman is expected to have 450 menstrual cycles on average in her lifetime? Ideally, a cycle lasts for 28 days, so you can imagine that for a large part of your life, you'll have to tackle extreme emotions and the sudden rush of hormones.

Although this is a natural phenomenon, lack of knowledge and certain lifestyle habits can lead to various health related problems. In fact, according to a study conducted by Ibn Sina National College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, about 21.6% women in Saudi Arabia suffered from Oligo and 21.3% reported polymenorrhea. Another problem, dysmenorrhea, accounted for 60% to 90% of the cases of absenteeism from schools.

Bloating, mood swings, painful cramping, etc, are common during the menstrual cycle but people often mistake them as 'normal' which isn't the case.

Tips for a Healthy Menstrual Cycle

1. Decrease Sugar and Caffeine Consumption

Sugar, alcohol, tea and chocolate have one thing in common. All of them are inflammatory and can lead to many of the problems mentioned above during the periods. They increase the estrogen level in your body and turn you into the Hulk in just few minutes. So, try to reduce the amount of sugar and caffeine you consume during this time and observe the results for yourself.

2. Avoid Cold or Raw Food

Cold and raw foods require extra effort to digest and can even weaken the digestive system. The temperature can also constrict the flow of Qi and blood, which can lead to several menstrual problems. The uterus is highly vulnerable to cold weather and surfaces, so try to avoid swimming in cold water and dress properly during the winter. This will help with menstrual cramps and infertility.

3. Exercise

Irrespective of your medical situation, you should always exercise to stay fit and healthy. During your menstrual cycle, do not involve yourself in extensive workouts but do ensure some easy exercises, such as Yoga and stretching. They will help you achieve better blood flow and also ensure that you get enough rest to relax your muscles.

4. Manage Stress

Stress can disrupt the hormone signals, worsening the situation. Take out some time from work, go out with your friends or get involved in activities that you enjoy. It will have a positive impact on your mental and physical state.

5. Choose the Right Protection

If you suffer from painful cramps or endometriosis, regularly avoiding the use of tampons is recommended, since they may cause blood stagnation. Instead, opt for a sanitary pad made of a material that suits your skin type. Choosing the right sanitary product can help you stay clean and dry, and therefore remain healthy.

Beauty On The Move: Travel Tips

Ever wonder how fashion models are able to jet set around the world and still look their best, no matter how many miles they have behind them? When it comes to you, does the act of getting from here to there leave you looking like a train wreck? If you are planning a weekend road trip, an annual holiday, a business trip or just looking forward to some vacation time, here are our top travel tips.

5 Office Beauty Tips

1. Research the destination: Know the climate and weather in the place you are travelling to. If it is going to be hot and humid, plan for cleansers, wipes and sunscreen. If you are going somewhere cold and dry, pack the moisturiser, chap cream and hydrating agents.

2. Hydrate in advance: It is important to keep your body and skin hydrated at all times. Not having the correct water balance will end in you showing up with a dull complexion and flaky skin.

3. Test at home: Don't wait till you have arrived in a strange town just to find out that the new sunscreen does not agree with you. Use your products a couple of days in advance or stick to what you know works from past experience.

4. Get the hard work out of the way: If there are any time-intensive procedures such as hair removal, facials and even a simple manicure or pedicure that you need, it is probably a good idea to get these done before the trip. Besides making your skin feel cleaner, hair removal will also give your skin a glow. If you are planning a long trip, you can always pack something like Veet Wax Strips with Easy Grip.

5. Keep it light: Understand that everything that is on your dressing table cannot be packed and taken along with you. Especially if you are flying, all those tubes, bottles and jars can get pretty heavy. Stick to the basics like cleanser, sunscreen and moisturiser.

6. Multitasking products: Opt for dual-purpose or multi-purpose products like a sunscreen that also removes excess oil from your facial skin or moisturising cleansers.

7. Ziploc safety: It is easy to have oodles of different things that don't fit neatly into box-like shapes. Keep plenty of Ziploc bags and pouches of different sizes handy. Cabin pressures above 20,000 feet can do funny things to liquids in bottles and tubes. Ziploc things to keep them safe from spillage.

Best Throat Infection Remedies

Throat infection can be caused by various factors, including viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. It can be very frustrating because even if only a small part of the body is affected, it does impact your entire day. You can’t eat and drink as easily and you tend to feel tired more easily. The good news, however, is that you can get rid of such problems with some simple yet effective throat infection remedies. Here’s a look at some of them.

Honey

This is a proven traditional remedy for a sore throat. The anti-bacterial properties of honey help speed up the healing process. It is easily available and affordable. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot water or have it with herbal tea.

Salt Water Gargles

The most effective and easiest way to relieve pain and inflammation of the throat is to gargle with hot water that has some salt dissolved in it. Make sure you gargle at least twice a day or more if the pain persists. It will soothe your throat, and in case you have postnasal drip, increase the frequency.

Hot Fluids Give Relief

Switch the cold beverages for hot ones, such as tea, coffee and soup. Ginger tea is one of the best options in this situation, since it is known to flush out toxins from the body and boost blood circulation. The anti-inflammatory properties of this beverage also help in killing the bacteria. Make sure you keep your body hydrated, since the lack of liquid will only increase the irritation in the throat.

Medicines and Adequate Rest

Most of the times, throat related problems are cured with time and proper rest. So, make sure you get enough hours of sleep at night and try to take a nap during the day as well. Don't participate in too many exhausting activities, since this could lead to a worsening of the pain and irritation.

If the symptoms are not severe, take nonprescription medicines, such as throat lozenges or sprays, that offer instant relief from the pain. If the problem lasts for more than a week, consult a doctor and take the prescribed medicines.

Turmeric and Water

Studies have revealed that turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and has the strength to fight off many serious diseases. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of turmeric in hot water and use it to gargle. It will give you quick results.

If the situation doesn't get better in few days with these throat infection remedies, don't hesitate to pay a visit to the doctor.