Pigmentation Treatment Can be the Cure for Vitiligo

The amount of money people in the UAE spend on personal care products stood at approximately Dh5.3 billion or $1.445 billion in 2014. This amount is around 9% more than what it was in 2013. It is estimated that this amount would grow to Dh7.34 billion or $2 billion by 2019, which represents a jump of about half a billion in 5 years!

The Harsh Sun is Affecting Your Skin

With the amount of sunshine the UAE gets in a year, skin products are bound witness a market increase in the country. A study conducted in this regard reveals that the UV rays account for 80% of skin ageing and skin cancer, which makes choosing the right product and the right treatment of paramount importance.

Our skin’s pigmentation plays a big role in sensitivity towards sun. The brown pigment, which is responsible for the colour of the skin, is called melanin. The colouration or pigmentation of the skin is dependent on the amount of melanin present. People with darker skin produce higher quantities of melanin as compared to those with pale skin. Any skin pigmentation disorder affects the colour of the skin. Some disorders affects the entire body, while some only affect patches of skin on the body. Vitiligo is one such skin disease that is very common in the people of the UAE. Here are a few things you need to know about this disorder before seeking pigmentation treatment.

What is Vitiligo?

It is a skin disease that causes the loss of skin colour in spots. The extent of colour loss due to his disease is unpredictable. It can also affect other parts of the body, like the hair, mouth, etc. The cause of the disease is said to be the death of the cells producing melanin and can affect people of all skin types. The condition is not life threatening but can be stressful, since having spots on one’s face or body can lead to embarrassment and lower self-confidence. The disease can affect both men and women of all age groups. It is more noticeable in people with darker skin tones.

Will it Spread?

There is no exact way to say whether it will spread, but for some people it does not spread. For some, it can even spread to cover almost the entire body. Spreading occurs slowly for some and very quickly for others.

Vitiligo and other such pigment problems can be easily treated with the right pigmentation treatment. Finding the right treatment will not just help with vitiligo but will also help in clearing all the dark patches, skin tan, spots and uneven skin tone that occur due to the harsh UV ray exposure in the UAE. 

What's the Best Way for Incontinence Protection

Urinary incontinence is one of the growing problems across of the globe, with as many as 12 million people being affected by it. Sudden actions like laughing and sneezing, which put pressure on the bladder, can also lead to some leakage.

However, when it is a persisting issue, it could lead to prolonged dampness in the private parts, which in turn could result in more serious health problems, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, where temperatures are usually high, fostering bacterial growth.

The best means of incontinence protection is to use products that absorb the liquid and keep you dry. These products offer varying levels of absorbency and should be selected keeping in mind the frequency and amount of flow.

What are the Products Available?

• Pads and Liners: These are light weight and easy to remove and replaced. Basically, these pads are meant to be pasted with an adhesive strip on the inner lining of underpants to keep them dry. It is a great solution for the people suffering from light flow and come for both the genders. These are specifically designed to fit well.

• Belted Undergarments: You can use the pads with an undergarment that comes with a belt to be worn around the waist. It is exactly like regular underwear but designed to absorb bouts of incontinence.

• Protective Underwear: Re-usable underwear and pull ups fall in this category. They have moisture absorbing capability and provide protection against leakage. Once wet, they can be torn and thrown away, making the job of the care taker easier. It is very efficient is soaking liquids.

• Adult Diapers: Just like diapers for infants, disposable briefs or adult diapers are also available in the market that are applied from front to back instead of wearing the through the legs like protective underwear.

Factors to Consider While Buying

• Size: Product that offer incontinence protection come in a range of sizes to suit different types of needs. However, unless the size is a perfect fit for you, it will not be able to stop the leakage efficiently. Therefore, it is important to select a product according to your waist, hip and thigh size.

• Absorbency: Needless to say, this is your ultimate goal. Choose a product based on the severity of the flow. Also, consider what can offer the best protection at night.

• Gender: Believe it or not, these products are gender-specific and a unisex diaper may not offer the best results.

Urine Leakage & How to Get Rid of It

According to an article in Gulf News, published in June 2016, a study revealed that about 42 percent of the women above the age of 38 years in the UAE suffer from urinary incontinence. Of these, about 80% complained that their daily activities, including social and physical engagement, were affected by it. Most of these women do not seek medical help because they consider this situation to be socially embarrassing and the cultural barrier makes it worse for them.

Urinary incontinence, which is basically a medical condition in which the urine is leaked from the body accidentally, is very common problem affecting about 400 million women worldwide. This condition can be temporary or chronic and is more commonly found in women above the age of 50 years.

Urine leakage can be triggered by small activities such as sneezing and laughter but can be managed with proper information and guidance.

How to Manage it

• Take Care of your Skin: More leakage means that there could be greater risk of skin infections and rashes. Dampness from the urine makes the skin moist, which leads to the growth of bacteria and yeast. So, make sure you wash regularly with soap and apply a cream to keep the urine away. Avoid hot water, since it could increase the irritation level.

• Using the Right Absorbent: Using the right tools of protection makes it much easier to cope with this problem. You can opt for products like panty liners, absorbent adult briefs and reusable incontinence undergarments. The urine holding capacity varies across products, so make sure you check for absorbency before making a purchase.

• Odour Prevention: This is often one of the biggest concerns of incontinence. One way to prevent odour is by staying hydrated. However, it is important not to drink too much of anything, since it would lead to greater urine production and therefore leakage. To remove the smell from clothes, wash them with baking soda and apply deodorant a before leaving the house.

• Monitor the Urinating Patterns: Consumption of caffeine, acidic foods, alcoholic drinks and hot spices can irritate the bladder and force it to behave abnormally. So, monitor your urine patterns to understand the amount and frequency of the flow. There is a possibility that you feel the urge after specific intervals of time. Change your diet and lifestyle accordingly.

Things to Be Kept in Mind

• When you are at home, make sure that bathroom is always available.
• Wear clothes that are easy to remove.
• Remember to empty your bladder before going to sleep or leaving the house.

How to Feel Better During Your Periods

According to a study conducted by Ibn Sina National College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, about 36.4% women in Saudi Arabia have irregular menstruation, 21.6% have oligomenorrehea and 21.3% had polymenorrehea. About 19.5% of the women use less than 3 pads during one menstrual cycle, while 12.5% use more than 5 pads.

Another study revealed that about 68% of the girls experienced PMS and 59% were unable to attend school because of it. Dysmenorrhea was the most common problem, resulting in 60% to 90% the cases of absenteeism from school. 

However, most of the women continue to ignore this as general pain, without realising that they can control it and stay energized throughout the day even during their periods. Here is what you need to do to feel better.

Choose Your Food Wisely

This is a time when you crave for food items such as sugar, salt, coffee and alcohol, but, sadly, they only make the condition worse. Salt causes greater water retention, sugar causes rise and fall of blood sugar and caffeine increases the production of estrogen, leading to mood swings. Instead, opt for foods that are rich in vitamins and drink plenty of water and fluids.

Avoid Painful Activities but Indulge in Light Exercises

During periods, girls are more physically sensitive and painful activities, such as waxing, body piercing or getting a tattoo can be more painful than they otherwise would. On the other hand, simple exercises like yoga, stretching and walking can help maintain good blood flow and avoid cramps.

Meet Your Friends

A lot of women do not like to socialise during this time. However, the reality is that when you go out and meet friends, you get less time to think about how miserable you feel. So, try going out with your friends or organize a small party with them at home, it will really help in elevating your mood.

Get Adequate Rest

Needless to say, sleeping is the best solution for most problems. Getting enough sleep, especially at night, will help you to stay refreshed and rejuvenated.

Use the Right Protection

Most sanitary pads and tampons available in the market use chemicals that can cause rashes and the material used may cause problems of breathability. Choose products according to the materials used, absorbency and your skin type, and change them every 4-8 hours, depending on the flow.

Also, remember to take special care of your skin in the week leading to your periods, sicne injuries at that time can increase the irritation levels later.