Causes of Dry Skin
Skin can become dry for many reasons, but more often than not it is a combination of reasons. In this article we are going to look at the many dry skin causes which will hopefully help you to look after your skin better and be more in the know about general skin care.
Dry skin causes can be:
– Cold, wind, rain and low humidity. Environmental factors such as these cannot really be avoided, but there is one way which can really help keep your skin from drying so much. People are seldom aware how much central heating within their homes can dry their skin. Air humidifiers within the home during the winter months of central heating usage help to stop this from happening so much.
– Exposure to the sun: Exposure to the sun is another cause of dry skin. It is highly important to use a very high factor sun cream to prevent skin from burning and becoming dry.
– Excessive / Bad washing and skincare practices. When a person sees they have dry skin, their first thought can often be to apply water, to moisturise it. What this in fact does is wash away the protective sebum layer from the skin leaving the skin exposed to further damage. The way to moisturise your skin is to use a proper moisturiser regularly, but particularly after skin-damaging practices such as shaving or washing. Washing too frequently (i.e.: more than once a day) and using hot water as opposed to lukewarm water will dry your skin out. Using a flannel or loafer which scrub the skin will also remove more sebum and cause more harm than good, as will wiping or rubbing the body dry with a towel after bathing, as opposed to dabbing.
– Vitamin A, B, C and Sulphur Deficiency. Most people consume lower than recommended levels of all vitamins, and could do with taking vitamin supplements. Vitamin A, B and C supplements will help the skin grow healthy, as will foods which contain sulphur such as onions and garlic.
– Underlying illnesses. In addition to chronic skin complaints such as eczema, sometimes people whom have diabetes or under-active thyroid glands develop dry skin as a symptom. In these cases, the illness or ailment itself must be treated to minimise symptoms as well as a good skin care practice.
– Aging. As a person gets older, their sebum production levels can drop, leaving their skin exposed to damage. The aforementioned skin practices will be more important to maintain healthy skin as a person gets older.
Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/causes-of-dry-skin-53467.html
What causes skin cancer and what are the effects?
Well, I am 13, and I have gotten two severe sunburns this past month. My mom said they were pretty bad, and they can cause skin cancer in the future. Is this really true? If not what are the real causes of skin cancer? What are the effects?
Skin Cancer Causes
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, most commonly from sunlight, is overwhelmingly the most frequent cause of skin cancer.
Other important causes of skin cancer include the following:
* Use of tanning booths
* Immunosuppression—impairment of the immune system, which protects the body from foreign entities, such as germs or substances that cause an allergic reaction. This may occur as a consequence of some diseases or can be due to medications prescribed to combat autoimmune diseases or prevent organ transplant rejection.
* Exposure to unusually high levels of x-rays
* Contact with certain chemicals—arsenic (miners, sheep shearers, and farmers), hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot (may cause squamous cell carcinoma)
Regarding your mother’s comment, people who had at least one severe sunburn early in life have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Mom is right!
Treatment for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is straightforward. Usually, surgical removal of the lesion is adequate. Malignant melanoma, however, may require several treatment methods, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
References :
Skin cancer is most closely associated with chronic inflammation of the skin. This includes:
1. Overexposure to UV-radiation can cause skin cancer either via the direct− or via the indirect DNA damage mechanism. UVA & UVB have both been implicated in causing DNA damage resulting in cancer. Sun exposure between 10AM and 4PM is most intense and therefore most harmful. Natural (sun) & artificial UV exposure (tanning salons) are associated with skin cancer. Since sunbeds cause mostly indirect DNA damage (free radicals) their use is associated with the deadliest form of skin cancer - the malignant melanom.
2. Chronic non-healing wounds, especially burns. These are called Marjolin’s ulcers based on their appearance and can develop into squamous cell carcinomaand.
3. Genetic predisposition, including "Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Syndrome". CMNS is characterized by the presence of "nevi" or moles of varying size that either appear at or within 6 months of birth. Nevi larger than 20 mm (3/4") in size are at higher risk for becoming cancerous.
Skin can be protected by avoiding sunlight entirely, or wearing protective clothing while outdoors. Skin cancer is usually caused by exposing skin to UV rays excessively.
References :
The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the appearance of the skin, such as a new growth or a sore that will not heal…
The risk of developing skin cancer is also affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that receive high levels of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to develop skin cancer..
….Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun’s damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood in order to prevent skin cancer later in life.
…Tanning booths are very popular, especially among adolescents, and they even let people who live in cold climates radiate their skin year-round.
Skin Cancer Symptoms
-Small blood vessels may be visible within the tumor.
-A central depression with crusting and bleeding (ulceration) frequently develops.
-Warning signs include change in size, shape, color, or elevation of a mole.
-The appearance of a new mole during adulthood, or new pain, itching, ulceration, or bleeding of an existing mole should all be checked by a health-care provider.
References :
When to Seek Medical Care
-Have your primary health-care provider or a skin specialist (dermatologist) check any moles or spots that concern you.
See your health-care provider to check your skin if you notice any changes in the size, shape, color, or texture of pigmented areas (such as darker areas of skin or moles).