Skin conditions

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Is Your Diet the Key to Managing Psoriasis, Acne, and Other Skin Conditions?

Psoriasis 2
Psoriasis


Made4 Vitamins breaks down some of the foods you can include in your diet to manage and improve acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Key findings:

  • Anti-inflammatory foods, including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and salmon can help to soothe all three skin conditions and are an essential addition to any skin-friendly diet.

  • Eczema is often an allergic reaction, so managing histamine levels in the body is important. Probiotics, found in soft cheeses, miso soup, tempeh and sourdough bread, fight allergic reactions.
  • Quercetin is a powerhouse when it comes to treating eczema from the inside – it reduces both inflammation and histamine levels. This ingredient can be found in spinach, blueberries, apples, kale and cherries.
  • Just like its topical application (where it’s known as retinol/retinal/retinoids), vitamin A in the diet can combat acne. A diet that includes carrots, apples, grapes, watermelons and apricot is ideal.

  • Vitamin E is another important ingredient in the fight against acne. Nuts, seeds, asparagus and pumpkin are rich in the vitamin – so Halloween is the perfect time to start adding it into your diet.
  • Mango, red bell peppers and spinach are all high in both vitamin A and E. Supplements can help people to boost their level of these vitamins for healthy skin.

Three Common Skin Conditions and the Foods You Can Add to Your Diet to Treat Them

There’s a skincare product for every condition. But when it comes to medical conditions that affect our complexion, sometimes we need a bit more of a boost.

Did you know that the food you eat can have an impact on various skin conditions? An estimated 60% of people in the UK have some form of skin condition, so it’s vital that we manage them in the best way possible.

Here, personalised vitamin provider Made4 Vitamins discuss some of the foods you can add to your diet to help combat the signs of three common skin conditions.

Acne

Who among us hasn’t suffered from a bout of acne at one point in our lives? Whether you battle it on the daily or you have the occasional flare-up, acne can be an ongoing struggle for many people. In fact, 95% of people aged between 11–30 experience it. Acne comes in many forms, from blackheads and whiteheads to pustules and papules.

While eating fast food doesn’t cause acne – a common misconception – there are a lot of nutritious foods that can improve it. Vitamin A is a popular, well-studied ingredient in skincare, with acne-fighting and anti-ageing benefits. You probably know this better as retinol, retinal, or retinoids in your topical skincare routine.

Studies have shown that a diet with plenty of vitamin A can help to lessen severe acne; the same goes for vitamin E. It should come as no surprise that the latter is an anti-inflammatory and – you guessed it – acne is an inflammatory reaction.

Carrots, apples, grapes, watermelons and apricot are all foods rich in vitamin A, so be sure to add them to your diet. For your vitamin E fix, add a range of nuts and seeds (especially sunflower seeds, almonds and peanuts), as well as asparagus and pumpkin, to your plate. With Halloween around the corner, why not take the opportunity to enjoy your favourite seasonal treats, like pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie?

For the best of both worlds, mango, red bell peppers and spinach are rich in both vitamin A and E. It doesn’t hurt to take a supplement if you’re finding it hard to fit these vitamins into your diet – but make sure you’re taking a tailored mix of vitamins to avoid under or overdosing on your vitamin needs.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that affects around one in 50 people in the UK. It causes scaly, flaky skin that doesn’t look or feel good. As well as causing sore and itchy patches, it can knock our confidence when it’s noticeable. What’s more, cold weather can trigger psoriasis flare-ups, making it even more important to manage effectively in the winter months.

When it comes to hacks for treating psoriasis, celebrities are taking things into their own hands. Kim Kardashian drank sister Kourtney’s breast milk and applied it to her psoriasis patches – with little success. Instead of this ineffective hack, try hacking your diet instead.

Because psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce its severity. Most fruit and vegetables, as well as herbs rich in antioxidants, are all anti-inflammatory. Healthy fats – such as those found in salmon, nuts and seeds – also help to reduce inflammation in our bodies and skin. Fish oil supplements can be beneficial if you’re not a fan of eating seafood.

Eczema

Eczema is another common skin condition that can cause tight, dry skin that peels and flakes. It affects 1.3 million people in the UK. People who have allergies are more prone to eczema and it can be considered an allergic reaction in some cases. And, like psoriasis, it can worsen in winter. Dry air and indoor heating can make your skin more dehydrated out even more, so start incorporating some eczema-soothing food into your diet ahead of the coldest months.

As well as using deeply moisturising and nourishing skincare products that contain ingredients like shea butter and glycerin, you can hydrate your skin and prevent flare-ups from the inside out. Probiotics can help fight the allergic and inflammatory reactions that cause eczema, so fill your kitchen with tempeh, sourdough bread, soft cheeses and miso soup.

Like psoriasis, people who have eczema can benefit from a diet filled with heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory foods. Allergic reactions in the skin are caused by inflammation, so be sure to add nuts, seeds and fatty fish such as salmon and herring.

For the best of both worlds, quercetin is the ingredient you need to look out for. This plant-derived flavonoid is both an anti-inflammatory and an antihistamine, meaning it can reduce initial allergic reactions as well as the ensuing physical symptoms. You can find this powerhouse ingredient in broccoli, blueberries, cherries, apples, spinach and kale. Green smoothie, anyone?

Whether you live with a long-term skin condition like psoriasis or experience intermittent flare-ups of acne or eczema, they can be frustrating to deal with. A combination of the right topical skincare and foods rich in ingredients that nourish your skin are the key to managing a range of skin conditions and having a complexion that is hydrated, soft and blemish-free.

Posted on Skin conditions

HAS WE GOT AN EPIDEMIC OF SKIN CONDITIONS? New Research Report Sorts Fact From Fiction on Eczema, Dermatitis And Psoriasis

Finger eczema
Finger eczema

New research data suggests that there has been an explosion in the number of people experiencing eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, has increased by at least 10 per cent in the last year alone.[1] 

That’s according to a new research report – More Than Skin Deep:  The Urgent Need To Address An Epidemic Of Skin Conditions -from Typharm’s Skin Life Sciences Foundation (SLSF) – a new information body to help bust skin issues and help educate on skin matters.  

The research data detailed within More Than Skin Deep, found that 78 per cent of people just polled said they now suffer from skin problems which they believe are born out of the essential hand washing hygiene measures of COVID-19 as well as stress. Dry skin was detailed as the main skin trouble by 59% of those people questioned. A third (34%) noted they now suffer from cracked skin, while 30 per cent claimed to suffer from soreness and 16 per cent have been so badly affected that their skin has bled. Earlier data from the royal college of physicians showed that 54%[2][i]of the population were affected by skin issues.  

Worryingly, the British skin foundation has warned that almost a quarter of children are now suffering from eczema on their hands as a result of more frequent hand washing.[3] Stress and anxiety are also important drivers for skin conditions and COVID-19 has brought a psychological toll that is likely to be fuelling the deterioration of skin health too.  

The pandemic has also led to much higher levels of depression and anxiety,[4] a worrying increase in unhealthy levels of alcohol consumption[5] and additional weight gain[6] —all bad news for our skin and factors helping to drive what has become an epidemic within the pandemic.  

Scientists are still unravelling the complex brain-skin connections and pathways which can activate a cascade of negative hormonal and inflammatory changes. But there is no doubt that stress can trigger, or exacerbate, skin flare-ups.[7] 

GP, Dr Nisa Aslam from Typharm’s Skin Life Sciences Foundation says: “We were already seeing a significant increase in skin conditions but, when COVID-19 reached the UK, we saw an explosion in skin issues, largely a result of stress, anxiety, extra hand washing and use of hand sanitisers.  And although we are now living with COVID-19 with restrictions easing, the skin health issues have continued to increase. Masks have also worsened problems, with 51% of those who took part in this new research reporting that face coverings have aggravated their eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.”  

Dr Aslam adds: “Handwashing remains a vital part of our battle against the COVID-19 as we live with it, so skin health problems will continue. Flare-ups should be treated quickly, using treatments prescribed by a doctor or healthcare professional. Topical steroids are sometimes needed to control flare-ups, and while they cannot be used daily for prolonged periods, these useful medicines are invaluable for many people with skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.[8]  

“Finding the most effective therapy is often a matter of trial. There are a variety of skin treatment options across eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis from ointments, creams to steroid medicated tape, with new products coming through all the time. There is always scope for innovation and an important advance has been the development of new formats — such as medicated tapes — to help deliver steroids within a different format. Another has been intermittent treatment such as weekend or twice-a-week applications to achieve ongoing control without the issues involved with prolonged use.[9] As a result, it’s important to keep going back to your doctor, or dermatologist, for advice.”   

More Than Skin Deep – sorting fact from fiction 

The Skin Life Sciences Foundation supports Health Care Professionals with an interest in the eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis and works to raise awareness of skin health and effective skin health management. The foundation includes a group of independent, medical experts who take a special interest in skin wellbeing including GPs, dermatologist and pharmacists. It receives a restricted educational grant from the Typharm Group. 

Typharm is a British life sciences group committed to finding solutions to a range of skin problems, particularly inflammatory conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and lichen planus. This expertise also encompasses wound care, and a range of topic products spanning creams, ointments, and medicated tape. See www.typharm.com for more information. 

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Boils and Carbuncles – an overview




Carbuncles

Carbuncles

Boils

Boils and carbuncles are red, painful lumps on the skin that are usually caused by a bacterial infection.




This page covers:

 

Boils

Boils can develop anywhere on your skin, but you’re most likely to get one in an area where there’s a combination of hair, sweat and friction, such as the neck, face or thighs.

Over time, pus forms inside the boil, making it bigger and more painful. Most boils eventually burst and the pus drains away without leaving a scar. This can take from two days to three weeks to happen.

It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between a boil and a spot, but boils tend to grow bigger and become more painful. Your GP should be able to diagnose a boil from its appearance.

Carbuncles

A carbuncle is a dome-shaped cluster of boils that usually develops over a few days. The areas most commonly affected are the back, thighs, or back of the neck.

A carbuncle can grow to a size of 3-10cm and will leak pus from a number of points.




You may also:

have a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above

feel generally unwell

feel weak and exhausted

Carbuncles are less common than boils and tend to mostly affect middle-aged or older men in poor health or with a weakened immune system.

When to see your GP

See your GP if you think you have a carbuncle.

With boils, you don’t usually need to see a doctor as most boils burst and heal by themselves. But see your GP if you have a boil:

on your face, nose or spine – this can sometimes cause serious complications

that gets bigger and feels soft and spongy to touch – it may not burst and heal by itself

that doesn’t heal within two weeks

and you have a temperature and feel generally unwell

Your GP should be able to identify a boil or carbuncle by looking at it.

Further testing

Further testing, such as a blood test or skin swab, may be needed if you have:

a boil or carbuncle that keeps returning or doesn’t respond to treatment

multiple boils or carbuncles

a weakened immune system caused by a condition such as diabetes, or having a treatment such as chemotherapy

Treating boils and carbuncles

Self care

Most boils get better without the need for medical treatment.

One of the best ways to speed up healing is to apply a warm, moist face cloth to the boil for 10-20 minutes, three or four times a day.

The heat increases the amount of blood circulating around the boil, which sends more infection-fighting white blood cells to the area.

When the boil bursts, cover it with sterile gauze or a dressing to prevent the spread of infection. Afterwards, wash your hands thoroughly using hot water and soap.

Never squeeze or pierce a boil because it could spread the infection.

You can use over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve any pain caused by the boil.

Draining boils

If your boil doesn’t heal, your GP may decide to drain it, or refer you to hospital to have this done. They’ll usually numb the area first and then use a sterile needle or scalpel to pierce the boil.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are usually recommended:

for all cases of carbuncles

if you have a high temperature

if you develop a secondary infection, such as cellulitis (infection of the deeper layers of the skin)

if you have a boil on your face – facial boils have a higher risk of causing complications

if you’re in severe pain and discomfort

It’s very important to finish the course of antibiotics even if the boil goes away, otherwise the infection could return.

Treating recurrent boils and carbuncles

You’re likely to need further treatment if you keep getting boils or carbuncles.

Most people who keep getting boils are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus (staph bacteria). This means they have staph bacteria living on their skin or inside their nose.

Treatment will depend on where the bacteria are found on your body. An antiseptic soap can be used to kill the bacteria on the skin. Bacteria in the nose will need to be treated with a prescribed antiseptic cream for up to 10 days.

Causes of boils and carbuncles

Boils and carbuncles are often caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (staph bacteria) that infects one or more hair follicles. Staph bacteria usually live harmlessly on the surface of the skin or in the lining of the nose.

You can get a boil when bacteria enter the skin through cuts and grazes. Your immune system responds by sending infection-fighting white blood cells to kill the bacteria.

Over time, a mixture of dead bacteria, dead white blood cells and dead skin cells builds up inside the boil to form pus.

A carbuncle develops when the infection spreads further beneath the skin to create a cluster of boils.

Complications of boils and carbuncles

Although most boils and carbuncles don’t cause further problems, some people develop a secondary infection.

This can range from a relatively minor (though often very painful) infection of the deeper layer of the skin, such as cellulitis, to rarer and more serious complications, such as sepsis.

Larger boils and carbuncles can also lead to scarring.

Preventing boils and carbuncles

You can’t always avoid getting a boil or carbuncle, but these simple steps can reduce your risk:

wash your skin regularly using a mild antibacterial soap

carefully clean any cuts, wounds or grazes (even small ones)

cover cuts, wounds and grazes with a sterile bandage until they heal

eat healthily and exercise regularly to boost your immune system

Can I catch a boil or carbuncle?

Yes, you can. Unlike acne, boils and carbuncles can spread to another part of the body or to another person.

To prevent boils and carbuncles spreading, take simple precautions such as:

washing your hands after touching affected areas

using a separate face cloth and towel

washing underwear, bed linen and towels at a high temperature

covering wounds with a dressing until they heal

carefully disposing of used dressings

Posted on Skin conditions

Keratosis pilaris – how to check if you have Keratosis pilaris?




Keratosis pilaris is a very common, harmless condition where small bumps appear on your skin. It can last for a long time, but there are things that may improve your skin.

Check if you have keratosis pilaris

Symptoms of keratosis pilaris may include:

Dry, rough skin
Dry, rough skin
Painless small red bumps
Painless small bumps on your skin

You usually get patches of small bumps on your arms, thighs or bottom, but they can appear in other places.

The bumps can be red, white, skin-toned or darker than your skin.

The skin can sometimes feel itchy, and may be better in summer and worse in winter.

If you’re not sure it’s keratosis pilaris

Things you can do yourself to help

Most people with keratosis pilaris have it for years, and it may eventually clear up by itself.

Until it does, there are things you can do to help improve the appearance of your skin.

Do

  • moisturise your skin – ask a pharmacist what’s most suitable for you
  • use mild and unperfumed soaps and bathing products
  • gently scrub your skin with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt
  • have cool or lukewarm showers and baths
  • pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it after washing

Don’t

  • use perfumed soaps or bathing products that can dry out your skin
  • use harsh scrubs on your skin – this can make it worse
  • have hot baths or showers
  • scratch, pick or rub your skin

A pharmacist can help if:

  • things you try yourself aren’t helping and the condition is bothering you
  • your skin becomes itchy or inflamed
  • you’re not sure if you need to see a GP

They can recommend creams or lotion to help your skin. They can also tell you whether you need to see a GP.



Causes

Keratosis pilaris happens when your hair follicles become blocked with a build-up of keratin – a substance found in skin, hair and nails.

No one knows exactly why keratin builds up, but the condition is thought to run in families. So if your parents have it, you may get it too.

Keratosis pilaris isn’t infectious, so you can’t spread or catch it.

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Ichthyosis – what are the warning signs of Ichthyosis?




Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis is a condition that causes widespread and persistent thick, dry, “fish-scale” skin.

There are at least 20 different types of ichthyosis. Some types are inherited at birth and other types are acquired during adulthood.

There’s no cure for ichthyosis, but a daily skincare routine usually keeps the symptoms mild and manageable.

 

What causes ichthyosis

Most people with ichthyosis have inherited a particular faulty gene from their parent. The signs and symptoms of inherited ichthyosis appear at birth or within the first year of life.


The faulty gene affects the rate at which the skin regenerates – either the shedding of old skin cells is too slow, or the skin cells reproduce at a much faster rate than they can shed old skin. Either way, this causes a build-up of rough, scaly skin.

Ichthyosis vulgaris

Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most common type of inherited ichthyosis, affecting 1 in 250-1,000 people. Signs and symptoms include:

  • skin may appear normal at birth
  • skin gradually becomes dry, rough and scaly, usually before the age of one
  • the face and the bends of the elbows and knees aren’t usually affected
  • limbs may develop fine light-grey scales
  • the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet may have more lines than normal and be thickened
  • the child often also has eczema
  • symptoms are often worse when it’s cold and dry and improve in warm, humid conditions – this means they may be more noticeable in the winter than the summer

Other types of inherited ichthyosis

Other inherited forms of ichthyosis are very rare and include:




  • X-linked ichthyosis – only affects males and includes general scaling, particularly over the limbs and trunk (torso)
  • congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma
  • harlequin ichthyosis – this is extremely rare, but the scaling is severe and requires intensive care at birth
  • syndromes that include ichthyosis – such as Netherton’s syndrome or Sjögren-Larsson syndrome

Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma

Ichthyosis may develop if a baby is born with a shiny yellow membrane (collodion membrane) that sheds within the first week of life.

Once the membrane has shed, one of the following types of ichthyosis can develop:

  • non-bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma – inflamed scaly skin that affects the entire skin surface
  • bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma – inflamed scaly skin with fluid-filled blisters that may become infected and produce a foul-smelling skin odour
  • lamellar ichthyosis – where the skin isn’t as red, but the scales are larger and tighter to the skin

In severe cases of congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma a child may also have drooping lower eyelids (ectropion), mild hair loss and tight skin on the fingers.

Acquired ichthyosis

Acquired ichthyosis tends to develop in adulthood and isn’t inherited. It’s usually associated with another condition, such as:

Certain medications can also trigger ichthyosis, including some medications used in targeted cancer therapy, such as vemurafenib and protein kinase inhibitors.

Treating ichthyosis

There’s no cure for ichthyosis, but moisturising and exfoliating the skin daily can help prevent dryness, scaling and the build-up of skin cells.

Skincare

Your skin specialist (dermatologist) will be able to prescribe or recommend suitable moisturising treatments (emollients), which may be in the form of a cream, ointment, lotion or bath oil.

You should:

  • apply emollients to wet skin to trap the moisture – ideally a few minutes after having a bath or shower
  • gently rub wet skin with a pumice stone to remove some of the thickened skin
  • brush washed hair to remove scales from your scalp

Other useful exfoliating or moisturising products include lanolin creams, products containing urea, propylene glycol, lactic acid, and other alpha hydroxy acids.

Your dermatologist may also recommend peeling creams, such as salicylic acid, to help exfoliate and moisturise your skin. However, some people may find these products irritate their skin.

Antibiotics or antiseptics may be prescribed to treat skin infections.

Steroid treatments aren’t effective for treating ichthyosis.

Severe ichthyosis

People with severe ichthyosis may need to spend several hours a day caring for their skin.

They may have the following problems:

  • overheating – as a result of a reduced ability to sweat
  • limited movement – dry skin can make it too painful to move certain parts of the body
  • skin infection – after cracking and splitting of the skin
  • impaired hearing or eyesight – if skin builds up over the ears or eyes

People with severe ichthyosis may be prescribed retinoid tablets (synthetic vitamin A), which reduce the growth of overactive scaly skin. They improve the skin’s appearance, but don’t improve the inflammation or redness.

Vitamin D supplements may also be prescribed.

Outlook

People with mild ichthyosis have a normal lifespan. However, the most severe inherited types can be life threatening.

If you have inherited ichthyosis, you’ll have it for life. Acquired ichthyosis may get better if the underlying cause is identified and treated.