Page 374«..10 20..373374375 376..380 390..»

Category Archives: Transhuman News

Itch Relief – National Eczema Association

Posted: April 27, 2022 at 10:01 am

Chronic itchy skin is a universal symptom of most types of eczema. Itch from eczema is different than itch from a bug bite or poison ivy. Because of this, common medications used for itch, such as antihistamines, do not work well on the itch associated with eczema.

For many people, chronic itch from eczema goes way beyond just the physical. People with chronically itchy skin are more likely to experience poor sleep, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

According to researchers, itch and pain have a yin-yang relationship. When pain is present, the feeling of itch subsides. Thats why scratching can relieve the feeling of itchy skin because it causes low-grade pain.

The first step to managing itchy skin is to reduce the risk of it happening in the first place. This can be done through a daily bathing and moisturizing routine and using prescription medications as prescribed. Wet wrap therapy also helps control itch. Outside of bathing, apply moisturizers that replenish the skin barrier consistently and liberally throughout the day.

Natural remedies for itch relief include soaking in a bath with oatmeal or baking soda. These can also be applied directly to the skin in the form of a paste.

While antihistamines do not stop the itch sensation, they may be recommended to help people with eczema fall asleep. Cotton gloves or cutting finger nails short can help protect the skin from night-time scratching. OTC corticosteroids can also help with mild itch.

Topical and immunosuppressant medications reduce symptoms of itch as does phototherapy. In severe cases, health care providers may prescribe mirtazapine, an antidepressant that is effective at relieving itch at night; pramoxine, a topical anesthetic; or certain oral antibiotics used for skin infections.

As much as possible, try not to excessively scratch the skin affected by an eczema flare. Too much scratching can lead to more rashes, thickened skin and infections if the surface of the skin is broken. Scratching also can trigger the itch-scratch cycle where the scratching leads to more itchiness.

Learn more about the mechanisms of itch and how to manage it in our webinar Starting From Scratch with Timothy Berger, MD.

For some adults with eczema, the intense itching can lead to a diagnosis of the skin disorder, neurodermatitis (nur-OH-dur-muh-TIE-tis), sometimes called lichen simplex chronicus (LIEken SIM-plex KRON-ik-cus).

Neurodermatitis is fueled by the itch-scratch cycle. The affected patch of skin becomes thick, leathery and even itchier the more it is rubbed or scratched because of irritated nerve endings in the skin. The affected skin may also appear darker than the skin around it and have pronounced lines. Once the itching is brought under control and the skin heals, the symptoms of neurodermatitis typically improve.

A Carefully Considered Morning Ritual That Can Brighten Your Day – Verve Times

Posted: at 10:01 am

Raelle Brown is a powerful voice for many for women of color, for women with eczema, and for anyone needing a role model with strength and self-assurance. A video producer in the Philadelphia area, Raelle uses her communication skills and her deep compassion to help others through her popular Instagram account, @wokewithinskin, as well as her blog. How does she get ready to be at her best each morning, even when dealing with a difficult skin flare-up? Here, she shares her strategies, from both health/beauty and emotional perspectives.

As Raelle sees it, planning for any contingency is key. I have two different plans when it comes to a morning ritual because of my eczema, she says. My first plan is for the worst of times when Im having a flare-up. On days when Im actively dealing with myeczema, I cant rely on being able to do everything in the morning it might be too uncomfortable to do my usual cleansing and preparation. My solution is to do as much as I comfortably can the night before, in case my skin is really irritated the next day. I dont take a shower if Im having a flare-up, because it would make my skin way too dry. Instead, I fill a bath with Epsom salts and soak for about 20 minutes. Epsom salts exfoliate the skin, and they contain magnesium, a natural moisturizer. Plus, theyre very accessible for everyone, because theyre so inexpensive, she says.

Extra moisturizing is her next essential step. After I get out of the bathtub, I like to use natural butters jojoba especially is my go-to, Raelle explains. I know a lot of people use things like Vaseline, assuming its moisturizing, but its a chemical, and its so much more soothing to go with products that arent made up of chemicals. Then I use body oil all over, a natural formula again.

Next, she adapts her beauty routine. If Im having a flare-up, the only makeup Ill put on is lipstick the cleanest type I can find, Raelle says. I dont have just one brand that I like, but I find fruit-based formulas are the best for keeping my skin soft and calm. I try never to wear foundation, because I think with eczema its important to let your skin breathe as much as possible. For sure I wouldnt wear it during a flare-up trying to cover that just makes it more uncomfortable.

Then there are what Raelle calls her maintenance mornings. If Im not having an active flare-up, I might get up and decide to take a shower, then do my moisturizer and oil, she says. Or I might decide to skip a shower entirely, and outside of moisturizing I might just let my skin chill for a day. Chilling is a really good preventative step you can take sometimes. If I have to wear a little makeup for some reason, like Im going to have my photo taken for my blog or something like that, then I will put on a little makeup. But again, natural products all the way.

Thats what Raelle does for her body and then theres what she does to prepare herself psychologically for the day. I think its so helpful to just feel community support. That makes a huge difference in what you put out to the world externally, as well as how you feel internally, she reflects. So I go on social media, and I get support, and it is just a huge help to communicate with other people who are going through what I am, in dealing with eczema. It has helped me process so many things in such a therapeutic way.

To center herself, Raelle also does breath work. Just deep breathing, being conscious of your breath, being quiet if you cant do anything else to get ready for the day, doing that is so important, she says. In fact, anything you can do to be calm is important with eczema, calm is your superpower. Not just so you can deal well with flare-ups, or prevent them. I think, especially for women of color, you have to be aware of how the outside world is going to view you. Being calm, and aware of yourself internally, really helps, because our skin color is already judged, and then you have eczema in addition to that. Instead of being seen as unattractive, you have to be an inspiration. You have to know youre beautiful! Your viewpoint is the one that matters.

As Raelle tells it, these simple actions have empowered and sustained her for years. When I was at my lowest, dealing with the external effects of eczema, I had to learn to go beyond the external, she says. I had to find other answers. Finding other people like me motivated me. Now I know how to give that support back to others, and doing that through Instagram, through my blog, through just talking to them is the most important thing I do every morning and every day.

Read original article here

Follow this link:
A Carefully Considered Morning Ritual That Can Brighten Your Day - Verve Times

Posted in Eczema | Comments Off

Can cancer cause itchy skin? Types, treatment, and other causes – Medical News Today

Posted: at 10:01 am

Itchy skin, or pruritus, can have many causes, and most are harmless. However, itchy skin can also be a symptom of certain types of cancer or a side effect of some cancer treatments.

The sensation of itchy skin can be irritating and uncomfortable. Also, repeated scratching can lead to complications, such as open sores and wounds that are painful and increase the risk of infection.

People who experience persistent itching should contact a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

In this article, we list types of cancer that may cause itchy skin, and provide tips on managing this skin condition. We also outline some other causes of itchy skin and offer advice on when to consult a healthcare professional.

A 2018 study involving 16,925 people found that the participants with generalized skin itching, or pruritus, were more likely to also have cancer than those who did not have pruritus.

The researchers note that pruritus is most strongly associated with the following types of cancer:

The researchers also note that Black people with pruritus are more likely than white people to have skin, soft tissue, and blood cancers. By contrast, white people are at greater risk of developing liver, respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and gynecologic cancers.

Below, we discuss in more detail the types of cancer that may cause pruritus.

Health experts associate skin cancer more commonly with skin changes than with itchiness.

However, cancer can stimulate nerve endings in the skin, causing itching.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is a network of organs, glands, and vessels that plays an important role in immunity. Specifically, lymphoma affects white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Itching is a common symptom of a group of lymphomas called cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Itching may be due to nerve endings reacting to chemicals that the immune system releases in response to the lymphoma.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a type of blood condition that causes the body to produce too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Experts do not know the exact cause of PV, although most agree that it stems from a genetic mutation.

Itchy skin is one of the symptoms of PV and typically occurs when the skin comes into contact with water.

This type of pruritus likely occurs because of an overproduction of immune cells that trigger the release of chemicals called histamines. The histamines then cause allergic symptoms, such as itchy skin.

Some cancers of the digestive system, such as GI stromal tumors, may cause pruritus. However, if there are no other accompanying symptoms, an alternative diagnosis is more likely.

With GI cancers, pruritus occurs due to blockage of the bile ducts connecting the liver and the small intestine. This blockage prevents the normal drainage of fluid from the blood into the intestines. These chemicals can then enter the skin, where they may trigger itching.

While certain cancer types can lead to itchy skin, cancer is not the most common cause of this symptom. However, if cancer is the underlying cause, a person will most likely experience additional symptoms.

Numerous skin conditions can result in itchy skin, such as:

Other possible causes of itchy skin include:

People may be able to manage itchy skin using home remedies, medical treatments, or a combination of the two.

Some tips for managing itchy skin at home include:

A person who experiences severe or persistent skin itching should contact a doctor.

Depending on the persons symptoms, the doctor may order tests such as:

The type of treatment a doctor recommends for skin itching will depend on the underlying cause. Possible treatment options include:

Itchy skin can occur as a side effect of certain cancer treatments, including:

A person may also develop skin itching as a side effect of medications they take alongside primary cancer treatments. These medications may include:

A person should seek guidance from a healthcare professional if they experience itching that lasts for more than 2 weeks, particularly if the itching occurs across the entire body and does not have an identifiable cause.

People should also contact a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms in addition to itchy skin:

Itchy skin, or pruritus, can have many causes, and most cases are relatively benign or transient. However, itchy skin can also occur as a symptom of certain types of cancer or as a side effect of certain cancer treatments.

Treatment for itchy skin may include medicated creams or lotions, oral or topical steroids, or antihistamines. The type of medication a doctor prescribes will depend largely on the cause of the itching.

Anyone who experiences itching lasting more than 2 weeks should contact a doctor. This is especially important if other symptoms are present, such as skin rashes, skin sores, or jaundice.

A doctor will work to diagnose the cause of the symptoms and determine appropriate treatments.

Posted in Eczema | Comments Off

Death toll rises to 13 in Poland mine accidents; 11 missing – Verve Times

Posted: at 10:01 am

The death toll from two coal mine accidents last week in southern Poland has risen to 13 after another injured miner died

ByThe Associated Press

26 April 2022, 12:41

2 min read

WARSAW, Poland The death toll from two coal mine accidents last week in southern Poland has risen to 13 after another injured miner died Tuesday, a doctor said.

The miner died at the Siemianowice Slaskie hospital, which specializes in treating burns, where 20 other coal mine workers were still being treated for injuries from methane gas blasts, Dr. Przemyslaw Strzelec said.

The mans death means that seven miners and rescuers were killed by repeated blasts Wednesday and Thursday at the Pniowek mine, near the Czech border.

The search for seven others who remain missing was suspended after Thursdays blasts hurt 10 rescuers.

In the nearby Borynia-Zofiowka mine, 13 teams of rescuers are searching for four miners gone missing after a tremor and methane gas discharge on Saturday. Six miners died in that accident.

Prosecutors have opened investigations into the accidents. The mines are operated by the Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa, JSW.

Most Polish coal mines are in the southern Silesia region and many have a high presence of methane in the rock.

Some 70% of Polands energy comes from coal, a proportion that has been sharply criticized by the European Union and environmental groups who are concerned about CO2 emissions and meeting climate change goals.

Poland has been trying to scale down its use of coal. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki recently said Poland has stopped coal imports from Russia and its ally Belarus in response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

For years Poland has been reducing its dependence on Russian energy sources that was built in communist-era times before 1990, when Poland was Russias satellite.

Follow all AP news about climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate

Read original article here

Follow this link:
Death toll rises to 13 in Poland mine accidents; 11 missing - Verve Times

Posted in Eczema | Comments Off

danish pavilion unveils transhuman installation ‘we walked the earth’ at venice art biennale – Designboom

Posted: April 25, 2022 at 5:25 pm

uffe isolottos we walked the earth at venice art biennale 2022

At the Venice Art Biennale 2022, the Danish pavilion presents the haunting transhuman installation We Walked the Earth created by Uffe Isolotto and curated by Jacob Lillemose. Spread over the entire pavilion, the piece welcomes visitors into a hyperrealistic world where images of Danish pastoral farm life mix with bizarre sci-fi elements, weaving a world of uncertainty. We Walked the Earth showcases a drama of life and death that focuses on a family of three centaurs. Struggling to cope with the challenges of our current ever-changing reality, the centaurs embody a state of turmoil between despair and hope, reflecting the profound ambiguity of todays world.