EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Kids' Health
|
||||
|
Itching, scratching, weeping and oozing. These are the signs of skin disease through the ages. One of the most common reasons for a visit to the doctor's office is a skin ailment or complaint. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is there to protect and guard the body. Your skin fights and protects you from infection and allows you to walk in the sun without becoming dehydrated in a matter of minutes. Therefore, it is important to be kind to your skin and protect it from injury and damage. Many conditions and illnesses can disrupt the function of the skin, allowing the external environment to invade and contaminate. ITCHING One of the most common symptoms of skin disease is itching. Itching can be caused by a variety of conditions, the most common being dry skin. It seems a rather simple problem, but dry skin leads to scratching, which then causes a break in the skin, leading to infection. Don't be afraid to use moisturizers on dry skin after a bath. During bathing, the skin absorbs water and moisturizers will help seal the water in the skin. Eczema is a common dry skin condition that is often associated with allergies and asthma. Certain foods and allergic triggers may aggravate eczema and avoiding them may help the condition. If eczema becomes worse, topical steroid creams as well as newer non-steroidal medications are available. INFECTION Infection of the skin can range from the very superficial and easily treated to severe deeper invasion of tissue with the presence of flesh-eating bacteria. Impetigo is a superficial infection of the skin. It usually is present after a break in skin integrity and bacteria, normally present on the skin, enters the top layer of the skin, the epidermis and causes infection. It is not a serious disease and is best treated, if local, with topical antibiotics. Occasionally, treatment must include an oral antibiotic. Prevention is the best form of treatment but we all know that breaking the integrity of the skin in a small child is not uncommon. If there is a break in the skin, washing with clean water and an antibacterial soap followed by an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin can prevent extensive infection. If the skin becomes reddened, swollen and painful, evaluation is necessary to avoid progression of infection to the deeper layers of the skin and the deeper tissues. SUNSCREEN Another way to protect your skin is with the use of sunscreens. Sunscreens protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation that can rob the skin of moisture and elasticity. This causes premature wrinkles and aging. There are many choices of sunscreens, most of which do a very good job at protecting the skin. However, some have excessive colorings and fragrance that may cause a reaction while others are hypoallergenic for those with extra sensitive skin and allergies. For children with very fair skin, daily sunscreen, even in the winter months, may be needed. For the teenage girl concerned with acne, most makeup manufacturers have products that not only add color and glow but also protection from harmful irradiation. ACNE Acne is one of the most frustrating problems for teenagers as their body is changing and growing. The cause of acne is hormonal and somewhat unpredictable in that some teenagers will be only mildly afflicted while others will have severe cases. There are some basic principles for the management of acne. General good health with plenty of sleep, fluids and good nutrition coupled with regular washing will decrease the risk and complications of acne. Most teenagers will need minor intervention such as acne washes and over-the-counter medications. If acne becomes more aggressive, topical antibiotics combined with other medications may need to be prescribed. For severe acne, Accutane is available, but has some side effects that need to be considered prior to its use. When all is said and done, be kind to your skin and protect it from injury and damage and by protecting the outside, you protect your inside as well. Take good care of your skin and it will take care of you! OCF Dr. Clyde Wesp is a pediatrician with Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates with offices in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita and Ladera Ranch and is affiliated with Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Mission Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Memorial Care Physician Society. Questions or comments for Dr. Wesp: askdrwesp@netscape.net. For our Letters department: ocfamily.com. |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This ArticleSEARCH THE SITE
