Posts Tagged ‘Aging Well’
Recognize a Common Sign of Skin Cancer
Different skin cancers have different clues to their state. The clues are based on which type of skin cancer they are. If you see something strange that you think might be a sign of skin cancer be sure to see your health care provider immediately. Most skin cancers can be cured if they are found quickly; the problem is when they are not recognized and so go untreated. Studies have shown that the average health care provider only makes the right diagnosis ninety percent of the time. That ten percent of the time they are wrong can be a fatal mistake for the person who is given the wrong information. Due to this possible misdiagnosis it is important for the average person to know what they should be aware of when it comes to skin cancers.
The symptoms of basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, are the appearance of a bump on the face or neck that is off white in color. Sometimes they look flesh colored or like a fresh scar and are on the chest or back. This cancer strikes nearly three quarters of a million people yearly, but is highly curable if caught early and treated. If the sign of skin cancer that is noticed is on a person’s face, lips, arms hands or on the neck and seems to be a solid red bump this may be squamous cell cancer, the second most common kind diagnosed. Sometimes they appear crusty though still on the same areas.
The most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. This is because this type will spread and that is when it becomes worrisome. There are several signs to be wary of with melanoma. One of the most common is changes that take place in a mole. If one changes color, bleeds or feels different it should be shown to a physician immediately. If a new mole appears suddenly, or a small sore that does not go away which is firm and shiny these also should be shown to a health care provider as soon as possible. Another sign on skin cancer is seeing red or purplish colored patches on the skin. These can be a sign of Kaposi’s sarcoma which is a skin cancer common in AIDS patients. Any unusual skin lesions should be shown to a physician to prevent spreading and get early intervention; it could save your life.
Acne Treatment
We live in a very visual society and people who suffer from chronic acne (especially on their face), can suffer agonies of embarrassment.
Acne treatment can be varied. It can range from very strong chemical solutions right down to home made recipes you great granny swears by.
It’s no picnic facing the world with a face full of spots and pimples, so good acne treatment is a must for all sufferers.
Today dermatologists have many acne treatments at their disposal, and often it is just finding the one that works best for individual people.
Accutane is an acne treatment drug which is often used as a last resort by many dermatologists. However other doctors feel it is a drug of choice. There are some controversies over the use of Accutane however as it is known to cause birth defects in children born to mothers taking the drug. Obviously doctors caution against it’s use if there is the remotest chance a woman could become pregnant whilst using it.
Retin-A is another acne treatment of choice by some dermatologists. This is a topical version of Accutane, and assists in maintaining the fresh complexion gained by using Accutane.
Collagen is an acne treatment which can be injected into deep scars to assist in smoothing out the skin.
Benzoyl peroxide liquid is an acne treatment used to assist in reducing bacteria which causes acne. This is a topical application. Also cleansing your skin with a mild form of salicylic acid every day helps to keep the spots and zits at bay.
You can buy lots of different over the counter acne treatments. It is often a matter of choice and the most recent advertisement you have seen which determines your choice of acne treatment.
Sometimes it only takes something as simple as changing your prescription medications to clear your acne. The contraceptive pill is often the culprit for an acne breakout for a woman who has recently been prescribed it.
Many women discover when they have been prescribed the “pill” they have a breakout when they have their period. This is probably due to an imbalance of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and their acne treatment is nothing more than something as simple as readjusting their contraceptive pill dose.
