SELF MEDICATION - SKIN

Introduction

Skin is the largest organ in our body. It acts as a barrier between us and the world, preventing bacteria and other pathogens from passing into our body. It is also a complex organ that helps to regulate body temperature, eliminate waste and protect us from the immediate environment. As skin is the largest outer layer of the body, it is more prone to certain problems. The most common skin problems are acne, dry skin and fungal infection.


Acne

1. What is Acne?
   
   Acne is one of the most common skin problems. It affects most teenagers to some degree and even more to adults. Acne presents as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and deep painful bumps that look like boils. Acne commonly occurs on the face but can also appear on the neck, back, chest and shoulders. It is estimated that as many as 80 % of people between 12 and 25 years of age suffer from acne. While in most people acne clears up after a few years, many suffer from permanent scarring of the skin.

2. What type of acne do I have?
   
   Acne consists of whiteheads, blackheads and pimples and sometimes in a form of deeper boil-like lesions called nodules. Acne can be mild, moderate or severe. Mild acne can appear as whiteheads and blackheads or even pimples. If you have moderate acne, you will notice more pimples on your face, and possibly on you chest or back. In severe acne, you will see a lot of nodules, which are painful and large, on your face, chest, back and even on other areas on your body.

3. What you do not know about acne?
   
   Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.
   
   If you believe this, washing your skin hard and frequent can actually make your acne worse. Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day’s accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse.
   
   The best way to wash your acne skin hygienically: Gently wash your face/area affected twice a day. Use an appropriate treatment for the acne.
   
   Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet.
   
   Extensive scientific studies have not shown something to relate diet and acne. In other words, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain food affect their acne. In that case, avoid those food. Besides, this eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However, according to the scientific evidence, if acne is being treated properly, there’s no need to worry about food affecting the acne.
   
   Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress.
   
   The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Severe stress that needs medical attention is sometimes treated with drugs that can cause acne as a side effect. If you think that you may have acne related to a drug prescription for stress or depression, you should consult your doctor.

4. What can you do about acne?

• Wash your face twice daily with an acne cleanser. You can clean your face with a 5% benzoyl peroxide wash. An alternative for those who are allergic to benzoyl peroxide is 2% salicylic acid.
• Avoid direct exposure to sun. If you are involved in outdoor sports, use non- irritating sun screen.
• Use a light skin moisturizer an oil-free makeup as you wish.
• Avoid touching or squeezing the pimples with your hands.
  
  Anyway, you can consult your pharmacist if you have any doubt on how to use the product.

Dry Skin

1. What is dry skin?
   
   Dry skin is defined as an irritation caused by lack of moisture in the skin. Dry skin is extremely common, especially in the elderly. Dry skin is characterized by one or more of the following symptoms : roughness, scaling, lost of flexibility and inflammation.

2. What you do not know about dry skin?

• It is a common misconception that dry skin is caused by lack of natural skin oil. In other words, dry skin is caused by lack of water in the skin layer.

• Frequent bathing and excessive use of soap will increase dryness of the skin. Soap will remove the skin’s natural oil.

3. What can you do about dry skin?
   
   There are few products that can be used to treat your dry skin. You can visit the nearest pharmacy for advice. Generally, there are ways to overcome your problem:

1. Lubricating the skin
   
   You can use bathing oil which contain minerals or vegetable oil plus a surfactant

2. Moisturizing the skin
   
   Moisturizers are used to prevent or relieve the symptoms of dry skin. A range of products that are available in the pharmacy are petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil and dimethicone

3. Chemically softening the skin layer
   
   There are some products that can be used as softeners in dry skin such as urea, lactic acid and allantoin.

Fungal Infection

1. What is a fungal infection?
   
   Type of fungal infection

1. Ringworm
   
   Ringworm appears as a scaly reddish circular patch. They can appear in the groin area or other parts of the body.

2. Athlete’s foot
   
   This is the condition where the skin between your toes goes soggy, white and itchy

3. White spots
   
   This is a superficial fungal infection of the skin which is common in both adults and children. It is made up of fine scaly white patches and it may be itchy. These spots are active fungi infecting your skin, which can appear on the neck, shoulders, arms, trunk and legs.

2. What can you do about fungal infection?
   
   Fungus thrives when the skin is warm and sweaty. You may:

• Keep the space between the toes, the skin folds in the groin area and the armpits dry to prevent such fungal infection

• Avoid walking barefoot on wet floors especially in communal areas such as public baths and swimming pools.

• Do not borrow personal napkins, towels, combs and hair brushes as these may be infected.

• Wear cotton socks for better sweat absorption. Avoid nylon socks.

• Practice healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercise and allow time for rest to increase the body’s resistance

• If you experience any of the above symptoms, consult your pharmacist who would be able to assist you.

There are some medications you can use to manage your fungal infection:

• Creams or solution are the most efficient and effective anti-fungal

• Apply anti-fungal cream on the affected areas one or two times a day for three weeks

• Do not stop using your medicines even when the rash has subsided. Continue using it for seven days after the infection clears. In the case of white spots, the white color remains even after the infection has been successfully treated.

• Oral anti-fungal tablets are needed for infections affecting large areas. Your doctor may prescribe them.

Conclusion

While practicing self-medication, it is important to see a pharmacist regarding the choice of product and how to use it appropriately. This will ensure efficacy of the medicine and to prevent from any unintended side effects. Pharmacists or doctors are the right healthcare providers who can help you to manage your skin problems. Do not hesitate to ask for advice if you encounter any problems regarding self-medication.