What are the Most Common Rashes?

What are the Most Common Rashes?

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No matter what kind of rash you may have, if it lasts for more than a few days, you should make an appointment with us as soon as possible. 

Common rashes can happen for a variety of reasons and therefore have a variety of different treatment options.

Here are a few common rashes that we encounter on a daily basis:

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It might be inherited genetically and is commonly found in children and patients with asthma or hay fever. It’s usually found in the elbows or knees, as well as the cheeks, neck, wrists and ankles. Other forms of dermatitis include seborrheic, contact and stasis. All of these forms of dermatitis are red and itchy. At Charleston Dermatology, we can help soothe the itch and make dealing with dermatitis a little more bearable!

Psoriasis

It’s estimated that 125 million people worldwide have psoriasis, so we’d say it’s pretty common. Psoriasis is a scaly rash that results in dry, sometimes itchy patches. Unfortunately, psoriasis is a chronic disease that has no cure. However, there are many treatment options to make it more bearable. 

Hives

Hives are technically known as urticaria. They appear on the skin as swollen bumps or plaques and can appear anywhere on the body. They are usually itchy and are caused by an allergic reaction, but can also pop up for unknown reasons. 

Nummular Eczema

Nummular eczema may occur after a skin injury or insect bite. It appears as a coin-shaped lesion or lesions and can last for several months. Nummular eczema occurs more often in men than women. Luckily, it isn’t contagious!

Miliaria

Heat rashes are often found on babies, but can also occur with adults. There are more than 200,000 cases in the United States each year, so it’s very common. Heat rashes are caused by blocked sweat ducts and trapped sweat beneath the skin. It usually goes away on its own.

Poison Ivy Rash

Poison ivy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to an oily resin called urushiol that is found in the poison ivy plant. Usually it goes away on its own, but you can speed up the process by taking an antihistamine, applying hydrocortisone cream and not scratching (that’s the toughest part).

Athlete’s Foot

Also known as tinea pedis, athlete’s foot is very contagious and is seen in more than three million cases in the United States every year. It’s a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes and can usually be treated by using topical antifungal medications.  

If you’re suffering from a rash that you’re unsure about, don’t hesitate to reach our expert dermatologists.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

The Tanning Dilemma

The Tanning Dilemma

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Countless people storm the beach, soaking in as much Vitamin D sunshine as they can. The tanner they get the better, right?

Not exactly.

There is no form of tanning that is considered safe. In fact, a tan is actually a sign of skin damage, and the tanner your skin gets, the more likely you will be to speed up the aging of your skin and increase your risk for skin cancer.

UV radiation

Which is found in sunlight and the bulbs of a tanning bed — is a known carcinogen.

Additionally, tanning has been shown to cause visible signs of skin damage, wrinkles and age spots, as well as change an individual’s skin texture. Ever see someone who’s skin looked like leather? Chances are, excessive exposure to UV rays was the culprit.

And while tanning in any form is harmful to the health of your skin, tanning beds in particular are especially detrimental. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that using a tanning bed before the age of 35 would increase an individual’s risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

So what are you supposed to do? Avoid the outdoors all together?

While we do believe limiting your time in the sun is beneficial, we also recognize that it’s not the easiest solution. Which is why we recommend being smarter about sun safety by wearing broad spectrum, 30+ SPF sunscreen, covering up and seeking the shade as much as possible.

Also, if you’re looking to get a healthy dose of Vitamin D, consider incorporating Vitamin D-rich foods into your daily diet instead of trying to soak it in through sun exposure. Milk, yogurt, orange juice fortified with Vitamin D, salmon, mackerel and tuna are all Vitamin D-rich foods that can help you meet your quota. If you want a more in-depth look at a Vitamin D-rich diet, take a look at our previous blog.

If you’re still questioning what is right or wrong when it comes to tanning, schedule a consult with one of our board-certified dermatologists. They will be able to set you on the right path.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Preventing Skin Irritations at the Gym

Preventing Skin Irritations at the Gym

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Gym rats are totally committed in sweating it out on most days.

Exercising is a big part of health and being healthy positively affects your complexion. However, there are dermatologic pitfalls of going to the gym, and we’re not just talking about sprained muscles. Here are some infections that you may encounter at your exercise facility:

Athlete’s Foot and Jock Itch

These infections can cause rashes or scaly, blistered skin that peels. They can be caused by fungi that grows in gym items such as, wet floors and damp towels. Usually, over-the-counter treatments work well, but make an appointment immediately if it’s not gone within a few weeks. You might need prescription medication to get the job done.

Hot-Tub Rash

This infection is due to the bacterium Psuedomonas aeruginosa, which is found in hot tubs if chlorine is too low. Hot-tub rash appears as an itchy rash around hair follicles, and it usually clears up in a few days without needing treatment. If the problem persists, make an appointment so we can help with prescription ointment or medication.

Impetigo

Warning: Impetigo is highly contagious! It’s caused by staph or strep bacteria that makes its way into your body through open areas like a cut or bug bite. It can be transmitted through towels, equipment or skin-on-skin contact. It appears as a red sore filled with pus that opens easily. You should make an appointment as soon as you recognize the problem as you’ll need a prescription cream or oral antibiotic to conquer this infection.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can be avoided by wearing flip flops in the locker room and shower. You may be able to treat plantar warts at home with over-the-counter products, but if that doesn’t work, make an appointment!

Staph Infections and MRSA

Studies have shown that a third of people carry staph bacteria and two percent possess MRSA. At first, it might look like an insect bite. If you think you may have this terrible infection, make an appointment immediately! If left untreated, MRSA can turn into sepsis, which can be fatal.

You can stay safe by taking the following precautions:

Protect your skin

Keep open wounds bandaged and always wear flip flops or shower shoes.

Don’t use the gym mats

A lot of gyms rely on class participants to clean their own equipment, but that’s not always a safe bet. It’s best to bring your own!

Do your laundry

Wash and dry your gym gear at the hottest temperature that you can to kill the bacteria.

Don’t share

Ignore what you learned in elementary school. Sharing is not caring at the gym. It’s a way to spread bacteria through towels and more.

Use common sense

By taking care of your hygiene and showering after exercising, you can help avoid these infections.

For the best skin care tips, see our expert dermatologists!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Best Habits to Prevent Wrinkles

Best Habits to Prevent Wrinkles

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We share with you some of the best ways to achieve healthier skin, combat wrinkles and ultimately feel more confident as we enter the second half of the year.

Sleep

Have you ever had someone say, “You look tired”? That’s because when you don’t get enough sleep, it is written all over your face. You’ll have bags under your eyes and your skin will look discolored. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night to combat the strain that lack of sleep can cause you and your skin.

And before bed, make sure that you are always taking off your makeup, washing your face and moisturizing your skin. Not only will this help your skin, but it will help you unwind and feel refreshed right before you crawl under the covers for a long night’s sleep.

Hydrate

In almost every single blog we’ve written about caring for your skin, there is always some mention of hydrating. That’s because, on average, over half of our bodies are made up of water. Not only is water critical for our survival, but it is critical for the health of our skin, too.

While there are a few different ways to calculate the right amount of water you need to consume based on your age, height and weight (like with this Daily Water Calculator) a good rule of thumb is to strive to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. The more water you drink, the more likely your skin will start to reap the benefits and ultimately look and feel firmer and healthier.

Eat well

One of the best ways to combat wrinkles or unhealthy skin is to work from the inside out. What we put into our bodies shows on the outside. When we fill ourselves up with junk food every single day, we’ll start to see our unhealthy habits show up in the form of acne, oily skin and bloating.

However, when we start to change our eating habits and stick to foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as leafy greens, vegetables, berries, nuts and avocados, you’ll begin to see a change in the look and feel of your skin. It will even help improve your overall mood and energy level. 

Natural Fillers

One option that Shinagawa Aesthetics offers in terms of wrinkle prevention are Dermal Fillers. These natural fillers are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance in the skin that delivers nutrients, helps the skin retain moisture and softness and adds volume.

The treatments we offer are instant, look natural, last long, are nonsurgical and can be performed right here in our clinic.

If you’re struggling to achieve healthier, wrinkle-free skin, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists. They will be able to look at your skin, review your current skincare routine and make recommendations to help you look and feel better than ever.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

The Link Between Healthy Skin and Air Travel

The Link Between Healthy Skin & Air Travel

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With everything back in full circle, air travel is at an all-time high once again. And if you are one of the lucky ones who will be spending time in the air over the next few weeks or months, you’ll inevitably experience the issues that come from being at 35,000 feet.

While traveling by air, your body loses roughly one cup of water per hour that you spend in the sky. Pair that with the fact that an airplane’s cabin is less than 20 percent humidity (compared to an average home that is at least 30 percent humidity or higher), and you can quickly see why your skin tends to dry out a lot faster when you’re flying.

To help you combat the dry air you’ll face on airplanes, we’re sharing some useful tips to keep your skin looking picture-perfect!

Hydrate

Drink as much water as you can. As we mentioned previously, your body loses more water when you’re on an airplane and there is less humidity in the cabin. Drinking water when you’re traveling is essential both for the health of your skin and your body. Avoid the temptation of drinking coffee, alcohol or soda on your flight and opt for water or herbal tea instead. Pro Tip: You can get a refill on your water, all you have to do is ask!

Clean

Take a break mid-flight to clean your face with a gentle cleanser or cleansing wipes. This will help remove any dirt or dead skin cells that may have built up while you’ve been traveling and will give your skin a much-needed refresh before you land. If possible, consider applying some oil or moisturizer afterward to help lock in moisture. Which brings us to our next tip…

Moisturize

If there’s one thing you can do to help keep your skin looking and feeling its best while you travel, it’s moisturizing. Don’t fall into the trap of using hydrating sprays or water-based products when you’re traveling. When the air is dry — like it is on an airplane — it looks for water wherever it can. Which means, the air will soak up any water you may have on your skin. The best type of moisturizing products are ones that are oil or cream-based, as these will lock moisture in. For longer flights, considering using a moisturizing mask mid-flight to give your skin a hydration boost.

Tone

Using toner before or during your flight will help your skin maintain evenly balanced moisture levels. Skin is naturally acidic, typically with a pH balance of between five and six on a scale of 0 to 14. When the pH balance of our skin gets out of whack because of the alkaline nature of soap, toner can help restore balance, keeping oily skin from getting too greasy and keeping dry skin retain moisture.

However you choose to fly, we hope you remember to take care of your skin health by following these helpful tips and making sure to balance those sometimes uncontrolled food intake every now and then. And, as always, scheduling a much needed annual dermatology check-up with our skin experts!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.