October 2014 - Skin Disease Remedies

doxycycline for acne

Doxycycline for acne may or may not work for you. It’s an antibiotic that fights acne causing bacteria in the body. Though doxycycline is proved to treat acne Drugs.com don’t recommend it without Doctor’s prescription.

According to American Academy of Dermatology, this antibiotic is prescribed in case of acne spread all over the body. Anyway doctors may prescribe this treatment depending on your acne status.

Apart from treating acne, doxycycline treats chlamydia, urinary tract infections, eye infections, intestinal infections, gum disease and gonorrhea.

Let’s have a look on how to use doxycycline to get rid of acne.

1. Consult your Dermatologist

Don’t take doxycycline unless any physician prescribes it. Make an appointment with dermatologist and tell your doctor if you’ve any of these diseases – kidney disease, liver disease, asthma and if you’re taking any other tetracycline treatment avoid doxycycline. This helps to be safe from side-effects of doxycycline.

2. Follow Prescription

Strictly follow the prescribed medication, avoid taking in large or small amount. Take one full of water with doxycycline for acne. Different brands of doxycycline have different dosage instructions.

In case if you missed any dosage take it as soon as you remember it, if it’s already time for next dosage then skip the missed one. Don’t take double dosage to replace missed one.

Also read: Fish Oil for Acne – Why Not Use It

3. Avoid Going out

Doxycycline increases chances of sunburns, wear sunscreen or wide spread hat while going out. Try to stay in shade in summer.

Also read: Rose water for acne

4. Go for regular check

If you’ve any other disease then regular check is important. According to Mayoclinic.com doxycycline may develop impaired kidney function as a side effect.

Note: Doxycycline for acne is not recommended for pregnant women.

According to Drugs.com children shouldn’t use this medicine as this can cause yellowing or graying of teeth.

Share your experience with doxycycline or any other antibiotic used to treat acne.

Don’t miss: Treat acne with Shea Butter

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Acne

10 Home Remedies for Acne Scars Removal

ByMoin Nex

home remedies for acne scars

Your body is made to take care of itself; it can manage, healing injuries and fading acne scars. But when you squeeze or touch acne pimples skin loses its elasticity because of loss of collagen, this makes skin to depend on external treatments.

Anyway, before trying home remedies for acne scars prevent pressing or squeezing acne blemishes. Yes, we knew that you can’t stop squeezing or pressing, apply hydrogen peroxide or other creams which keeps itching at bay.

A short intro about Acne

Oil glands present under skin produces excess oil called sebum making to clog skin pores and dead cells present on the skin along with bacteria gets accumulate on skin pores forming pimples or blemishes. Acne is most common skin disease.

10 Effective Remedies for Acne Scars Removal

With steroid creams you may treat acne blemishes but they leave scars on your face and no one in this world would love to have acne scars. With natural remedies you can not only fade acne scars but also make your skin youthful.

Nature is packed with thousands of remedies to treat various skin diseases but here we’re sharing only few home available remedies, so that you can choose one among them.

1. Papaya Remedy for Acne Scars

Two main nutrients present in papaya are vitamin A and papain (an enzyme). Whereas vitamin A acts as antioxidant to restrains acne causing bacteria, papain acts as an exfoliator to clear clogged pores by removing dead cells.

Not just acne, papaya benefits for skin are endless, which includes removing frown lines, hydrates skin, heals injuries, controls premature aging etc…

Remedy

Get some fresh papaya and mash it.
Mix 2 tbsp of honey to the paste and apply it on your face or affected part.
Rinse it off with cool water after 20 minutes.

2. Honey Remedy to Remove Acne Scars

honey for acne scars

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in honey helps in treating acne and also help to fade acne scars. Not just skin disease, honey can be used to treat other major health problems. You can take it internally or use it topically.

Here is a case study about honey treating acne.

Remedy

Add 1 tbsp of honey with 1 tbsp of grape seed oil.
Then add 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
You can also add 1-2 tbsp of essential oil.
Then apply it on acne scars.

Else you can try directly applying on acne scars.

3. Aloe Vera for Acne Scars

Like honey, aloe is another nature’s gift to human kind. Packed with vitamin A, B complex and C, aloe can be used to treat acne, eczema and psoriasis. To treat acne with aloe you just need to apply aloe gel on affected part and rinse it off after few minutes repeat the process and you can see wonders.

Repeating same remedy will help you to fade acne scars.

Also read: Aloe Vera benefits for skin

Remedy

Take fresh aloe leaf and peel its skin to see gel like substance.
Apply the gel on acne scars.
Rinse it off after few minutes.

You can use aloe vera internally. Click here to make aloe juice.

4. Lemon to Fade Acne Scars

Vitamin C present in this citrus fruit helps to rebuild collagen which was damaged because of acne and by squeezing pimples. It also helps to lighten dark spots and scars on skin.

Remedy

Directly squeeze lemon juice in a bowl and apply it on acne scars using cotton ball.
If you’ve sensitive skin, then dilute lemon juice by adding water to it.
For lemon mask, mix lemon juice, tomato juice and sandal wood to make paste. Apply this paste on affected area and rinse it off after 20 minutes.

Lemon makes your skin sensitive, so while going out either wear sunscreen cream or wide spread hat.

5. Olive Oil for Acne Scars Removal

Olive oil is obtained from olive tree berries, packed with antioxidants and vitamins, works great for skin diseases. It can be used both internally and externally.

Remedy

Using cotton ball apply olive oil on acne scars.
Leave it for few minutes so that your skin absorbs olive oil.
You can remove excess oil using a soft cloth.
Rinse it off after few minutes.

6. Baking Soda for Acne Scars

Baking soda is best remedy to exfoliate dead cells accumulated on skin. Anyway it may dry your skin so apply moisturizer after using baking soda.

Remedy

Mix water with baking soda to make paste.
Apply the paste on acne scars and massage for about 2 minutes.
Then rinse it off.

For sensitive skin we don’ recommend baking soda, anyway you can consult dermatologist.

Also read: Using baking soda to treat pimples

7. Raw Potatoes for Acne Scars

potatoes for acne scars

This comfort food consists of vitamin B, vitamin C and potassium and magnesium. Place raw sliced potato on acne scars to see what this vegetable can do for your skin.

Remedy

Slice fresh potato and rub it on acne scars in circular motion.
Repeat the process until you see sliced potato dried.
Take another sliced potato and do same.
Leave it for few minutes and then rinse it off with water.

8. Raw Tomatoes to Fade Acne Scars

Lycopene present in tomatoes have an antioxidant property which helps to fight bacteria.

Remedy

Mash raw tomatoes into a bowl.
Now apply tomato pulp on your face.
Rinse it off after few minutes.

9. Cucumber for Acne Scars

Though this vegetable didn’t receive much press attention, it’s packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help to heal acne and fade acne scars.

Remedy

Soak sliced cucumber in water for few minutes so that all nutrients get transferred to water, then wash acne scars with this water.
Else, make cucumber juice and mix yogurt to it. Apply this paste to your acne scars.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy for Acne Scars Removal

apple cider vinegar for acne scars

ACV is packed with antimicrobial properties which help to kill bacteria. It can be used to treat chronic skin diseases like eczema. Apple cider vinegar can also fade moles.

Read this: Vinegar benefits for skin

Remedy

Get raw apple cider vinegar from local store or through Amazon.
Apply it on acne scars using cotton ball.

Did we miss any effective and inexpensive home remedy for acne scars here? Please share in comments so that we could include in this post.

Eczema

Natural Remedy for Eczema with Sea Water

ByMoin Nex

There are many controversies surrounding the use of sea water for treating eczema. Because soaking eczema flare-ups in sea water is nothing but just like “adding salt to an open wound”.

Yes, it pains but British Association of Dermatology claims that Dead Sea water can be used to treat eczema. Treating eczema has more worth than having mild pain.

Why Sea Water Treats

Salt in sea water dries out eczema wounds and refrain further infection, may be this feature of sea water helps to treat eczema. Anyway, there are different types of eczema and same remedy may not work for all. So you need to try your luck with home available remedies to treat eczema.

Because of the antiseptic properties of sea water it’s an effect natural remedy for eczema. Wounds when exposed to seawater it pains so it’s up to you to weight the benefits of sea water with pain you get.

Also Read: Can’t stop scratching?

Have a look at forum discussion.

Eczema is a chronic skin diseases, main cause is still unknown. Anyway hereditary and food you eat may trigger eczema. Skin becomes dry, itchy and scaly. Applying antioxidant and antibacterial creams can relieve itching. Though it gets treated using creams and home remedies if you don’t care of your skin they appear once again.

Freckles

7 Interesting Facts About Freckles You Must Know

ByMoin Nex

facts about freckles

It’s a myth that freckle causes skin cancer. Freckles can no way lead you to skin cancer. Anyway as people with freckles have lighten skin and weak skin protection from UV rays; they may prone to get skin cancer.

It is important for you to differentiate myths from facts of freckles. Below listed are interesting facts about freckles.

1. Kids can have freckles

Baby with 1 to 2 years of age can have these brown spots on her face, shoulders and arms.

2. Freckles are formed by a bunch of melanocytes

Skin gets its color because of a pigment called melanin produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanin doubles when your skin gets exposed to sunlight to protect you from harmful UV rays. When a bunch of pigments accumulates at one place because of uneven distribution it forms a dark brown spot called freckle.

3. Freckles are harmless

Normally freckles are harmless. Except few people who think freckles add beauty, for others it’s a cosmetic concern.

4. Genetics Causes Freckles

If anyone of your parent has freckles chances of you having freckles are more. Hereditary is one of the main causes of freckles.

5. Brown spots of freckles lighten and darken naturally

Depending on the climate, freckles spots may lighten or darken. In summer when your skin gets exposed to sunlight more melanin is produced which results in dark spots and in winter they get lighten. No need to worry if you see this change.

6. Freckle spots can be lighten

You can try natural remedies to fade these spots or try bleaching and fading creams available in local stores. We recommend talk to your dermatologist before taking any medicine.

7. You can also prevent freckles

Freckles darken when exposed to UV rays, so avoid going out in summer if possible, or else wear sunscreen creams and hats to cover your skin from sunlight.

If you want to get treated then consult your dermatologist.

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Acne

Shea Butter For Acne

ByMoin Nex

shea butter for treating acne

Used in food preparations and cosmetic products, Shea butter a natural medicine to treat various skin diseases can be used to treat acne blemishes.

Shea butter is white or ivory colored fatty oil extracted from nuts of Karite tree (Shea tree). Being edible Shea butter is used in various dishes and in the west it’s mostly used in cosmetic products.

As Shea butter melts at room temperature it gets absorbed quickly by skin. Raw or unrefined form of Shea butter is recommended as it contains all the vitamins and minerals.

Also read: 5 Home remedies for forehead acne

Shea Butter Treats Acne

Shea butter has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in it which helps to treat blemishes.

Acne blemishes are caused due to accumulation of dead cells, sebum and bacteria. Antioxidant properties in Shea butter fight bacteria and refrains skin pores from blocking.
Anti-inflammatory property helps reduce inflammation caused due to break outs.
After treating acne, scars left behind on skin can be faded by repeated application of Shea butter.
Swelling of blemishes or redness of pimples can be reduced after applying this natural remedy.
Unlike other pricey medical products Shea butter is safer to use, as it has no side-effects.
Great healing properties which heals break outs and scars quickly.
Shea butter is non-comedogenic, means it doesn’t interfere with skin pores and block them.

Many people those who fed-up with pricey acne treating products turn to Shea butter to treat acne and got positive results.

Related post

How to Apply Shea Butter for Acne Blemishes

raw shea butter for treating acne

Raw Shea butter is recommended because of its rich source of vitamins and minerals. Anyway the only reason why it’s refined is to remove odor, color and other undesirables.

Wash your face or affected area with cleanser to remove dead cells and oil accumulated on skin. You can use salicylic acid for cleaning.
Damp the skin and apply raw Shea butter evenly.
Leave for about 8 hours, apply it before sleep and rinse it off in the morning.
Repeat the process till you see smooth and shining skin.

Shea Butter for Acne Scars

A slip of knife while chopping fruits or an accident, they leave your skin injured. Naturally, new skin is generated to connect broken tissues. In this process depending on injury a scar is left behind.

Though these scars aren’t associated with any health issues, people usually want to fade them out of cosmetic concern. Same goes with pimples, when you use natural remedies like shea butter to reduce acne they leave scars all over your face. (WebMD)

You can find bunch of pricey products claiming to fade acne scars. But experts hardly agree with it. Yes, even with shea butter you can’t permanently fade acne scars. Anyhow, because of unmatched characteristics of shea butter, makes it easily absorbed by skin. The assorted nutrients housed in this remedy to some extent lighten scars.

Note: We never used shea butter for acne scars? If you’ve any previous experience with shea butter, share your views in comments and let us know.

You can add other non-comedogenic (which don’t block skin pores) oil to Shea butter for fragrance.

Image source 1, 2

Home remedies

How to Rejuvenate the Skin

ByMoin Nex

rejuvenate the skin

As you age your skin starts losing its elasticity, which develops wrinkles and flaws on the skin. Yes you can’t stop aging, but you can rejuvenate your skin to get back youthful skin.

Because of pollution and other chemical products our skin gets dry and dead cells gets accumulated on skin pores making it difficult for skin to breathe and secrete sebum which helps to fight bacteria. Thus resulting in dry itchy skin and with the absence of moisture (sebum) skin quickly loses its elasticity and wrinkles start appearing.

Below are few natural remedies with which you can bring back your skin to life.

Step – 1 Rejuvenate skin using cleanser

With all the dirt and dead cells accumulated over skin, first step involves clearing them up. This will help skin to secrete natural moisture. You can get cleanser from local store.

Or you can use Aloe Vera gel as cleanser, the most inexpensive yet effective remedy. Other natural cleansers include baking soda, jojoba oil, honey, lemon, Orange and raw milk.

Step – 2 Exfoliate your skin

Dead skin cells present on the body will be washed away by exfoliating and this process helps for good blood circulation. Baking soda, sugar, honey and oatmeal can be used as exfoliator.

Else you can get best exfoliate cream from local store.

Step – 3 Apply moisturizer

Main reason for all skin diseases is lack of moisture, skin when looses moisture bacteria acts skin, which triggers itching and frown lines. Though skin has its own natural moisturizer at times it fails to secrete, applying external moisturizer helps skin regain its youthfulness.

Shea butter, honey, aloe Vera gel and essential oils can be used as moisturizer.

Related post: Natural moisturizers for skin

Step – 4 Drink more water

Now it’s time to hydrate your skin form the insider. Drink at least 8 glasses of water. Water plays vital role in maintaining skin’s elasticity and suppleness.

Step – 5 Avoid stress

Not just your work your skin also gets affected by stress. Stress makes your skin dull, dry, prematurely aged skin, wrinkles appear and compromises immune function. Long time effects of stress may lead to chronic skin diseases like hives, psoriasis, eczema or rosacea.

You can meditate, go out for a long walk or try any other way which makes you feel peace.

Few more tips

Check what you’re eating; prefer vitamins and proteins contained diet.
If needed take vitamin supplements.
Regular exercise helps your body and skin to function great.
Avoid intoxicants.
Avoid products with chemical ingredients.
Pamper your skin while going out; take moisturizer in winter and sunscreen cream.

Skin diseases

Different Types of Moles That You Must Know

ByMoin Nex

Moles generally are not dangerous but they ruin your appearance. Identifying the type of mole will let you understand about the risks associated with it. Though moles look benign they may cause skin cancer in long run.

You may think that this small brown or black cluster on your body will do nothing and there is no need to pay attention, but ignoring them may lead to serious problems.

Blemishes which appearance suddenly or have these signs need medical attention.

Mole with irregular shape
Mole with uneven color
Mole with jagged borders
Great protruding mole
Lager than normal moles

Also read: Risks associated with mole removal

If your mole has any of the above signs then rush to a dermatologist and get medical attention.

Experts suggest checking asymmetry, border, color and diameter of a mole to identify its nature, popularly known as ABCD.

Also read: Itchy Dry Skin Patches On Body, Face and Hands

Dysplastic Nevi

dysplestic nevus

Also known as atypical mole, dysplastic mole differs to normal mole in appearance, it has irregular shape, irregular color, larger than normal moles and has jagged borders.

Though this mole has all the signs mentioned above we can’t confirm that it causes skin cancer. According to National Cancer Institute these atypical moles are more likely to turn into cancer called melanoma.

If you’ve dyspletic nevi then it’s better to have an appointment with dermatologist.

Congenital Nevus

congenital nevi

These types of moles appear from childhood and it occurs in 1% of infants worldwide. Mainly there are 3 main type of congenital nevus small-sized, mid-sized and giant-sized. Unlike atypical mole congenital nevi is larger in diameter and can occupy larger portion of the body.

As child grows this mole grows and may turn cancerous. Immediate medical attention is needed after observing color or shape variation.

Halo Nevus

halo nevus

Halo nevus is associated with vitiligo. It was named halo because of its appearance, this particular type of mole is surrounded by light depigmentation making it resembles a halo. People with this mole will have a white patch surrounding that mole.

It’s believed that when white blood cells destroy pigmentation it forms white patch. Anyway mere cause is unknown.

As Halo Nevus is not cancerous except for cosmetic purpose there is no need of treatment.

Skin Tags

Though both moles and skin tags appear on various parts of the body they’re quite different. Like moles skin tags are removed for cosmetic purpose, this benign flap doesn’t have any health issues. Anyway this may cause discomfort and may sometimes ruin your appearance. You can either try natural or surgical way to remove skin tags.

Note: Before going with any treatment check with your professional dermatologist.

Also read: Get rid of blood blisters over night

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Body Odor

10 Herbal Remedies for Body Odor

ByMoin Nex

herbs for body odor

The unpleasant smell you get from your body is not because of sweat.

According to Mayoclinic.org sweat is odorless. So why do you get foul smell after sweating?

Our body has sweat glands which secrete sweat when body temperature rises. When you don’t take bath or wash your body, bacteria gets accumulated on sweat to feed on fats and proteins in sweat. This releases a foul smell.

As it’s a common problem there are many conventional deodorants and antiperspirants to control body odor. Few of them works great but few are harmful because of chemical ingredients. (Though not proved.)

One medicine doesn’t work for everyone. Try different remedies to find out which one works for your body.

Note: Try with doctor’s supervision.

Herbs are natural medicines used to treat various health problems including body odor. Here in this article we’ll discuss about few herbs for eliminating body odor.

Body odor is caused when fats and proteins don’t gets digested; these herbs listed here will help you out in digestion which in one way reduces body odor.

Herbs for Body Odor

1. Take an Herbal Bath

Blend herbs like oregano, coriander, licorice root, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, bay leaf, fennel and nutmeg to make a tea. Refrigerate it and apply it on sweat prone areas like under-arms and in groins using cotton ball.

You can also dip all these herbs packed in a cloth into bath tub for an herbal bath. These herbs restrain bacteria from spreading odor. They act as a natural deodorant.

If you’ve no knowledge about blending herbs you can see it here.

2. Rosemary (for external application)

Rosemary is an evergreen herb used in foods. This herb especially its top flower contains phenolic acid which is said to be antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-fungal. Packed with A, B – complex and C vitamins, rosemary is an antioxidant and is traditionally used for treating indigestion.

Because of these properties rosemary has shown evidence in killing bacteria in a lab test, says University of Maryland Medical Center.

Steep ½ cup of rosemary leaves in 2 to 4 cups of water and add it to your bath tub.

3. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera is a great boon for skin, almost all skin diseases can be treated using aloe Vera gel. Antioxidant properties in aloe treat and fights diseases causing bacteria. Aloe gel applied on skin burns helps to heal them fast. Chronic skin diseases like eczema and acne can be treated by repeated application of aloe Vera gel.

Aloe Vera can be used both internally and externally. You can consume aloe Vera gel after blending it.

Blend the gel and mix the juice in any fruit juice of your choice and drink. It acts as a great cleanser in stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder.

Related: How to make aloe vera juice

4. Peppermint

Leaves and oil of peppermint are used to treat many health problems including digestive problems like diarrhea, upset stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, vomiting, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bacterial in small intestine and gas.

High in copper, vitamin C and manganese peppermint can treat skin disease as well as body odor.

After meals drink peppermint tea, this helps to digest food.

5. Cleavers

Properties in cleavers help in cleaning lymph and toxins from the body. This promotes good digestion.

6. Milk thistle

Silymarinis, the main compound in milk thistle is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, according to WebMD. Though there is no scientific evidence, milk thistle or Mary thistle is used to treat liver problems.

You can consume milk thistle after blending it with other herbs or in tea.

7. Oregano

In a preliminary test CAMonline found that oregano may have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties which can help to control odor causing bacteria.

Add steeped oregano to your bath tub which aids to control body odor. It may cause blood sugar level fluctuate. (Use under doctor’s supervision)

8. Dandelion

Mix it with herbal tea and it can treat liver and kidney problems including constipation, jaundice, gall stones and upset stomach.

9. Chamomile

Having any stomach problem? Brew a cup of chamomile tea. Take 3-4 cups of tea every day. Chamomile tea has anti-oxidant and cleansing properties which restrains odor causing bacteria.

10. Essential Oils

Oil extracted from herbs like rosemary, sage, lavender and oregano can be used topically to fight odor causing bacteria. Anti-bacteria and anti-fungal properties present in these herbs helps fight bacteria and its aroma counteract with the foul smell.

Consult your doctor or any medical care provider to select herbs for essential oil them mix it with vegetable oils to lessen the effect of essential oil on skin, as they may irritate your skin.

It can be a great natural deodorizer, but consult your doctor before trying.

Image source 1, 2, 3