Natural Health Care

The cause of the Eczema is unknown. Exciting causes are varied, viz., chemicals, plants, clothing, cosmetics, medicaments, infections, drugs, diet, focal sepsis etc. This is caused by direct contact between the skin and the substance, which might be adetergent, soap, diesel or engine oil, strong chemical, cleaner, etc. Eczema can also be caused by contact with substances that the body has become allergic to, called allergic contact dermatitis. This type commonly involves nickel, poison ivy, cosmetics, and rubber products. Infantile eczema often affects young babies, and is caused by moisture from drool or inflammation of the scalp (cradle cap).

Eczema is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but Eczema may occur to the people at any age. Eczema is a specific type of allergic cutaneous manifestation of antigen-antibody reaction. It is characterized by superficial inflammatory oedema of the epidermis associated with vesicle formation. Eczema is characterized by itching, scaling and burning of the skin.

Although eczema can sometimes look unpleasant, it is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced. However, the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care. The term 'Eczema' is a Greek word (Ee means out, and Zeo means boil). The whole word implies 'boil out'. The Hindustani name for eczema is Chambal.

Types of Eczema (Dermatitis)

Allergic contact eczema (dermatitis): a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions
Contact eczema: a localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical
Dyshidrotic eczema: irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the feet characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn
Neurodermatitis: scaly patches of the skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms caused by a localized itch (such as an insect bite) that become intensely irritated when scratched

Nummular eczema: coin-shaped patches of irritated skin-most common on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs-that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy

DANDRUFF is a very common problem indeed that of flakes falling from the scalp every time a person combs his/her hair or rubs the head. Dandruff is caused by a commonyeast cell pityresporen ovale which causes an inflammation of the scalp, making it shed flakes. Dandruff is a very common scalp problem. A morbid condition of the scalp is the emergence of dandruff which is caused by the excessive secretion of the sebaceous glands.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by micro-organism called pityrosporum-ovle which are present in every body's scalp. Symptoms of dandruff get aggravated when exposed to dust, UV light, harsh chemical based shampoo, hair dyes etc., this results in increase in number of microbes which causes unhealthy residue over the scalp which leads to dandruff, which is the cause of unhealthy, lifeless hair and may result in excessive loss of hair too. Followings are also responsible for dandruff:-

1. Heredity
2. Lack of proper Diet
3. Environment
4. Dry or Greasy Scalp is etc.
5. Stress, anxiety and tension.

Symptoms of Dandruff:-

Some sign and symptoms related to Dandruff are as follows:

• Skin affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually red and greasy with a white or yellowish flaky scale.
• Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp).
• There is sometimes itching or soreness and the scalp can feel tight.
• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis): This highly contagious fungal infection occurs primarily in children younger than age 10.
• Psoriasis. This skin disorder causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form thick silvery scales.

Acne Vulgaris:-

Acne is a condition that develops in and around the hair follicles and their oil-producing glands, called the sebaceous glands, in the skin. These glands occur everywhere over the skin surface with the exception of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Each gland is composed of a number of epithelial cells that is continuous with the surface lining of the skin. As the skin regenerates, these epithelial cells are shed and passed out of the sebaceous glands via the gland ducts in a secretion known as sebum.

Stages of Acne:-

Types of Acne Vulgaris: In order to understand the different types and stages of acne vulgaris, the entire spectrum must be broken down into a format that's easiest to understand. The two main types of lesions are Noninflammatory and Inflammatory.

Noninflammatory lesions are called comedos and can result in whiteheads or blackheads. Whiteheads occur when trapped sebum and skin cells stay just BELOW the skin's surface. Blackheads occur when the trapped sebum barely breaks through the skin's surface. The trapped sebum oil turns black due to the exposure and should not be confused with dirt. Whiteheads and blackheads do not contact bacteria. However, pimples, (see below) do contain bacteria.
Inflammatory acne consists of pimples and zits (papules and pustules) and in worst cases, nodules and cysts. Nodules are large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin. Cysts also lay deep within the skin but are filled with pus instead of being solid. Both types can produce scarring.

Causes of Acidity :-

Due to some problems in the functioning of the digestive system

Sometimes excessive intake of alcohol also leads to acidity

Acidity also arises either by keeping stomach empty for long time or skipping breakfast

Eating foods rich in fats like chocolates also causes acidity

Pregnancy, aging or obesity can also cause acidity

The body secretes bicarbonate into the mucous layer, which neutralizes the acid. Hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins help to keep the blood vessels in the stomach dilated, ensuring adequate blood flow.

Eating junk foods, oily and spicy foods also leads to burning sensation in stomach and
Chest area and causes acidity.

Excessive exposure to sun and heat;
The primary cause of acidity is credited to inappropriate food habits of modern man.

People today hardly ever think about compatibility of food.

Excess acid secretion can also cause acidity and ulcers, when the normal protective lining of the stomach and duodenum (the part of the intestine that joins the stomach), is damaged. The resulting ulcer is called gastric ulcer if it is in the stomach and duodenal ulcer if it is in the duodenum.

Symptoms of acidity:-

1. Burning sensation or pain in the stomach after one to four hours of a meal
2. Feel hungry frequently
3. Constant pain in upper abdomen
4. Belching, nausea, bitter taste in mouth, vomiting and loss of appetite
5. Heartburn is characterized by a deeply placed, burning pain in the chest behind the sternum
(breast-bone). It occurs after meals and is precipitated by increase in intra-abdominal pressure like straining or lifting weights.
6. Dyspepsia is a burning or an aching pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes described as a stabbing sensation penetrating through the gut.

What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Acidity ?

Acidity is generally caused by an imbalance between mechanisms of the secretion of acid in the stomach, and protective mechanisms that ensure the stomach’s safety. The stomach secretes acidic fluid that helps in digestion process. But when the stomach exceeds the production of the acid by glands present within it, it results in the situation termed as acidity. Acidity is referred to hyperacidity.

Acidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance between the acid secreting mechanism of the stomach and proximal intestine and the protective mechanisms that ensure their safety. The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity.

In acidity, there is a movement of gastric juices (carrying acid) from the stomach into the lower esophagus (food pipe). This condition mainly arises when acidic contents in stomach (hydrochloric acid) move upward into the esophagus and making it dysfunctional.