Are Home Remedies Safe?

No Remedy is One Hundred Percent Harmless!

This article exposes the myth that home remedies are safe and devoid of any side effects. Some guidelines on using natural home remedies are also provided.

Most people try home remedies for common skin diseases on the belief that these are entirely harmless. Nothing can be far from truth. All home remedies are not safe. Here are a few common ingredients used in home remedies and the reactions they cause on skin:


Are Home Remedies Safe?

Tips for the Uninsured to Cut the Healthcare Costs

Illness and ill-health can arrive quite unexpectedly. The impact of a costly surgery on an average family budget can be disastrous, even more so if you do not have a health care insurance coverage. You have to take an extra effort to reduce the bite of the financial crunch by slashing your medical bills down to affordable levels.

Read more on Cut the Healthcare Costs:Tips for the Uninsured.

Tips on Reducing Health Care Costs for the Insured

How to Cut Medical Expenses in Crunch Times

These tips on reducing health care costs will help the insured keep their out of pocket medical expenses to an affordable minimum.

Having a health care insurance does not mean that you should stop paying attention to the costs of the health care delivery. Your health care insurer may not cover all the treatments and investigations you require. The deductibles that you have to pay out of your pocket may further tighten your budget to uncomfortable levels.

Tips on Reducing Health Care Costs for the Insured

The Mask of Pregnancy

Syn. Melasma, Chloasma.

Melasma, known as the mask of pregnancy or chloasma, is an acquired dark brown skin discoloration on the exposed part of the face. Melasma is more common in dark skins.

Melasma means a ‘black spot’ and chloasma a ‘green spot’ in Greek. It is usually associated with pregnancy; hence the nickname, the mask of pregnancy. Melasma can occur due to other causes also.

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Why Does the Skin Get Dry in the Winter?

Tips on Winter Skin Care

With the approach of winter most people experience dryness of skin, cracked lips and feet etc. Those who suffer from eczema, a type of itchy allergic disease of the skin, has severe flare ups during winter. Hence it is clear that during winter and cold seasons the skin requires special care.

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Dandruff Frequently Asked Questions

The Most Common Doubts about Dandruff Answered

Most frequently asked questions about dandruff cover the causes of dandruff, the most effective treatments available and effectiveness of medicated antidandruff shampoos.

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Disorders of Skin Color Revisited

All About Dark and Light Skin Diseases

Though beauty is not skin deep, disorders of skin color does cause lots of heart breaks. Yet it is a paradox that dark skinned people yearn for lighter skin and light skinned crave for darker skin!

Disorders of skin color are caused by disturbances of the four types of pigments in the skin, namely, oxyhemoglobin causing red skin color, reduced hemoglobin causing blue skin color, carotenoids/bile pigments producing yellow color and melanin responsible for brown to black color.

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Itchy Scalp Remedies

How to Get Rid of Scalp Itching

Itchy scalp remedies depend upon the diagnosis and management of specific causes of scalp itching.

Causes of itchy scalp include dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis, head lice infestation, ring worm of the scalp, tinea amiantacea, lichen planus, hair follicle inflammation, neurogenic excoriation and pyogenic infection of scalp. It is evident that no single shot remedy can effectively get rid of the scalp itching.

Itchy scalp remedies include diagnosis of the specific underlying disease and general and specific measures of treatment according to the causes of itchy scalp.

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Causes of Itchy Scalp

Causes of itchy scalp are many and the condition is quite common. Finding the exact cause of the itchy scalp is essential in deciding how to treat the scalp itching.

Itchy scalp can be caused by a number of diseases, which are diagnosed by the history and nature of scaling, duration of itching, severity of itching, extent of scales and presence of skin rashes elsewhere on the body.

Causes of Itchy Scalp

Seborrheic Dermatitis: Basic Facts

Seborrheic dermatitis, the dermatitis of the sebaceous areas, is a common disease. It may be considered part of a clinical spectrum which include dandruff and psoriasis.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease associated with increased and altered sebum production and yeast colonization. Seborrheic dermatitis presents as a chronic dermatitis or eczema in sebum rich areas of the body like scalp, face and upper trunk. Its milder, non-inflammatory form is known as dandruff.

Seborrheic Dermatitis: Basic Facts

How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Getting rid of seborrheic dermatitis is a difficult task. Seborrheic eczema treatment decisions has to take in account the patho-physiological basis of the disease.

Increased activity of sebaceous glands and infection with malassezia group of yeasts are the two basic causes for seborrheic dermatitis. For any treatment to be effective both these factors have to be dealt with properly. Getting the seborrheic dermatitis basic facts correct is thus essential for learning how to get rid of the disease.

Read on: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis?

How to Treat Sweaty Palms and Soles

Treatment of sweaty palms and soles or palmoplantar hyperhidrosis involves patient education, topical applications, use of galvanic current, injections and surgery.

Sweaty palms and soles interfere with normal functioning of an individual, and can be a very disturbing and inconvenient disease for students and skilled workers. The disease affects 1-2 % of individuals and has many treatment options all of which have positive as well as negative features.

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What is Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis?

Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, also known as sweaty palms and soles, can be a very distressing problem, especially in students and young people.

Sweaty palms and soles or palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is part of a specific disease entity known as primary focal hyperhidrosis which includes, in addition to palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis and hyperhidrosis of face and scalp (cranio-facial hyperhidrosis). The causes and negative effects of these primary focal hyperhidrosis are similar.

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Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis

How to Get Rid of Excessive Armpit Sweating

Most patients and doctors do not recognize that axillary hyperhidrosis or excessive armpit sweating is a relatively common and treatable medical condition.

Armpit sweating or axillary hyperhidrosis is a disturbing and socially embarrassing condition for many individuals. Treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis or excessive armpit sweating involves patient education, ruling out other causes of sweating, topical medications, injections, and, finally surgery.

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Calcipotriene in Topical Treatment of Psoriasis

Calcipotriene was first approved in the early 1990s in Europe as a 0.005% ointment formulation with the generic name calcipotriol. It is an analogue of vitamin D3.

Calcipotriene is not as effective as super potent topical corticosteroids, but regimens in which patients apply both calcipotriene and super potent corticosteroids have demonstrated superiority over either agent alone.

Read on: Calcipotriene in Topical Treatment of Psoriasis

Anthralin in Topical Treatment of Psoriasis

Anthralin, also known as Dithranol or Cignolin, is a synthetic substitute for chrysarobin, derived from the bark of the araroba tree of South America. Anthralin has been used to treat psoriasis for more than 90 years. Along with tar, anthralin was the mainstay of topical treatment of psoriasis till the introduction of steroids and calcipotriene.

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Is Coal Tar Treatment in Psoriasis Outdated?

Topical coal tar has helped treat psoriasis for centuries but has fallen into disgrace following the carcinogenic potential of tar compounds.

Coal tar treatment in psoriasis has been the mainstay of the topical treatment of psoriasis for a very long time. Used alone or in combination with ultraviolet rays or other topical agents like anthralin, coal tar is very effective in controlling the disease activity in psoriasis.

More on: Is Coal Tar Treatment in Psoriasis Outdated?

Koebner Phenomenon in Psoriasis

Koebner phenomenon in psoriasis, also known as isomorphic response, refers to the induction of new psoriasis skin lesions following local trauma or injury to the skin.

Koebner phenomenon is named after Dr. Koebner who in the 19th century observed that a patient developed new lesions in areas where his horse bit him.

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How to Manage Recurrent Boils

Treatment of Furunculosis

Learning how to manage recurrent boils involves exploring the reasons for repeated infections with staphylococcus aureus, preventive steps to be taken and treatment of the furunculosis with topical and systemic antibiotics.

Furunculosis or recurrent boils can be a problem for individuals because of lost working days, treatment costs and risk of associated complications. The management of recurrent boils includes general measures and specific measures.

How to Manage Recurrent Boils

How to Avoid Recurrent Boils

One of the most important reasons for recurrent boils is the carrier state of Staphylococcus aureus. Learning how to avoid recurrent boils involves properly managing the carrier state of Staphylococcus aureus, the causative bacteria of furuncles.

Some individuals are prone to develop recurrent boils, also known as furunculosis, every now and then. There are many reasons for repeated infections with Staphylococcus aureus, the causative bacteria for boils or abscesses, the main being the carriage state of the bacteria in different parts of the body.

How to Avoid Recurrent Boils

Can Boils be Treated at Home?

What to do With Boils, Furuncles and Carbuncles.





Boils or furuncles are caused by staphylococcal bacterial infections of the hair follicles.





Small, localized and superficial boils do not require much treatment, and can be treated at home. Pricking the boils with a sterile needle after cleansing with spirit swab and application of antibiotic creams should clear them. But deep seated boils require expert care by a doctor as these can cause serious systemic effects.



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Topical Sequential Therapy in Psoriasis

Topical sequential therapy is a widely practiced technique in the treatment of psoriasis that provides a balance between maximizing efficacy and minimizing side-effects.

Topical therapy is indicated for psoriasis patients whose affected body area is less than 10-20% of their skin, the mainstay being topical corticosteroids. However, long term side effects of topical cortico steroids limit their use in psoriasis. On the other hand, calcipotriene, a vitamin D3 derivative topical agent used in psoriasis is comparatively safe, but not as effective as steroids in controlling psoriasis. It has been shown that regimens in which patients apply both calcipotriene and super potent corticosteroids have demonstrated superiority over either agent used alone.

Topical Sequential Therapy in Psoriasis

Topical Corticosteroids in Psoriasis

Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in mild to moderate psoriasis.

Topical corticosteroids are synthetic drugs that resemble naturally-occurring hormones in the body. Corticosteroids are the most frequently prescribed treatment for psoriasis of mild to moderate severity because they decrease the rate at which skin cells grow and reduce inflammation, thereby also relieving the itch that often accompanies psoriasis.

Topical Corticosteroids in Psoriasis

Topical Therapies for Psoriasis

Topical therapies are usually the first line of options in treating localized psoriasis.

Topical therapies for psoriasis work relatively quickly by clearing the skin lesions and are also usually well tolerated. However, they can be messy and may not be useful in the generalized variety of psoriasis.

Topical Therapies for Psoriasis

Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines

Factors Influencing Choice of Treatment in Psoriasis

Ideally all patients with suspected psoriasis should be seen by a dermatologist to establish the diagnosis before any treatment is instituted and guidelines issued.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease which has genetic and life style triggers; the treatment guidelines involve continuous monitoring and life long care for the patients.


Read About Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the commonest variety of psoriasis and is called psoriasis vulgaris. About 80% of those who have psoriasis have this form.

Clinically, coin sized to large palm sized, well defined erythemato-squamous (red, scaly) plaques distributed bilaterally on the body are seen in psoriasis vulgaris. It is typically found on the extensor aspect of the body, the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, although it can occur on any area of the skin. Though itching is a major symptom in most patients, for many, itching is not a prominent feature.

Learn More About Plaque Psoriasis

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is the least severe type of psoriasis. Raindrop like scaly rashes gives guttate psoriasis its name.

Guttate psoriasis occurs mainly in childhood or young adulthood. It appears as a shower of small rashes, more or less generally all over the body, following an acute streptococcal infection.

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Psoriasis Clinical Types

Depending upon distinct morphological and anatomical characteristics, psoriasis may be divided into different clinical types.

Common clinical types of psoriasis are guttate psoriasis, common plaque psoriasis, inverse or flexural psoriasis, pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis.

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Psoriasis Signs and Symptoms

Psoriasis signs and symptoms vary according to the morphology, stage and anatomical site of involvement of the psoriasis rashes, which are scaly red plaques.

Read on: Psoriasis Signs and Symptoms

Food, Hormones, Associated Diseases, Psoriasis.

Though many anecdotal reports indicate the influence of food, certain hormones and some associated diseases in the causation of psoriasis, there is a need for further clinical and experimental studies regarding these associations.

Food, Hormones, Associated Diseases, Psoriasis.

Smoking and Alcohol as Psoriasis Triggers

Many studies indicate that smoking and alcohol can act as triggers for psoriasis. Smoking and alcohol have also been associated with the severity of psoriasis.

Read on: Smoking and Alcohol as Psoriasis Triggers

Medications and Climate as Psoriasis Triggers

Among the many psoriasis triggers, medications and climatic influences play an important role in inducing new psoriasis plaques.

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Stress, Skin Injury, Infection and Psoriasis

Among the many triggers of psoriasis, stress, local skin injury and systemic infections play important roles in the pathogenesis of the disease.

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Psoriasis Triggers

One does not inherit the disease psoriasis, but inherits a tendency to get psoriasis. In other words, triggering factors are really responsible for psoriasis expression.

Psoriasis is seen in genetically predisposed individuals and it tends to run in families. About 30% of people with one first degree relative with psoriasis develop the condition.

This genetic tendency of psoriasis appears to need to be triggered by some factors like infection, certain medications, stress, and skin trauma for the disease to manifest.

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Psoriasis Clinical Classification

Morphological, Clinical & Life Style Classifications of Psoriasis.

Different systems of classification help the dermatologists to plan the most appropriate mode of management in psoriasis patients.

These are essential tools in the proper management of the disease as well as assessing the severity of psoriasis.

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Causes of Psoriasis

What Really Happens in Psoriasis Skin and Why?

Psoriasis develops in genetically predisposed individuals following some triggering events. This, in turn, triggers certain immunologically mediated events in the skin.

The genetic link of psoriasis has long been known; it tends to run in families. About 30% of people with one first degree relative with psoriasis have chances of developing the disease during their life time.

Just having a close relative with psoriasis does not mean that a person could definitely get the disease. This genetic tendency needs to be triggered by some environmental, physiological or psychological factors for a person to get psoriasis.

More on Causes of Psoriasis.

How Common is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is widely distributed all over the world with fluctuations in prevalence amongst certain races and countries.

Psoriasis is one of the oldest skin diseases known to medical science, though the history of psoriasis makes an interesting reading as it had been mistaken for other diseases, especially leprosy, till about 150 years ago.

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History of Psoriasis

Psoriasis Through Ages.

Psoriasis has long been known to humans and it is also one of the most misunderstood illnesses in history. Till the 19th century psoriasis was confused with leprosy.

In the Bible, ‘lepra’ has been used at different places to describe various skin diseases including leprosy, psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema and boils. Some authors have pointed out the ‘tzaraat’ mentioned in the Bible may refer to psoriasis.

Learn more about history of psoriasis: History of Psoriasis

Psoriasis Basic Facts

Psoriasis is one of the commonest, yet one of the most difficult skin diseases to treat. It is indeed a challenge for both the physician as well as the patient.
Challenge to the physician because of the frequent worsening of psoriasis despite treatment and to the patient as it compromises the lifestyle and is a cause for shame and embarrassment among friends and relatives.
More about Psoriasis Basic Facts

How to Manage Rosacea

Rosacea, misnamed acne rosacea, is a chronic skin disease, usually affecting the middle aged and affecting the flush area of the face. Rosacea is characterized by red color, dilated superficial blood vessels and reddish or pus filled bumps.
Learn How to Manage Rosacea

Tips on Managing Scabies

Scabies is a highly contagious, severely itchy skin disease caused by infestation with an itch mite known as Sarcoptes scabei. It is a very common disease, but still misdiagnosed due to many clinical presentations. If proper treatment is not provided, it can remain in the family for months or years. No wonder it was called the seven year itch before effective treatments were discovered.
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Herpetic Whitlow: An Occupational Hazard

Herpetic whitlow is a very painful infection caused by herpes simplex virus, typically affecting the distal phalanx of the fingers. Adamson first described herpetic whitlow in 1909, and in 1959, it was noted to be an occupational hazard among health care workers.

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Treatment Options for Anogenital Warts

How to Manage the Sexually Transmitted HPV Infection.

Anogenital warts refer to a viral infection of the anal and genital area caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The danger of HPV infection lies in the fact that they can cause cancerous changes in the skin and mucous membrane of the genital tract. There are many treatment options for anogenital warts.

Anogenital warts are quite common and current evidence suggests that more than 50% of sexually active adults have been infected with one or more HPV types, which number to more than 150 clinical types of which around 20 infect the genital area. Transmission occurs through sexual contact mainly, and through fingers and during delivery to the newborn. Following sexual contact with an infected person, the warts appear after an incubation period of 3 weeks to 8 months, with an average of 3 months. The chance of getting the disease after sexual contact with an infected person has been estimated to be around 60%.

Read on: Treatment Options for Anogenital Warts.

Molluscum Contagiosum

The Pearly White Domed Viral Skin Disease.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common, self limiting viral infection caused by a pox virus, the molluscum contagiosum virus. It appears as pearly white or skin colored bumps, and occurs in children and sexually active adults. More about Molluscum Contagiosum

Chickenpox: Frequently Asked Questions

Most Common FAQ about Chickenpox

Chickenpox's frequently asked questions will clear your doubts on how to manage this viral infection appropriately. Chickenpox is a common, highly infectious and vaccine preventable disease. The incidence of Chickenpox has steadily decreased after the introduction of the varicella vaccine.

Here are the 'Chickenpox: Frequently Asked Questions'.

All About Chicken Pox

The Common Viral Infection of Childhood.

Chickenpox or Varicella is caused by a virus called Varicella zoster . It is usually a disease of childhood, but those who have not had it in childhood, can get the disease when they are adults. The severity of the infection will be higher when adults get chickenpox.

A very effective vaccine is available to prevent chickenpox. It is known as Varicella vaccine or varilrix. In most countries, Chickenpox vaccine is routinely given to all children above 1 year of age.

Read all about chickenpox.

How to Manage Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Tips on Managing The Most Dreaded Complication of Shingles.

Post herpetic neuralgia is an extremely painful complication of herpes zoster or shingles. The excruciating pain and burning sensations are due to nerve damage caused by the severe inflammation caused by the varicella zoster virus which causes chicken pox and herpes zoster.

As the name indicates, the pain starts after an attack of herpes zoster, when the lesions start crusting over and begin to heal. The neuralgia is typically distributed over the area of the skin innervated by the affected branch of the nerve, called a dermatome. More on How to Manage Post Herpetic Neuralgia.

Is Shingles Vaccine Effective?

All About The Vaccine For Herpes Zoster.

Shingles vaccine is a live vaccine against the viral disease shingles, also known as herpes zoster. It is also known as Zoster vaccine or vaccine for herpes zoster. It was licensed in US in 2006 for adults above 60 years of age. It is given as a single shot, usually in the upper arm below the shoulder. The vaccine has been proven to reduce the incidence, duration, severity and complications of shingles. More on 'Is Shingles Vaccine Effective?'

Does Stress Cause Psoriasis?

This article explores the relationship between stress, skin and psoriasis and provides tips on how to manage stress in psoriasis.
Stress can trigger, maintain and exacerbate psoriasis. In turn psoriasis can cause high stress levels in the patients. Exploring this fascinating relationship between stress and psoriasis is of utmost importance in the management of psoriasis. More on does stress cause psoriasis?

Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines

Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines

Ideally all patients with suspected psoriasis should be seen by a dermatologist to establish the diagnosis before any treatment is instituted and guidelines issued.
Read more about psoriasis treatment guidelines