Melanoma and early detection

The word cancer strikes fear in most people. Skin cancer or skin neoplasm are named after the type of cells from which they arise. Melanoma which originates from the pigment producing cells (melanocytes) is the least common but the most aggressive and likely to spread leading to fatalities.

Most cases are caused by over-exposure to UV (ultra-violet) light from the sun, sometimes unavoidable, or from sunbeds which is by choice and avoidable. Most of the UV light from the sun are filtered by the ozone layer in the atmosphere but some gets through.

Unfortunately there is such a thing as ozone hole where the concentration of ozone is much reduced. Ozone holes are over the north pole and south pole. Australia is near the south pole and thus Australian residents are more susceptible to over exposure to UV and thus have higher risks of getting skin cancer.

If you are familiar with Australia you probably would have heard of "Slip Slop Slap", the term for that sun protection campaign very prominent in Australia in the 80s.

It is important for early detection of melanoma as then it has a high chance for a cure. Late detection could mean the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body and would be much difficult. It would be wise for Australian to get frequent medical checkup which includes screening for melanoma.

Disclosure: The is an advertorial.

Psoriasis home phototherapy

What is psoriaris

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease which affects the skin and joints. As a skin disorder, rapid production of new skin cells give rise to red scaly patches (plaque psoriasis) like what you see in the photo below:

Source: Psoriasis (Wikipedia)

Close-up photo showing plaque psoriasis courtesy of Wikipedia

Phototherapy Treatment for Psoriasis

One of the treatment for psoriasis is Ultra Violet B (UVB) phototherapy using a contraption similar to sun tanning bed involving exposure to UVB radiation done over three visits each week for between eight to 10 weeks. This UVB phototherapy is usually done at a hospital as most dermatologists (skin doctors) believe that home phototherapy is inferior and that it carries more risks. This entails visits of 24 to 30 visits to the hospital. This means that only those fortunate to stay near hospitals can avail themselves to UVB Phototherapy.

Home phototherapy treatment for psoriaisi

According to Dr. Mayke Koek of Utrecht University Medical Center who led a study of psoriasis patients from 14 hospital dermatology departments randomly assigned to either home-based or hospital-based UVB phototherapy, home-based phototherapy was found to be equivalent to hospital-based phototherapy both in terms of efficacy and safety. Not only that, the study found that those receiving home-based phototherapy were significantly more satisfied.

Source: BBC News - Home light therapy psoriasis hope

Natural remedy for dry skin

According to David Hoffman, a British-trained medical herbalist based in Sonoma, California, older man should take schizandra, one of the most researched adaptogens in the world. One of its key traits is its ability to help the body's cells retain their essential fluid. As one gets older, their skin get drier. David Hoffman recommnends shizandra to retain their essential fluid.