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The cause of cold sores is a viral infection. The virus that causes them, the herpes simplex types 1 and 2, is extremely contagious and can be caught though contact with an infected person. For this reason, it is never a good idea to kiss a person who has an active cold sore. Once the virus has been caught, it stays in the body forever. Fortunately, the virus is usually dormant, which allows the host body to stay free of sores. However, when the immune system is under stress, the virus often is able to manifest itself. In fact, cold sores have been so named because cold sores often occur during a bout of a cold or fever, when the immune system is working hard. They can also occur when a person is very tired for a long time (such as during stressful school exam periods or a job loss) or at certain times of a female's menstrual cycle.

Certainly the best way to keep from dealing with cold sores is to keep from getting the virus in the first place. However, this is not always possible, so the next best thing is to keep from putting yourself in very stressful positions so that the virus has less of a chance to manifest itself. Of course, once the virus is present, it is likely to make at least an appearance or two during your life, so it is good to know how to deal with an active cold sore.

The simplest solution is to apply ice to the cold sore every hour or so. This will help keep it from getting worse and keep swelling and inflammation down to a minimum. You may also want to drink teas as it tends to have antiviral properties. Tea can also be used in compress form to get the antiviral properties right to the source of the problem. Apply a moist tea bag to the cold sore for a few minutes every hour, just like with the ice. Other remedies include applying pastes of witch hazel, aloe vera, camphor, or lemon balm. There are also special over the counter medicines specifically formulated to help remove cold sores.

Make sure that if you are dealing with a cold sore that you keep your diet as healthy as possible and include plenty of nutrients including the B vitamins. Also drink a fair amount of water and get plenty of rest. Because cold sores tend to occur when your immune system is working harder than usual, you will want to make sure that you take extra care of yourself whenever you start to feel a cold sore coming on.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=40 Mon, 19 May 2008 14:39:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=39
Melasma occurs because of uneven distribution of the skin pigment, melanin. Everyone has melanin in the skin, which controls the skin's color. Darker skinned people produce more of this chemical, thus the darker skin, while lighter skinned people have less. When the cells which produce melanin, the melanocytes, become concentrated in a small area of the skin, dark spots can result. The surrounding areas have a lower concentration of melanocytes, and therefore melanin, which causes them to be lighter than the concentrated areas. This condition occurs mainly in light skinned people and is caused by many different factors.

There are actually two different types of this condition: melasma and lentigo. Melasma is the form that normally affects younger people and causes light brown spots that are usually found on the upper body. Lentigo causes age spots, which are very concentrated and dark spots that occur anywhere on the body. Both of these conditions are caused by factors such as sun exposure, hormones, and certain medications. Melasma tends to be caused more by hormonal factors and can appear during a pregnancy or when taking birth control pills. The resulting darkened areas can darken even more with exposure to the sun. Lentigos, however, tend to be caused by repeated sun exposure over many years. UV light causes the melanocytes to produce too much melanin, which results in dark brown spots.

Overall, darkened areas of the skin are nothing to be worried about. You should always examine them and make sure they don't show any signs of cancerous change and, if you think the area looks suspicious, you should make sure to see a doctor right away. However, for most people, the darkened areas are nothing more than nuisances that cause only cosmetic problems. To deal with this, there are many effective solutions. Some of these solutions can be found over the counter and can be effective for mild to moderate conditions. Most of these products can be classified as bleaching agents, including hydroquinone, azelaic acid, and kojic acid. Vitamin C and alphy hydroxy acids are also good bets. All of these products work by preventing certain enzymes from being formed. Because these inhibited enzymes are necessary for producing melanin, applying these products will cause melanin production to slow over time and for the skin to lighten. The main thing to remember when using any of these products is that he skin will be much more sensitive to UV rays and must always be protected from the sun.

If over the counter treatments don't work, you can always consider talking to a doctor. They will be able to help you figure out products that are more likely to work for you or to perform treatments such as laser treatment or chemical peels. Because there are many options, you don't have to learn to live with a blemish that causes embarrassment or discomfort.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=39 Mon, 12 May 2008 14:37:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=38
Perhaps the worst skin problem affecting the elderly population is that of dry skin. This condition can affect people of any age, but as the body ages, dry skin tends to become more common. One of the reasons for this is that the skin becomes thinner with age. This does not allow it to hold onto as much moisture, which causes the moisture balance to be thrown off and the skin to dry out easily. Unfortunately, the aging body is also more prone to infections and other problems, so dry skin can become a health hazard if not dealt with properly. It is not difficult to keep the skin at a proper moisture balance, but it does take some effort and care.
The most important step in treating dry skin (and the most obvious) is to keep it moisturized. Applying a strong moisturizer in the morning and at night is the best way to maintain proper moisture levels. For hands and feet, it is possible to apply moisturizer and then put on a sock or glove in order to allow the moisturizer to sink in. This is an especially good idea during the winter or whenever dry skin problems are worse than usual. It is also wise to use a moisturizer with sunscreen for during the day. This ensures that the skin is protected against UV rays, which can cause immense damage to the skin.
Another important step is to keep the skin clean at all times. This should be accomplished through gentle bathing/showering or through sponge baths. Too frequent or too hot of baths can actually strip away the skin's natural oils and make the skin ever drier. Therefore, it is important to use only warm water and to use gentle cleansing agents.

Another important consideration is to prevent itching (and therefore scratching) of elderly skin. Dry skin tends to cause intense itching, as do other conditions that might affect the elderly population. Unfortunately, itching and the resulting scratching, can cause worse problems such as infections to set in. Therefore, it is important to keep dry skin under control and to prevent fungal growth and other conditions that cause itchiness. If an area of skin does become itchy, treating it with over the counter aids can prevent the problem from becoming much worse and provide a greater degree of comfort for the person.

Finally, it is important to always be watchful of problems on an elderly person's skin. Casually examine the skin on a frequent basis to see if there are areas that look dry or uncomfortable or if there are any unusual growths. Also make sure that the person sees a doctor on a regular basis so that a more thorough skin check can be done. Any problems that seem like more than simple dry skin or another easily treated condition should be brought to a doctor's attention to make sure that the person gets the treatment he or she needs.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=38 Mon, 5 May 2008 14:33:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=37
The first thing to realize is that there are many different types of warts. The most common type is called, appropriately, the common wart and is found mainly around the hands. Plantar warts are the types that you find on the soles of your feet and that can cause discomfort while walking. And flat warts are those that are commonly found on the face, as well as the hands. Flat warts tend to be on the small side and are normally fairly smooth.

Warts are usually contagious, which makes it extremely important to take care of them and to avoid spreading the infection. A hands off policy is definitely necessary, because touching the affected area can lead to a spread of the infection to more areas of your skin or to other people, and can also cause complications such as infection to set in. For plantar warts, making sure to wear shoes or other foot coverings in any public areas is a very good idea. Otherwise, any walking surface becomes a potential incubator for the infection.

When you have a wart, you can choose to treat it at home or in a doctor’s office. Going to the doctor has the advantage of allowing the wart to be treated quickly and effectively and allows you to be certain that it is a wart you are dealing with (if you are uncertain, you really should check with a doctor because you may cause more damage than good if you try to treat other skin afflictions as if they are warts). The doctor has a few choices for treating the wart, including freezing it or giving you medicine.

Of course, going to the doctor’s office has the disadvantage of high cost and taking time out of your schedule. For these reasons, you might want to try treating the wart at home. There are many over the counter drugs that you can try (just read the instructions very carefully) or you can try some older remedies that have been known to help. Included among these are the use of castor oil or vitamin C. Both of these are acidic, which tends to help alleviate warts. Just apply either of these to the affected area a couple of times a day and see if they cause any improvement. If you try either of these, you really have nothing to lose as they are inexpensive and safe, and, if they don’t work, you can always try something stronger.

Just remember not to be embarrassed by a wart. They affect almost everyone and can easily be taken care of.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=37 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:32:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=36
One of the reasons why hands tend to need extra maintenance is that we ask so much of them. In cold weather the hands are the area of skin which are most exposed to the cold, dry air and in warm, sunny weather, we tend to forget to apply sunscreen to them. Hands are also used as tools, which mangles cuticles and exposes the skin to cuts and scrapes. And, of course, feet get stuffed into all sorts of shapes and types of shoes where they sweat and get blisters, and then they are expected to look good when sandal season comes.

For both hands and feet, it is important to maintain proper moisture levels and to prevent sun exposure. Hands, especially, tend to show age without proper care. As the skin on your hands loses its elasticity and becomes thinner with age, your hands will start looking veinier and uglier. This can be prevented, however, if you keep them moisturized, exfoliated, and protected and you do as much as possible to prevent exposure to extreme temperatures and conditions. Sun screen is also of utmost importance. The sun will irrepairably damage the skin on your hands and make them look old before their time, unless you use sun screen every time you go outside.

Of course, taking care of your feet is just as important. While the feet don’t get as much cold weather exposure during the winter and aren’t exposed to all of the rigors that the hands are, they get enough abuse through the wearing of shoes and through neglect. Feet have a tendency to get dry during the winter months and to get callused through the use of shoes. You will want to prevent these problems by applying moisturizer at night and then putting on a pair of socks. This will keep the moisture next to your skin until it can be absorbed. It is also important to wear only properly fitting shoes and to quickly change socks if a pair becomes wet from sweat or from slogging through snow. Also, remember that feet are even more susceptible to sun damage than hands because they spend most of the year sheltered from the sun. If you are going outside in sandals or barefoot, make sure to thoroughly apply sunscreen to your feet.

Hands and feet are fairly easy to maintain, but you do need to remember to pay attention to them. ]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=36 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:29:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=35
The first order of business is prevention. Especially is you know that you are prone to catching this fungus, you need to be extra careful. Any time you are in a public place, always keep your feet covered. This means using shower shoes or sandals in locker rooms or campground showers and never walking on a heavily trodden public surface without some sort of covering. Athletes foot fungus spreads extremely quickly and easily and you are at high risk of catching it if you don’t take precaution.

If you already have an infection, don’t worry. By treating it correctly and thoroughly, you can completely get rid of the infection. Start by making the environment of your foot unfavorable for the fungus. It is especially important to keep your feet as dry as possible. Fungi love warm, moist places, which is why feet are very susceptible to infection. However, keeping dry socks on your feet (changing them many times throughout the day if necessary) and airing out your feet periodically can make your feet less of a haven for the infection.

In addition to keeping your feet dry at all times, you will want to apply some substances to help get rid of the present infection. Baking soda mixed with water into a pastelike consistency can be a great substance for your feet. Just apply the paste and let it sit for a while, until it dries. After it has dried, you can rinse it off. This mixture will help dry out your skin enough to kill off some of the fungus. Soaking your feet in a salt solution is also a good idea. This mixture is fairly effective in relieving symptoms and reducing infection.

Over the counter antifungal creams are also a good idea. Use these in conjunction with soaking your feet and baking soda pastes. The soaks and paste will create an unfavorable environment for the fungus while the antifungal cream will help kill off the infection. You will also want to treat all of your shoes with an antifungal solution, because the fungus can survive in your shoes for a very long time.

Once you have infection under control, make sure to continue good foot hygiene such as keeping dry socks around and airing out your feet and shoes. This will ensure that you don’t have to put up with the annoyance of athletes foot again in the future.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=35 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:28:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=34
The first step you need to take is to start eating healthily. Though you can occasionally stop at your favorite fast food joint or eat that huge piece of cake, overall, you need to change to a diet of whole foods and plenty of nutrients. Lean meats, low fat dairy, fresh veggies and fruits, and whole grains are all a great way to keep your body healthy and at a good weight. Make sure not to eat too many foods with high sodium content, such as canned soups and pickles, because these tend to really show a negative effect on the skin.

The next step is to hydrate yourself. Water is the stuff of life and is necessary for every bodily function. Water keeps your skin plump and moisturized and flushes toxins from your body. Without enough water, your body cannot function at its maximum level and your skin will lose its fullness and elastic ability. However, when you drink enough water, your entire body will appear and feel healthier and more youthful.

Exercise is also an important step because it keeps your body in great shape and keeps your body
younger. Exercise allows the blood to flow more efficiently, which is important in keeping skin cells nourished and healthy. Best of all, during and after exercise, your skin gets a glowing appearance that is attractive and a sign of good health.

Proper cleansing of your skin is another important way to take care of yourself. Cleansing removes environmental toxins, makeup, extra oils, and dead skin cells, which leaves you with cleaner, more vital skin. You should wash your face at least once a day and possibly more depending on your skin type and the climate. Make sure when washing your face that you don’t use too hot of water and that you use the proper cleanser for your skin.

Exfoliation is another great way to see an improvement in your skin and to keep yourself looking and feeling better. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and brings blood flow to your skin. You will want to exfoliate regularly, but not too frequently or harshly.

Finally, a good night’s sleep is extremely important for healthy skin. Without enough sleep, your body does not have enough time to repair its cells and, over time, the damage will show. Plus, when you don’t sleep enough, it is harder to take care of other needs such as exercise, which will also prevent you from having great looking skin.

Taking care of your skin is very much linked to taking care of your body. Good skin care management will leave you looking and feeling your best.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=34 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 14:27:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=28
There are 4 other types of psoriasis, as well, including guttate, inverse, erythorodermic, and pustular. These all have slightly different symptoms, though they are all skin diseases that can cause severe irritation and discomfort.

Among the normal causes of psoriasis, genetics seems to be the top indicator as to whether someone will have the condition. If a person is prone to this condition, other factors such as stress level, alcohol consumption, infections, and injuries to the skin seem to determine how severe the level of discomfort will be. While the genetic component of the disease cannot be helped, other factors can be kept under control in order to keep the disease at a minimum.

For a sufferer of psoriasis, many symptoms are possible. Among these are itching, burning, redness of the skin, and raised patches of skin. Because this disease is also related to a form of arthritis, stiff and swollen joints may also be a possibility.

.Depending on the level of severity of the disease, many different treatment options can be undertaken. For milder cases, a topical treatment may be the best course of action. This consists of using drugs that are applied on the skin in the form of a lotion or cream. Usually this drugs are a corticosteroid and are meant to reduce inflammation and other immune reactions. Another treatment option consists of UV light. UV tends to make the skin feel better and to clear up problem areas. This treatment is best done under the supervision of a doctor because excessive UV can cause many other problems. Finally, for more severe cases, systemic therapy may be the best option. This involves using a drug to solve a system-wide problem with the immune system in order to keep the psoriasis under better control.

With anything but the most mild cases of psoriasis, it is best to see a doctor for a complete checkup and to figure out the best treatment options. Because psoriasis may indicate other immune problems, staying under the care of a competent doctor is a good idea.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=28 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:55:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=29
Keeping your skin in balance is the ultimate goal and the best way to keep blackheads under control. However, this is easier said then done. Many different things can throw your skin off balance and cause the glands to produce excessive oil. For many people, just controlling the damage of overactive oil glands is the best that can be hoped for and will produce good enough results.

One of the biggest causes of overactive oil glands is the onset of puberty. During puberty, hormonal changes in both males and females cause many changes in the body, including overactive oil glands. For lucky people, overactive oil glands and thus acne and blackheads will be limited to just the years of puberty and, once an adult, the skin returns to normal. For many people, however, this is not the case. There are many adults still trying to figure out how to deal with the results of overactive oil glands and trying to keep their faces clear.

Whether you are a teenager and expect your blackheads to disappear forever soon or you are an adult who cannot seem to get rid of blackheads, you need to take the best possible care of your skin in order to keep it clear. Using a mild cleanser twice a day is a good start because this keeps the oils and grime from accumulating on your skin. Add in an exfoliant a couple times a week and you will also prevent old skin cells and other dirt from clogging your pores even further.

As you have surely been told many times, picking and squeezing at blackheads leads to nothing but trouble. You can cause scarring and infection by doing this. If you are desperate to speed the process of getting rid of blackheads, the most you should do is apply a warm compress for a couple of minutes to the affected area then apply very gentle pressure. If the blackhead is ready to pop, this will do the trick. If nothing happens, leave it for another day.]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=29 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:57:00 -0400 http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=30
Aside from genetics, many other factors also contribute to cellulite. One of the most common factors is age. As you become older, you are more likely to develop these little dimples. Most of this is caused by a loss of elasticity of the skin, which keeps the skin from looking as taut and hiding the fat cells. Therefore, when you reach the age of 30, you are likely to start getting more cellulite. Once again, like with heredity, there is not much you can do about this factor. Many of the cellulite creams on the market are designed to help with this problem as they are meant to tighten the skin and hide the cellulite. While some of these creams will show improvements, you cannot expect miracle cures that will completely eliminate your cellulite.

Among the factors you can change is whether or not you are overweight. The best thing is never to get overweight because the body never loses fat cells once they are formed. However, even losing some pounds will make fat cells less visible and noticeably reduce the appearance of cellulite. Exercise also ties into this because it helps keep weight under control and it also gives the skin a tauter and more attractive appearance. Combining weight loss with exercise can help make cellulite a lot less apparent (and make you feel so good about yourself that any cellulite that does exist will not seem like as big of a deal!).

Unfortunately for women, hormonal changes also contribute to cellulite. Hormones help the body regulate how many fat cells it has, how quickly it puts on weight, and other factors that contribute to cellulite formation. Once again, there is not much that can be done about this factor, but exercise, smart diet, and keeping stress under control can keep hormones at a more even level. ]]> Skin Care http://www.advancedskincaretips.com/index.php?itemid=30 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:58:00 -0400