Lifestyle Choices

Acne is something we all recognize. It is so common that only one person in three may escape and probably everyone has a little, mild acne at times. It is normal to have a degree of acne while growing up but this does not make it any easier to cope with. No one finds it easy to cope with any disfigurement on the face. (more…)

Most people will need advice from their doctor to help in the treatment of moderate or severe acne. Generally doctors will start with cheap, safe agents which have few side effects and only if these fail will they recommend medication to be taken by mouth.

Topical preparations (onto the skin)

Benzoyl peroxide

This has been around for more than thirty years but we do not yet know fully how it works. It loosens blackheads and kills bacteria but has other effects as well. It comes in strengths from two-and-a-half to twenty per cent and may be bought as a cream, gel or a wash. Examples are given in the previous section. (more…)

This group of diseases is extremely common and no one goes through life without some infection of the skin at one time or another. In hot countries it is even more of a problem. An infection is caused by tiny organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi and can spread from one person to another. They are microscopic. An infestation, on the other hand, is caused by small creatures that can generally be seen with the naked eye. (more…)

There is a common misconception that body odor comes from perspiration. It doesn’t. Perspiration or sweat consists of nothing more than almost odorless water plus a few mineral salts that are responsible for that slightly salty smell many find has an almost aphrodisiac appeal to it. The unpleasant smell often thought to be the result of perspiration or sweat is in fact caused by waste products from the bacteria on the skin. The smell only occurs when more water is given off from perspiration than can be easily evaporated into the air and/or when clothing—particularly clothing made from synthetic materials, which hinder evaporation—interferes with this drying out process. (more…)

Vaginal discharge is a fluid coming from the vagina, normally clear, cloudy or whitish. The consistency and amount of discharge varies during your menstrual cycle. The vagina normally contains bacteria as well as fungal organisms, and a healthy vagina keeps a balance of these bacteria and fungi. Bacterial growth is controlled and affected by many different factors, such as acid level (pH) and hormones. Anything that upsets this balance may increase your risk of infection or overgrowth of any of the normal bacteria or by yeast. Possible triggers include:

1) Antibiotic use

1. Birth-control pills

3) Douching

4) Diabetes

5) Pregnancy

6) Stress

1. Tight or synthetic undergarments

What indicates an abnormal discharge or vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)?

1. itching

2. burning (more…)