It is not easy to accept that you have skin cancer. The first reaction is the ''denial phase'' where as an individual, you would probably say ''Why me?''. Your health practitioner have explain to you that cummulative sun exposure over the years is probably one of the main factors that contributed to the developmentn of skin cancer. Again your genes probably contributed as well, people with immediate family history of skin cancer have a high percentage of developing one. If you are an individual with pale skin, blue eyes and your skin never tan and always burn then the risk of having skin cancer is also high. Specially if the skin is expose to the sun with out appropriate protection. Hearing the word cancer can be frightening and at the same time you feel helpless. Not all skin cancer are malignant or the ability of the cancer cells to spread. The two types of skin cancer that can spread are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Malignant melanoma (MM). Squamous cell carcinoma are commonly occuring on sun exposed areas like back of the hands, face and ears. Malignant melanoma are common on the trunk for man and on the lower legs for women. Intermittent sun expose areas can also be affected.
Early detection is vital, just like any other type of cancer. The health professional took your history specially the duration of the lesion or mole. If your cancer is detected early and appropriate interventions were done then the prognosis is better. Unfortunately there are some individual that does not seek medical help not unless the sypmtoms is already bothering them. If you notice any odd looking lesion/mole on your body, that is increasing in size, changing in color with asymmetrical borders, please do see your health professionals for advise.
Once you are diagnosed with skin cancer, the next step is to ask your doctor what type it is and to provide you as much written information as possible. In the UK, skin cancer specialist nurses are widely avialable to offer support and to help in dessiminating information. It is important that you have their contact number for any queries about your treatment and be able to access them easily. Nurses play an important role in supporting skin cancer patients. You can also ask for any local support groups in your area, knowing that you are not alone with skin cancer can help. Members of these support group can provide information about their experiences with treatment and the impact of this illness to them.
It is important that you adhere to your scheduled appointments. Your doctor usually gives you a follow up appointmnet whether after your surgical intervention or follow up post treatment. Look after your surgical wound and you need to know the signs of infection as part of post surgical complications. Again seek medical help if your wound is infected. If you have difficulty in making appointmnet with your GP then try to contact your skin cancer nurse for support and advise.Your risk of developing another skin cancer is high, so learn how to examine your skin regularly. Your health professional will help you on how to examine your skin and palpate any lumps and bumps on the area near to your skin cancer. Sun protection is vital, try to avoid sun exposure between 10am and 3pm. See your health professional for any queries.....
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
How to avoid an exacerbation of eczema on winter time
Hello everyone! I guess your probably wondering why am I posting this article on christmass day? Umm honestly I'm on my own right now and i guess it's better to write something sensible to preoccupy my mind. I know there are millions of people out there who suffers from eczema, from mild to severe symptoms. For those parents who had been looking after their child with eczema can be tiring and tedious and just to reassure you, you are not on your own.
Why does your eczema flare so badly during winter time? Try to recall your past daily routine, is there any different things you do now? Make a list and one by one go through with them. Do they contribute to the aggravation of your eczema?Ummm come on try to reflect. Winter is the time when we use our heater to the max, hence the warm and dry air in the house can trigger your eczema. This dry and warm air will make your skin drier leading to an itchy sensation thus you are prone to itch-scratch cycle. What can i do about it? In your room, try to use the minimum temperature. There are some portable humudifier that are not expensive, try using it to add coolness to the room.
Hydrate your skin or your child's skin. Eczema is a dry skin condition, where the protective barrier of the top layer of the skin is altered/broken thus it is prone to irritation and infection. Use your moisturiser regularly at least 4 times a day and apply it in a downward motion. Have you ever wonder why does it feel itchy when you applied the moisturiser? It could be that your not applying it properly. If you rub it not following the downward motion most likely the cream/ointment is clogging the hair follicles thus trapping heat and leads to itching sensation. Try not to apply thickly it aggravates the situation. Taking adequate fluids also helps to hydrate your skin. Motivate your self or your child to drink, by drinking soup, warm drinks and other healthy drinks that you/ your child like most.
Winter is cold and it does affect our choice of clothing. Use cotton clothing only and try to avoid clothing made out of wool. Wool is an irritant to the skin of an eczema sufferer, this could be one reason why your eczema flares. Remember to use your bath oil or soap substitute when having a bath or shower. Avoid using soap full stop. Soap is alkaline base, it makes your skin drier thus triggering the itch sensation and leads to itch-scratch cycle. Avoid irritants, try not to spay perfume directly on your skin. If you can avoid not using it much better.
I'm sure there are lots of parties that you are attending. Avoid drinking alcohol if you can. Alcohol can aggravates your eczema as well. Have a merry Christmass to all.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Psychological implications of skin condition.
A lot of people are still ignorant of skin conditions i.e eczema and psoriasis, anything that is red, itchy and scaling are mistaken as a contagious illness. They tend to shy away from these individuals leading to isolation and lack of socialisation. The public should ought to be educated, so that they have a better understanding and be able to help to support the people with skin ailments. One particular individual suffers from scalp psoriasis and unfortunately she has the dilemma in finding a hairdresser. She manage to find one after a long list of visiting a hair salon and the individual accepted her because the hairdresser's friend suffers with scalp psoriasis thus have a good understanding about it.
An individual with eczema was out in a public place, the young girl asked her mom what has the lady had and the mother replied ' that is what you get for not washing '. How rude is that, she needs to be sensitive. After all it is not her fault to have eczema, it is down to her genes that she inherited from her family. Atopic eczema can be inherited, most likely tendencies of suffering from asthma and hay fever.
Treatment of these skin conditions can be time consuming and cost a fortune to the sufferer. It helps in alleviating or controlling the severity of the symptoms but the treatment is not geared towards a cure. The pharmaceutical company does not have the cure to psoriasis and eczema yet. My message to the public is to be sensitive, not to place a stigma on individuals with eczema and psoriasis. I am hoping that I can educate and dessiminate information to the public at the same time support people with skin conditions.
An individual with eczema was out in a public place, the young girl asked her mom what has the lady had and the mother replied ' that is what you get for not washing '. How rude is that, she needs to be sensitive. After all it is not her fault to have eczema, it is down to her genes that she inherited from her family. Atopic eczema can be inherited, most likely tendencies of suffering from asthma and hay fever.
Treatment of these skin conditions can be time consuming and cost a fortune to the sufferer. It helps in alleviating or controlling the severity of the symptoms but the treatment is not geared towards a cure. The pharmaceutical company does not have the cure to psoriasis and eczema yet. My message to the public is to be sensitive, not to place a stigma on individuals with eczema and psoriasis. I am hoping that I can educate and dessiminate information to the public at the same time support people with skin conditions.
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