PSORIASIS IN CHILDREN

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs in children and adults. The typical appearance is of red, thickened, scaly patches on the skin (plaques). These plaques can vary in size and distribution from person to person. In some people it may affect small areas of skin while others may have large areas covering their body.

What kinds of psoriasis occur in children?

1.Each of the patterns of psoriasis described in adults can be seen in children. These include:

Flexural psoriasis (red areas between skin folds)
Scalp psoriasis (thick scales found on areas of the scalp)
Nail psoriasis (nail dystrophy related to psoriasis)
Acute guttate psoriasis (small red plaques occurring after an infection)
Chronic plaque psoriasis (red plaques with scaling occurring anywhere on the body)
Erythrodermic psoriasis (severe reddening covering most or all of the body)
Pustular psoriasis (severe pustules that arise acutely)
Photosensitive psoriasis (affecting areas of sun exposure)
Guttate, facial and flexural psoriasis are particularly common in children.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis has a strong genetic component and is due to abnormal processes involved in regulation of the immune system.
Individuals may have flares in psoriasis in response to stress, injury, medications and infections (particularly streptococcal tonsillitis).
Psoriasis is not contagious, therefore, affected children do not need to be isolated from other children.

How is the diagnosis made?

The diagnosis of psoriasis is usually made clinically. This involves a doctor examining the skin and making the diagnosis based on the appearance of the affected areas.
The plaques tend to be distributed symmetrically.
They favour certain sites such as scalp, elbows and knees; or; skin folds such as behind ears, armpits and groin.
They are well circumscribed, red and scaly.
There is often a family history of psoriasis.
Occasionally, a skin biopsy may be necessary to distinguish psoriasis from other skin conditions that may appear similar.For treatment contact 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra.

ALL ABOUT HAIR

This is very visual as hair outside your scalp is dead. Hair has no blood, nerves or muscles. If you cut your hair, you feel no pain; nor does hair bleed or pull a muscle when stretched. So in this respect, you could say your ‘hair is dead’. However, for a ‘dead’ fibre, your hair is quite remarkable! A healthy hair will stretch up to 30% of its length, can absorb its weight in water and can also swell up to 20% of its diameter. Not only that, but the strength of hair is greater than that of copper wire of the same diameter; an average head of hair can in fact support 23 tons in weight. You can change your hair’s colour shape, hairstyle, length, curl; we wash our hair, brush and set our hair, pull it, play with it, occasionally chew on it, rub it, straighten it, all to an extraordinary degree. And yet, despite all of this flagrant abuse, our hair remains amazingly resilient and tough.

Each follicle, within the anatomy of the skin an indentation in your skin that hair grows from, has its own blood, nerve and muscle supply. These nerves and muscles give your hair its tactile properties, allowing the slightest movement to be felt. When the muscles contract, your hair stands up more and pinches the skin, causing ‘goose bumps’. You inherit this characteristic from animals – the bristling quills of a petrified porcupine are an exaggerated example.

Furthermore, your hair is the second fastest growing cell in your body, bone marrow being the first. This means that your anatomy of hair is extremely sensitive to changes going on within you; it is often a result of internal problems and imbalances that hair loss and/or lacklustre hair can occur. Blood capillaries surrounding your follicle provide each individual hair with the nourishment needed for cell production and growth. Therefore, the hair anatomy if you aren’t getting the vitamins, proteins, complex carbohydrates (energy) and minerals you need, your hair will not receive them either and can suffer greatly. Hormonal fluctuations caused by pregnancy menstruation, stress and personal upsets also have a great impact on hair health and growth.
So, even though your hair itself is technically ‘dead’, the growth of your hair is closely intertwined with the inner workings of your body as well as your psychological and emotional state. What you do, feel, eat and experience all shape the way your hair looks, feels and grows.

For hair treatment  call for appointment  on 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.Treaments for skin and nails are also done.

NAIL CARE

In order to understand both how to keep your nails healthy and how they can act as an indicator of health problems, first you have to know that fingernails are made of layers of a protein called keratin. This protein is also found in your skin and hair But your nails are more than just keratin. Your nails comprise several different components:

·         The nail plate is the part of the nail that you can see.

·         The skin around your nails is referred to as nail folds.

·         The skin that is covered by your nail is known as a nail bed.

·         A cuticle is the tissue that covers the bottom of your nail to protect newly formed keratin as your nail grows.

·         The white half-moon seen at the base of your nail is called a lunula.

Basic nail care is fairly simple, and contributes greatly to overall nail health. By incorporating nail care into your normal routine, it also allows you to grow familiar enough with your normal nail health to notice when abnormal issues arise.

The first step is to keep your nails clean and dry to prevent bacterial and fungal infections, and never cut or remove your cuticles, as this can cause infections. Improve the strength of your nails by trimming them straight across and rounding them slightly with a nail file. This also helps to prevent ingrown fingernails. File nail snags as soon as possible to prevent them from catching on things such as clothing, which can tear the nail into the nail bed .Prevent damage by rubbing hand lotion into your nails and nail bed. This will help to strengthen your nails and prevent splitting. Also, try to avoid using your nails to pick or pry at things, as this can also cause damage to your nails.

 One of the most important things you can do is not bite your nails. As mentioned earlier, nail biting can cause infections not only around your nails, but also in your mouth. Chronic nail biting can lead to abnormal nail growth, and even nail deformities. To prevent nail biting, try applying acrylic nails or use a bitter-tasting polish until you are able to break the habit.

Whether you wear them short and unpolished or use them to express your personality by adorning them with color and jewels, nails -- and their health -- are important, so don't neglect them. Not only are they a canvas for self-expression, they also tell us when we might be ill, so be sure to give your fingernails the attention they deserve.For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

FOOD THAT BEAT THE HEAT

Maintaining a healthy diet in summer is a concern for most individuals in the modern world.

The sun is shining and the mercury levels are soaring, you know the summer is here and there is no escape from it. It is a season where energy levels and appetite are low and a slightest activity causes the sweat to flow off your back and face. Life goes on and it is very necessary to cope with the heat to avoid the usual problems of dehydration, heatstroke and a feeling of lethargy. The best way to beat the heat is to eat the right food. Eating the right type of food makes the summer pleasant and enjoyable.

Here are some really cool summers foods that will help you beat the heat and keep you refreshed.

Water
Water is an essential ingredient that keeps the body cool. With high humidity levels sweat does not evaporate easily, hence it is important to hydrate your body even when you are not thirsty. It is important to increase the intake of water regardless of your activity level.
Water is important to maintain healthy functions of body cells. It is essential to drink plenty of water to replenish losses due to excessive sweating dehydration etc.

Soups
Chilled soups are great appetizers to start your meals in summer. You can choose from the regular tomato or mixed vegetable soup or opt for chilled soups made from vegetables with a dash of mint or coriander to add a refreshing flavor. It is advisable to have soup as they hydrate you and fills you so you can eat less and have

Cooling drinks
In summer, cool drinks and juices like lime juice, jal jeera, kokam juice or buttermilk are good options to keep yourself cool. Coconut water is another option that is cooling and nourishing. They should be consumed in regular intervals to keep yourself hydrated.
great energy. Mint and coriander have cooling properties and it is recommended to add them to your soups.”

Salads
Like chilled soups, salads are a great way to start your meals in summer. Salads are quick to prepare and are quite healthy (unless you  load them with heavy dressings). Remember the more the number of fresh vegetables in the diet, the healthier you will be in summer. Salads are healthy and easy to digest in summer. 

Vegetables
You can stock your refrigerator with a wide variety of summer vegetables like onions, brinjal, bottle gourd, celery, tomatoes and cucumber as they are very nutritious and low in calories.

Fresh Fruits
It is important to minimize the intake of dried fruits and increase the intake of fresh foods. Fresh fruits are nutritious and refreshing.  Many seasonal fruits like mangoes, litchi, water melons, strawberry and jamuns are available in summer. These fruits are juicy and can be had as snacks to beat the heat.

Cook  vegetable with curd or tomatoes
Most Indian foods are made in the form of gravies .It is important to save your rich gravies made from coconut, cashew nuts and poppy  seeds (khus khus) for when it is cooler. It is advised that in summers you have light gravies made from tomatoes, or curd as they are easy to digest. Adding cumin seeds (jeera) and coriander will make the gravies more cooling and appealing.
It is advised that you avoid fried, spicy or salty food to avoid the discomforts of summer. It is also essential to cut down beverages such as colas, tea or coffee. Tea and coffee contain caffeine that leads to dehydration when had in excess amounts, hence it is essential to limit the consumption of tea and coffee to one or two cups in a day.

Curd
Curd is a great summer food as it has cooling properties. Curd can be had in various forms like raita, lassi, shrikhand, chass etc .It is recommended consuming curd in summers as it contains proteins in the pre digested form and is rich in vitamin B which helps to soothe allergies and ulcers that are common during hot season

It is important that that you choose your food wisely to beat the scorching heat of summer and to avoid being falling ill.

For more information and appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai for all skin,hair and nail ailments.

ACNES

Imagine if you wake up in the morning and first thing you see is a red mark on your face. It can be  inflammatory or non inflammatory or could be pimple or acne. Don’t panic, it can be cured if you bring some changes in your routine along with the on-going medication.

1. Emergency Acne Kit               

Foremost thing that needs to be done, is to get connected with your dermatologist. He/She will guide you about the role of some medications and their usage in day to day to life.

It is not only one thing that contributes to healthy skin and you. It is a combination of good habits which can help you lead a healthy life.

2. Have a clear eating plan

ELIMINATE all high glycemic index foods whose numbers are above 70 such as refined products like pasta, white breads, biscuits, noodles, pizzas. Say “no” to fried cooking methods as well fried food items like chips, pakora(sounds very yummy, trust me its nutritional value is zero). Limit the intake of too much sugar and sugar sweetened beverages, they just add unwanted fat to your lifestyle , ultimately it can add bad effect to your skin in the form of acne, pimples , dull skin etc.

ADD low glycemic index so that it won’t spike your blood sugar fast. Add more of home cooked meals made up of whole grains , cereals like used more “atta plus fiber” based options like if you are still craving for bread, opt for multigrain. Try to choose healthy food ingredients.Include 2 to 3 servings of vegetables and fruits in your diet.

ADD Antioxidants like more of vitamin C, E,. Rich sources of vitamin C are oranges, amla, green chilies, broccoli, lemons, papaya, strawberries and some more green vegetables. Nuts, seeds , fish contain good amount of vitamin E.

ADD good fat in your diet - omega 3 fatty acids. They are present in seeds, nuts, various oils like olive oil and mustard oil.

Try to include low fat dairy products in diet. Probiotic curd  is a good option as it contains good bacteria which is healthy for your stomach that can help you with skin breakouts.

3. Keep yourself hydrated

Keep sipping water throughout the day. It should not be more or less. The recommended level is 10 -12 glasses in a day. Fluids could be plain water or green tea.This will make your skin supple, clear and free of toxins.

For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

DARK CIRCLES

Are you sick of people always telling you that you look exhausted. You get enough sleep and you drink lots of water but those dark circles still cause stares and make you look much older than you really are.

Dark circles is one of the major concerns for women seeking treatment for cosmetic reasons. 

What are the reasons for dark circles?

It’s a combination of heredity and genetics, fatigue and dehydration, but most likely the culprit causing chronic dark circles is excess skin pigmentation which happens because of ethnic variation for Indian population. 

Sun exposure increases the chances of dark circles.

Also, dark circles are related to dilated blood vessels and aging – which causes skin to thin and can darken the area. Unfortunately, to erase them completely is not possible. However, you can minimize their effects by knowing their causes, finding good solutions and choosing the right products.

How to treat them?

1) Protection: Use an SPF 30 sunscreen daily. A moisturizer as a base and a concealer can also be used to cover up as a protective layer ( camouflage + protection)

2) Diet changes: If you have puffy eye bags along with dark circles then reducing salt intake can help in reducing the puffiness.

3) Don't rub the eyes, as rubbing makes it darker

4) Use of eye brightening serums every night will help in reducing the lines around the eyes and eventually helps in fading the dark circles

5) A dermatologist's consultation and under eye treatments available at the dermatologist clinic should be considered if everything else fails.

 For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

NAIL PSORIASIS

Many people who have psoriasis also experience changes in their fingernails or toenails. There are several treatments that can help.Nail psoriasis is the term for the changes in your fingernails and toenails that occur as a result of having psoriasis. It is believed that up to half of all people who have psoriasis will have nail psoriasis as well. While it's not a life-threatening condition, nail psoriasis can affect your quality of life, since it may cause you discomfort and affect your self-esteem, and it may also put you at greater risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. nail psoriasis can be helped with treatment.

How Psoriasis Affects the Nails
Nail psoriasis occurs because psoriasis affects the process of nail formation. People who have nail psoriasis usually have psoriasis on other parts of their body, such as the skin and joints. Rarely does someone have only psoriasis of the nails.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis vary but may include:

Discoloration of the nail to yellow brown
Pitting (holes) in the surface of the nails
Horizontal lines across the nails
White patches on the nails
Thickening of the nails
Nails that separate from the nail bed
Nail Psoriasis Treatment Options
Your treatment will depend on the type of nail psoriasis you have and how severe it is. If you have psoriasis that affects other parts of your body, their treatments will help  your nail psoriasis.

 In addition to treatment for nail psoriasis, there are other ways to take care of your nails:

Keep your nails trimmed as short as possible.

Wear gloves when you're working with your hands.
Wear shoes with plenty of room in them.
Avoid scrubbing or scraping underneath your nails.
Use gentle nail cleaning tools.
Soak your nails in tar bath oil mixed with water, then apply nail moisturizer.
If your nails are intact, consider using a nail hardener to improve their appearance.
Taking good care of your nails can minimize the effects of psoriasis associated nail changes

For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra  in Mumbai for skin,hair and nail ailments.