Myths and facts about skin eczema
Dr Vikas Sharma
Eczema, a skin disorder, is characterised by inflammation of the layers of skin. About one in every nine people have been diagnosed with the disease by a clinician at some point in their lives. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterised by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding.

The wonders of soya
Dr Niti Desai
IT'S one of the best known "wonder foods" discovered by man; a powerhouse of nutrients that helps keep the mind and body energized and strong. Soya, enjoyed as milk first thing in the morning or as finger foods or breads through the day, is loaded with health goodies. A glassful of soya milk can be enjoyed as a part of a balanced vegetarian diet and offers as much nutrients as many other diverse foods - from proteins and vitamins to minerals and fatty acids.

When one feels numbness down the leg
Dr Ravinder Chadha
IN day-to-day clinical practice one comes across quite a few individuals complaining of calf, leg or hip pain. Usually, this agonising pain is not due to local afflictions. In most of the cases, the culprit is prolapsed disc at the lower back. The pain is due to the disc pressing the nerve or some chemical released post-disc-damage which irritates the nerve.

Health Notes
Healthy breast cells can help kill cancer cells
Washington: A study has found that normal healthy cells can be a second line of defence against cancer. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have shown that the body can fight against breast cancer cells with healthy cells.

Myths and facts about skin eczema
Dr Vikas Sharma

Eczema, a skin disorder, is characterised by inflammation of the layers of skin. About one in every nine people have been diagnosed with the disease by a clinician at some point in their lives.

The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterised by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Scratching open a healing lesion may result in scarring and enlarge the rash.

There has been an alarmingly rapid increase in the number of patients presenting with some degree and type of eczema over the last few years. The magnitude of the agony associated with the disorder has become higher due to a lot of misconceptions about skin eczema. Here are a few common myths about eczema and the truth about each one.

Eczema can appear on any part of one’s body at any age. Even many new born babies and very elderly people tend to suffer from this disease. There are many types of eczema and each has its own distinctive features and characteristics.

Here are some myths and facts that people relate with this skin disorder.

Myth No. 1 — Eczema is contagious/infectious.

Fact — It is not contagious. Eczema is just a skin disorder and it is not at all contagious. If you have eczema, then you need not worry because your family members would not get it just by touching you.

Myth No. 2 — Eczema is caused by dirty skin.

Fact — Many people associate a variety of visible skin conditions with having unhygienic skin. However, this is not the case, especially with eczema. Eczema is a predisposed condition and no matter how many times you wash your face, it will not go away. In fact, excessive cleansing and scrubbing can make eczema worse.

Some have a misconception that bathing dries the skin and should be kept to a bare minimum.

Dermatological guidelines: People with eczema tend to have excessively dry skin. To hydrate the skin, take a short, daily bath(s) in warm — not hot — water. A mild, non-irritating soap should be used only when needed.

Fact — Daily bathing as recommended helps to hydrate the skin, which can reduce flare-ups and relieve discomfort when moisturisers also are used as directed.

Myth No. 3 — Moisturisers add moisture to the skin.

The word “moisturiser” causes a great deal of confusion. People often think that a moisturiser adds moisture to the skin and can be applied any time.

Dermatological guidelines: Apply moisturiser within three minutes of bathing. This will trap moisture in the skin. Continue to apply moisturizer throughout the day to very dry areas.

Fact — A moisturiser cannot add moisture to the skin. It seals in the water from the bath, preventing water from evaporating. This is why the moisturiser is most effective when applied within three minutes of bathing.

Myth No. 4 — Eczema leaves permanent scars.

Fact — It does not leave permanent scars. Eczema can be very uncomfortable and painful but generally it does not leave any permanent scars or marks on your skin. Conventional treatment might cause discoloration of the skin but it can be cured.

Myth No. 5 — Identify and avoid allergens to cure eczemas and flare-ups.

Often patients and their attendants ask for the exact allergens which cause the disease to be identified so as they could avoid them and thus have full relief or prevent eczema flare-ups for life-time. For this they spend thousands and lakhs of rupees on unnecessary allergy tests.

Dermatological guidelines: No one thing — not even allergen (a substance to which the patient is allergic) avoidance — can control eczema. Successfully managing this complex condition requires a multi-faceted approach. Proper skin care, using medication as directed, and avoiding one's personal triggers all play a role. A trigger is anything that irritates the skin. A trigger need not be an allergen.

Fact: Laundry detergents, soaps, smoke, skin care products that contain alcohol or fragrance, and rough-textured clothing such as wool are common triggers that cause eczema to flare up. In some cases, dust, nickel, parthenium, potassium dichromate in cement and paraphenyl diamine in hair dyes can cause the flare-ups. Triggers vary from person to person, so, it is important to learn what irritates the skin and avoid contact with individual triggers but the important fact is that these agents are not the root cause of eczema. It is caused because of the the unstable and hyperactive behaviour of skin cells.

Myth No. 6 — Eczema is caused by emotional stress.

Fact: Eczema is not caused by any emotional factor, but anger and stress can aggravate the pre-existing eczema and can also cause flare-ups. So, stress and anger management are important to prevent flare-ups.

The writer is Chief Consultant Dermatologist and Dermato-Laser Surgeon, National Skin Hospital, Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula E-mail: drvikas.nscindia@gmail.com

The wonders of soya
Dr Niti Desai

IT'S one of the best known "wonder foods" discovered by man; a powerhouse of nutrients that helps keep the mind and body energized and strong. Soya, enjoyed as milk first thing in the morning or as finger foods or breads through the day, is loaded with health goodies. A glassful of soya milk can be enjoyed as a part of a balanced vegetarian diet and offers as much nutrients as many other diverse foods - from proteins and vitamins to minerals and fatty acids. Wonder how healthy your morning glassful of soya milk is? Slurp on these "easy" facts:

• The ancient, Chinese considered the soya bean to be one of the five sacred grains (along with rice, wheat, barley and millet).
• A glass of soya milk contains as much iron as two cups (approximately 190 gm) of spinach, acknowledged as an important source of the haemoglobin-building nutrient.
• A source of zinc, a serving of soy milk can equal as much as 36 g cashew nuts in getting the zinc into your diet.
• Your glass of soya has as much Vitamin B12 as in half cup curd and offers Vitamin B2 as in 5 chapatis.
• 500 gm tomatoes and a glassful of soya milk approximately have the same amount of Vitamin B6.
• Protein content in soya bean is 35-40 per cent, double of that of tuvar dal (20-22 per cent) and four times that of wheat (10-12 per cent).
• Soya contains essential fatty acids like the omega 3 and omega 6, which are very good for health when compared to saturated fatty acids.
• Soya milk is a healthy alternative to people with lactose intolerance. Some people are not able to digest milk and milk products well due to lack of the necessary enzymes in the gut. Soya milk can be an excellent alternative for such patients. The American Heart Association and USDA guidelines consider soya as a food with good nutritional profile to maintain good cardiovascular health.
• A 200-ml glassful of soya milk provides approximately 5.4 gm of soya protein, which accounts for 21 per cent of the total daily quantity recommended by the USDA to help reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
• Soya milk can be included in your dietary regime as a part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

When one feels numbness down the leg
Dr Ravinder Chadha

IN day-to-day clinical practice one comes across quite a few individuals complaining of calf, leg or hip pain. Usually, this agonising pain is not due to local afflictions. In most of the cases, the culprit is prolapsed disc at the lower back. The pain is due to the disc pressing the nerve or some chemical released post-disc-damage which irritates the nerve.

In the event of injury in the back, the brain processes and perceives our nerve signals which are manifested as pain. The pain pathways are mysterious. Old patients suffering from disc degeneration could actually perceive pain in the buttocks or in the back of either leg as the brain intercepts the incoming signals incorrectly.

Sciatica refers to pain or numbness down the leg. It is caused by an injury in or compression of the sciatic nerve. Contrary to the common belief, sciatica is a symptom and not a disease.

Common causes

• Sudden bending to pick up some object.
• Activities involving the rotation of the body.
• Wear and tear with age.
• Excessive/improper lifting of weight.
• Bad posture.

The main reason for sciatica is prolapsed. Disc. Arthritis and sprained ligament can also narrow the nerve passage-way leading to its inflammation and pain. Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) and piriformis muscle injury can also lead to sciatica.

SYMPTOMS

• Low back pain on the affected side.
• Pain may radiate to the buttocks, groin, back of the thigh or the calf in one leg.
• Pain may occur on prolonged sitting/ standing as compared to when lying down (due to a decrease in pressure).
• Burning or tingling sensation down the leg.
• Old patients may feel pain, numbness and heaviness in the legs while standing or walking a little distance.
• The main objective of treatment is to reduce pain and numbness and increase mobility.
• Analgesic is prescribed to relieve nerve pain.
• Lumbar support is advised to give rest to lower back.
• Soft mattress should be avoided. Sleeping on a firm surface with a pillow under the knees is ideal. While lying on a side, a pillow should be placed between the knees to keep the back straight.

Exercises

The prevailing misconception is that exercises worsen sciatica, delay treatment and make it more cumbersome. The fact remains that exercises are important for sciatica relief. After a brief rest for a day or two, appropriate exercises should be started. Different exercises are recommended for the varied causes of sciatica like disc prolapse and spinal stenosis as wrong exercises can aggravate the condition. It is important to note that what makes for one may not work for others even if the problem is the same.

Both knees to the chest: Lie on the back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Pull both knees towards the chest and hold for a count of 10. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

Hamstring stretch: Lie on the back. Place the left leg down with knees straight. Raise the other leg and pull it by holding at the thigh. You will feel a stretch on the back of the thigh. Hold for a count of 20 and repeat three times.

Pelvic tilt: Lying on the back with the knees bent and the feet flat on the floor. Gently pull abdomen muscles inwards towards the spine. Stay for a count of 10. Repeat 10 times.

• In cases of severe pain, epidural injection provides relief.
• Do not panic, as sciatica cannot be treated over night. However, certain danger signals should alert an individual to take immediate medical assistance.
• Loss of control of bladder and bowel.
• Increasing weakness and numbness in the trunk, buttocks or legs.

Health Notes

Healthy breast cells can help kill cancer cells

Washington: A study has found that normal healthy cells can be a second line of defence against cancer. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have shown that the body can fight against breast cancer cells with healthy cells. The new study shows that normal mammary epithelial cells, as they are developing, secrete interleukin 25, a protein known for its role in the immune system’s response to inflammation, for the express purpose of killing nearby breast cancer cells. “We found that normal breast cells provide an innate defense mechanism against cancer by producing interleukin 25 (IL25) to actively and specifically kill breast cancer cells,” breast cancer authority Mina Bissell, Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division, who led this research, said. — ANI

Hair-smoothening products pose serious health hazards

Washington: Chemical treatments may deliver smooth hair, but eventually show their ugly side through serious side-effects, which include balding, scarring and formaldehyde exposure. At salons everywhere, women swear by the “Brazilian keratins” — treatments that deliver a drop-dead gorgeous “do,” reports CBS News. But some of the hair-smoothing products contain formaldehyde — a chemical the Environmental Protection Agency considers a carcinogen. — ANI

Inability to detect sarcasm may be early sign of dementia

Washington: A study has found that the inability to detect sarcasm or lies may be an early sign of dementia. A group of scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, has determined which areas of the brain govern a person’s ability to detect sarcasm and lies. Some of the adults in the group were healthy, but many of the test subjects had neurodegenerative diseases that cause certain parts of the brain to deteriorate. The UCSF team mapped their brains using magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, which showed associations between the deteriorations of particular parts of the brain and the inability to detect insincere speech. — ANI