Dry skin is a common problem and a very irritating one. I have dry skin which can get itchy with no real reason at all. When I apply make-up, my forehead and cheeks show up white dry patches in spite of using a moisturizer. Well, a few years back I was troubled by T-zone and acne which prevented me from using moisturizers on face. Now, my skin tends to gulp down all the moisture fed to it without hesitation. I could not find how this change came about. But I could find remedies for my thirsty skin.

Dry skin can be caused by a change of weather, harsh soaps and cleansers, air conditioning, hot showers and certain medical conditions. Normally, the skin on your hands, thighs and lower legs are the driest. Skin conditions are also influenced by your age, health conditions, your locale and the amount of time you spend outdoors (exposure to wind and sun). As a result, skin can be red, itchy, scaling, tight and lined. Woman have more issues than men as their skin loses moisture faster. Eczema and Psoriasis are skin irritations which can cause dry skin. Eczema is an allergic response to environmental factors while Psoriasis is a life-term skin disease. Remember that dry skin can also occur if you have thyroid, diabetes and as reactions to medications like diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines. You will have to seek medical attention if your skin is dry and itchy and disturbs your sleep, if you are scratching it too much into infection and if you have scaly skin which does not improve at all.

Just drinking a lot of fluids does not help in this case. You may need an additional supply of Vitamin E and moisture.

1. Break open a Vitamin E oil capsule and apply on face for a light massage. You can follow it with a face pack for oily face. An ideal face pack for dry skin should contain egg yolk, olive oil, honey, (chickpea flour or fuller’s earth) milk cream, almonds, oatmeal and the like.
2. Almond oil and honey can be used as moisturizers. They will also help reduce wrinkles.
3. Use Aloe Vera directly from plant and wash off when dry.
4. Use Petroleum jelly on your body and a hypoallergenic moisturizer on face regularly.
5. Coconut milk and red sandal powder is a great combination to soften skin, hydrate it and get rid of the blemishes.
6. Do not wash your face often. Try to use fertilized water if possible as normal tap water can further dry out your facial skin.
7. Use lukewarm water while bathing and a short shower
8. Use less of soap in winter and pat dry gently.
9. Apply your lotion immediately after your bath.
10. Do not use cosmetics with alcohol. Some of the acne products have alcohol as their main ingredient.
11. Use a humidifier if your room is too dry.
12. A mixture of rose water and glycerin (and avocado oil) can be a soothing night lotion.
13. Chamomile, Geranium, Hyssop, Lavender, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-Ylang are essential oil for dry skin. You can use toiletries and cosmetics with these ingredients.

Your dry skin should not deprive you from make-up and beauty enhancements.

1. You can use a souffle foundation or oil-based or water based foundations on dry skin. It will be easier to apply cream or liquid foundation than a paste one. It will give a matte-finish too.
2. Use chap stick or lip balm before applying lip stick.
3. Exfoliate your face and lips gently for good results. Almonds and oat meal with milk cream work as great scrubs.

A positive change in the diet with all the vital nutrients and protection from extreme Sun and wind are all crucial for dry skin.

• Eat a lot of fruits and leafy vegetables for vitamins. You will need Vitamin A, B and E for glowing skin. Apricots, avocado, cantaloupes, wheat germ, natural yogurt, milk are all great to tackle dry skin. Keep aside a little of your fruits for an enriching face pack.
• You will also need beta-carotene present in yellow and orange veggies like carrots.
• Sulfur rich foods like garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus are great for dry skin. Sulfur prevents drying of skin by stimulating the metabolism.
• Flax seeds are known for their health benefits as well. Throw in a few into your breakfast bowl or add some flaxseed oil into your salad if you can.
• Keep away from alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks, chocolate, chips and sweets.

-Aparna K V

Follicultitis is otherwise known as Barber’s itch or Barber’s rash. It is a common problem in many of us and yet we do not know much about it. Those affected with folliculitis get a lot of pimples on their face, scalp, thighs or buttocks. On the face it is normally mistaken for acne and is treated like normal pimples with no effect. It offers an embarrassingly itchy and uncomfortable experience with the risk of permanent hair loss or scarring.

What is folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a primary inflammation of the hair follicle (superficial or deep) occurring as a result of various infections. It can also be secondary to follicular trauma or occlusion. The infection is mostly bacterial caused by staph but in some cases it is fungal. Each strand of hair in our body grows from a tiny sac called follicle, into which the sebaceous glands open. Follicles are present wherever there is hair growth. Thus, follicultitis can occur in all areas like face, scalp, axilla, and inguinal area and areas rubbed by clothing, such as the thighs and groin. Folliculitis can affect anyone of any age group though certain conditions make people more prone to it:

• Diabetes, chronic leukemia, organ transplantation or HIV/AIDS
• Obesity
• Inflammatory skin conditions, such as dermatitis, acne or eczema.
• Tight clothing
• Friction from shaving
• Lack of hygiene
• Heat and humidity
• Staphylococcal infection in the nasal passages
• Excessive perspiration
• Injuries to your skin, such as abrasions or surgical wounds
• Covering skin with plastic dressings or adhesive tape
• Exposure to coal tar, pitch or creosote

And since it is bacterial it is contagious! Non infectious forms of folliculitis is caused by tars, oil and greases that come in to contact with the skin.

Superficial staphylococcal folliculitis is the most common while Deeper staphylococcal folliculitis is the least. Gram-negative folliculitis usually affects people using a contaminated tub or those who have been treated for a long time for acne. Fungal follicultitis are generally three types Trichophyton folliculitis, Pityrosporum folliculitis and Candida folliculitis.

Help yourself

You can nip it in the bud.

1. Always use loose clothing and cotton undergarments.
2. Use an electric razor or use new blades always. Keep the area clean and devoid of cuts and scratches.
3. Use hot tubs well cleaned and sanitized.
4. Use an antibacterial soap and loofahs. If you have it on the scalp, shampoo regularly.
5. An oatmeal lotion or hydrocortisone cream can soothe itchy skin.
6. Use warm compresses several times a day.
7. Do not share your razors, towels and washcloths. Use antibacterial liquids, soap and hot water to clean your clothes.

Do not hesitate to get medical help if you develop a fever, pain or if the symptoms worsen.

-Aparna K V

Neem, the bitter health.

Some people like my uncle can have a tiny ball of fresh Neem for great health. Neem is known for its curing powers since time immemorial. Neem is perhaps the only tropical evergreen that withstood the scientific researches and proved its mettle as a panacea. Neem is one of the main ingredients in Eastern medicine. Various parts of the plant (fruits, seeds, oil, leaves, roots and bark) are used to treat various illness in ancient medicines like Ayurveda and Unani. Hence its name the “village pharmacy”, the provider of good health in the rural. Diseases and disorders which succumb to neem include worms, diabetes, piles, dysentery, jaundice, vomiting, wounds, eye disease, blood disorders, paraplegia, female genital diseases and all kinds of fevers.

Skin, Hair and Nails

Neem takes up different roles in various medical formulas due to its antiviral, anti-allergic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Hair problems like dandruff, scaling and hair loss can be checked by using neem extracts. Neem oil can get rid of head lice if applied regularly on the scalp. The extracts of Neem can heal skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, leprosy,