A lot of people do not realize that diabetes can actually affect every single part of the body, including the skin. It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to develop some kind of skin disorder during some time of their lives. Often skin problems can actually occur before a person realizes that they have diabetes and they can be one of the first symptoms. It is possible to treat most skin conditions caused by diabetes if caught early; you just have to know what to look out for.

Diabetes and Various Skin Conditions

Diabetes often causes problems for the skin, and a particularly common area that is often affected is the feet. In between the toes and the soles of the feet are usually the worst affected. Symptoms you should look out for include redness and other change of color, blisters and swelling. Always check them at least once a week and make sure the nails are efficiently trimmed and smooth.

The main reason that diabetes sufferers develop skin conditions is that they have reduced nerve sensitivity and poor circulation. In some cases these problems can make it extremely difficult to identify potential skin problems. When you have high blood glucose there is usually more of a loss of fluid which often leads to dry skin. When you do have a dry skin condition it can crack and become infected. Therefore, all skin conditions need to be identified and treated as soon as possible.

Some common skin problems which may occur due to diabetes include:

Bullosis Diabeticorum
Necrobiosis Lipoid Diabeticorum
Diabetic Dermopathy
Acanthosis Nigricans

Necrobiosis Lipoid Diabeticorum usually appears over a period of a few weeks and it tends to occur mainly on the shins. Generally it is a patch of plaque which is often a purple or yellow brown color and it has a distinctive border. It is possible for the skin to become thinner and for it to form an ulcer on the affected area which will heal, though it may leave a brown scar. Usually this condition only occurs in type one diabetes.

Bullosis Diabeticorum is a condition where either small or big nodules are found under the skin. They are a lot like blisters and it is possible for them to rupture. It is currently unknown why this condition occurs. Diabetic Dermopathy is otherwise known as shin spots and they are basically small legions on the skin which have raised edges. As with Bullosis Diabeticorum, the lesions can also rupture and they often leave a scar similar to the one found with Necrobiosis Lipoid Diabeticorum.

Finally Acanthosis Nigricans is a skin condition which causes dark colored lesions such as dark brown or black, to appear on the skin. This type of skin condition is usually most commonly found in people of an African American or Hispanic background.

If you develop any of the above skin conditions it is always best to consult your doctor or dermatologist.

Skin Care Tips

If you do suffer from diabetes, there are some things you can try in order to effectively care for your skin. These include washing with mild soap. Mild soap is a lot gentler on the skin as opposed to ordinary soaps which actually strip the skin of its natural moisture. Always make sure you rinse the soap off thoroughly and also dry yourself really well too. It is especially important to dry all those areas where water tends to hide. These places include between the toes, under the arms and between the legs.

Another thing to do to keep the skin moist is to regularly moisturize. Always use a cream or lotion after you have had a bath or shower, and reapply at least twice a day. Drinking lots of water helps to keep your body hydrated, and cotton underwear helps to soak in moisture rather than keeping it against the body.

Overall if you do notice anything strange on your skin, always consult your dermatologist or your doctor. They will be able to prescribe you specific treatments and give you advice on how to keep your skin in good condition. So, whilst diabetes does affect the skin, skin conditions can be prevented and treated when needed.

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Tags: dermatologist, diabetic

About 10% to 20% of the patients I see who are concerned with hair loss are female. For a woman, more so than for a man, hair is a defining point of personal style. For a female, losing hair is traumatic experience. Most of the women I see are close to tears when discussing their daily struggle covering up their thinning hair. Adding to the problem is the fact that many females feel they have been “brushed off” by their family doctors and dermatologists, who make them feel like they are worrying about something insignificant. Of course, what these physicians don’t seem to realize is that the psychological damage caused by hair loss and feeling unattractive can be just as devastating as any serious disease, and in fact, can take an emotional toll that directly affects physical health.

The following is an actual letter sent to me by a woman. The letter expresses the anguish that I see in so many women who are experiencing hair loss.

“I am a 33-year-old female who began noticing gradual loss of hair 10 years ago. As time progressed, it became more noticeable and undeniable. I found myself trying everything possible to diminish it. As my condition worsened, I began to run out of options and began adjusting my activities accordingly (i.e. I would avoid public pools and the beach). In my opinion, this is one of the worst forms of mental torture a woman could experience. After seeing several doctors, they concluded that my hair loss was due to some chronic physical problems I had, but offered no help. My self-esteem had all but been destroyed, until I met Dr. Robert Jones, of Oakville, Ontario.
I came across his website on Yahoo, and after reviewing it, called him for a telephone consultation. I ended up booking a hair transplant procedure with him shortly after. I was discouraged at first, after returning home, as I had tiny blood dots all over my head. I knew I needed to be patient.
After a week, my stitches came out, but Dr. Jones cautioned me not to expect anything for three months. I would have my husband check out my scalp once in a while to see how things were progressing I would say that this anticipation was the worst part; after living in torment for so long, you can’t help but feel like an anxious child on Christmas eve. At the first signs of growth, I felt a joy I had not felt in a long time. I was ecstatic!
It has now been about a year since the procedure and my hair is much fuller than it was. Of course, it is not as full as it was before all this started, but it is a big improvement. It was enough to restore my confidence and feel good about myself. I no longer felt like I had to hide and miss out on the many things I had avoided in the past. The renewal of my self-esteem gave me the courage to return to the life I thought I would never have again. Four months after the procedure, I found a new full-time job and feel great.
If I had not gone to see Dr. Jones, I would still be in a rut, hiding from the world. He is a skilled physician and a kind person who will provide you with as much help as humanly and medically possible. I would advise any woman to not suffer in silence. There is help out there and people who care. It’s really just a phone call away.”

Thinning and balding are mistakenly thought to be strictly male phenomena. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 40% of women have visible hair loss by the time they are age 40. And, about 80% of females develop some recession of their hair lines as well, as part of the normal maturation process.

The American Hair Loss Association recognizes that hair loss in women is a serious life-altering condition that can no longer be ignored.

Female Pattern Balding (FPB) – A pattern on its own
There was a time when hair loss in females was classified as Androgenic Alopecia (MPB). However, we now know that female hair loss has its own causes and is classified as Female Pattern Baldness (FPB). This broader term encompasses many causes, some of which are linked to testosterone and some of which are not. The cause of Female Pattern Baldness is still not completely understood, but we know that many other types of enzymes, as well as hormone receptors and blockers, may be at work in women.
One clue that there is a true difference between male and female balding is the pattern in which the hair loss occurs.
Female Pattern Baldness occurs all around the top of the head, and it’s diffuse, whereas men lose it on the temple, the crown, and the bald spot in the back. Not coincidentally, the hormone and enzyme receptor sites are also different in varying areas of the scalp – another reason doctors now believe the loss patterns are caused by different precipitating factors.
Another important difference is that while balding in men is almost always the result of a genetic predisposition coupled with age, in women, it can happen at any time. In addition, for women, underlying medical conditions can also be the cause of hair loss, even when true Androgenic Alopecia is the diagnosis.
Often these women are also suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome and sometimes their hair loss is the only obvious sign. As well, autoimmune disorders can cause a diffuse thinning in female hair.
Still others can develop a temporary hair shedding problem known as Telogen Effluvium – a change in the natural hair growth system that often follows childbirth, crash dieting, surgery, or a traumatic emotional event.
Also, thyroid disorders, anemia, even chronic illness or the use of certain medications, can also cause hair loss in women, and these problems often go undiagnosed.
When I first see female patients, I always rule out any possible medical problems before considering a transplant.

Dr. Robert Jones is a hair transplant surgeon just west of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His practice is restricted to full time hair restoration surgery. He is president of the International Society of follicular Unit Surgeons, a member of the Internation Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons, and Board Certified by the American Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. For pictures showing the progress of his transplant please go to his site at torontohairdoctor.com torontohairdoctor.com Dr. Jones has just completed a book “Dr. Robert Jones’s complete Hair Loss Guide” with his son, which can be ordered through his site in January of 2007.

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Tags: dermatologist, diet, Hair, hair loss, hair restoration surgery

Nobody likes pimples that leave scars, but there are ways to help remove them. If you’ve severe acne in the past, or if you have pimples now, and they’re leaving scars, there is help. Know what some of your options are for treatment, and understand that acne scar removal is possible even with persistent acne woes, and scarring.

If you feel that you need help removing scars from pimples, it can be done relatively pain free. Today’s options for removing scars are up to date and modern. There are all kinds of treatments, but only a qualified dermatologist can help you get those scars off of your face or body, so you can start feeling confident about how you look.

Depending on the type of acne that you’ve had, or are experiencing now, your doctor will determine the routine of acne scar removal that you need. They’re trained in the right way to treat all types of skin problems, and it’s always best to leave treatment decisions in their hands for acne scar removal.

Some of the different ways that this is done can range from medication, surgery, and light or laser treatment. Medications like Tetracycline are antibiotics that will clear up acne by stopping infection, and the skin heals naturally.

Another type of medication that helps with acne scar removal is called Accutane. It has high doses of Vitamin A that eliminate oils from the skin, and cuts down on the scarring by getting rid of infections. There are potential side effects of the antibiotics and Accutane.After a while you can develop immunity to the antibiotics, or even become very allergic to the medications. If you take Accutane you can’t take it at all if you are pregnant, or might become pregnant because it causes birth defects. Only a dermatologist should advise this type of acne scar removal.

Light or laser treatment is great for removing scars that are moderate or severe too. You’ll know that your doctor is recommending these types of acne scar removal treatments when Blue or Red Light Therapy is discussed. Fotofacials are another type that is often used too. It clears your skin of scars by using pulsating frequencies of lights or lasers.

Scars are either totally removed, or they are faded to the point that a good makeup will hide the remaining evidence. The best thing about it is that results are sometimes better with this type of acne scar removal treatment. It’s important too that medications don’t have to be used for an extended period, and it’s not as dangerous. Acne scar removal is possible, and all you have to do is to make an appointment, and start on the way to healing your scars on your body, and your outlook on you.

John Wellington is a writer for acne-help-provided.info Health and Skin Care Journal . The site provides readers with the latest insights and write-ups on all things on skincare, acne and other resolving-your-acne-problem.info related resources.

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Are you self conscious about your skin? Have you struggled with acne for years and never found a long term cure? Have you seen multiple dermatologists who prescribe topical creams and oral antibiotics that only offer temporary fixes?

I have been there. I have used every cream, soap, and peel imaginable to get rid of acne breakouts. I have visited dermatologists and filled prescriptions and never found anything that worked for longer than a few days. I have however found a solution.

If you are tired of trying endless topical creams and oral antibiotics, read on for 7 natural home remedies for acne. You can have clear skin without all of those harsh chemicals and without taking a pill for the rest of your life.

1. Make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Fresh fruits and veggies are great for your skin because they provide you with many essential vitamins and minerals. Try making a smoothie or just adding an extra serving of vegetables at one of your meals. Snaking on nuts can also be good for your skin. Especial Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds because they are a good source of selenium and zinc. These minerals are essential for getting rid of pimples and blemishes!

2. Drink lots of water!

Drinking water is a must for clear skin. When skin becomes dehydrated, dead skin cells are not shed fast enough. This clogs pores and leads to breakouts.

3. Start consuming probiotics.

Antibiotics can be harmful to your skin. Antibiotics try to rid your body of harmful substances from the inside out. Sometimes these substances (mostly bacteria) can get caught in your skin and cause pimples and clogged pores. By making sure you are getting Probiotics, which can be found in honey, onions, artichokes, and bananas, to restore the good bacteria that your body produces naturally.

4. Try to use only natural products on your skin.

Many cosmetics and facial soaps contain harmful ingredients, such as animal bi-products and mineral oil, which clog pores. By using natural products you can be sure that the products you are using to treat your skin are not causing your skin harm. Tea tree oil is great because of its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

5. Reduce stress

Stress is a major cause of acne breakouts! Stress causes a hormonal imbalance which leads to an increase in sebum. Sebum is a greasy substance that clogs pores and causes breakouts. Try exercising. This gets rid of stress and increases blood flow to the skin.

6. Reduce sugar and refined carbs (white breads, pastas, and rice)

Foods high in sugar and refined carbs lead to an increase in insulin in your body. This causes an increase in male hormones, which also causes an increase in sebum production. Once again causing bacteria in the skin cells that leads to pimples.

7. Last, but not least, increase exposure to sunshine and fresh air!

Exposure to sun stimulates vitamin D production in the body. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for clear skin. Also, fresh air helps to reduce stress and increase oxygen to the skin. Just make sure not to burn! Sunburned or heavily tanned skin creates a thick layer of skin cells which can cause dead skin cells to become trapped and cause breakouts. Fresh air can increase circulation to the skin which will help your skin be able to reproduce new skin cells faster.

Jennifer is a full time teacher by profession, but has spent years searching for a way to get clear skin. If you want to start the journey to clear skin today, visit we-review-for-you.com/skincarereview.html we-review-for-you.com/skincarereview.html for more information on natural remedies for acne

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Tags: acne, dermatologist, mineral, natural remedies for acne