Category Archives: Health

Generally, psoriasis patients, along with skin problems, often experience mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and feeling of guilt,  shame, or helplessness. They may also feel sinking self-esteem in addition to anger. Let’s see how psoriasis leads to mental health problems. Mental Health and Psoriasis Worldwide extensive research has shown that psoriasis and mental health are somehow interconnected. Results of a case study show that 16.5% of American patients with psoriasis experienced depression regardless of the severity of the disease.  Another study reveals that individuals having psoriasis are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and sleeping disorders than those without psoriasis.  How Psoriasis Affects Mental Health  As we discussed above psoriasis often affects mental health, but how exactly it happens and the mechanism is still unknown. However, a few reasons and biological mechanisms might be implicated.  For instance, if you are suffering from psoriasis and anxiety at the same time, it might be due to the following symptoms: Chronic itching   Skin appearance due to itching and associated stigma  Fear of lacking social support  Suppose a person worries all the time about how people perceive them. In that case, this might trigger the stress system, especially the amygdala, which releases stress hormones, including cortisol, that initiates a vicious cycle. The stress targets psoriasis flare-ups that worsen the situation further and increase stress. In some cases, skin treatment dissatisfaction also leads to depression. Moreover, some people undergo depression when they can not enjoy the physical activities they used to before psoriasis because of pain or due to the fear that they will spread psoriasis to other people.  However, there might be some biological reasons behind the depression in psoriasis patients. For instance, psoriasis and stress both are linked with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines,  such as Interleukin (IL)-1B, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6. These proteins are responsible for stimulating the immune system response.  Another possible biological mechanism is that depression causes reduced melatonin levels, resulting in anti-inflammatory effects. So people with skin disorders such as psoriasis may have low melatonin levels. Psoriasis Treatment and Mental Health Getting treated for psoriasis often improves a person’s mental health condition. If the treatment is effective in clearing the larger portions of psoriasis, this makes the individual feel healthy and confident about themselves.  Also, less pain will allow the person to participate in social gatherings and physical activities that further boost self-esteem. In case treating skin conditions won’t work for a person, then doctors usually refer a patient to a psychiatrist for evaluation.  Ways to Manage Your Mental Health during Psoriasis In order to feel better, here are a few questions a person needs to ask themselves to figure out how psoriasis affects their mental health. Do they feel good or anxious about their appearance How do they feel during breakouts Do they worry about what others will think of their appearance Does the person still feel anxiety even though their psoriasis is well managed Does that make them upset if they can not participate in their favorite activities due to pain Does psoriasis make you avoid social gatherings Once you start understanding how psoriasis affects your mental health, consult a therapist to figure it out further. Doing this will help you reduce the symptoms and recover faster.  Bottom Line  To sum up, mental health concerns are common in psoriasis patients. But discussing their feelings with a therapist will surely help them get the right treatment and go towards betterment.

Whiteheads or closed comedones are non-inflammatory acne lesions caused by clogged skin pores. People often feel relaxed after popping whiteheads, but squeezing them may cause skin infection, redness, scarring, or blemishes. Skincare experts never recommend squeezing whiteheads on your own. Let’s learn in detail the pros and cons of popping whiteheads.  What Causes Whiteheads? Whiteheads are annoying and may worsen, sometimes leading to severe skin lesions. They are caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria, dust, or excess sebum in the clogged skin pores. Other most common causes of whiteheads are: Hormonal changes Family history Menstruation Pregnancy Puberty Certain contraceptive drugs Should You Squeeze Whiteheads? Whiteheads are usually a mild form of acne that can be treated quickly; however, the way of treatment determines your skin health. Popping or picking a whitehead immediately after it appears may irritate or damage your skin and leave a permanent scar on that particular area.  Moreover, squeezing whiteheads may also cause negative impacts on your skin, such as infection, bruising, rash, or redness. Here is why you should avoid popping whiteheads.  Picking the whitehead opens a skin pore that may increase the risk of bacterial infection. Harsh squeezing may cause skin scratches and tiny abrasions where germs can easily penetrate the skin.  Touching the skin without sanitizing your hands may cause bacterial infections.  How to Prevent and Manage Whiteheads? Preventing whiteheads is difficult in case of medical reasons; however, it’s not impossible. Here are some tips that might help you to prevent whiteheads: Take good care of your skin hygiene Apply non-comedogenic skin products as they reduce the risk of acne breakouts Avoid unnecessarily touching skin Make sure to cleanse and moisturize your skin daily  Gently exfoliate your skin about 1-2 times a week OTC Treatment for Whiteheads The most common treatment for whiteheads is OTC medication. Some incredible OTC medications include: Retinoids are great for improving skin’s natural turnover and getting rid of whiteheads and clogged pores. You might also notice an improvement in the tone and glow of your skin. The acne associated adverse effects can be reduced by using retinoids every other day or at the same time as a moisturizer. Benzoyl Peroxide targets the surface bacteria and inflammatory toxins, thus reducing acne risk.  Salicylic acid can be used in cleansers, as an exfoliator,  or in other skincare products. It effectively removes the topmost damaged skin layer or acne in the form of whiteheads or blackheads. Moreover, it also improves skin texture and natural glow. Azelaic acid in various OTC medications is perfect for killing bacteria on the skin, thus helping reduce the chances of inflammation and acne. Bottom Line  Don’t go squeeze whiteheads on your own. Instead, seek medical advice from your dermatologist as they will guide you about the safe methods to extract the whiteheads according to your skin type. Moreover, professional treatment may reduce the risk of infections or skin lesions.

Did you know that more than 3% or 7.5 million US adults have psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated skin condition characterized by the appearance of plaques or scales. Its more obvious causes are the hyperactive immune system and genetics. However, some factors may trigger and worsen its signs. Let’s dive deeper into how psoriasis is caused.  What is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by the overproduction of skin cells, leading to inflammation and a scaly, patchy appearance. In psoriasis, the body can’t get rid of old dead skin cells, thus they keep on accumulating on the skin in the form of dry and extremely sensitive areas. How Psoriasis is Caused?  There are multiple reasons behind psoriasis, the most obvious ones being:  Genetics Genetic factors may play a huge role in developing the signs of psoriasis. Around 1 in 3 people who have psoriasis have genetic reasons, and about 10% of the population inherits genes but not all of them cause psoriasis.  The genetics of psoriasis are diverse. You can have psoriasis even if you don’t have a family history of the condition. In genetic psoriasis, the genes controlling the immune system signaling become distorted, causing inflammation and hyperactivity in skin cells which leads to enhanced cell production. Immune System Disorder A hyperactive and imbalanced immune system is a major reason behind developing psoriasis. When the immune system disrupts its functioning, the skin cells behave abnormally such as overproduction of cells and inflammation. Moreover, the changes in immune system functioning may lead to flawed signaling in the overall body, causing skin rash, plaques, or skin lesions, such as psoriasis, eczema, and other skin-related diseases. Research suggests that inflammatory mechanisms in psoriasis are largely due to an over-active and defective immune system that contributes to increasing the signs and their severity. What Triggers the Signs of Psoriasis? Weather Usually, the winter and fall seasons are really bad for psoriasis patients. Cold weather, high humidity, low sunlight, and dry air can flare up its signs. Conversely, warm weather may help alleviate psoriasis symptoms. Medication You should always consult your doctor before using any medication while suffering from psoriasis. Sometimes, even a routine medicine may trigger the severity of the disease. Infection or Allergens The immune system in psoriasis becomes compromised, resulting in sending and receiving the wrong signals when in contact with an allergen. Thus, the skin suffers from inflammatory skin disorders. Stress One of the most prevalent psoriasis triggers is stress. Relaxation exercises and stress management techniques may help prevent stress-induced psoriasis. Injured Skin Psoriasis is more likely to develop in skin that has been injured or harmed. For example, skin areas with scratches, sun damage, or bug bites are more prone to developing psoriasis. Bottom Line Psoriasis can’t be cured, but it can be managed. Moreover, its symptoms such as itching and irritation can be minimized by consulting with your dermatologist. Taking steps to identify the triggering factors of psoriasis can also help prevent this chronic skin disorder.

Many assume scaly, thick, red patches or psoriasis on the skin contagious and think they might get it from the person or transmit it to others. Some are concerned about if this rash spreads onto other body parts of the body. Let’s find the answer.  Does Psoriasis Spread? Psoriasis is a common skin condition, however, it isn’t contagious.  That means you can’t get it from another person or transfer it to them.  However, Psoriasis can spread from one body part to another, but it does not spread by touching the infected part. This itchy rash can increase in size or spread on your skin because of an immune system problem. How Psoriasis Spread? As we mentioned earlier, psoriasis doesn’t spread from one individual to another but can spread to different areas of the body.  Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which an immune system attacks the body’s skin cells, causing them to grow and die too fast and resulting in inflamed rashes on the skin. If you see a new patch appearing at a different location on your body, it’s not because you touched your elbow to the plaque on your arm. It means your immune system dysfunction is in high gear. How Psoriasis Appear on Your Body? Psoriasis can appear in various forms on your body, depending on different types.  Guttate psoriasis ﹘ These small pink scaly patches spread quickly along the legs, arms, and torso. Some people also develop these bumps on the face and scalp. Plaque psoriasis ﹘ In this type, scaly, raised rashes develop everywhere on your body’s skin, mostly on the scalp, elbows, and knees.  Inverse psoriasis ﹘ These red patches crop up in the body’s folds such as buts, groin, and armpits.  Erythrodermic psoriasis ﹘ This is the most severe psoriasis type in which bright red patches, looking similar to burns, grow over the whole body. A person who gets erythrodermic psoriasis can face uncontrollable shivering and ankle swelling. This type is quite rare but can be fatal.  What Can Trigger a Psoriasis Flare-up? Research suggests that psoriasis can happen to anybody, even if you have no family history of this autoimmune disease. However, psoriasis often occurs due to genetic and environmental triggers.  Here are some common triggers that can cause psoriasis: Smoking Stress Dry air (it could be due to weather or from the heater) Deficiency of vitamin D Certain medications, such as medicines for high blood pressure or malaria Consumption of alcohol Skin injuries like a bug bite, cut, or sunburn  Obesity  Body infections like strep throat Take Away  We have briefly discussed when and how psoriasis spread and on which body parts does it spread. Psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune disease that can only spread from one body part to another but can not transmit from one person to another. However, it can become bigger and spread all over the body due to possible triggers.

Clogged skin pores due to the deposition of excessive oil, toxins, dust, or dead skin cells are the leading causes of blackheads. Though blackheads do not pose any serious harm to your skin or health, leaving them untreated may lead to deep or huge blackheads and a few other skin conditions.  Keep reading to know what happens if you don’t remove blackheads. What Happens if You Don’t Remove Blackheads? Not removing blackheads can lead to various other skin conditions, including:  Can Cause Acne Blackheads are the types of acne that may form due to the clogging of hair follicles. Minor blackheads may be harmless to skin health. However, if they persist for longer, it might cause various infections and inflammation. Moreover, they may also stimulate acne lesions, causing pimples, cysts, bumps, or other skin disorders.  Can Develop Scars Blackheads can cause skin diseases, blemishes, and discomfort if left untreated.  They might also leave lasting acne scars that are sometimes difficult to remove with topical treatments. In this case, your doctor may suggest different treatment choices such as laser therapy to safely remove blackheads and lessen scars.  Can Lead to Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition characterized by dark spots due to the overproduction of melanin– the pigment responsible for specific skin color, hair, and nails. Sun exposure, aging, trauma, and blackheads can all cause hyperpigmentation. If you don’t get rid of blackheads, they may become more pigmented, thus appearing darker than before. Can Form Deep or Huge Blackheads As long as blackheads remain present, their chances of penetrating deep inside the skin cells increase. Moreover, the constant build-up of dirt, toxins, or dead cells can also cause the formation of huge blackheads. The deeper and huge the blackhead, the more difficult it is to remove them, causing long-lasting skin problems.  How to Safely Remove Blackheads? There are multiple ways to remove blackheads but all of them need proper care to avoid skin irritation or infection. Usually, popping blackheads without precautions may result in severe skin infections. Moreover, improper sterilization of tools used in the procedure may also increase the risk factor of skin infections after removing blackheads.  We’d recommend seeking treatment from your beautician or dermatologist for the best results without causing any skin damage. Effective Ways to Remove Blackheads Removing blackheads demands a lot of care and sterilization. You can opt for home treatments, but it’s good to go for medical treatment for more reliable results. Some of the most effective ways of treating blackheads are: Steam to soften clogged pores filled with debris, thus helping break down deposited waste in pores with more ease Exfoliate with a mild scrub having alpha and beta hydroxy acids to safely remove blackheads. Ensure gentle scrubbing as harsh treatment can worsen the problem Cleanse using cleansers that contain glycolic acid and salicylic acid because they act as humectants that help retain natural skin moisture Go for professional extraction such as dermabrasion and chemical peels Bottom Line There are various risks associated with not eliminating blackheads, including skin infections, acne outbreaks, and hyperpigmentation. Make sure to remove blackheads and maintain a proper skincare routine to keep them from coming back.  You may also consider taking Diamond Glow, a multivitamin that contains vitamin A, B, C, and E and other natural ingredients to help heal various skin conditions, including blackheads, whiteheads, wrinkles, acne, pigmentation so you get more glowing and clear skin.

Approximately 85% of Americans experience acne at some age in their life. Whiteheads are a form of acne that is very common, especially in teenagers and adults, and can be frustrating at times.  However, it’s never too late to prevent or remove whiteheads with the help of home remedies, certain products, or medical treatment. But before using anything, it’s important to know the causes of whiteheads. So let’s get into this. Causes of Whiteheads To effectively treat the whiteheads, it is essential to know what causes them to prevent future breakouts. Whiteheads mainly occur due to clogged pores that can happen due to several reasons, including; Hormonal changes are one of the common triggers for acne. Your skin pores produce different amounts of oil or sebum at different life stages such as puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. Hormonal imbalance can cause increased sebum production which leads to clogged pores and whiteheads.  Sometimes acne is in your genes. Genetics plays an important role in developing different acne types, including whiteheads. If any of your family members suffer from acne, you have a higher risk of having it.  An increased amount of bacteria or oil on your skin blocks the pores, thus leading to whiteheads. Where Do Whiteheads Occur A whitehead usually develops on the nose, chin, and forehead, also known as the T-zone. However, you may also develop whiteheads on your back, chest, shoulders, and arms. Treatment for Whiteheads Honey  Raw honey can be helpful for treating various acne problems. Its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties may help reduce acne redness and kill and prevent the bacteria that cause acne. Using honey may also help heal wounds due to broken whiteheads as natural enzymes in raw honey form hydrogen peroxide that prevents bacteria from thriving. Intake of Vitamins  Vitamins A, C, and E are essential for healthy and clear skin and can help remove whiteheads.  The antioxidant properties of Vitamin A and vitamin C protect skin from free radical attacks that lead to acne breakouts.  Vitamin E quickly absorbs into skin, thus keeping skin moisturized and promoting collagen production.  You can include food or supplements containing these vitamins in your diet routine to get clearer skin. Diamond Glow is one such supplement that contains all these vitamins. It also contains other active ingredients in its formulation that not only help restore collagen and control oil but also treat acne, reduce scars, and boost energy.  Salicylic acid Salicylic acid is an astringent found in many skin products used for acne. Salicylic acid fight against whiteheads in various ways, such as:  Reducing oil production Helping remove dead skin cells Bringing the bacteria and dirt clogged in the pore on the skin’s surface Absorbing excess oil on the skin, thus making your skin less oily Bottom Line Whiteheads are an acne type that appears as a yellowish or white bump on the skin. It can be pretty frustrating and uncomfortable for many. However, you can deal with the whiteheads once you know the root cause of them. For example, it could be due to genetic, hormonal issues, or the accumulation of bacteria or oil on your skin. Read the above guide to know the reason for your whiteheads and treat accordingly.