SKIN PROBLEMS

Neurodermatitis (atopic eczema, endogous eczema, atopic dermatitis):

Chronic skin disease where the skin reacts overly sensitive to inner or outer factors. Neurodermatitis, hay fever and allergic asthma represent together the atopic cycle. Neurodermatitis often already starts in early childhood from 6 months onwards and can regularly reoccur for the rest of life, or with beginning of puberty completely disappear. In Germany arpund 10-15% of all pupils are more or less affected by neurodermatitis, with increasing tendency. The main symptoms are dry skin and itchiness, an increased tendency to inflame that is based on changed conditions of the skins own protection system, an increased penetrability of irritants and a decreased ability to ward off skin infections. Stress and sweat also intensify these symptoms.

Neurodermatitis can not be cured but its symptoms can be successfully treated. The treatment includes a continuous and suited skin care, which is specifically designed to support the needs of the skin - like for example all products of the sebamed Anti-Dry range or the sebamed Extreme Dry Skin range.


Psoriasis

Chronic skin disease, which in severe cases also affects joints or inner organs. Psoriasis appears in attacks. Between these attacks the skin can regain its normal condition. Attacks can be caused by climatic influences, injuries, stress, infection, irritants, medication, alcohol, etc. Approxunateky 1-2% of the German population suffer from psoriasis. Most of the time, psoriasis is appearing in a milder form which is expressed as white and dry flaking of the scalp.

Due to maturation disorders of skin cells, red areas appear that soon are covered with dead horny cells in the form of silver looking dandruff. When the dandruff is removed, very thin skin is present. The cracking of this thin skin leads to point-like bleeding, a typical sign of psoriasis. Psoriasis can also affect finger and finger nails. Normally psoriasis does not itch, except on the scalp.

 

Psoriasis can not be cured, but can be treated successfully. Persistent skin care can help to postpone attacks. During an attack,  adjusted skin care can ideally support the medical treatment. As psoriasis affected skin is predominantly dry, all sebamed Anti-Dry products are ideal. In case of severe dryness sebamed Extreme Dry Skin.


Acne

Disease of tallow glands affectss around 80% of the German population. There is a high likelihood of inheriting acne. Men are affected more than women. Acne can also appear later in life, in the 20s, 30s or even 40s.

Male hormones increase the tallow production of tallow glands. The skin cells of follicle wands show maturation disorders and are lumping. Tallow and horny cell lumps are clogging the pore openings. That way, a comedo is produced. If certain skin bacteria propagating in these clogged pores inflammation is accruing, blisters and blackheads are caused. It can be distinguished between acne comdeonica and acne papulo-pustulosa. Severe forms of acne such as acne conglabata, acne inversa or acne fulminans are rare. Acne cosmetica is caused by the usage of greasy care products.

 

Acne occurring in puberty disappears by itself when turning 20. For treatment of more severe acne, a large amount of approved medications are available on the market. Slighter forms of acne can be treated with the right skin care. Mild skin cleansing and care is a prerequisite. Ideally, grease free and soap free products with a pH value of 5.5 should be used. Medication and skin care products need several weeks in order to restore the skin's health, thus reduce acne. For a fast cure, anti pimple gel or anti pimple cream can be applied directly onto the pimple.

 

sebamed Clear Face is the ideal skin care range to support medical acne treatment, but these products can also be used as general prevention for skin with tendency for acne.


Diabetes

Diabetes is not a disease but an illness of the pancreases, that is producing less insulin or no insulin at all. The decreased production of insulin leads to increased blood sugar. Due to their interfering affect on the metabolism,  both types of diabetes (I and II) deteriorate the skin's function. Especially with type II diabetes, a severe change of the skin's condition on hands and legs can be found. The skin is dry and itchy and there is an increased risk for fungal infections on the skin of the feet.

The correct skin care can help against dry and itchy skin. sebamed  Anti-Dry or sebamed Extreme Dry Skin products with its pH value of 5.5 are not only supporting the skin own protection mantle but also additionally protecting against fungal infections.


Allergies

Irritation and inflammation of the skin always result in reddening, a feeling of tightness, itching or burning and often the formation of pustules and weals. This may be due to a number of factors: excessive drying of the skin, irritation from the sun, wind, harsh substances which come into contact with the skin, or allergies, i.e. oversensitivity to substances which are themselves harmless but which are wrongly identified by the immune system as presenting a risk and combated with a defensive reaction. Without further action it is not possible to say what has caused the skin reaction in the individual case.

In principle,  it is possible to reduce the risk of skin reactions by being gentle to the skin: not washing or showering more than twice daily or bathing too often or too long, using too hot water and not too much cleanser, combined with regular care, geared to the individual skin type. Irritated or inflamed skin should initially only be washed with water and no cream applied. If the reaction subsides within a day or two, it is likely that it was the skin cleansing or care products which caused the reaction. But only a dermatologist can determine this using an allergy test, whether irritation or an allergy is involved. This enables the patient to prevent another reaction by avoiding the allergen once it has been identified. The sebamed Skin Care Advice Service will be pleased to help with the selection of products.