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Atopic Eczema

The British Association of Dermatologists describes Atopic eczema as a dry, itchy inflammation of the skin. The words eczema and dermatitis are interchangeable and mean the same thing. Atopic eczema, therefore, is the same thing as atopic dermatitis. Atopic eczema can affect any part of the skin, including the face, but the areas most commonly affected are the bends of the elbows, around the knees, and around the wrists and neck. It affects both sexes equally and usually starts in the first weeks or months of life. It is most common in children, affecting at least 10% of infants, although it can carry on into adult life or come back in the teenage or early adult years.

Atopic eczema runs in families. Atopic people have an overactive immune system and their skin easily becomes inflamed. Their skin barrier does not work well, so that their skin may become dry and prone to infection. Atopic eczema is not infectious.

Many external factors can make eczema worse. These include heat, dust, and contact with irritants such as soap or detergents. Also having a cold can make eczema flare.

The main symptom is itch. Scratching in response to this may be responsible for many of the changes seen on the skin. Itching can be bad enough to interfere with sleep.

Atopic eczema cannot be cured, but there are many ways of controlling it. Most children with atopic eczema improve as they get older (75% clear by their teens). However, many of those who have had eczema continue to have dry skin and need to avoid irritants such as soaps or bubble baths. Eczema may persist in adults it but should be controllable with the right treatment.

DermaSilk in Atopic Eczema.
Most garments within the DermaSilk range can be used for Atopic Eczema. Having a DermaSilk garment next to the skin can help to prevent over heating and excessive levels of moisture on the skin which, in turn reduces itching and scratching.

Children wearing DermaSilk during the night will have a much better nights sleep and both children and parents will wake up refreshed. Products marked with an Rx are available on prescription in the UK.

DermaTherapy in Atopic Eczema
Patients may also find our DermaTherapy Bedding useful in helping to reduce irritation and overheating at night and so aid restful sleep. Click on www.dermatherapybedding.co.uk to find out more.
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Gravitational Eczema

Gravitational eczema is also known as varicose or stasis eczema. It is a common skin condition which affects the lower legs of adults. If left untreated, the skin can break down to form ulcers, which are then difficult to heal.

Gravitational eczema is usually seen in middle-aged or elderly people, but it can occur from teenage years onwards. It is more likely to occur if you have high blood pressure, varicose veins, or had a deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis in the past. Women have a much higher chance of developing Gravitational eczema since female hormones and pregnancy increase the risk.

The pressure of the blood in the veins is greater in the lower leg than anywhere else in the body when we stand up. As we get older and less active the blood moves less well up our veins and can collect in the lower legs.

If the leg vein walls are weak, they cannot hold a high pressure in them and varicose veins develop, appearing as dark blue wiggly, raised bulges on the legs’ surface. Fluid can pool in the lower legs and ooze through the vein walls into the surrounding space, causing the ankles to swell. This becomes especially noticeable in the evening after a day spent standing up during hot weather, when the legs ache and feel heavy. Blood may then leak through the very small vessels, causing red-brown speckled spots to appear on the skin which becomes hot and itchy – tiny blisters can also appear, usually just above the inside of the ankle.

Over a period of time, if left untreated, the skin becomes thin and fragile, and looks shiny and flaky. This skin may crack if it becomes over-dry, or if scratched or picked. Trauma to that area can also break the skin and cause further irritation. If left untreated, the wound can deepen and widen, and the resulting wound is called a varicose ulcer, also known as a venous, or stasis, ulcer. These ulcers are typically found just above the inside of the ankle. They often ooze and can attract bacteria, both of which can aggravate the surrounding skin, making the eczema even worse.

Gravitational eczema can be helped by a number of things:
• Exercise is important – a spot of brisk walking twice a day or climbing stairs, can help push blood through leg veins.

• Keeping the skin soft and supple by using emollients prevents the skin from cracking. Lightly apply the emollient in smooth downward strokes so that the skin glistens. Do not use a circular motion or apply it upwards as this will cause the emollient to clog your pores and irritate the skin.

• Hot water will cause dehydration of the skin and itchiness – so bathe or shower in cool to warm water.

• Avoid using soap and bubble bath – these dry out the skin and can irritate the eczema.

If the skin becomes hot and inflamed, begins to ooze or look different, or if you feel feverish and sweaty, see your doctor, since a skin infection could be starting. This type of eczema can be an on-going problem. The condition flares and wanes but if a good skin care routine is in place it will help to prevent the eczema starting up.

DermaSilk in Gravitational Eczema.
DermaSilk helps to maintain a stable environment for the legs. The DermaSilk Heel-Less Undersocks are designed to be worn next to the skin where they help to prevent over heating and the drying out of the delicate skin around the ankles. Their design means that a single size will cover the majority of legs.

For those people who have to wear compression stockings DermaSilk has an additional advantage in that it not only protects the skin from the damaging effects of the latex in the compression socks but it also makes the application and removal of compression stockings a simple task.

DermaSilk Heel-Less Undersocks are available to buy online.

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Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin that results from an external substance coming into contact with the skin. This can occur through one of two mechanisms.

Irritant contact dermatitis is responsible for approximately 80 per cent of cases of contact dermatitis. Irritants are often encountered at work (occupational) although other common irritants are soaps, detergents, food and cement. Almost all workers in occupations such as hairdressing, cleaning, metal engineering, building-site work and horticulture develop some degree of irritant contact dermatitis. An irritant dermatitis is most likely to occur on the hands.

Allergic contact dermatitis accounts for the remaining 20 per cent of cases. In this condition, the cause of skin inflammation is a hypersensitivity reaction. The commonest allergens are nickel, fragrances, rubber, some plants, formaldehyde, skin medications (including topical corticosteroids) and hairdressing chemicals.

The symptoms vary depending upon the type of dermatitis. The appearance of acute irritant dermatitis can range from a mild reaction consisting of transient redness to a severe painful burn with blistering. Chronic irritant dermatitis often begins with a few patches of dry, slightly inflamed skin that become thickened with time.

Early allergic contact dermatitis starts with the features of eczema developing at the site of contact, e.g. an itch under an earring or along a waistband that contains rubber. The itch can develop into an area of redness with swelling and even small blisters that weep. The reaction can extend beyond or occur in a different place from the site of contact. If exposure to an allergen persists, the skin becomes drier, thicker and scalier with a change in colour.

Allergic contact dermatitis usually occurs 48 to 72 hours after exposure, and will wax and wane depending on exposure.

DermaSilk in Contact Dermatitis.
The hands are a major problem in contact dermatitis and whilst it is not always possible to fully remove the source of the irritation the use of DermaSilk gloves can have a major impact on its management. DermaSilk gloves are special. Each glove is knitted as a single item. There are no seams. The gloves have a long gauntlet to help cover the wrist and are made with the DermaSilk on the inside protected with a wicking material called Coolmax® knitted onto the outside. This gives the glove additional durability. DermaSilk gloves are suitable for night time use and can also be used in the majority of work scenarios as a protective glove under an industrial or waterproof glove.

In the UK, DermaSilk gloves for adults and children are available on doctors’ prescription and can also be purchased privately via our website
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Thrush
Vaginal thrush is a yeast infection that causes irritation of the female genital area. It is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus or yeast Candida. Yeast normally live in the vagina in small numbers, but when the bacteria in the vagina become out of balance, too many yeast cells grow and cause an infection.

Vaginal yeast infections are very common. About 75 percent of women have a yeast infection during their lives. And almost half of women have two or more yeast infections.

The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina. Other symptoms include:

• Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the area around it
• Pain when urinating
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• A thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell

• Many things can change the acidity of the vagina and increase the possibility of a vaginal yeast infection. These include:

stress

lack of sleep

poor diet, or extreme intake of sugary foods

pregnancy

having your period

• taking oral contraceptives, some antibiotics and steroid medications

  diseases such as poorly-controlled diabetes

If you get repeat yeast infections you should contact your doctor. About five percent of women develop four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year.
To help prevent vaginal yeast infections, try the following:

Don't use douches and avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads and tampons.
Change tampons and pads often during your period.

Don't wear tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibres.

Wear DermaSilk underwear.

Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as possible.

DermaSilk in Thrush.
The DermaSilk fabric fulfils all the requirements for helping to cope with Thrush. Firstly, the silk fabric allows the skin to breathe, reducing moisture and temperature traps that encourage the growth of yeasts and fungi.

Secondly the Microbe Shield finish deters the growth of both bacterial and fungal contaminants.

The result is underclothing which can reduce the itch associated with external thrush to zero in under 20 minutes and can significantly reduce redness AND the number of recurrences experienced by patients over a 6 month period.

For details of a poster presentation, exhibited by clinicians in Italy on the effect of DermaSilk Briefs in recurrent Thrush click here
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Jock Itch
Fungal infections around the groin are also common in men. The so called “Jock itch”
Jock itch, also known as tinea Cruris is a fungal infection of the skin in the groin. The warm, moist environment is the perfect place for the fungus to grow. Anything that enhances that environment puts the person at risk of getting jock itch. Therefore, wearing sweaty, wet clothing in the summer time or wearing several layers of clothing in the wintertime causes an increased incidence of jock itch. Men are affected more often than women.

The rash of jock itch starts in the groin fold usually on both sides. If the rash advances, it usually advances down the inner thigh. The advancing edge is redder and more raised than areas that have been infected longer. The advancing edge is usually scaly and very easily distinguished from normal skin. The skin within the border turns a reddish-brown and loses much of its scale.
Jock itch is normally treated with topical creams or ointments since the fungus only affects the top layer of skin. If the rash is very red and itchy, especially if it has blisters at the edge, a topical steroid such as hydrocortisone may also be applied. Steroids should not be used in the groin alone without consulting a doctor since steroids alone can make the rash of jock itch much worse.

Jock Itch Prevention
To prevent jock itch from occurring or re-occurring, several measures may be taken.

Wear loose fitting underclothing.
Avoid sharing clothing and towels or washcloths.
Allow the groin to dry completely after showering before covering with clothes.
Antifungal powders or sprays may be used once a day to prevent infection.

DermaSilk in Jock Itch
The DermaSilk fabric fulfils all the requirements for helping to cope with Jock Itch. Firstly, the silk fabric allows the skin to breath, reducing moisture and temperature traps that encourage the growth of yeasts and fungi.

Secondly the Microbe Shield finish deters the growth of both bacterial and fungal contaminants.
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Vulval Pain Syndrome
Vulval pain syndrome affects women from adolescence through to and beyond the menopause. Pain may occur spontaneously and may be triggered by a wide variety of activities: from sexual intercourse to walking to wearing tight-fitting clothing. This interference with daily functioning can impair the ability to work or study, to engage in physical exercise, and to participate in a full social life.
Vulval pain syndrome can become physically and emotionally overwhelming to those who are affected. All the factors can affect self-esteem and can cause relationship stress, sexual difficulties, poor body image and depression.
There is no evidence that vulval pain syndrome is caused by infection or that it is a consequence of a sexually transmitted disease. Although the causes are unknown, there are thought to be multiple contributing factors. These include: possible injury to, or irritation of, the nerves that supply the vulva, localised hypersensitivity to infection, high levels of oxalate crystals in the urine and spasms of muscles that support the pelvic organs.

Treatment is undertaken by a specialist team of doctors and counsellors and can involve both topical and oral medications plus counselling and strict hygiene measures. In addition there are a number of local support groups which can help patients.

DermaSilk in Vulval Pain Syndrome
The use of DermaSilk in VPS is intended to help maintain a healthy environment by regulating body temperature and humidity levels. DermaSilk underwear can also help to minimise the risk of bacterial and fungal contamination.Although no clinical trials have yet been published there is a suggestion from the use of the fabric in Italy that it has a positive effect in educing the itch, burning and irritation associated with Vulval Pain Syndrome.
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Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic, recurrent condition of the skin and mucous membranes which generally affects the ano-genital region. It is most common in older women and can lead to degeneration of the organs of the genitalia. There is no cure, though treatment with strong topical corticosteroid creams and ointments help to control most symptoms.

Symptoms
Lichen Sclerosus is characterized by changes in the skin of the genital area that becomes thin and faded and develops small white patches which can join up over time. The most common symptom is pruritus – itch which is often more intense during the night and with the progression of the disease. There is also a sensation of burning plus pain and dryness. Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse) and difficulty urinating are often found.

Causes
The causes of the disease are not completely clear, though it may run in families. It is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Lichen Sclerosus is not considered by the medical profession to be common. However there is a suggestion that as many as 1 in 300 women have this condition but that it is either undiagnosed or confused with Candida (Thrush) by clinicians. Whilst it is most common in adult women it can also affect pre pubertal children and adult males too.

DermaSilk in Lichen Sclerosus
When used in combination with topical steroid therapy DermaSilk briefs have the ability to reduce symptoms like itch, burning and pain, much better than in patients who wore cotton briefs instead.

Clinical data produced in the form of a medical poster shows a significant reduction in the symptoms of LS within a month.
Click here to see the details.
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Menopause
Menopause is a natural process that occurs because of a decrease in the function of the ovaries, which also control oestrogen production. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five, although it can occur much later, or much earlier.

Menopause occurs when a woman has her final period. This is confirmed when a woman doesn’t have a period for twelve consecutive months. Most women experience natural menopause, but some may experience artificial, or premature menopause. Artificial menopause usually follows a medical intervention, such as a hysterectomy, radiation treatment to the pelvic area or the removal of the ovaries. Premature menopause refers to when a woman stops menstruating before she is forty years old and can occur due to smoking, heredity or exposure to chemicals

A woman can experience a variety of menopause symptoms including:

hot flushes and night sweats
depression
mood swings
dry skin and hair
anxiety
insomnia
weight gain
vaginal dryness
bone density loss
changes in libido and sexual enjoyment
There are a variety of menopause treatments, both natural and medical, that can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

DermaSilk in Menopause
DermaSilk clothing can offer a positive benefit for women going through the menopause. Firstly, the silk has the ability to help reduce the irritation associated with dry skin and will help to maintain a healthy skin – much the same as it does in eczema.

Secondly, DermaSilk worn at night can help reduce the adverse effects of night sweats since the silk fabric can absorb up to 1/3rd of its own weight in moisture before it feels damp. This moisture becomes locked away in the core of the silk and means that the skin stays drier for longer and so there is less likelihood of you waking during the night because you feel damp.

DermaTherapy in Menopausal Symptoms
Patients may also find our DermaTherapy Bedding useful in helping to reduce the discomfort caused by night sweats and overheating and so aid restful sleep. Click on www.dermatherapybedding.co.uk to find out more about this clinically proven product.
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