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About Scars

When a pierced earlobe develops a hard lump that seems to be spreading and swelling, it is probably a keloid. This type of scar forms when the skin overcompensates during the healing process to produce excess scar tissue. When the skin is injured, cells called fibroblasts are activated to produce skin tissue (primarily collagen) to fill in the hole. Normally, the body signals when to stop the healing process. Sometimes, however, the signal malfunctions and collagen production continues, which causes the scar to thicken. Keloids most often form in people with darker skin. And, they can develop in response to practically any trauma to the skin. Steroid injections or compression may help control keloid growth. Generally, it does not help to have keloids surgically removed because they tend to recur after excision.

If you are prone to making keloids when you scar, you should use extra care to avoid damage to your skin that can lead to scar production. One way to minimize keloids is to avail yourself of professional help sooner than later when your skin is in trouble; prompt care can make a difference.

S cleroderma

Description
S cleroderma, which literally means "hard skin" is a general term for several chronic autoimmune conditions. The disease typically begins between the ages of 30 and 60 as a thickening and hardening of the skin (initially on the fingers, hands, or face), which occurs due to an overproduction of collagen (the protein that imparts strength and elasticity to normal skin). The typical scleroderma patient is a women in her 30s or 40s whose hands and feet were abnormally sensitive to cold for many years before she developed thickening skin on her hands and face.

Tight, shiny, and thick skin on the face and fingers, with puckering around the mouth, may lead to a mask-like appearance. Collagen that proliferates elsewhere can disrupt function of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, and heart.

Treatment
While there is no effective treatment of scleroderma, some studies indicate that the drug penicillamine helps reduce skin thickening and prevents internal complications.

A lthough sensitivity to cold is a frequent precursor to scleroderma, there are a number of other reasons why some individuals have this symptom.

If you have, however, any questions about any unexplained changes in your skin, or if you have the symptoms described above, it is a good idea to let your dermatologist examine, diagnose, and decide on an appropriate course of treatment for you.

S O nychoschizia (shale nails)

Description
O nychoschizia (shale) is the medical term for the superficial splitting and layering in the free ends of the nail plates. This condition, which strikingly resembles shale, can result from trauma or prolonged exposure to hot liquids, solvents, or caustic substances. Over time, repeated insult to the nail plates causes them to dry out, become brittle, and peel off in layers.

By examining the nails, the dermatologist might find clues to certain internal body disorders such as anemia, kidney, lung, liver, or thyroid disease, as well as skin conditions such as psoriasis and some forms of hair loss.

Treatment
Easily identified by the dermatologist, the problem can be treated with special lubricants; however, it is important to limit the damage by wearing gloves when in water or chemicals. And, as nail polish removers and solvents in polish can contribute to the condition, it is helpful to reduce the frequency of polish changes when faced with "shale nail."

Other Nail Conditions
While vertical ridges and other flaws on fingernails are common, some unusual nail features may be indicative of underlying disease or conditions. For instance, pitting, spooning (upcurled nails), and separation of the nail from its bed may be caused by such diseases as anemia, hypothyroidism, and psoriasis. Rounding and expansion of both the nails and the ends of the fingers can be indicative of such serious conditions as lung cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The horizontal furrow known as "Beau's line" can result from heart attack or serious illness that slows nail growth abruptly. The line eventually grows out. Because the nails often provide clues to various disorders, the dermatologist will not want to overlook them during comprehensive exam.

There seem to be many more reported cases of nail fungus among women who have "sculptured" nails. The fake nails or tips that are applied over the natural nail in order to enhance length, beauty, and/or strength of the natural nails, rely on even bonding of the nails' surfaces. When this bond loosens and allows moisture to get into the space between the nail and the acrylic, the warm, dark location encourages the growth of fungus. Thick, distorted nails (especially on the toes) often indicate a fungal condition that, in most cases, responds to oral antifungal drugs.

Recent News about Nail Health

The dermatologist can sometimes detect internal illnesses on the basis of certain features on the fingernails. For instance, asthma and tuberculosis can cause "yellow nail syndrome" while congestive heart failure turns nails red. Renal failure can lead to "half-and-half nails" in which half of the nail is normal colored and half is white. Nails that are all white may indicate chronic hepatitis. And, hemachromatosis (a disorder in which excess iron is deposited in the organs) is associated with gray, blue, or brown nails. How a disease specifically affects a nail is not always clear. And, while no one is suggesting that a diagnosis can be made solely on the basis of the condition of the nails, they can provide a clue of an underlying problem.

Not only is your skin your "outer wrapper," it is also the largest organ in your body. Many people think of skin problems as superficial because we think of "skin deep" as being synonymous with superficiality, but our skin is also important as the body's primary barrier against infection and intrusion by all sorts of chemical agents and biological invaders. Caring for one's skin is as important as protecting the well being of one's internal organs.