Qban Health Care – Dominica

Bursitis is a painful swelling, usually around your joints. It’s common in the shoulders, elbows, knees and feet. You’re more likely to get it if you have a job or hobby that puts a lot of stress on your joints.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is painful swelling in a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa. Bursae (the plural of bursa) cushion spaces around bones and other tissue. They’re like bubble wrap that protects structures throughout your body. Bursae cushion the spaces between bones and your:

• Muscles.
• Tendons.
• Skin.

Bursitis happens when a bursa becomes irritated and swells. The most common causes of bursitis are overuse and putting too much pressure on a bursa. The pain from an inflamed bursa may develop suddenly or build up over time.

Types of bursitis

There are more than 150 bursae in your body. Bursitis can affect any of them. You’re most likely to develop bursitis in joints you use for repetitive motions or in places you put a lot of pressure, including your:

• Shoulders (subacromial bursitis).
• Elbows (olecranon bursitis — sometimes called miner’s elbow or barfly’s elbow).
• Knees (prepatellar bursitis — housemaid’s knee).
• Feet (especially near your heel, big toe or the ball of your foot).
• Hips (iliopectineal or trochanteric bursitis).
• Butt (ischial bursitis or weaver’s bottom).

Healthcare providers might refer to different types of bursitis with a specific name, but they’re all the same issue — swelling in and around a bursa.

What are bursitis symptoms?

The most common symptoms of bursitis are:

• Pain, especially when you’re moving the affected part of your body.
• A limited range of motion (how far you can move a body part).
• Swelling.

If you have an infection that’s causing bursitis, you might have other symptoms, including:

• Discoloration or redness on your skin.
• A feeling of warmth or heat.
• Fever.
• Chills.

What causes bursitis?

Repetitive motions — like a pitcher throwing a baseball or lifting heavy boxes at work — commonly cause bursitis. Spending time in positions that put pressure on a specific part of your body (such as kneeling) can cause it, too.

It’s less common, but injuries and infections can cause bursitis, as well.

Activities that can lead to bursitis include:

• Carpentry.
• Gardening and raking.
• Painting.
• Poor posture or a poorly positioned joint or bone (due to different leg lengths, bone spurs, or arthritis in a joint).
• Scrubbing.
• Shoveling.
• Playing sports like tennis, golf and baseball.
• Playing an instrument.

Bursitis risk factors

Anyone can experience bursitis. People who are more likely to develop it include:

• Athletes.
• People who do physical work or manual labor.
• Musicians.

People with certain health conditions have a higher risk of bursitis, including:

• Arthritis (especially inflammatory arthritis like gout and psoriatic arthritis).
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid disease.

How is bursitis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose bursitis with a physical exam. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and examine the area around your affected body part. Tell your provider what you were doing before you noticed symptoms for the first time and if your job or a hobby requires you to do a repetitive motion.

What tests are done to diagnose bursitis?

Your provider might use some tests to diagnose bursitis, including:

X-rays to rule out other conditions.

Ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to detect swollen bursae.

A blood test to look for infection.

An aspiration (taking a sample of fluid) of your affected bursa if they think it’s infected.

What is the best way to treat bursitis?

Usually, rest is all you’ll need to treat bursitis. Avoid the activity or positions that irritated your bursa.

Taking a break from activities that put pressure on that part of your body will give it time to heal and prevent further injury. Ask your provider how long you’ll need to rest and avoid physical activities.

Your provider might suggest at-home treatments to reduce the pain and swelling while your bursa heals:

• Elevate the injured area.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. Don’t take pain relievers for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider.
• Ice the area. Apply a cold compress or ice packs wrapped in a thin towel to the area for 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
• Apply heat (like a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel). Your provider might suggest alternating ice and heat.
• Wear a splint, sling or brace to keep the injured area supported.

Most cases of bursitis heal on their own with rest and at-home treatments. But your provider may recommend additional treatment options, including:

• Antibiotics if you have an infection.
• Physical therapy to increase your range of motion.
• Occupational therapy to learn how to move in ways that don’t stress the area.
• Corticosteroid injections to decrease inflammation and pain.
• Surgery to resect (remove) your bursa if other treatments aren’t effective and you’re still experiencing symptoms for six months or longer.

How can I prevent bursitis?

The best way to prevent bursitis is to avoid overusing your body. To prevent bursitis:

Learn the proper posture or technique for sports or work activities.

Ease into new exercises or activities to avoid injury.

Avoid sitting or kneeling too long. These positions put a lot of pressure on your joints.

Use cushions and pads when you kneel or lean on your elbows.

Take breaks if you’re doing a repetitive task.

How long does bursitis usually last?

Bursitis is usually short-lived. Most people heal within a few weeks. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and don’t resume physical activities before your bursa has healed. Even if your pain improves, putting pressure or stress on your bursa before it’s completely healed increases your risk of reinjuring it.

Will I need to miss work or school while I’m recovering from bursitis?

If a repetitive motion that’s part of your job or studies causes bursitis, you might need to miss work or school while you’re recovering. Tell your provider about your usual routine and they’ll explain which parts of it you need to modify or take a break from while you’re resting your injured bursa.

What happens if bursitis is left untreated?

The longer you put pressure or additional stress on an injured bursa, the longer it’ll take to recover. It also increases your risk of chronic bursitis (bursitis that comes and goes in the same area).

Chronic bursitis

You can get bursitis more than once in the same area. When you have repeated bursitis episodes, it’s considered a chronic (long-lasting) condition. Bursitis may come and go. The same kind of irritation that caused the original inflammation can trigger a new episode. Repeated flare-ups may damage the bursa and reduce your mobility in that joint.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Pain that interferes with your day-to-day activities.
• Soreness that doesn’t get better in a few days with at-home treatment.
• Bursitis that comes back (recurs).
• Fever.
• Discoloration or redness, swelling or a feeling of warmth in an injured area.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• Which type of bursitis do I have?
• Will I need any tests?
• Which treatments will I need?
• How long do I need to rest?
• When can I resume sports or other physical activities?

What is the difference between bursitis and arthritis?

Arthritis and bursitis both affect your joints. Bursitis is usually a short-term issue that’s caused by overusing or putting excess stress on a bursa around one of your joints. It doesn’t create long-lasting damage unless you continue to stress the area.

Arthritis happens when cartilage in a joint breaks down over time. Arthritis is usually a long-term condition that you’ll need to manage for the rest of your life.

What is the difference between bursitis and tendinitis?

Bursitis and tendinitis are both painful conditions that happen when tissue in your body is irritated and swells. Bursitis is inflammation in one or more of your bursae.

Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons are pieces of connective tissue between muscles and bones. Tendinitis can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Doing a repetitive activity can cause both bursitis and tendinitis — like doing the same motion for a sport, or using the same part of your body for physical work frequently.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Bursitis is painful, and it can be frustrating to learn your job or hobby you love caused an injury inside your body. The good news is that bursitis is usually preventable. The first step is figuring out which movements caused the irritation.

Your healthcare provider will help you find treatments that let your injured bursae heal and solutions to prevent bursitis in the future. Don’t rush your recovery — rest for as long as your provider suggests. It might be annoying to skip sports or an activity that you’re used to doing every day, but it’s important to give your body all the time it needs to heal.

Tendonitis (tendinitis) is a condition where the connective tissues between your muscles and bones (tendons) inflame. Often caused by repetitive activities, tendonitis can be painful. It can happen in your elbow, knee, shoulder, hip, Achilles tendon and base of your thumb. Rest and avoiding strenuous activities help tendons heal.

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis (tendinitis) is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon that makes it swell. Tendons are strands of connective tissue between muscles and bones that help you move. This condition usually happens after a repetitive strain or overuse injury. It’s common in your shoulders, elbows and knees. If you have tendonitis, you’ll feel pain and soreness around your affected joint, usually near where the tendon attaches to the bone. Tendonitis can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Types of tendonitis

Types of tendonitis get their names after sports and the area of your body where injuries happen. Some of the most common types of tendonitis include:

• Tennis elbow.
• Golfer’s elbow.
• Pitcher’s shoulder.
• Swimmer’s shoulder.
• Runner’s knee (jumper’s knee).

How common is it?

Tendonitis is a relatively common condition. This is because people participate in occupations, activities or hobbies where they can easily overuse or injure their tendons.

What are the symptoms of tendonitis?

The most common symptoms of tendonitis include:

• Pain at the site of your tendon and the surrounding area. This pain can get worse when you move.
• Stiff joints or difficulty moving your joints.
• Hearing and feeling a cracking or popping sensation when you move.
• Swelling, often with skin discoloration (red to purple or darker than your natural skin tone).

The pain you feel with tendonitis may be gradual or sudden and severe, especially if you have calcium deposits. Calcium deposits are a buildup of calcium in your tissues that looks like firm white to yellow bumps on your skin. These bumps can cause itchy skin.

Where on my body will I have symptoms of tendonitis?

Tendinitis can occur in almost any area of your body where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle. The most common places are:

• Base of your thumb.
• Elbow, usually along the outer part of the forearm, when your palm is facing up, near where the tendon attaches to the outside part of the elbow.
• Shoulder.
• Hip.
• Knee, usually below the kneecap where your tendon attaches to your lower leg (tibia).
• Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel bone.

What causes tendonitis?

Causes of tendonitis could include:

• Overuse or repetitive movements over time (like running or throwing).
• Strain from sudden movements.
• An injury.

In addition, tendonitis could be a side effect of a medication, including statins or drugs that lower cholesterol or fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Certain underlying medical conditions can also cause tendonitis, such as:

• Diabetes.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Gout/pseudo gout.
• Osteoarthritis.
• An infection.

What are the risk factors for tendonitis?

Anyone can get tendonitis. But it’s more common in those who do repetitive activities. Some of these activities include:

• Gardening/landscaping.
• Woodworking.
• Shoveling.
• Painting.
• Scrubbing.
• Playing sports like tennis, golf or baseball.

Other risk factors for tendonitis include:

• Poor posture.
• Presence of certain conditions that can weaken your muscles.
• Your age. After age 40, your tendons tolerate less stress, are less elastic and tear more easily

What are the complications of tendonitis?

If left untreated, tendonitis could lead to:

• Chronic tendonitis (a constant, dull pain when you move).
• Difficulty or inability to move the affected part of your body.
• Torn tendons (tendon rupture).
• Muscle weakness.

How is tendonitis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose tendonitis after a physical exam and testing. During the exam, your provider will take a complete medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms. They’ll order tests to confirm a diagnosis. Imaging tests help your provider see your tendons and could include:

• An X-ray.
• An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

How is tendonitis treated?

There are two steps to treat tendonitis. The first step includes:

• Icing the area the day of your injury.
• Avoiding activities that cause symptoms.
• Resting the injured area.
• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicines.

If tendonitis doesn’t improve in about three weeks, a healthcare provider will offer additional treatment that could include:

• Corticosteroid injections: Corticosteroids (often called “steroids”) work quickly to decrease the inflammation and pain in your tendon.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapy includes range of motion exercises and splinting (thumb, forearm or hands). Physical therapy will focus on reducing inflammation, improving soft tissue mobility to the muscle (where that tendon originates from), and restoring movement, function and strength over time. With tendinitis-type injuries, a gradual loading of the tendon (eccentric loading), is essential to improving the condition and restoring function. Therapy may also be useful in screening other joints for mobility deficits that may have led to the development of tendonitis. A common example is looking at shoulder mobility when working with a person who has a tennis elbow.
• Surgery: This is rarely needed and is only for severe symptoms that don’t respond to other treatments.

Are there side effects of the treatment?

Before you begin treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about possible side effects. You may experience:

• Pain at your injection site if you receive corticosteroid injections.
• Soreness after physical therapy.
• Bleeding or an infection after surgery.

How long does tendonitis take to heal?

It could take between two to three weeks for your tendon to heal after tendonitis treatment. It can take a few months if you have a severe case of tendonitis. The best way to speed up your healing time is to rest. Don’t participate in strenuous exercises or activities that can put stress on your healing tendon. Your healthcare provider will let you know when it’s safe to return to your favorite sports and activities after your tendon heals.

Can I prevent tendonitis?

To avoid getting tendonitis, follow these tips:

• Avoid staying in the same position. Take breaks every 30 minutes.
• Learn proper posture and body positions for all activities.
• Position your body directly in front of the object you want to pick up. Reach for the object by stretching your arm and hand directly forward toward the object. Never grab objects with your arm in a sideways position. If reaching for an object overhead, center your body and reach up and grab the item with both hands.
• Use a firm, but not a tightly squeezed, grip when working with or picking up objects.
• Don’t use one hand to carry heavy objects. Don’t hold the heavy object in one hand at the side of your body.
• Avoid sitting with your leg folded under your bottom.
• Stop any activity if you feel pain.

How can I lower my risk of tendonitis?

You can reduce your risk of developing tendonitis by following these steps before exercising or starting a sports activity:

• Stretch and warm up before starting the activity.
• Wear properly sized and fitted clothes, shoes and equipment.
• Start slow. Gradually increase your activity level.
• Stop your activity if you feel pain.

What can I expect if I have tendonitis?

Most people diagnosed with tendonitis have an excellent prognosis after treatment and rest. It may take a few weeks to a couple of months to recover from tendonitis, depending on the severity of your injury. Wait until your healthcare provider gives you the “all clear” to resume your regular physical activities.

If you develop tendonitis and receive treatment for it, you can get the injury again in the future if you put too much stress on your tendons. This is a repetitive strain injury. Your healthcare provider, sports medicine physician or physical therapist can give you advice to reduce your risk of developing repeat tendonitis in the future.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

You should see a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

• Fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.).
• Swelling, redness and warmth.
• General illness.
• Multiple sites of pain.
• Inability to move the affected area.

These could be signs of another condition that needs more immediate attention.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Do I have tendonitis or arthritis?
• When can I return to playing sports or exercising?
• Are there side effects of the treatment?
• Do I need surgery?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Tendonitis can be a frustrating condition. You’ll need to stop and rest for a few weeks to let your tendon heal after an injury that causes it to swell. This can be challenging if you’re an active person or you play sports. Don’t return to the track or field until your healthcare provider tells you it’s safe to do so. Follow your provider’s instructions to prevent injuries that lead to tendonitis.

Sprains are common injuries. They happen when ligaments around one of your joints are stretched or torn. Sport injuries and falls are the most common causes. You can usually manage your symptoms at home with the RICE method, but you should visit a healthcare provider to get any injury diagnosed.

What is a sprain?

A sprain is an injury that happens when one of your ligaments is stretched or torn.

Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones throughout your body. They’re like ropes that hold your muscles and bones together and prevent them from moving too far. Ligaments also make sure your joints only move in the direction(s) they’re supposed to.

Sprains happen when ligaments around one of your joints are damaged. Visit a healthcare provider if you notice pain, swelling or it’s hard to use or put weight on a joint — especially if you’ve experienced a fall, injury or accident.

Types of sprains

Any joint supported by ligaments can be sprained. The most commonly sprained joints are:

• Ankle sprains (including high ankle sprains).
• Wrist sprains.
• Knee sprains.
• Finger sprains (sometimes called jammed fingers).
• Thumb sprains.

How common are sprains?

Sprains are very common. They’re one of the most common injuries, especially among athletes.

What are sprain symptoms?

The most common sprain symptoms include:

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Bruising or discoloration.
• Instability (feeling like you can’t put weight on the joint or move comfortably).
• Reduced range of motion (it’s hard or painful to move the joint as far as usual).

What causes sprains?

Anything that forces your joint to move too much or too far can cause a sprain. The most common causes include:

• Sports injuries.
• Falls.
• Slipping and catching yourself suddenly.
• Rolling an ankle or twisting a knee while walking, running or jumping.
• Repetitive strain injuries (overusing a joint or performing a repetitive motion for work, a sport or a hobby).

What are the risk factors for sprains?

Anyone can experience a sprain, but some people are more likely to sprain a joint, including:

• Athletes.
• Workers with physically demanding jobs.
• People who have a hobby or activity that makes them perform repetitive motions.

Exercise habits that can increase your injury risk (especially sprains) include:

• Suddenly increasing your workout or activity intensity.
• Starting a new sport or activity without the proper equipment or training (working out with poor form or wearing the wrong kind of shoes, for example).
• Playing the same sport year-round with no offseason.

How are sprains diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose a sprain with a physical exam. Your provider will examine your injured joint. Tell them when you first noticed symptoms, especially if you know exactly what caused the injury.

Healthcare providers grade sprains based on their severity:

• Grade 1 sprain (mild): Very little or no tearing in your ligament.
• Grade 2 sprain (moderate): Your ligament is partially torn, but not all the way through.
• Grade 3 sprain (severe): Your ligament is completely torn.

What tests do providers use to diagnose sprains?

You might need imaging tests to take pictures of your joint and the tissue around it. These tests can show damage inside your joint and help diagnose other injuries like bone fractures. Your provider might use:

• X-rays.
• Ultrasound.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

How are sprains treated?

After you see a provider for a diagnosis, you should be able to treat sprain symptoms at home by following the R.I.C.E. method:

• Rest: Avoid the activity that caused your injury. Try not to use the injured part of your body while it heals.
• Ice: Apply a cold compress to your injury 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day. Wrap ice packs in a towel or thin cloth so they’re not directly touching your skin.
• Compression: Wrap an elastic bandage around your injured joint to help reduce swelling. Your provider can show you how to apply a compression wrap safely.
• Elevation: Keep your joint above the level of your heart as often as you can.

Over-the-counter NSAIDs (aspirin or ibuprofen) or acetaminophen can reduce pain and inflammation. Talk to your provider before taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication for longer than 10 days.

Other treatments you may need include:

• A brace or splint that supports your joint and holds it in place.
• A walking boot.
• Crutches.
• Physical therapy.

It’s rare to need surgery after a sprain. You may need surgery for a severe sprain or other injuries like a broken bone or dislocation. Some people need surgery if they’ve sprained the same joint multiple times.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

You should start feeling better gradually after you start treating your symptoms. The most important part of healing after a sprain is to avoid using that joint or putting more stress on it. Ask your provider how much you can use your joint while you’re recovering.

How can I prevent sprains?

There might not be any way to prevent a sprain, especially if you’re an athlete.

During sports or other physical activities:

• Wear the proper protective equipment.
• Don’t “play through the pain” if something hurts during or after physical activity.
• Give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity.
• Stretch and warm up before playing sports or working out.
• Cool down and stretch after physical activity.

Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury:

• Make sure your home and workspace are free from clutter that could trip you or others.
• Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Never stand on chairs, tables or countertops.
• Use your cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk of falls.

What can I expect if I have a sprain?

You should expect to make a full recovery. Sprains are usually temporary injuries, and shouldn’t have a long-term impact on your health or ability to stay active.

Spraining a joint can make you more likely to injure it again in the future. Ask your provider about your unique risk and what you can do to prevent future sprains.

How long does it take to recover from a sprain?

Your sprain recovery time will depend on which joint is sprained and how severe it was. Most sprains take a few weeks to heal. More severe (grade 3) sprains can take a few months. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to expect.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if you’ve experienced an injury and have sprain symptoms. Talk to your provider if you’ve started treating a sprain and your symptoms aren’t improving after a few days (or if they’re getting worse).

When should I go to the emergency room?

Go to the ER if you experience any of the following:

• Extreme pain.
• Swelling that’s getting worse.
• Discoloration.
• Numbness.

What questions should I ask my provider?

• Do I have a sprain or another type of injury?
• Which grade of sprain do I have?
• Which treatments will I need?
• When can I resume physical activity or play sports again?

What are sprains vs. strains?

Sprains and strains are similar injuries — the difference is what’s damaged.

Sprains happen when a ligament is torn or damaged, usually when one of your joints moves further than it should.

Muscle strains happen when one of your muscles is torn. People also sometimes call strains pulled muscles or muscle tears. Providers sometimes call tendon tears strains.

Sprains and strains are both common sports injuries. Visit a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing pain, swelling and can’t move a joint or muscle as well as you usually can.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Almost everyone’s twisted an ankle, jammed a finger or had some kind of sprain in their lives. They’re one of the most common injuries. Even if most sprains aren’t serious and will heal with rest and at-home treatments, don’t ignore pain, swelling or instability in a joint. See a healthcare provider to get any injury diagnosed correctly, especially if it’s making it hard to use or move a joint.

Joint pain can be felt in the joints throughout your body. It may be a symptom of many different health conditions. Arthritis is the most common cause of joint pain. There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis. Joint pain may range from mild to severe. Treatments vary from simple at-home care to surgery, depending on your condition.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is discomfort that affects one or more joints in your body. A joint is where the ends of two or more of your bones come together. For example, your hip joint is where your thigh bone meets your pelvis.

Joint discomfort is common and usually felt in your hands, feet, hips, knees or spine. Pain in your joints may be constant, or it can come and go. Sometimes, your joints can feel stiff, achy or sore. Some people complain of a burning, throbbing or “grating” sensation. In addition, your joints may feel stiff in the morning but loosen up and feel better with movement and activity. However, too much activity could make your pain worse.

Joint pain may affect the function of your joints and can limit your ability to do basic tasks. Severe, painful joints can interfere with your quality of life. Treatment should focus not only on pain but on getting back to daily activities and living your life to the fullest.

What causes joint pain?

The most common causes of joint pain include:

• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, a common type of arthritis, happens over time when your cartilage — the protective cushion between your bones — wears away. Your joints become painful and stiff. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and usually occurs after age 45.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is a chronic disease that causes swelling and pain in your joints. Often, your joints deform (usually occurring in your fingers and wrists).
• Gout: Gout is a painful condition where acidic crystals from your body collect in your joint, causing severe pain and swelling. This usually occurs in your big toe.
• Bursitis: Overuse causes bursitis. It’s usually found in your hip, knee, elbow or shoulder.
• Tendinitis: Tendinitis is inflammation of your tendons — the flexible bands that connect bone and muscle. It’s typically seen in your elbow, heel or shoulder. Overuse often causes it.

In addition, viral infections, rash or fever may make joint movement painful. Injuries, such as broken bones or sprains, can also cause joint pain.

What are the risk factors for joint pain?

Joint pain tends to affect people who have:

• Arthritis or other long-term (chronic) medical conditions.
• Previous injuries to a joint.
• Repeatedly used and/or overused a muscle.
• Depression, anxiety and/or stress.
• Overweight (having a BMI, or body mass index, greater than 25) or obesity (having a BMI greater than 30).

Age is also a factor in stiff and painful joints. After years of use and wear and tear on your joints, problems may arise after age 45.

What is the treatment for joint pain?

Although there may not be a cure for joint pain, there are ways to manage it. Sometimes, the pain may go away by taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication or by performing simple daily exercises. Other times, the pain may be signaling problems that can only be corrected with prescription medication or surgery.

Joint pain treatment includes:

• Simple at-home remedies: Your healthcare provider may recommend applying a heating pad or ice onto the affected area for short periods, several times a day. Soaking in a warm bathtub may also offer relief.
• Exercise: Exercise can help get back strength and function. Walking, swimming or another low-impact aerobic exercise is best. People who participate in strenuous workouts or sports activities may need to scale it back or begin a low-impact workout routine. Gentle stretching exercises will also help. Check with your provider before beginning or continuing any exercise program.
• Weight loss: Your provider may suggest losing weight, if needed, to lessen the strain on your joints.
• Medication: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help ease your pain. Both medicines are available over the counter, but stronger doses may need a prescription. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease or liver disease, check with your provider to see if this is a good option for you.
• Topical treatments: Your provider may recommend topical treatments like ointments or gels that you can rub into your skin over the affected joint area to help ease pain. You may find some of these over the counter, or your provider may write a prescription.
• Dietary supplements: Dietary supplements like glucosamine may help relieve pain. Ask your provider before taking any over-the-counter supplements.

If those medications or treatments don’t ease your pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe:

• Supportive aids — such as a brace, a cane or an orthotic device in your shoe — to help support your joint and allow ease of movement.
• Physical or occupational therapy, along with a balanced fitness program, to gradually help ease pain and improve flexibility.
• Antidepressants to help improve sleep.
• Steroids, often given by injection into your joint, to provide short-term relief of pain and swelling.
• Pain relievers to help ease pain.

It’s important to remember that medicine, even those available over the counter, affects people differently. What helps one person may not work for another. Be sure to follow your provider’s directions carefully when taking any medicine and tell them if you have any side effects.

What surgical options are available to relieve joint pain?

Surgery may be an option if your joint pain is long-lasting and doesn’t lessen with drugs, physical therapy or exercise.

Surgical options that are available include:

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a procedure where a surgeon makes two or three small cuts (incisions) in the flesh over your joint. They get into your joint using an arthroscope — a thin, flexible, fiberoptic instrument — and repair your cartilage or remove bone chips in or near your joint.

Joint fusion

Joint fusion is a procedure in which a surgeon fastens together the ends of your bones, eliminating the joint. The surgeon may use plates, screws, pins or rods to hold your bones in place while they heal. Surgeons most commonly perform joint fusions on your hands, ankles and spine.

Osteotomy

During an osteotomy, a surgeon realigns or reshapes the long bones of your arm or leg to take pressure off the damaged portion of your joint. This procedure can help relieve pain and restore movement in your joint.

Joint replacement

If other treatments don’t help, you may need joint replacement surgery to replace your joint when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of your bones wears away. This can be done for hip, knee and shoulder joints. A surgeon removes parts of your bone and implants an artificial joint made from metal or plastic. This procedure has had excellent results and most people feel long-lasting pain relief after this type of surgery.

What symptoms of joint pain are cause for concern?

Symptoms of joint pain range from mild to disabling. Without cartilage, bones rub directly against each other as your joint moves. Symptoms can include:

• Swelling.
• Stiff or enlarged joint.
• Numbness.
• Noisy joints, or clicking, grinding or snapping sounds when moving your joint.
• Painful movement.
• Difficulty bending or straightening your joint.
• Loss of motion.
• A hot and swollen joint. (This needs immediate evaluation.)

When should joint pain be treated by a healthcare provider?

If pain is interfering with your daily life activities, it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider about the problem. It’s important to diagnose the cause of your pain quickly and begin treatment to relieve pain and maintain healthy, functioning joints.

You should see a provider if:

• Pain is accompanied by a fever.
• You have unexplained weight loss — 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or more.
• Pain is preventing you from walking normally.

During the appointment, your provider will ask many questions to figure out what may be the cause of your pain. You should be ready to answer questions about:

• Previous injuries to your joint.
• When your joint pain began.
• A family history of joint pain.
• The type of pain you’re experiencing.

Your provider will perform an examination of the affected joint to see if there’s pain or limited motion. They’ll also look for signs of injury to your surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments.

If necessary, your provider may also order X-rays or blood tests. X-rays can show if there’s joint deterioration, fluid in your joint, bone spurs or other issues that may be contributing to your pain. Blood tests will help confirm a diagnosis or rule out other diseases that may be causing your pain.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Joint pain can be seen as a red flag — your body’s putting up the signal that something’s not quite right. Despite this warning, it’s not always easy to figure out why you’re in pain and how to fix it. If you’ve been experiencing joint pain, see your healthcare provider. They’ll ask you lots of questions to try to determine what’s going on. It may take some time and a little bit of trial and error, but eventually, you should start to feel some relief and be able to get back to the things you love.

Skin cancer happens when something changes how your skin cells grow, like exposure to ultraviolet light. Symptoms include new bumps or patches on your skin, or changes in the size, shape or color of skin growths. Most skin cancer is treatable if it’s caught early. Treatments include Mohs surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a disease that involves the growth of abnormal cells in your skin tissues. Normally, as skin cells grow old and die, new cells form to replace them. When this process doesn’t work as it should — like after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun — cells grow more quickly. These cells may be noncancerous (benign), which don’t spread or cause harm. Or they may be cancerous.

Skin cancer can spread to nearby tissue or other areas in your body if it’s not caught early. Fortunately, if skin cancer is identified and treated in early stages, most are cured. So, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider if you think you have any signs of skin cancer.

Types of skin cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma, which forms in your basal cells in the lower part of your epidermis (the outside layer of your skin).
• Squamous cell carcinoma, which forms in your squamous cells in the outside layer of your skin.
• Melanoma, which forms in cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, a brown pigment that gives your skin its color and protects against some of the sun’s damaging UV rays. This is the most serious type of skin cancer because it can spread to other areas of your body.

Other types of skin cancer include:

• Kaposi sarcoma.
• Merkel cell carcinoma.
• Sebaceous gland carcinoma.
• Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

How common is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. In fact, about 1 in 5 people develop skin cancer at some point in their life.

What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer?

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on your skin — typically a new growth or a change in an existing growth or mole. Skin cancer symptoms include:

• A new mole. Or a mole that changes in size, shape or color, or that bleeds.
• A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck.
• A flat, pink/red- or brown-colored patch or bump.
• Areas on your skin that look like scars.
• Sores that look crusty, have a depression in the middle or bleed often.
• A wound or sore that won’t heal, or that heals but comes back again.
• A rough, scaly lesion that might itch, bleed and become crusty.

What does skin cancer look like?

Skin cancer looks different depending on what type of skin cancer you have. Thinking of the ABCDE rule tells you what signs to watch for:

• Asymmetry: Irregular shape.
• Border: Blurry or irregularly shaped edges.
• Color: Mole with more than one color.
• Diameter: Larger than a pencil eraser (6 millimeters).
• Evolution: Enlarging, changing in shape, color or size. (This is the most important sign.)

If you’re worried about a mole or another skin lesion, make an appointment and show it to your healthcare provider. They’ll check your skin and may ask you to see a dermatologist and have the lesion further evaluated.

What causes the condition?

The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight, especially when you have sunburn and blistering. UV rays from the sun damage DNA in your skin, causing abnormal cells to form. These abnormal cells rapidly divide in a disorganized way, forming a mass of cancer cells.

What are the risk factors for skin cancer?

Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race or sex. But some groups get it more than others. Before the age of 50, skin cancer is more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). After 50, though, it’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). And it’s about 30 times more common in non-Hispanic white people than non-Hispanic Black people or people of Asian/Pacific Islander descent. Unfortunately, skin cancer is often diagnosed in later stages for people with darker skin tones. This makes it more difficult to treat.

Although anyone can develop skin cancer, you’re at increased risk if you:

• Spend a considerable amount of time working or playing in the sun.
• Get easily sunburned or have a history of sunburns.
• Live in a sunny or high-altitude climate.
• Tan or use tanning beds.
• Have light-colored eyes, blond or red hair and fair or freckled skin.
• Have many moles  or irregularly shaped moles.
• Have actinic keratosis (precancerous skin growths that are rough, scaly, dark pink-to-brown patches).
• Have a family history of skin cancer.
• Have had an organ transplant.
• Take medications that suppress or weaken your immune system.
• Have been exposed to UV light therapy for treating skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

How is skin cancer diagnosed?

First, a dermatologist may ask you if you’ve noticed changes in any existing moles, freckles or other skin spots, or if you’ve noticed any new skin growths. Next, they’ll examine all of your skin, including your scalp, ears, palms of your hands, soles of your feet, between your toes, around your genitals and between your buttocks.

What tests will be done to diagnose skin cancer?

If your provider suspects skin cancer, they may perform a biopsy. In a biopsy, a sample of tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory where a pathologist examines it under a microscope. Your dermatologist will tell you if your skin lesion is skin cancer, what type you have and discuss treatment options.

What are skin cancer stages?

Cancer stages tell you how much cancer is in your body. The stages of skin cancer range from stage 0 to stage IV. In general, the higher the number, the more cancer has spread and the harder it is to treat. But the staging for melanoma is different from non-melanoma skin cancers that start in your basal or squamous cells.

Melanoma staging

• Stage 0 (melanoma in situ): The melanoma is only in the top layer of your skin.
• Stage I: The melanoma is low risk and there’s no evidence that it has spread. It’s generally curable with surgery.
• Stage II: It has some features that indicate that it’s likely to come back (recur), but there’s no evidence of spread.
• Stage III: The melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes or nearby skin.
• Stage IV: The melanoma has spread to more distant lymph nodes or skin, or has spread to internal organs.

Non-melanoma staging

• Stage 0: Cancer is only in the top layer of your skin.
• Stage I (1): Cancer is in the top and middle layers of your skin.
• Stage II (2): Cancer is in the top and middle layers of your skin and moves to target your nerves or deeper layers of skin.
• Stage III (3): Cancer has spread beyond your skin to your lymph nodes.
• Stage IIIV (4): Cancer has spread to other parts of your body and your organs like your liver, lungs or brain.

How is skin cancer treated?

Treatment depends on the stage of cancer. Sometimes, a biopsy alone can remove all the cancer tissue if it’s small and limited to the surface of your skin. Other common skin cancer treatments, used alone or in combination, include:

• Cryotherapy: Your dermatologist uses liquid nitrogen to freeze skin cancer. The dead cells slough off after treatment.
• Excisional surgery: Your dermatologist removes the tumor and some surrounding healthy skin to be sure all the cancer is gone.
• Mohs surgery: Your dermatologist removes only diseased tissue, saving as much surrounding normal tissue as possible. Providers use this to treat basal cell and squamous cell cancers and, sometimes, other skin cancers that develop near sensitive or cosmetically important areas, like your eyelids, ears, lips, forehead, scalp, fingers or genital area.
• Curettage and electrodesiccation: Your dermatologist uses an instrument with a sharp, looped edge to remove cancer cells as it scrapes across the tumor. Then, they use an electric needle to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Providers often use this to treat basal cell and squamous cell cancers and precancerous skin tumors.
• Chemotherapy:  Your dermatologist or oncologist uses medications to kill cancer cells. Anticancer medications can be applied directly on the skin (topical chemotherapy) if limited to your skin’s top layer or provided through pills or an IV if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
• Immunotherapy: Your oncologist gives you medications to train your immune system to kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: Your radiation oncologist uses radiation (strong beams of energy) to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing and dividing.
• Photodynamic therapy: Your dermatologist coats your skin with medication, which they activate with a blue or red fluorescent light. This therapy destroys precancerous cells while leaving normal cells alone.

Complications/side effects of the treatment

The side effects of skin cancer treatment depend on what treatments your healthcare provider think will work best for you. Chemotherapy for skin cancer can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss. Other side effects or complications of skin cancer treatment include:

• Bleeding.
• Pain and swelling.
• Scars.
• Nerve damage that results in loss of feeling.
• Skin infection.
• Regrowth of the tumor after it’s been removed.

Can skin cancer be prevented?

In most cases, skin cancer can be prevented. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid too much sunlight and sunburns. UV rays from the sun damage your skin, and over time, this may lead to skin cancer.

How can I lower my risk?

Ways to protect yourself from skin cancer include:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UV-B and UV-A rays. Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside. Wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days and during the winter months.
• Wear hats with wide brims to protect your face and ears.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your arms and legs. Look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor label for extra protection.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Look for glasses that block both UV-B and UV-A rays.
• Use a lip balm with sunscreen.
• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Avoid tanning beds. If you want a tanned look, use a spray-on tanning product.
• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if any of the medications you take make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Some medications known to make your skin more sensitive to the sun include tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, tricyclic antibiotics, the antifungal agent griseofulvin and statin cholesterol-lowering drugs.
• Regularly check all your skin for any changes in size, shape or color of skin growths or the development of new skin spots. Don’t forget to check your scalp, ears, the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, between your toes, your genital area and between your buttocks. Use mirrors and even take pictures to help identify changes in your skin over time. Make an appointment for a full-body skin exam with your dermatologist if you notice any changes in a mole or other skin spot.

What is the outlook for people with skin cancer?

Nearly all skin cancers can be cured if they’re treated before they have a chance to spread. The earlier skin cancer is found and removed, the better your chance for a full recovery. It’s important to continue following up with your dermatologist to make sure cancer doesn’t come back. If something seems wrong, call your doctor right away.

Most skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. If you’re diagnosed with melanoma:

• The five-year survival rate is 99% if it’s detected before it spreads to your lymph nodes.
• The five-year survival rate is 66% if it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• The five-year survival rate is 27% if it has spread to distant lymph nodes and other organs.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Make an appointment to see a healthcare provider or dermatologist as soon as you notice:

• Any changes to your skin or changes in the size, shape or color of existing moles or other skin lesions.
• The appearance of a new growth on your skin.
• A sore that doesn’t heal.
• Spots on your skin that are different from others.
• Any spots that change, itch or bleed.

Your provider will check your skin, take a biopsy (if needed), make a diagnosis and discuss treatment. Also, see a dermatologist annually for a full skin review.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Questions to ask your dermatologist may include:

• What type of skin cancer do I have?
• What stage is my skin cancer?
• What tests will I need?
• What’s the best treatment for my skin cancer?
• What are the side effects of that treatment?
• What are the potential complications of this cancer and the treatment for it?
• What outcome can I expect?
• Do I have an increased risk of additional skin cancers?
• How often should I be seen for follow-up checkups?

How does skin cancer become a life-threatening cancer?

You may wonder how cancer on the surface of your skin becomes a life-threatening cancer. It seems logical to think you could just scrape off the skin with the cancer cells or even remove the cancerous skin lesion with a minor skin surgery and that’s all that would be needed. These techniques are successfully used if cancer is caught early.

But if skin cancer isn’t caught early, something that’s “just on my skin” can grow and spread beyond the immediate area. Cancer cells can break away and travel through your bloodstream or lymph system. They can settle in other areas of your body and begin to grow and develop into new tumors. This travel and spread is called metastasis.

The type of cancer cell where cancer first started — called primary cancer — determines the type of cancer. For example, if malignant melanoma metastasized to your lungs, the cancer would still be called malignant melanoma. This is how that superficial skin cancer can turn into life-threatening cancer.

Why does skin cancer occur in more non-sun-exposed body areas in people of color?

Scientists don’t fully know why people with darker skin tones develop cancer in non-sun-exposed areas like the palms of your hands and feet. They think that the sun is less of a factor, though. That said, dermatologists still see plenty of UV sunlight-induced melanomas and squamous cell skin cancer in people with skin tones ranging from fair to very dark.

Are all moles cancerous?

Most moles aren’t cancerous. Some moles are present at birth. Others develop up to about age 40. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles.

In rare cases, a mole can turn into melanoma. If you have more than 50 moles, you have an increased chance of developing melanoma.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Skin cancer can happen to anyone. What may seem like an innocent cosmetic imperfection may not be. Performing regular skin self-checks is important for everyone. But it’s especially important if you have an increased risk of skin cancer.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. And it needs as much attention as any other health concern. Check your skin every month for any changes in skin spots or any new skin growths. Take steps to protect your skin from the sun. And don’t forget to schedule regular skin checks with your dermatologist.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks your body’s hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss. Medications and therapies can help your hair regrow, though severe cases may not respond to treatment.

What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss anywhere on your body, but it most commonly affects the hair on the skin that covers your head (scalp). “Alopecia” is a medical term for hair loss or baldness, and “areata” means that it occurs in small, random areas.

There are many different classifications of alopecia areata. The classifications depend on the amount of hair you’ve lost and where you’ve lost it on your body.

• Alopecia areata totalis: You’ve lost all your hair on your scalp.
• Alopecia areata universalis: You’ve lost all your hair on your scalp and all your body hair.
• Diffuse alopecia areata: Your hair is thinning rather than falling out in patches.
• Ophiasis alopecia areata: You’ve lost a band of hair on the bottom back sides of your scalp (occipitotemporal scalp).

Who gets alopecia areata?

Anyone can develop alopecia areata. But your chances of having alopecia areata are greater if:

• You’re a child.
• You have a family history of alopecia areata.
• You or your family members have an autoimmune disorder, including diabetes, lupus or thyroid disease.

How common is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is common. Nearly 7 million people in the United States have alopecia areata, and approximately 20% of cases involve children. Of people who have alopecia areata, 5% have alopecia areata totalis, and 1% have alopecia areata universalis.

It’s the second-most common form of hair loss, behind female pattern baldness and male pattern baldness.

What happens if you have alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata causes your hair to fall out in patches. The patches are usually small and round — about the size of a quarter — but the shape and amount of hair you lose may be bigger or smaller.

Your nails may also develop dents or pits (cupuliform depressions). They may make your nails feel coarse or gritty, like sandpaper.

Alopecia areata doesn’t typically affect your physical health. However, it can affect you psychosocially (how society and social groups affect your thoughts and emotions) and psychologically (how you think about yourself and your behavior). You may experience stress, anxiety and depression.

What are the symptoms of alopecia areata?

Common symptoms of alopecia areata include:

• Patches of hair loss, including your scalp, facial hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair.
• Nail pitting.

Your patches won’t typically have any other symptoms, but in rare cases, they may:

• Itch (pruritus).
• Change color (red, purple, brown or gray).
• Develop visible, mouth-like openings in your hair follicles (follicular ostia).
• Have black dots, which are hair shafts that are visible in the follicular ostia (cadaver hairs).
• Grow short hairs that are thicker on the top and narrow toward your scalp (exclamation point hairs).
• Grow white hairs.

What causes alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your body. Your immune system attacks your hair follicles because it thinks they’re foreign invaders — bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi — that cause infection, illness and disease.

When this happens, your hair begins to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The extent of the hair loss varies. In some cases, it’s only in a few spots. In others, the hair loss may be more significant, including total hair loss.

Your genetic makeup (the parts of your cells that determine your physical traits, like eye color, height or hair color) may trigger your body’s autoimmune reaction. Or your genetic makeup combined with a virus or another substance you encounter may trigger the reaction.

Is alopecia areata contagious?

No, alopecia areata isn’t contagious. You can’t spread alopecia areata through skin-to-skin contact or airborne particles.

How is alopecia areata diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose alopecia areata through a physical exam. They’ll ask about your medical history, including when you started noticing hair loss and whether you have a family history of alopecia areata or autoimmune disorders. They may also examine your nails.

What tests will be done to diagnose alopecia areata?

If your healthcare provider can’t make a diagnosis after a physical examination of your bald spots, they may:

• Examine your scalp for signs of infection.
• Take a sample of your hair and send it to a lab for analysis.
• Take a scalp biopsy to check for skin disease.
• Conduct blood tests.

Can alopecia areata go away?

No, alopecia areata doesn’t go away. Medications and other treatments help manage your hair loss, but they won’t cure the disease. Alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis are more severe and less likely to respond to treatment.

How is alopecia areata managed?

Treatment options include:

• Corticosteroids: Anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to treat autoimmune diseases. Corticosteroids are injected into your scalp or other areas, taken orally as a pill or applied topically (rubbed into your skin) as an ointment, cream or foam. Your body’s response to corticosteroids may be slow. Some side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, changes in mood and blurred vision.
• Minoxidil (Rogaine®): Minoxidil is a topical drug that treats male and female pattern baldness. It usually takes about 12 weeks of treatment before your hair begins to grow. Some side effects include headache, scalp irritation and unusual hair growth.
• Phototherapy: Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light from special lamps. Your healthcare provider may use a drug called psoralen combined with ultraviolet A (PUVA) or ultraviolet B (PUVB). The ultraviolet light waves in phototherapy can help certain skin and nail disorders, including alopecia areata.
• Platelet-rich plasma: A healthcare provider removes blood from your body, processes it and then injects it into your scalp to stimulate hair growth. Some side effects may include scalp pain and irritation, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
• Topical immunotherapy: Your healthcare provider rubs an allergen into your skin to create an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis), which produces hair growth. Some side effects include scalp irritation, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), eczema and skin discoloration.
• Styling techniques: If your body doesn’t respond to other treatment options, you may be able to obscure or hide your hair loss with certain hairstyles, wigs or hair weaves.

Can hair grow back from alopecia?

Alopecia areata can be unpredictable. In some people, their hair grows back but falls out again later. In others, their hair grows back and never falls out again. Each case of alopecia areata is unique. Even if someone loses all of their hair, there’s a chance that it’ll grow back. Depending on your therapy and its effectiveness, you may see new hair growth between four and 12 weeks after starting.

How can I prevent alopecia areata?

There isn’t any way to prevent alopecia areata. Treatments can reduce your symptoms. If you have alopecia areata, it may come and go throughout your life.

What can I expect if I have alopecia areata?

In mild cases of alopecia areata, you may have flare-ups and times when symptoms go away (remission). Alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis are more severe, and your body is less likely to respond to treatment options.

How do I take care of myself?

There are various cosmetic and protective techniques that people with alopecia areata can use to take care of themselves, including:

• Use makeup to hide or minimize hair loss.
• If you’ve lost your eyelashes, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and the environment.
• Wear coverings (wigs, hats or scarves) to protect your head from the elements.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Hair growth is a vitamin- and mineral-dependent process. Although not specifically related to alopecia areata, people who follow fad diets often have problems with hair loss. The Mediterranean diet includes fruits, vegetables and protein that may help strengthen your hair and minimize loss.
• Consider taking vitamin D supplements.

Things to avoid when you have alopecia areata

• The elements: Hair protects us from the sun and wind. Our eyelashes help keep debris out of our eyes. If you have alopecia areata, you’ll need to take precautions to protect your skin (and sometimes, your eyes) when you’re outside.
• A lot of stress: Although never proven through large trials or investigations, many people with new onset alopecia areata had recent stresses in life, such as work, family, deaths, surgeries, accidents and so on.
• Hair products and treatments that contain harsh chemicals: This includes chemical straighteners and permanent waves. Try to find gentle shampoos and conditioners without silicones and parabens.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Call a healthcare provider as soon as you notice hair loss. After you start treatment, contact your healthcare provider if:

• You develop new symptoms.
• Your symptoms don’t improve after treatment.
• Your affected areas look infected (red, purple, gray or white skin; irritation and swelling).

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• How can you tell that I have alopecia areata?
• If I don’t have alopecia areata, what’s causing my hair to fall out?
• What medications or treatments do you recommend?
• What’s the complete list of side effects of the medications and treatments?
• When should I expect to see new hair growth after treatment?
• What else can I do to prevent further hair loss?
• Should I see a dermatologist?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

It can be alarming to notice hair loss. Alopecia areata is a common condition that causes hair loss anywhere on your body, but it usually affects your scalp. Everyone loses hair when they shampoo or brush, it’s part of the hair growth process. But if you have alopecia areata, you might notice more hair loss than usual. Or you might not notice until you see patchy baldness. Reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you notice hair loss, especially if it causes stress, anxiety or depression.

Vitiligo causes your skin to lose color or pigmentation. Smooth white or light areas called macules or patches appear on your skin. It generally starts on your hands, forearms, feet and face. Globally, about 1% of the population has vitiligo. Treatment isn’t necessary, but it’s available if you don’t like the changes to your skin tone.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo (pronounced “vit-il-EYE-go”) is a skin condition that causes your skin to lose its color or pigment. This causes your skin to appear lighter than your natural skin tone or turn white. Areas of your skin that lose their pigment are called macules if they’re less than 1 centimeter wide, or patches if they’re larger than 1 centimeter. If you have vitiligo on a part of your body that has hair, your hair may turn white or silver.

The condition occurs when your body’s immune system destroys melanocytes. Melanocytes are skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives skin its color, or pigmentation.

Who does vitiligo affect?

Vitiligo affects all races and sexes equally. It’s more visible in people with darker skin tones. Although vitiligo can develop in anyone at any age, macules or patches usually become apparent before age 30.

You might be at a higher risk of developing vitiligo if you have certain autoimmune conditions like:

• Addison’s disease.
• Anemia.
• Diabetes (Type 1).
• Lupus.
• Psoriasis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Thyroid disease.

How common is vitiligo?

Vitiligo occurs in over 1% of the population throughout the world.

How does vitiligo start and progress?

Vitiligo usually starts with a few small white macules or patches that may gradually spread over your body. Vitiligo typically begins on your hands, forearms, feet and face, but can develop on any part of your body, including your mucous membranes (the moist lining of your mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas), your eyes and inner ears.

Sometimes, larger patches continue to widen and spread, but they usually stay in the same place for years. The location of smaller macules shifts and changes over time, as certain areas of skin lose and regain their pigment.

The amount of affected skin varies for each person diagnosed with vitiligo. Some people experience a few depigmented areas, while others have a widespread loss of skin color.

What are the types of vitiligo?

Types of vitiligo include:

• Generalized: This is the most common type of vitiligo that causes macules to appear in various places on your body.
• Segmental: This type only affects one side of your body or one area, such as your hands or face.
• Mucosal: Mucosal vitiligo affects mucous membranes of your mouth and/or genitals.
• Focal: Focal vitiligo is a rare type where the macules develop in a small area and don’t spread in a certain pattern within one to two years.
• Trichome: This type causes a bullseye with a white or colorless center, then an area of lighter pigmentation, and an area of your natural skin tone.
• Universal: This rare type of vitiligo causes more than 80% of your skin to not have pigment.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo?

Signs and symptoms of vitiligo include:

• Patches of skin or mucous membranes that lose color. These can appear white or lighter than your natural skin tone.
• Patches of hair on your body turn silver, gray or white.

Symptoms can be mild and only affect a small area of your body or severe and affect a large area of your skin. Some people with vitiligo experience itchy skin before depigmentation starts.

Where will I have symptoms of vitiligo?

Symptoms of vitiligo can appear anywhere on the skin of your body. The most common places to have symptoms of vitiligo include on your:

• Hands.
• Feet.
• Arms.
• Face.
• Mucous membranes (inside of your mouth, lips and nose).
• Genitals (penis).

What causes vitiligo?

A lack of pigment in your skin (melanin) causes vitiligo. The reason why this happens is unknown. Research suggests vitiligo could be the result of:

• An autoimmune condition: Your immune system mistakes healthy cells (melanocytes) as foreign invaders like bacteria that can cause harm to your body. This makes your immune system overreact and develop antibodies to destroy your melanocytes.
• Genetic changes: A genetic mutation or a change to your body’s DNA can affect how your melanocytes function. There are over 30 genes that can increase your risk of developing vitiligo.
• Stress: The amount of pigment your melanocyte cells produce may change if you experience frequent emotional stress or physical stress on your body, especially after an injury.
• Environmental triggers: Factors like ultraviolet radiation and toxic chemical exposure can affect how your melanocyte cells function.

Is vitiligo genetic?

While research is ongoing to learn more about the causes of vitiligo, studies indicate that about 30% of vitiligo cases are genetic. This means that the condition is hereditary and you could potentially inherit vitiligo from your biological family. Several possible genetic mutations affect how melanocyte cells function. If a genetic mutation targets the cells that give your skin pigment, you’ll experience symptoms of vitiligo.

Is vitiligo painful?

No, vitiligo isn’t painful. However, you can get painful sunburns on lighter patches of skin affected by vitiligo. It’s important to protect yourself against the sun with measures like using sunscreen, staying out of the sun during the hours that it’s strongest and wearing protective clothing.

Does vitiligo cause complications?

Although vitiligo is mainly a cosmetic condition, vitiligo may cause:

• Sensitive skin: Macules and patches lack melanocytes, so your skin can be more sensitive to sunlight than the rest of your skin. This can cause your skin to quickly burn instead of tanning.
• Eye abnormalities: People with vitiligo may have some abnormalities in their retinas (the inner layer of your eye that contains light-sensitive cells) and some variation of color in their irises (the colored part of your eye). In some cases, there’s inflammation of the retina or iris, but vision usually isn’t affected.
• Predisposition to autoimmune conditions: People with vitiligo may be more likely to get other autoimmune conditions that affect how their body’s immune system functions. Common autoimmune conditions include hypothyroidism, diabetes and anemia.
• Emotional challenges: People with vitiligo may feel embarrassed about the way their skin looks. Some people diagnosed with vitiligo develop low self-esteem. This could cause anxiety or depression and make someone want to isolate themselves or avoid social situations. If this happens, you should talk to your healthcare provider, a mental health professional or your family and friends.

How is vitiligo diagnosed?

A visual examination by a healthcare provider usually leads to an accurate diagnosis of vitiligo. Your provider may use a Wood’s lamp to look at your skin. This lamp uses an ultraviolet (UV) light that shines onto your skin to help your provider differentiate vitiligo from other skin conditions. In addition, your provider may ask you questions about your medical history and family medical history.

What other conditions look like vitiligo?

There are other conditions that make your skin change or lose pigmentation, including:

• Chemical leukoderma: Exposure to some industrial chemicals causes damage to skin cells, resulting in linear or splotchy white areas of skin.
• Tinea versicolor: This yeast infection can create dark spots that show on light skin, or light spots that show on darker skin.
• Albinism: This genetic condition means that you have lower levels of melanin in your skin, hair and/or eyes.
• Pityriasis alba: This condition starts with red and scaly areas of skin, which fade into scaly lighter patches of skin.

How is vitiligo treated?

Treatment for vitiligo isn’t necessary, as the condition isn’t harmful to your body and is only cosmetic. If you have widespread vitiligo or your physical symptoms affect your emotional well-being, your healthcare provider can help you find a treatment option to create a uniform skin tone by either restoring color (repigmentation) or eliminating the remaining color (depigmentation) in your skin. Common treatments for vitiligo include:

• Medications.
• Light therapy.
• Depigmentation therapy.
• Surgery.
• Counseling.

Medications

There isn’t a specific medication to stop vitiligo from affecting your skin but there are certain drugs that can slow the speed of pigmentation loss, help melanocytes regrow or bring color back to your skin. Medications to treat vitiligo could include:

• Corticosteroids.
• Topical Janus kinase inhibitors (ruxolitinib).
• Calcineurin inhibitors.

Light therapy

Light therapy or phototherapy is the treatment to help return color to your skin. Your provider will use light boxes, ultraviolet B (UVB) lights or medical-grade lasers directed at your skin for a short amount of time. It can take several light therapy sessions to see results on your skin.

Combining oral psoralen medication and ultraviolet A light (PUVA) treats large areas of skin with vitiligo. This treatment is effective for people with vitiligo on their head, neck, trunk, upper arms and legs.

Depigmentation therapy

Depigmentation therapy removes the color of your natural skin tone to match areas of your skin affected with vitiligo. Depigmentation therapy uses the drug monobenzone. You can apply this medication to pigmented patches of your skin. This will turn your skin white to match the areas of your skin with vitiligo.

Surgery

Surgery is a treatment option for people diagnosed with vitiligo. Surgical treatment could include:

• Skin grafts: Skin is taken from one part of your body and used to cover another part. Possible complications include scarring, infection or a failure to repigment. This might also be called mini grafting.
• Blister grafting: Blister grafting uses suction to create a blister on your skin and your provider will then remove the top of the blister to attach it to an area of your skin affected by vitiligo.

Your healthcare provider might not recommend surgery if you:

• Have quickly spreading vitiligo.
• Scar easily.
• Develop raised scars that grow larger than a wound (keloids).

Counseling

Some people diagnosed with vitiligo find counseling or visiting a mental health professional beneficial to help improve their self-esteem, anxiety or depression that can be associated with changes to their skin. Vitiligo can cause psychological distress and can affect a person’s outlook and social interactions. If this happens, your caregiver may suggest that you meet with a counselor or attend a support group.

How can I prevent vitiligo?

As there could be several causes of vitiligo, there’s no known way to prevent it. You can reduce your risk of developing vitiligo by:

• Practicing safe sun exposure habits.
• Taking care of your skin by using a moisturizer daily.
• Avoiding stress or injury to your body.
• Managing any underlying autoimmune conditions.

What can I expect if I have vitiligo?

Vitiligo affects your appearance and can affect how you feel about your skin in social situations. Many people find comfort in speaking with a mental health professional to help them feel more confident and build their self-esteem.

There’s no cure for vitiligo but if you’d like to get treatment, your healthcare provider will help you choose the treatment that’s right for you and your skin.

Will my natural skin color return with vitiligo?

About 10% to 20% of people who have vitiligo fully regain their skin color. This is most common among people who:

• Receive an early diagnosis before age 20.
• Experience the peak of the condition spreading within six months or less.
• Have symptoms mainly in their facial area.

It’s less likely that you’ll regain your pigment if you:

• Develop vitiligo symptoms after age 20.
• Have symptoms on your lips, limbs or hands.

How do I hide vitiligo?

If you’re uncomfortable with how vitiligo looks on your skin, you can hide macules or patches at home by:

• Using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The use of sunscreens minimizes tanning and limits the contrast between affected and normal skin.
• Wearing makeup to camouflage depigmented areas.
• Dying your hair with hair dye to help it blend in with unaffected hair on your head.
• Getting micropigmentation, which is a tattoo over your vitiligo spots. It acts as permanent makeup to hide symptoms of the condition.

Is vitiligo contagious?

No. Vitiligo isn’t contagious. It doesn’t spread from person to person through physical contact.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• Your skin loses pigmentation or color rapidly.
• Depigmentation spreads to a large area of your body.
• The changes to your skin affect your mental health and well-being.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• What type of vitiligo do I have?
• Will my skin get its pigment back?
• How do I protect myself from the sun?
• What treatment options are best for my skin?
• Will my future children inherit this condition?

What’s the difference between tinea versicolor and vitiligo?

Tinea versicolor and vitiligo are different conditions that affect the pigment of your skin. Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection that causes your skin to develop white, yellow, red, pink or brown spots. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where you lose pigment. It causes your skin to turn lighter than your natural skin tone or white.

Is piebaldism the same as vitiligo?

No. Both conditions cause white or light patches of skin or hair. Piebaldism occurs when a portion of your skin doesn’t have melanocytes, which are cells that produce pigment (melanin). You’re born with piebaldism. Vitiligo occurs when your body has melanocytes, but they’re destroyed. You develop vitiligo during your lifetime.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Vitiligo is a condition that causes cosmetic changes to your skin. It doesn’t need treatment because it isn’t dangerous. But it’s common for vitiligo skin changes to affect self-esteem and make people feel insecure or uncomfortable. Reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss how your physical appearance affects your mental health. There’s no cure for vitiligo, but treatment is available to help you feel more comfortable.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissue beneath your skin. Anyone can get cellulitis, but the risk is higher if you have a skin wound that allows bacteria to enter your body easily or a weakened immune system. Treatment includes antibiotics. A warm compress, elevation, compression and NSAIDs also help relieve your symptoms.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissues beneath your skin. It most commonly affects the lower part of your body, including your legs, feet and toes. However, it can occur in any part of your body. It also commonly appears on your face, arms, hands and fingers.

Who does cellulitis affect?

Anyone can get cellulitis. However, you may be more likely to get cellulitis if:

• You’re a child.
• You have a wound such as a cut, ulcer, bug bite, animal bite, surgical incision, tattoo or piercing.
• You have a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition such as athlete’s foot, eczema or psoriasis.
• You have chickenpox or shingles.
• You have a weakened immune system.
• You have obesity.

How common is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is very common. There are more than 14 million cases of cellulitis in the United States per year.

How does cellulitis affect my body?

Cellulitis causes swelling and pain. If you have cellulitis on your hands or feet, it may be challenging to close your hands or walk.

A cellulitis infection may cause flu-like symptoms, including a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), chills, sweats, body aches and fatigue.

What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

Symptoms of cellulitis may include:

• Pain.
• Tenderness.
• Edema (swelling).
• Warmth.
• Discoloration (red, purple or slightly darker than your usual skin color) that may look like a rash.
• Fluid-filled blisters.
• Skin surface looks lumpy or pitted, like an orange skin.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Fatigue.

What is the main cause of cellulitis?

Many different bacteria can cause cellulitis. However, Streptococcus (strep) and Staphylococcus (staph) cause most cases of cellulitis.

Is cellulitis caused by poor hygiene?

Cellulitis usually appears around damaged skin, but it also occurs in areas of your skin with poor hygiene.

You can maintain good skin hygiene by:

• Washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water.
• Cleaning and trimming your fingernails and toenails.
• Regularly showering and thoroughly drying your skin after.
• Wearing clean clothes.
• Keeping small wounds clean.

What does the beginning of cellulitis look like?

When you first get cellulitis, your skin looks slightly discolored. It may feel slightly warm to the touch. As the infection spreads, the discoloration gets darker as your skin swells and becomes tender.

Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis isn’t usually contagious. Though rare, you may be able to contract cellulitis if you have an open wound and have skin-to-skin contact with an infected person’s open wound.

How is cellulitis diagnosed?

To diagnose cellulitis, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination of the affected area.

What tests will be done to diagnose cellulitis?

In most cases, your healthcare provider won’t conduct any tests. However, if you’ve got a severe case of cellulitis, your healthcare provider may recommend tests to make sure the infection hasn’t spread to other parts of your body.

These tests may include:

• Blood test. A blood test will confirm whether the cellulitis infection has spread to your blood.
• Skin test. A skin test will identify the type of bacteria responsible for your cellulitis, which helps your healthcare provider prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic.
• Bacterial culture. A bacterial culture will identify the type of bacteria responsible for your cellulitis.

How is cellulitis treated?

Your healthcare provider will typically prescribe antibiotics taken by mouth (oral antibiotics) to treat your cellulitis. Oral antibiotics may include dicloxacillin or cephalexin.

Severe cases of cellulitis may not respond to oral antibiotics. You may require hospitalization and intravenous (IV) antibiotics — your healthcare provider will use a small needle and tube to deliver the antibiotics directly into a vein.

What is the fastest way to get rid of cellulitis?

The fastest way to get rid of cellulitis is to take your full course of antibiotics. Some home treatments may help speed up the healing process.

Home treatments include:

• Warm compress. Apply a warm compress to your affected area to help reduce swelling and other symptoms.
• Elevation. Elevating your affected area helps lower the blood pressure in the area’s blood vessels and improve blood flow.
• Compression. Compression wraps or stockings help reduce swelling and improve blood flow. Don’t wrap your affected area too tightly. This can cut off circulation. Remove the compression wrap or stocking at least twice every day for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, reduce pain and inflammation. Not everyone can take NSAIDs, so it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before use.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

In most cases, you should feel better within seven to 10 days after you start taking antibiotics.

You’ll notice signs that your cellulitis infection is healing a few days after starting antibiotics. Your pain will decrease, swelling will go down and any discoloration will begin to fade.

How can I reduce my risk?

You can reduce your risk of developing cellulitis by:

• Cleaning your wounds or sores with antibacterial soap and water.
• Applying an antibiotic ointment on your wounds or sores.
• Covering your wounds or sores with a bandage to prevent dirt or bacteria from entering the area.
• Refraining from touching or rubbing your affected areas.
• Getting medical attention right away for any deep cuts or puncture wounds.

What can I expect if I have cellulitis?

With early diagnosis and treatment, the outlook for people with cellulitis is good. Most people feel better after seven to 10 days.

It’s very important to take cellulitis seriously and get treatment right away. Cellulitis can quickly progress and lead to more severe conditions. The bacteria could spread to your bloodstream (bacteremia) or heart (endocarditis), which may be fatal.

How do I take care of myself?

• Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. It’s important to finish your full course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. If you don’t finish your full course of medicine, your cellulitis may come back and be more challenging to treat.
• Refrain from touching the affected area. If you must touch the affected area, wash your hands before and after touching it. Don’t squeeze or puncture the area. Squeezing and puncturing won’t drain any swelling or provide relief.
• Rest. It’s a good idea to avoid any activities that may aggravate your affected areas, including walking, running or other exercises.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if:

• You notice an increase in swelling, discoloration or pain.
• Your symptoms don’t go away a few days after starting antibiotics.
• Your cellulitis infection spreads to surrounding areas of your body.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• How do you know that I have cellulitis?
• If I don’t have cellulitis, what other condition might I have?
• How did I get cellulitis?
• What bacteria caused my cellulitis?
• For how long and at what times of the day should I take my medication?
• How should I store my medication?
• When will I start to feel better?
• Do I need to schedule a follow-up visit?
• What activities should I avoid?
• Which OTC pain relievers do you recommend?

Does cellulitis itch?

No, cellulitis doesn’t itch. However, your affected area may itch once your skin starts to heal.

Why do I keep getting cellulitis?

Many people who get cellulitis again usually have skin conditions that don’t go away without treatment, such as athlete’s foot or impetigo. Poorly controlled diabetes may also contribute to repeat instances of cellulitis.

Approximately 33% of all people who have cellulitis get it again.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Cellulitis is a common skin condition that mostly affects children and people with wounds, chronic skin conditions or a weakened immune system. If you notice symptoms of cellulitis, talk to your healthcare provider right away. They’ll prescribe you an antibiotic to quickly clear up the bacterial infection and recommend home treatments to make you more comfortable.

To prevent cellulitis, be sure to practice proper hygiene. Clean any wounds with water and antibacterial soap and cover them with a clean bandage to reduce your risk of infection.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes itchiness and discomfort. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. It causes thick, scaly areas of skin. While there isn’t a cure, psoriasis treatment can help manage symptoms. Your provider may prescribe special creams or ointments for psoriasis.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in your skin. Symptoms of psoriasis include thick areas of discolored skin covered with scales. These thick, scaly areas are called plaques.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition, which means it can flare up unexpectedly and there’s no cure.

What are the types of psoriasis?

There are several types of psoriasis, including:

• Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
• Inverse psoriasis: This type appears in your skin folds. It causes thin plaques without scales.
• Guttate psoriasis: Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots and often affects children and young adults.
• Pustular psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of plaques.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is a severe type of psoriasis that affects a large area (more than 90%) of your skin. It causes widespread skin discoloration and skin shedding.
• Sebopsoriasis: This type typically appears on your face and scalp as bumps and plaques with a greasy, yellow scale. This is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Nail psoriasis: Nail psoriasis causes skin discoloration, pitting and changes to your fingernails and toenails.

What part of my body will psoriasis affect?

A psoriasis rash can show up anywhere on your skin. Psoriasis is common on your:

• Elbows and knees.
• Face and inside of your mouth.
• Scalp
• Fingernails and toenails.
• Genitals.
• Lower back.
• Palms and feet.

In most people, psoriasis covers a small area of their skin. In severe cases, the plaques connect and cover a large area of your body.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling. Similar to psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to function abnormally and cause symptoms. About 1 in 3 people diagnosed with psoriasis will also develop arthritis due to inflammation. Early treatment of psoriatic arthritis can reduce damage to your joints.

Who does psoriasis affect and how common is it?

People of any age, sex or race can get psoriasis. Psoriasis affects millions of people. More than 3% of the U.S. population has psoriasis.

Is psoriasis the same as eczema?

Psoriasis and eczema are two different skin conditions. Both conditions cause similar symptoms like discolored skin, a rash and itching. Psoriasis plaques cause areas of thick skin covered in scales. Eczema causes a rash of dry and bumpy skin. Eczema also typically causes more intense itching than psoriasis.

What does psoriasis look like?

Symptoms of psoriasis on your skin include plaques. Plaques look like:

• A rash or a raised area of thick skin.
• The skin on the plaque is discolored.
• The plaque is scaly or flaky and sheds easily.

An early sign of psoriasis is small bumps. The bumps grow, and scales form on top. The surface of the plaque might shed, but the scales beneath them will stick together. If you scratch your rash, the scales may tear away from your skin. This can cause bleeding. As the rash continues to grow, lesions (larger areas of skin damage) can form. Symptoms of psoriasis can range from mild to severe.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

In addition to skin plaques or a rash, you might have symptoms that include:

• Itchy skin.
• Cracked, dry skin.
• Skin pain.
• Nails that are pitted, cracked or crumbly.
• Joint pain.

If you scratch your plaque, you could break open your skin, which could lead to an infection. Infections are dangerous. If you experience severe pain, swelling and a fever, you have symptoms of an infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms.

What causes psoriasis?

An over-reactive immune system that creates inflammation in your skin causes psoriasis.

If you have psoriasis, your immune system is supposed to destroy foreign invaders, like bacteria, to keep you healthy and prevent you from getting sick. Instead, your immune system can mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders. As a result, your immune system creates inflammation or swelling, which you see on the surface of your skin as skin plaques.

It usually takes up to 30 days for new skin cells to grow and replace old skin cells. Your over-reactive immune system causes the timeline of new skin cell development to change to three to four days. The speed of new cells replacing old cells creates scales and frequent skin shedding on top of skin plaques.

Psoriasis runs in families. There may be a genetic component to psoriasis because biological parents may pass the condition down to their children.

What causes psoriasis outbreaks?

An outbreak of psoriasis, or a flare up, causes symptoms of psoriasis as a result of contact with a trigger, which could be an irritant or an allergen. Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. Common triggers for psoriasis flare ups include:

• Emotional stress.
• An infection (streptococcal infection).
• A skin injury like cuts, scrapes or surgery.
• Certain medications, such as lithium and beta-blockers.
• Changes in body temperature due to the weather.

Is psoriasis contagious?

No, psoriasis isn’t contagious. You can’t get psoriasis by coming into contact with another person’s psoriasis skin rash.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider or a dermatologist will diagnose psoriasis after a physical exam to look at your skin and review your symptoms. They’ll ask you questions that could include:

• Do you have a history of skin conditions in your biological family?
• When did you first notice symptoms?
• Have you tried any at-home remedies to treat your skin?
• Is this the first time you’ve had an outbreak on your skin?
• What types of soaps or shampoos do you use?

The appearance of a skin plaque leads to a psoriasis diagnosis, but symptoms can relate to other similar skin conditions, so your provider might offer a skin biopsy test to confirm your diagnosis. During this test, your provider will remove a small sample of skin tissue from your skin plaque and examine it under a microscope.

How is psoriasis treated?

Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis symptoms. Common psoriasis treatments include:

• Steroid creams.
• Moisturizers for dry skin.
• Medication to slow skin cell production (anthralin).
• Medicated lotions or shampoos.
• Vitamin D3 ointment.
• Vitamin A or retinoid creams.

Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of your skin. If your rash affects larger areas, or if you also have joint pain, you’ll need other treatments. Joint pain may be a sign that you have arthritis.

Your provider will decide on a treatment plan based on:

• The severity of the rash.
• Where the rash is on your body.
• Your age.
• Your overall health.

What if common psoriasis treatments don’t work?

If your symptoms of psoriasis don’t improve after treatment, or if you have large areas of involvement (10% of your skin or more), your healthcare provider may recommend the following treatments:

• Light therapy: LED lights at specific wavelengths can decrease skin inflammation and help slow your skin cell production.
• PUVA: This treatment combines a medication called psoralen with exposure to a special form of ultraviolet light.
• Retinoids: These vitamin A-related drugs can help your psoriasis symptoms but may cause side effects, including birth defects.
• Immune therapies: Newer immune therapy medications (biologics and small molecule inhibitors) work by blocking your body’s immune system so it can’t cause an autoimmune reaction.
• Methotrexate: Providers recommend this medication for severe cases of psoriasis. It may cause liver disease. If you take it, your provider will monitor your progress with blood tests. You may need periodic liver biopsies to check your liver health.
• Cyclosporine: This medicine can help severe psoriasis but it may cause high blood pressure and kidney damage.

Before starting treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects and mention any medications or supplements you currently take to avoid drug interaction.

Are there any complications of psoriasis?

For some people diagnosed with psoriasis, the skin condition causes more than itchiness, scaling skin and skin discoloration. It can lead to swollen joints and arthritis. If you have psoriasis, you may be at higher risk of:

• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• High cholesterol.
• Strokes.
• Heart attacks.

If you have psoriasis, your provider will do regular blood pressure checks and monitor the progress of your treatment to avoid complications. You can take steps to prevent potential complications by:

• Eating a well-balanced diet.
• Exercising regularly.
• Getting adequate sleep
• Not smoking.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

A flare-up of psoriasis symptoms can last a couple of weeks to a few months. Your healthcare provider can speed up your skin’s recovery with certain medications. After your symptoms go away, your psoriasis is in remission. This means that you could have another outbreak of symptoms in the future. Your remission timeline could last a few months to a couple of years. If you notice your symptoms flare up when you contact certain triggers, avoiding those triggers leads to a long remission time.

How can I prevent psoriasis?

There isn’t a way to entirely prevent psoriasis. You can reduce your risk by following your healthcare provider’s treatment, living a healthy lifestyle, taking good care of your skin and avoiding triggers that can cause an outbreak of symptoms.

What can I expect if I have psoriasis?

If you have psoriasis, it’s common to see symptoms show up during early adulthood, but the timeline of when symptoms begin is unique to every person. You may notice certain triggers in your environment that can cause a flare up of symptoms. Avoiding these triggers can lead to fewer outbreaks in the future.

Psoriasis can make you uncomfortable, itchy and self-conscious. If these symptoms are causing you physical or emotional distress, contact your healthcare provider for treatment.

Is there a cure for psoriasis?

There isn’t a cure for psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, which means that symptoms may come and go throughout your life. Treatment can relieve symptoms so you can look and feel your best.

How do I take care of myself?

To feel your best with psoriasis:

• Take medications as instructed.
• Use moisturizer regularly, especially after bathing.
• Avoid harsh soaps.
• Use medicated shampoo for scales on your scalp.

Other steps you should take to stay as healthy as possible:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about lowering your risk for related conditions, such as heart disease, depression and diabetes.
• Lower your stress with meditation, exercise or seeing a mental health professional.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Do regular skin self-exams to notice any changes in your skin. If you have skin changes, a rash that’s not going away or a rash that gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• How can I prevent outbreaks and manage symptoms?
• What medication will work best for me?
• What else should I do to improve my symptoms?
• What are my options if creams don’t work?
• Will psoriasis ever go away?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Psoriasis, an itchy skin condition, can come and go throughout your life. It’s related to an overactive immune response and isn’t contagious. If you have skin changes that aren’t going away, talk to your healthcare provider. There isn’t a cure for psoriasis, but psoriasis treatments can improve symptoms. Your provider may prescribe a special cream or moisturizer or medications. Other therapies are available if creams or medicines don’t work. Maintaining your overall health will also help improve symptoms.

Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry and itchy patches of skin. It’s a common condition that isn’t contagious. Symptoms of eczema can flare up if you contact an irritant or an allergen. There are treatments available to help you manage symptoms, but there isn’t a cure.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, itchy and bumpy. This condition weakens your skin’s barrier function, which is responsible for helping your skin retain moisture and protecting your body from outside elements.

Eczema is a type of dermatitis. Dermatitis is a group of conditions that cause skin inflammation.

What are the types of eczema?

There are several types of eczema. Each type has unique triggers that can affect your skin’s barrier function, including:

• Atopic dermatitis.
• Contact dermatitis.
• Dyshidrotic eczema.
• Neurodermatitis.
• Nummular eczema.
• Seborrheic dermatitis.

It’s possible to have more than one type of eczema at the same time.

Who does eczema affect?

Eczema can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms usually appear during childhood and last into adulthood. You might be more at risk of having eczema if you have a family history or a diagnosis of:

• Dermatitis.
• Allergies.
• Hay fever.
• Asthma.

How common is eczema?

Eczema is common and affects more than 31 million Americans. Infants are prone to eczema, and 10% to 20% will have it. However, nearly half of all infants diagnosed with eczema outgrow the condition or have significant improvement as they get older.

What causes eczema to start?

The first signs of eczema are itchiness, dry skin and a rash. These signs indicate that you came into contact with a trigger in your environment that caused your symptoms to start or flare up. Identifying environmental triggers and avoiding them can reduce your risk of an eczema flare-up in your future.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Symptoms of eczema include:

• Dry skin.
• Itchy skin.
• Skin rash.
• Bumps on your skin.
• Thick, leathery patches of skin.
• Flaky, scaly or crusty skin.
• Swelling.

What does an eczema rash look like?

Eczema can look different on each person diagnosed with the condition. If you have a dark skin tone, an eczema rash can be purple, brown or gray. If you have a light skin tone, an eczema rash can look pink, red or purple.

Where do symptoms of eczema appear on my body?

Symptoms of eczema can show up anywhere on your skin. The most common places where you’ll notice symptoms of eczema include on your:

• Hands.
• Neck.
• Elbows.
• Ankles.
• Knees
• Feet.
• Face, especially cheeks.
• In and around ears.
• Lips

While less common, eczema can also occur on your:

• Nipples.
• Breasts.
• Folds of skin near your vagina (vulva).
• Penis.

Does eczema hurt?

Eczema doesn’t usually cause pain. If you scratch your skin, you could break the surface of your skin and create a sore, which could be painful. Some types of eczema, like contact dermatitis, cause a burning sensation and discomfort.

What causes eczema?

Several factors cause eczema, including:

• Your immune system: If you have eczema, your immune system overreacts to small irritants or allergens (triggers) in your environment. When you contact a trigger, your immune system assumes that these small irritants are foreign invaders, like bacteria or viruses, that can harm your body. As a result, the triggers activate your body’s natural defense system. Your immune system’s defense is to create inflammation. Inflammation causes symptoms of eczema on your skin.
• Your genes: You’re more likely to have eczema if there’s a history of eczema or dermatitis in your family. You’re also at a higher risk if there’s a history of asthma, hay fever and/or allergies. Common allergies include pollen, pet hair or foods that trigger an allergic reaction. You could also have a genetic mutation that causes your skin’s barrier function to not work as it should.
• Your environment: There’s a lot in your environment that can irritate your skin. Some examples include exposure to smoke, air pollutants, harsh soaps, fabrics such as wool, and some skin care products. Low humidity (dry air) can cause your skin to become dry and itchy. Heat and high humidity can cause sweating and that can make your itchiness even worse.
• Emotional triggers: Your mental health could affect the health of your skin, which can cause a flare-up of eczema symptoms. If you have high levels of stress, anxiety or depression, you may have more frequent flare-ups of eczema symptoms.

What triggers eczema to flare up?

Eczema affects each person diagnosed with the condition differently. What causes your symptoms to flare up might not trigger someone else with the condition. Common triggers that cause eczema include:

• Dry weather (low humidity).
• Fabrics or clothing material.
• Makeup or skin care products.
• Smoke and pollutants.
• Soaps and detergents.
• Stress or your emotional well-being.
• Touching something you’re allergic to.

Do certain foods trigger eczema?

The connection between eczema and food allergies is unclear. If you have food allergies, then one of the reasons why you must avoid that food is that it may cause or worsen your eczema symptoms. Examples of common allergies include:

• Peanuts.
• Dairy.
• Eggs.

Pay attention to what you eat. If your eczema flares up after you eat a certain food, then you might have an allergy to it. If you don’t have a food allergy, then there are no foods that will cause or worsen your eczema.

Is eczema an autoimmune disease?

While eczema can cause your immune system to overreact, it isn’t classified as an autoimmune condition. Research is ongoing to learn more about how eczema interacts with your immune system.

Is eczema contagious?

No. Eczema isn’t contagious. You can’t spread eczema through person-to-person contact.

How is eczema diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose eczema after a physical exam, where they can take a close look at your skin. Most often, people receive an eczema diagnosis as a child, as it’s common among children, but a diagnosis can happen at any age when symptoms arise.

Symptoms of eczema can look similar to other conditions. Your provider might offer tests to rule out other conditions and confirm your diagnosis. Tests could include:

• An allergy test.
• Blood tests to check for causes of the rash that might be unrelated to dermatitis.
• A skin biopsy to distinguish one type of dermatitis from another.

What questions might my healthcare provider ask to diagnose eczema?

Your healthcare provider might ask the following questions to learn more about your symptoms, including:

• Where do you have symptoms on your body?
• Did you use any products to try to treat your skin?
• Do you have any medical conditions like allergies or asthma?
• Do you have a history of eczema in your family?
• How long have you had symptoms?
• Do you take hot showers?
• Is there anything that makes your symptoms worse?
• Have you noticed something triggers or worsens your symptoms like certain soaps or detergents?
• Do your symptoms affect your ability to sleep or perform your daily activities?

Who diagnoses eczema?

A primary care provider may recommend you visit a dermatologist to diagnose and treat your eczema. A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions.

How do I get rid of eczema?

Your treatment for eczema is unique to you and what caused your symptoms to flare up. Treatment for eczema could include:

• Using gentle or sensitive skin moisturizers throughout the day when you have dry skin. Apply moisturizer when your skin is damp after a bath or shower.
• Apply topical medications to your skin as advised by your provider, like topical steroids.
• Take oral medications like anti-inflammatory medicines, antihistamines or corticosteroids to reduce itchiness and swelling.
• Immunosuppressant drugs help regulate how your immune system functions.
• Light therapy to improve the appearance of your skin and remove blemishes.
• Avoid triggers that cause symptoms of eczema to flare up.

How do you treat childhood eczema?

If your child has skin issues, such as eczema, you can:

• Give your child a short, warm bath instead of a long, hot bath, which can dry out their skin.
• Use moisturizers several times daily. In infants with eczema, moisturizing on a regular basis, like with each diaper change, is extremely helpful.
• Keep the room temperature as regular as possible. Changes in room temperature and humidity can dry your child’s skin.
• Keep your child dressed in cotton. Wool, silk and synthetic fabrics such as polyester can irritate their skin.
• Use sensitive skin or unscented laundry detergent.
• Help your child avoid rubbing or scratching at their skin.

What type of moisturizer treats eczema?

There are several options of moisturizer available to treat eczema. Choose skin care products that:

• Are hypoallergenic, fragrance- and dye-free.
• Are gentle or for sensitive skin.
• Contain petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
• Don’t include preservatives or stabilizers.
• Have lipids and ceramides to improve your skin’s barrier.

It may take several different products through trial and error before you find one that works for you. If you need help choosing a moisturizer, talk to your healthcare provider.

How do I manage my eczema symptoms?

Treating and managing eczema can be difficult if the cause is something you can’t control, like genetics. Fortunately, you may have some influence over your environment and stress levels. Do your best to figure out what triggers or worsens your eczema, and then avoid it. The goal is to reduce itching and discomfort and prevent infection and additional flare-ups.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

After treatment, it could take several weeks before your skin clears up completely. Topical medications or oral medications prescribed by your healthcare provider help your symptoms go away faster. If your symptoms get worse after treatment, or if they don’t clear up after a few weeks, contact your provider.

Are there complications from eczema?

Complications are possible with eczema and could include:

• Weeping eczema: Weeping eczema causes fluid-filled blisters to form on your skin.
• Infected eczema: Infected eczema occurs when bacteria, fungus or a virus breaks through your skin to cause an infection.

Symptoms that are a sign of complications include:

• Fever and chills.
• A clear to yellow fluid leaking out of blisters on your skin.
• Pain and swelling.

How can I prevent eczema?

There are steps you can take that may prevent eczema flare-ups and outbreaks, including:

• Moisturize your skin regularly or when your skin becomes dry. Seal in moisture after a bath or shower by immediately applying moisturizer to your skin.
• Take baths or showers with warm, not hot, water.
• Stay hydrated and drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Water helps keep your skin moist.
• Wear loose clothes made of cotton and other natural materials. Wash new clothing before wearing it. Avoid wool or synthetic fibers.
• Manage your stress and emotional triggers. See a psychiatrist for medication and a therapist for counseling if you’re experiencing symptoms of poor mental/emotional health.
• Use a humidifier if dry air makes your skin dry.
• Avoid irritants and allergens.

What can I expect if I have eczema?

Eczema and other types of dermatitis aren’t harmful to the rest of your body. The condition isn’t deadly. Nearly half of children with eczema outgrow the condition or experience improvement by the time they reach puberty. Others will continue to have some form of the condition throughout their life. For adults with eczema, the condition can be well managed with a good skin care routine.

How long does eczema last?

Eczema can be a lifelong condition. It can start in infancy and continue through adulthood. You can manage your symptoms with at-home remedies, over-the-counter medications and prescription medications.

Is there a cure for eczema?

No, there isn’t a cure for eczema. There are treatments available, but no treatment can eliminate your symptoms 100% of the time. Eczema is a chronic condition, which means it can go away and come back unexpectedly. Treatments are very effective in reducing the symptoms of itchy, dry skin.

How do I take care of myself?

Many people live with eczema, and it can be challenging. But there may be times when your eczema disappears. This is known as a “remission” period. Other times, you may have a “flare-up,” which is when your symptoms show up or get worse. The goal of treatment is to prevent flare-ups and your symptoms from getting worse. Be sure to avoid triggers, moisturize, take your medicine and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit your healthcare provider or your dermatologist if:

• You experience symptoms of eczema.
• Your symptoms get worse after treatment.
• Your symptoms don’t go away a few weeks after treatment.
• You get an infection, have a fever or experience severe pain.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• If I don’t have eczema, what other skin condition might I have?
• Is there a specific brand of moisturizer that you recommend?
• Are there side effects to the treatment?
• How often should I see a dermatologist regarding my eczema?
• What soaps, lotions, makeup, etc., should I avoid?
• How can I take care of my skin at home?

Does the weather make eczema worse?

Yes, certain temperatures or weather patterns can affect your skin and can make eczema worse. Low humidity (dry air) in the winter months can dry out your skin. Humidity caused by high heat can make you sweat, which can make your itchiness worse.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Eczema is a very common and uncomfortable skin condition. It can affect your quality of life. At its worst, it can keep you from sleeping, distract you and make you feel self-conscious in public. See a dermatologist or healthcare provider as soon as you start to see signs of eczema. Explore at-home remedies and prescription treatments until you find the best remedy for your skin.