White spots (vitiligo)
Vitiligo (from Latin vitilus - calf) was known even in the time of Hippocrates. Diagnosing the disease is simple: a person with white spots on the skin, devoid of pigment due to decreased production of melanocytes, resembles a sunburned sunbathing guest. The disease can start at any age, but, as a rule (up to 70% of cases), in childhood or adolescence. Alas, more often vitiligo attacks women, and in the spring or summer, when you want so much to flaunt in open dresses. To critical moments of life physicians include the period of puberty, pregnancy and menopause. A scattering of unsympathetic milky white spots (usually on open areas of the body - face, neck, hands) badly spoils the mood. "Spotted" disease affects about 4% of the world's population, and this is 40 million people! Yes, it is not fatal, nothing hurts and does not even itch, but a cosmetic defect and an experience in this regard.
Why and from where?
Alas, scientists can not give an exact answer yet - they speak only about different ways of origin of vitiligo. Most likely, the cause is in heredity. And yet, in order for the genetic "breakdown" to manifest itself, some kind of impulse is needed - as a rule, in this role there are failures in the work of endocrine glands (neuroendocrine problems), chronic stresses, metabolic disorders, when, due to poor assimilation of certain microelements inhibited the formation of an enzyme, giving the skin a familiar flesh color. Sometimes for the start of the disease a banal infection, sunburn or injury is enough. According to another scientific theory, vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, and skin depigmentation is an external manifestation of the aggression of the immune system, which it directs to itself. The question of why the organism encroaches on its own cells remains open.
What to do?
Since the causes of the onset of the disease are vague, the prospects for effective cure are also in question. Doctors advise to approach the therapy in a complex way: to examine the endocrine and digestive system, to check how fully the vitamins and trace elements are fully absorbed (lack of ascorbic acid, copper salts and iron can be a launching pad for the development of vitiligo). Patience - and the doctor, and the patient - will take a lot. And yet, do not despair! First, sometimes the spots disappear on their own (albeit rarely, but it happens!). Secondly, a lot of effective methods of treatment have appeared recently. They do not guarantee complete recovery, but a long period of remission is complete. The optimal treatment option can be chosen only by a specialist. But there are also folk remedies! Healers advise you to try to rub the stains of parsley or parsnip juice, tincture from pods of red pepper. The most effective treatment is duckweed: eat it - and sunbathe! There is an explanation: they say, there is a lot of iodine and bromine in the duckweed, and in a duet with the sun they help to defeat depigmentation. All skin diseases have a psychosomatic basis. Skin is the largest organ responsible for human contact with the world, and its diseases are the transmission to the environment of its mistrust, of undisclosed feelings. When relations with the world are tense, the skin also "strains" and falls ill. But it is worthwhile to establish this contact and it will be cleared. For example, the disease of psoriasis is associated with the suppression of an emotion of anger or resentment, and vitiligo usually annoys those who do not know how to enjoy life. Skin diseases in the child - a signal about the difficulties in communicating with parents. Attitude to them, he can not express directly, so all the inconsistencies are broadcast on the skin. Emotions, even negative ones, should not be suppressed - they can (and need to be!) Translated into a creative, creative channel, be it cooking, design, or drawing. It is possible that in this case the long-awaited healing will come. "
Treatment of vitiligo
Progressive methods include:
• treatment with ultraviolet excimer laser: spots (up to 5 cm in diameter) are affected locally;
• mud therapy and reflexotherapy;
• PUVA therapy. After taking photosensitizers (drugs that increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light), the patient is sent to sunbath in a solarium with a special wavelength and radiation dose. Efficiency - 40-50% (well suited for swarthy skin). However, it will take a long time to sunbathe: 20-25 sessions per course (3-4 courses are required);
• Phototherapy of a narrow spectrum of 311 nm with an average wavelength of UV-rays;
• proper nutrition. Its main task is to restore the normal metabolism, in particular - to balance the balance of vitamins and trace elements, indirectly affecting the nature of the disease. First of all it is recommended to eat foods: containing copper (cod liver, fish, seafood, mushrooms, pineapples, bananas, cherries, raspberries, leafy greens, legumes); rich in iron and zinc (buckwheat, parsley, celery root, fig fruits, apricots, pears, blackberries, walnuts, melons); containing tyrosine (beans, pumpkin seeds). It is also necessary to have enough in the diet of vitamins C, E, B12, folic acid.
Important rules:
Start breakfast, lunch and dinner with "live" food (salads, vegetables), then go to cereal porridge or protein foods; salads to cook only on vegetable oil (olive, sesame, soybean, linseed, sunflower); be sure (regularly!) to consume hot and liquid (soups); meat is only boiled or steamed; from the condiments prefer ginger.
Roses of the devil (psoriasis)
Psoriasis (scaly lichen) - the disease is as old as mankind: it is mentioned in the Bible and the first medical treatises. It can arise "from anything" and disappear in itself, without any treatment. In psoriasis, skin cells, whose life cycle is normally about 30 days, for some reason work at a sprint pace (the cycle is 4-5 days). Silvery scales on the surface of pink-red spots - these very cells are hasty. As a rule, psoriasis appears on the elbows and knees, the scalp, sometimes the nails are affected. Of course, the ailment looks unaesthetic, but it is absolutely not contagious. With regard to the prevalence of the disease, then with it is not hearsay 3-5% of the world's population (in Scandinavia - up to 10%). The main problem of people suffering from scaly lichen is the same as in vitiligo patients: how many of them have brought the disease to neuroses, complexes, changes in the psyche!
Why and from where?
There are several theories of the origin of psoriasis: genetic, metabolic, neurogenic, endocrine, allergic, infectious, etc. Today, scientists are actively exploring the disease, but so far none of the hypotheses have been fully confirmed, and the problems of treatment and prevention are as relevant as a century ago . Most of all adherents - the genetic theory, because in 60% of patients relatives (sometimes through the generation and even further) suffered from psoriasis. And yet the hereditary predisposition is only a potential cause of the development of the disease. We need other factors provocateurs: mental shocks and chronic stress, infectious diseases, physical trauma, intensive drug therapy, hormonal changes in the body, alcohol abuse, etc. But if everything was so simple! Psoriasis is unpredictable: sometimes it goes against its own rules - patients are healed ... because of severe stress or working in harmful production (in fact, it is considered a powerful provoking factor!).
What to do?
The history of searching for methods for treating psoriasis is full of hopes and disappointments. Now and then there are rumors of another miraculous folk remedy, relieving the illness seriously and for a long time, but then the euphoria subsides. Experts are sure: it is worth fighting, but also understand that it is not going to be a complete cure, either. So, we need to learn how to live peacefully with the "enemy": to watch what provokes and removes exacerbations, to appreciate the periods of remission, not to experiment with new medications. If there are 2-5 small islets of rashes and the process does not develop, it still needs to be controlled. The principle of treatment - "from simple to complex" (first - the most sparing means), plus compliance with the rule "Do not Harm!". Individual approach is very important taking into account the stage of the disease (the ones that were treated during the remission period may not be appropriate during the period of exacerbation!). Only the doctor can give practical advice here.
Folk remedies
Traditional healers suggest taking baths with herbal tinctures (alternatives, celandine) and sea salt, rubbing ointment on the basis of propolis and other bee products (royal jelly, wax, perga).
Treatment of psoriasis
Today there are about a thousand different methods of treating psoriasis, but there are several effective methods.
• Climatotherapy - rest on the seashore, in a warm climate (especially health resorts of the Dead Sea are famous for their healing properties). As a rule, the disease recedes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, mud wraps, sea bathing. The situation changes too. However, the success of treatment largely depends on the shape and stage of psoriasis.
• External treatment with hormonal ointments, tar containing creams, solid foundation.
• Physiotherapy (PUVA, ultrasound, electro-and magnetotherapy).
• Phototherapy of a narrow spectrum of 311 nm with an average wavelength of UV-rays.
It is necessary to adhere to special food:
• Acute, fatty, fried, spicy - less, exclude alcohol. Dishes should be boiled, stewed or baked; Introduce in the diet vegetable oils and products containing polyunsaturated fatty acids - they form in the body bioactive substances that improve the skin condition.