Month: September 2019

Breast is best – for mom and baby

Breast milk is the first and the most important thing you can feed your baby. Besides being the primary source of nutrition it also gives the baby essential ammunition against physical ailments.

Why is breastfeeding good for the mom and baby?

Breast milk is one of nature’s wonders. The initial milk, a thick yellowish fluid known as colostrum, is considered liquid gold because of its rich nutritious value and the antibodies it contains. An ideal food for a young newborn child, breast milk is his/her first line of defence against a host of diseases. But it isn’t just the baby that benefits from breastfeeding; the mother too feels the love- literally. Here’s how…

Fact: Breast milk fights disease.

Most infants on formula milk are prone to ear infections, diarrhoea, asthma, obesity and necrotizing enterocolitis (commonly affecting the gastrointestinal tract of preterm babies). This is primarily because formula milk just cannot replicate the cells, hormones, vitamins, and antibodies present in breast milk. 

Fact: Breast milk is digestion-friendly.

The tender digestive system of newborns and especially that of preterm babies is very sensitive; breast milk, therefore, is easier for them to digest because it is lighter than cow’s milk and formula. It is such that it provides the right amount of sugar, fat, protein, and water to help the baby grow nourished with the proper nutrients that it requires.

Fact: Breastfeeding increases the mother-child bond.

It is true the newborns crave ‘touch’. Out of the womb and in new surroundings the newborn baby benefits greatly when given the skin-to-skin contact while breastfeeding. The mother too benefits from this closeness as her body produces oxytocin, a hormone that helps in the flow of milk and also acts as a relaxant for the mother.

 

Fact: Breastfeeding keeps mothers happy and on-the-go.

Because it is so easily accessible, breast milk is great for mothers as they do not have to worry about the hassles of sterilizing bottles, stocking up on formula, measures, etc. For a new mother, this makes life so much easier to deal with. Moreover, it also reduces costs because breast milk is free! According to research breastfeeding is also a contributing factor to reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, postpartum depression, and breast cancer in women.

 

Fact: The community benefits!

Healthy breastfed babies are less likely to fall sick often, that means their mothers have fewer days off work and can contribute to the workforce as productive individuals. Also, these babies have a higher chance of being healthy grownups that are less likely to develop allergies and serious illnesses such as diabetes and be productive members of the community that will help develop it further. And last but not least, breastfeeding also contributes to the environment by being a waste-free activity – there is no trash generated by breastfeeding!

Fact: Breast feeding can save your baby’s life in an emergency

In a situation of emergency, breastfeeding is the most viable option for a tiny baby. Suppose if conditions arise when the water is not purified and there is no means to formula or sterilization, then breast milk is the safest option for the baby. Even the temperature of breast milk is such that it helps prevent hypothermia in babies.

Now that we have learnt the benefits of breastfeeding let’s talk about how to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is all about practice. It is no easy task as a lot of mothers go through a tough time getting their babies to latch on, dealing with sore nipples and of course it is an activity that needs to be repeated every 2 hours so it pretty much takes up all your energy. However, the good news is that once you get the hang of it and your baby learns to do the same, life becomes so much easier.

Tips to prepare for breastfeeding

• Believe that you can and make it happen. Confidence is the key, once you’ve made up your mind to breastfeed then be strong in that commitment. Remember, your body makes as much milk as your baby withdraws from it so the more he/she suckles the more you will produce.
• Do it immediately or as soon as possible after childbirth.
• Instruct the people around you to refrain from giving the baby any formula milk; let him/her get used to yours.
• Most hospitals have lactation experts, take their assistance. If not then ask your midwife to guide you.
• Feed as frequently as possible, even though the night, initially.

The five steps of breastfeeding:

1. Babies are instinctual; he/she will search out your breast when you are close with the lips and mouth. Once they get the nipple they try to ‘latch’ on and start feeding. Make sure you get into the right position to get your baby to latch properly and feed.
2. First, hold the baby upright close to your chest with his/her head under your chin. It is advisable to have skin-skin contact so make sure the baby is wearing only a diaper, against your bare chest. The baby will be warm and comfortable between your breasts; you can cover up with a blanket.
3. Supporting the head, neck, and hips of the baby bring it close to your breast. This is the point the baby will search for the nipple if he/she is awake.
4. The breast should be allowed to hang naturally and as the baby feels it with his/her cheek; he/she will go for the nipple. It might be necessary to help the baby latch on at this point by guiding the mouth to the nipple.
5. At this point, the baby should have his/her chin pressed against the nipple and the nose being opposite to the nipple. This will help the baby get a large mouthful of the breast for a deep latch. Don’t worry if you see the nostrils of the baby flaring, they are perfectly adept at breathing while feeding at the breast.

 

Once latched on correctly, the baby will feed to his/her requirement. And once they both of you get used to it then there really is no looking back. Ideally, a newborn should feed at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours, that is almost every 2 hours and each feed can last anything from 15 to 20 minutes. But nothing is set in stone as each baby has his/her own requirement. You just need to be cued to what your baby wants and what his/her schedule is like.

 

 

Comfortable breastfeeding holds

There are some classic techniques that women use for an easy and comfortable feed. You could try any of them to see which suits you and the baby best. You could add a pillow or cushion for supporting your back and arms or simply resting the baby on it too.

The Cradle Hold:

This is the most common position for mothers. Just hold the baby with his/her head on your forearm and the tiny body facing you.

Transitional or Cross Cradle Hold:

This position is good for preterm babies or those who are weak at sucking as it gives them the extra head support to remain latched to the breast. In this hold, you need to support the baby’s head with the opposite hand to the breast your are using and cradle the baby in the forearm of the same hand as the breast. 

The Clutch or Football Hold:

This is especially helpful to mothers who have had a c-section, or those who have large breasts or inverted nipples. This hold keeps the baby upright and away from the c-section area. In this hold, you need to keep the baby lying on his/her back and the head level to your nipple. You should support the baby’s head in your palms and guide it towards the nipple.

Side-lying Position:

The best position if you want to have a good night’s sleep or have had a c-section. You can just lie on your side facing the baby so that his/her mouth is right at your nipple.

How long should breast feeding be followed?

It is advisable to keep the baby on breast feed for a minimum period of 6 months exclusively and then slowly take another 6 months to wean them off completely. However some mothers continue breast feed along with baby food for as long as 2 years or more.

Breast feeding is one of the first real ‘connections’ that you have with your baby. Give it time, commitment and patience and you will find the benefits in not only the baby’s health but in yours as well.

 

 

Put this in a box please:

Making it work

Breast feeding is a challenge for the mom as much as it is for the newborn baby. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you embark on your motherhood journey.

• Learn the signs: Hungry babies have a way of showing it. Some will put their fist in their mouth; others will become more active, while others may just scream till they wake up the entire neighbourhood. So know how to read the signs and feed the baby when he/she demands it.
• The hind milk: Make sure you give your baby the thicker, fattier, milk by making sure he/she finishes whatever is in the breast. Offer the other breast to the baby if you feel that the baby needs it.
• No nipple confusion: Pacifiers, bottles, supplements of infant formula, if used in the first few weeks, confuse the baby and may result in the baby rejecting breast milk. So avoid it as much as you can.
• Keep the baby close: Sleeping close to the baby ensures that you are able to feed well in the night and also avoids the incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
• Wake the baby: If the baby has gone without feed for more than 4 hours then you should wake the baby and feed it.

Cracking-up in winter

Winter is that time of the year when one is always willing to sip a hot beverage and munch on a warm snack or two. The warmth of the blanket is all alluring and one can hardly wait to wear the carefully stored warm coats, jackets, boots, and gloves. As wonderful as this time of the year is, it’s also time for dry, flaky, and chapped skin – whether in areas that are exposed or under all that wonderful winter fashion!

Winter brings in its wake a focus on keeping warm: food to keep warm from within and layers of protective clothing to deal with the biting cold outside. Getting overlooked somewhere in all this activity is what bears the brunt of the weather – the skin. Continuous exposure to cold air and hard windy weather steals the skin of its moisture resulting in dryness. Even covered skin is affected by the friction caused by layers of warm clothing and the prevalent low levels of humidity in the air. The difference in temperature between heated buildings and the low temperatures outside is also said to add to skin dryness and irritation.

Most commonly identified by the skin feeling tight and stretched or dull, slightly red, and rough, people planning on spending a lot more time outdoors particularly need to watch out for windburn. Similar in effect to sunburn, windburn is caused by prolonged exposure to cold, harsh winds. As tempting as the winter sun is it might be better to be prudent about basking in its warmth with adequate skin protection — even more so in snow as it reflects sun rays resulting in snow burn.

Another skin condition that could occur in severe weather or in prolonged exposure to cold is frostbite. Unlike windburn which is mainly on the skin’s surface, frostbite affects the underlying tissues as well. Though it can affect any part of the body, the tip of the nose, finger tips, ears, and toes are most vulnerable. Adequate protection and immediate care to warm areas being affected is the best defence against frostbite.

 

Keeping dryness at bay

Of all the body parts it’s the lips, nose, cheeks, hands, arms, lower legs, and thighs that tend to get the most neglected during winter. The skin on the face is the most delicate and thinnest, hence, needs to be most protected; skin covering the lips produces very little or no oil and being prone to cracking and chapping, benefits from regular application of emollient balms. And the nose is particularly vulnerable when the dry atmosphere is accompanied with a cold. Though experts recommend extra hygiene of the hands to avoid spread of flu and colds, frequent washing could cause red, cracked skin – preventable by frequent application of moisturisers and hand creams.  

While for severe conditions its best to seek medical care there are some precautionary measures to keep winter dryness at bay:

 

Moisturise frequently, preferably with heavier, oil-based moisturisers: When humidity is low, oil-based moisturisers are more beneficial than other creams and lotions as oil stays on the skin longer thus retaining the skin’s moisture better.

 

Step-out with protection: Experts advocate the use of sunscreens even in winter.  They also promote the use of gloves to protect hands, preferably in materials that do not irritate the skin.

Wear fabrics that are skin friendly: Wear clothes made of natural fibres such as cotton and silk. These allow the skin to breathe easily. Although wool is a natural fibre it could be a little harsh on the skin.

 

Layer clothes: This not only keeps one warm but also facilitates ease of removing and adding clothing as the temperature demands.

 

Use a humidifier: A humidifier increases the moisture content of the surrounding area and this helps combat the warm, dry indoor air that could worsen skin itching and flaking.

A little daily care

A little daily care could go a long way in keeping the winter as enjoyable as other seasons.

•         Take shorter baths with warm rather than hot water. The University of Iowa – Department of Dermatology, suggests avoiding hot showers for more than 10 minutes as this strips the skin from natural hydrating oils.  For the very same reason some dermatologists advise restricting bathing to just once in the day in winters, including washing the face.
•         Bathe with milder, gentler soaps. As a rule of thumb, cleanse with mild soaps and shower gels with additional oils, fats, and moisturisers content. Experiment with different skin cleansers to identify those that leave the skin feeling soft and smooth and not dry and tight.
•         Pat the skin dry after bathing as rubbing could irritate the skin.
•         Moisturise while still damp to help the skin absorb the moisturiser better.
•         Keep deodorants, antibacterial soaps, and fragrances for warmer weather when they are less likely to irritate the skin.

 

Be it thick winter coat weather or a light cardigan one, with an extra coat of moisturiser and that additional cup of tea, win over winter!

Let’s talk about sex

We think about it many times a day – both men and women – sometimes as often as, if not more than, we think about sleep and food. Advertisements use it blatantly to sell us anything, flaunted all over the wide landscape of modern media, but spoken about in hushed tones behind closed doors. Here’s the truth of the matter – it’s a fundamental and natural need. A healthy attitude towards and perception of sex and sexuality is vital for our mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. So, let’s talk about sex. 

The Centre for Disease Control and WHO define sexual health as, “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.” (Source: http://www.cdc.gov/sexualhealth/ and http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/sexual_health/sh_definitions/en/index.html )

Most of us are in agreement that societal sexual health cannot be defined, understood, and adhered to unless there is a healthy respect for, and the safekeeping of, some human rights. These rights that are vital for the achievement of sexual health are:   

• the right to marry and to found a family and enter into marriage with the free and full consent of the intending spouses, and to equality in and at the dissolution of marriage
• the right to decide the number and spacing of one’s children
• the rights to information, as well as education
• the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, and
• the right to an effective remedy for violations of fundamental rights
• the right to equality and non-discrimination
• the right to be free from torture or to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment
• the right to privacy
• the right to the highest attainable standard of health (including sexual health) and social security*

*(Source: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/sexual_health/sh_definitions/en/index.html)

In addition to these rights, to consider and look at the bigger picture of positive sexual health and its benefits, there are some important concepts that we need to keep in mind and take into consideration. These concepts relate to sexual health as: 

• Being about how one expresses it by being of various sexual expressions and orientations.
• Being activated by societal gender roles, norms, power dynamics, and expectations. 
• Being about more than just the absence of disease, but one’s entire wellness. 
• Being about freedom, respect, and safety from violence and discrimination.
• Being important throughout one’s life, whether young or old, not just during the years of reproduction.

It also needs to be understood with the context of different economic, social, and political environments. 

Including an individual’s holistic well-being, sexual health has numerous benefits for the society as a whole and an individual’s positive relationship with society. 

• • Sexual health is associated with an individual’s positive image and worth of self, acceptance of one sexual orientation, the involvement and conversion of sex and sexuality into consensual positive relationships, achievement of one’s reproductive health.  
  • The concept of one’s self is important to how the youth handle their emotions and behaviour related to sexuality. Positive sexual health involves the youth having better self concept and skills to cope increases their skills and capability to take informative decisions rather than impulsive will-be-regretted-later decisions.  
  • The youth need correct and appropriate sexual education. They need the involvement of both men and women for healthy nurturing of their sexual health. If information from both sources is not present, the chances of male and female role stereotyping occur. 

 

• Positive sexual health accepts youth as sexual beings. The development of one’s sexual identity is very important and the youth have the right and responsibility to make decisions pertaining their sexual behaviour, ethics, and values. 

 

When there is a lack of positive sexual health we as individuals and society pay a heavy price. We are at risk of emotional and economic damage. Unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and infections, increase in the rate of babies with low-birth weight, and sexual violence, are just some signs of poor societal sexual health.  

As mentioned earlier, sexuality is integral and innate to being human. The love, intimacy, respect, and affection we see around us and experience is key to forming healthy relationships from childhood through old age. It is important to be aware of sexual health and factors that contribute to it.  

Some of the ways in which parents can help their children with the awareness of sexual health are: 

• Begin talking to your child at a young age. Start by encouraging them to ask questions and by providing simple answers
• Ensure that your chat about sex is not a rarity. Make it a part of everyday life and continue having informed talks as your kids grow older, thus not making it awkward especially during puberty 
• Educate them about the importance of considering other’s feelings in relationships  
• Keep an open mind
• Talk to other parents on how they deal with the ‘birds and bees’ talk  
• Talk to them about teenage pregnancy 
• Take the help of media. Try talking about programmes you see on TV or songs you hear to start a conversation 
• Use information: there are many books, informational materials, and the world wide web if you require information or conversation prompters 
• Regard your children’s right to privacy especially as they grow older and may not want to talk about it

Informed discussions cultivate a healthy attitude towards sex and sexuality. So, get talking.

Diabetes

 

Diabetes is a condition wherein your blood glucose (blood sugar) will be very high than the normal values due to

• Less amount of insulin hormone, which converts glucose into usable energy (type I diabetes commonly seen in children, teenagers and young adults) 

Or

• Inappropriate actions of insulin (type II diabetes commonly occurring in adults aged 40 years and above).

 

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms are a result of persistent high blood sugar over a period of time. 

• Most do not present with any symptoms
• Extreme thirst and hunger, frequent urination, increased tiredness
• Significant weight loss, impaired healing of wounds, numbness, tingling sensation of the extremities, blurring of vision.

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the history and mostly on the following routine blood tests. Values in the brackets are the criteria for diagnosing the disease.

• FBS or fasting blood sugar (? 126 mg/dl)
• PPBS or post prandial blood sugar (? 200 mg/dl)
• RBS or random blood sugar (? 200 mg/dl)

 

Another blood test – “glycated hemoglobin”, monitors your sugar level over a period of previous 3 months. Similarly blood sugar can also be checked in the urine. 

 

Complications

Diabetes is associated with many complications ranging from infections to heart diseases. 

• Cardiovascular diseases: chest pain, heart attack, stroke, gangrene of peripheries.
• Diabetic neuropathy causing damage to the nerves leading to loss of sensation and pain, diabetic retinopathy affecting the eye leading to blurred vision, black spots, etc. and diabetic nephropathy affecting the normal functions of the kidneys.
• Infections: Infections indicate poor control of diabetes.

 

Management

As there is no absolute cure for diabetes, management aims at controlling diabetes (by maintaining blood sugar at normal levels) and appropriate care of body parts to prevent complications.

 

Strict blood sugar -control through medications (insulin injections and oral tablets) and lifestyle modifications.

Lifestyle modifications  

• Regular physical activity
• Dietary modifications – eating small frequent meals, avoiding high calorie foods like chocolates, sweets and other junk foods. 
• Avoid smoking and abstinence or limit the use of alcohol.

 

Eye and foot care: regular eye check-ups at least once a year. Use appropriate foot wears to avoid injuries.

 

Avoiding complications: Track your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, ECG examination as per your doctor’s advice, blood tests to assess kidney functions, etc.

 

Tackling the Risk Factors with Positive Attitude

Genetics, family history, obesity and sedentary lifestyle are some of the common risk factors. People are often of the wrong opinion that “Since my mother and grandmother are diabetic, I will also get diabetes no matter what. Then, why should I change my lifestyle?” It is very essential to understand that by inculcating healthy lifestyle behaviour, be it eating right or exercising hard, one can not only delay the onset of the disease, but may also prevent it. This is also true for patients with Prediabetes, a condition wherein your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to diagnose it as diabetes.

 

We hope this information helps you manage diabetes efficiently and lead a healthy, normal life.

 

References

 

Teeth can set one’s teeth on edge The tea is too hot! The ice cream is too cold! Simple chewing is painful! Breath is not minty and the mouth tastes like there is a foot in there! If this describes one’s recent experiences, it is most likely that the person is suffering from one in an array of dental caries. Dental caries start off as simple infections and cause enough damage, which leads to a dentist’s drilling. Of course, there are many things one can do to avoid this. Here’s how…      Common caries Tooth decay or a tooth cavity, known as dental caries, is an infection, mostly caused by harmful bacteria that cause damage to the hard covering of a tooth. Though common, coming in second to common cold, this disorder can cause tooth loss in young people. In India, during the 1940s, 55.5% of the population suffered because of this common culprit, in the 60’s it was 68%, in more recent times the incidence rate has been somewhere between 44 to 73%.* *(Source: http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/STG/PDF%20Content/STG%20Select%20Conditions/Dental%20Caries.pdf).   Food – fodder for bacteria This high teeth-gritting occurrence of caries is caused by bacteria present in the mouth. These microscopic miscreants change food such as sugar and starch into acids. Combine this acid with food debris, the ever prevalent bacteria, and saliva – one has the perfect combination for the formation of plaque, a sticky substance, on teeth. Plaque usually forms on the back molars though it can form above the gum line of all teeth.   Plaque – the plague The plaque plague takes just 20 minutes to form after eating and, if not cleaned, the tooth begins to decay.  Plaque’s acids erode the tooth’s enamel and create holes called cavities. These tiny holes are usually painless, but as they grow larger they can affect the nerves or trigger off a tooth fracture. If a cavity goes unlooked at for a long period, a tooth abscess can form which might further lead to the destruction of the insides of the tooth or the tooth’s pulp.  The teeth’s erosion is increased by sticky foods that contain sugar and starch, and these are more harmful than non-sticky foods. As all this decay and destruction starts with food consumption, regular grubbing of snacks often leads to acid build-up that causes plaque. No, that does not mean one has to stop eating! Post food dental care is vital to keep human pearls sparkling.     Nothing ‘holy’ about cavities One can tell when the teeth’s eroded and needs some extra help, if:  One has visible holes in the teeth One experiences tooth pain especially after sweet, hot, or cold foods and drinks One can open the mouth only partially Visible swelling close to the effected tooth Though there is no sure way of telling what the symptoms of dental caries are, most cavities can be detected early during a routine dental check-up. While the check-up could indicate its presence, dental x-rays help show the exact extent of the damage.  Light at the end of the cavity The main focus of caries management has shifted from invasive surgical methods to prevention of caries using new and advanced dental materials. When the cavity is diagnosed early, procedures such as re-mineralisation and simpler treatments with materials used to fill cavities can put a stop to the growth of these tiny holes. This shift in management is because of the increased effort to prevent caries and the advances in materials used to treat caries. Dental caries can be treated easily – either medically or surgically.  Dental experts usually recommend medication to be taken five days approximately when they notice swelling near the effected tooth and tooth abscess.  Surgical treatments include:  Fillings Crowns Root canals The light at the end of the cavity usually involves drilling. A dentist drills the effected tooth to remove the decayed material and replaces it with porcelain, gold, composite resin, or silver alloy in the treatment requiring only fillings. Fillings using composite resin and porcelain, which closely match the tooth, are usually used for front teeth. Stronger materials, such as gold, silver alloy, and high strength composite resin, are used for the teeth at the back.  The tooth is ‘crowned’ when there is extensive tooth decay and there is minimum natural teeth structure remaining, thus increasing the risk of tooth loss or breaking. This treatment involves the removal or repair of the decayed or weakened area. Crowns are often made of porcelain, porcelain attached to metal or gold. A root canal is recommended when the decay of the tooth has extended to the tooth’s nerve or the nerve has been damaged because of injury. In this treatment, the tooth’s pulp and the decayed part are removed and replaced with a sealing material. The procedure usually ends with the placement of a crown. Avoid the drill One of the main ways to stay away from the dentist’s drill is undergoing regular professional cleaning every six months. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily can keep the dentist away too! If one can’t keep away from the sweets, it is best to have them as part of the meal rather than a snack. If possible, the mouth should be rinsed after these sticky foods. Minimise snacking and drinking liquids high in sugar. Dental sealants too can prevent some cavities. A sealant is nothing but a thin coating much like plastic that is applied to the molars’ chewing surfaces. This coating prevents plaque. Though used mainly on children’s teeth, older people may also benefit from this extra tooth coating. Fluoride is also used to keep away dental caries. It has been noted that people who consume fluoride in their drinking water or use fluoride supplements have fewer dental caries.  So in conclusion… Caring for one’s teeth can keep the carries away, So brush twice and floss once to keep the drill far, far away.  BIBLIOGRAPHY: http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/STG/PDF%20Content/STG%20Select%20Conditions/Dental%20Caries.pdf
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001055.htm
http://jada.ada.org/content/140/suppl_1/25S.long

One spot less

 

“Please God, marks kam kar do!”This sincere plea of many a teenager is touchingly captured in a popular advertising commercial. In an attempt to reduce the onslaught of acne most reach out to a variety of over-the-counter products and household remedies. And when these unpleasant skin eruptions refuse to budge, it marks the beginning of shying away from public contact, relentless teasing, and limited outdoor activity. So, what does one do to prevent acne? Is there no permanent cure? Here’s an attempt to answer such questions…

To begin with, one needs to understand how acne is formed. The skin’s tiny pores (containing hair follicles and oil glands) are often clogged due to excessive oil formation and shedding of dry skin. This leads to acne – a condition that is further aggravated by bacteria and dirt build-up. In a human body, the face, neck, back, and arms are the main areas majorly affected by acne. 

To someone facing acne, it might be important to understand the contributing factors of acne.

• • Medication: For those who run towards the nearest medical store at the first sight of acne, watch out for non-prescriptive medicines containing bromides, lithium, androgens, and corticosteroids as they fuel acne rather than dousing it. 

 

• Hormones: Both boys and girls experiencing puberty produce androgen hormones that generate more oil. Pregnancy and intake of contraceptives also affect oil production. Knowing that these life phases could induce acne – it’s best to be suitably armed.

 

• Cosmetics: The layers of make-up applied on the skin to look attractive not only block pores but also gradually damage skin – all factors that add to dreaded acne outburst!

Of course, while you cannot rule out the possibility of babies, young adults, and middle-aged individuals breaking out into acne what’s most commonly observed is that acne takes to teenagers like fish takes to water. 

It is also seen that while acne is common, knowledge about it is not. So if you’re one of those who believe in the misconceptions around acne, it’s time to bust them:

• Contrary to belief, many studies prove that chocolates and fatty foods have negligible effect on an ‘acne-attack’
• Accumulation of dirt due to sweating does not result in acne. In fact, vigorous scrubbing with harsh soaps is most often the culprit for dry skin and this worsens the acne condition
• Nearly, every individual suffers from acne at some point in life and it is not hereditary (except in severe cases of acne)

While acne is mostly synonymous with pimples, what many don’t know is that it could also include whiteheads (specially the closed, slightly raised boils), blackheads (boils that are open at the surface and dark in colour), and cysts (deep, inflamed boils beneath the skin’s surface).

If left untreated, severe acne could lead to permanent scars, low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression. No matter what form of acne you have, a few precautionary basic skin care routines could go a long way in controlling acne. 

• Wash regularly and use gentler products. Preferably use alcohol-free skin products and resist the urge to scrub with washcloths, mesh cloths, or anything else that could irritate the skin. Avoid the use of astringents, toners, and exfoliating products as dry, flushed skin can make the outbreak look worse.
• Non-prescriptive medications. The application of non-prescriptive medicated creams with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid could help dry excess oil, kill bacteria, and shed the skin’s topmost layer. 
• Non-greasy products. Cosmetics, sunscreens, and hairstyling products that are water-based or non-comedogenic are more suitable for acne-prone skin as they don’t clog pores.
• Withstand the urge to touch your face. Resist the temptation to squeeze, pop, scratch, or rub blemishes to reduce the risk of acne scars or infection.
• Consult a doctor. If there are doubts or concerns about the chances of scarring, seek medical advice.

Sometimes, even after diligently following recommended skin care routines the acne persists, making medical intervention necessary. In such cases, a professional skin examination to determine the extent of the problem will suggest possible medications and treatments for relief. These usually include:

• Topical treatment (applied on skin): Generally, most acne medications prescribed by doctors are topical and stronger in strength than non-prescriptive ones. 
• Oral medication: A dermatologist may recommend this option to treat moderate to severe acne. Usually involving a short course in antibiotics, even more potent medicines may be used by medical practitioners to help with scarring cystic acne or other severe acne. 
• Laser therapy: In addition to conventional medicines, laser therapy is also recommended by many doctors. With only the use of laser or with a combination of photosensitizing dyes acne can be reduced. There are many reports that suggest that this therapy is safe and effective.
• Chemical peels: Advisable to be administered only by doctors and trained experts, chemical peels are usually used to treat blackheads and papules. 
• Acne removal: When cysts do not respond to medication and other treatments, then the doctors could suggest acne removal. Also known as the drainage and extraction procedure, it relieves pain but increases the chances of leaving a scar. For quick results, a dermatologist may also inject medicine into the cyst.

With every spot less you begin a journey to a world of praise and compliments. Treat the condition with a light hand and even lighter heart and soon like in the aforementioned advertisement your prayer will turn to, “God, please exam mein marks  aur de do!”