SKIN ASTHMA, known in medical terms as atopic dermatitis or eczema, is a chronic

skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, and itchy rashes. Skin asthma is
generally caused due to hypersensitive reaction akin to allergy. The age of the patient
determines the location and the kind of rash in skin asthma. In infants less than 2
years of age, lesions appear on the face, hands, scalp, and feet. The rashes are
generally crusty and oozing. In children and adults, the rash appears on the elbows,
inside of the knees, hands, neck and feet. A more complicated rash can occur in any
place in the body.
Symptoms
The symptoms of skin asthma include:

Dry skin

Bumpy skin on the back of the arms and front thighs

Changes in skin colour

Ear discharge

Blisters

Redness of the skin

Crusting

Thickened skin after constant scratching

Intense itching
Causes

The exact cause of skin asthma is still not known; however, the causes include
environment and genetic determinants. Skin asthma often worsens due to certain
triggers. These are as follows:

Allergies (pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, etc.)

Dry skin

Stress

Flu or cold

Dry and cold air

Temperature changes (too hot or too cold)

Contact with chemicals

Excess contact with water (swimming, baths, or showers)

Hair dyes and perfumes

Synthetic fibers

Detergents or soaps

Cigarette smoke
Treatments of Skin Asthma
The diagnosis of skin asthma includes a thorough physical examination. A detailed
analysis of the skin is done, and the family and personal history of the patient is
confirmed. Thereafter, a proper treatment plan is determined. The diagnosis may
include:

Skin biopsy

Allergy skin test

The medication for skin asthma includes antihistamines. Oral antihistamines help
relieve itchiness caused by skin inflammation. Some of the popular over the counter
antihistamines include:

Loratadine

Cetrizine

Fexofenadine
The treatment for the most cases of skin asthma is done by the application of topical
medicines on the scalp or skin. Some of the topical medicines prescribed for the
treatment of the condition include:

Steroid or mild cortisone ointment or cream

TIMs or topical immunomodulators (pimercrolimus and protopic)

Ceramide creams
Some other treatment methods include:

Immunosuppressant drugs (methotrexate, cyclosporine, or mycopheolate

mofetil)

Antibiotic creams or drugs

Phototherapy (exposure to UV light)

Home Remedies
Some simple home remedies may prevent skin asthma and reduce the dependence
on medication. The most effectivehome care for skin asthma is as follows.

Moisturize the skin regularly. Usage of over the counter creams and ointments
like petroleum jelly or skin lotions at least twice a day may help reduce dryness in

the skin. Apply moisturizing lotions, creams and ointments on damp skin for proper
assimilation of moisture into the skin.

Refrain from scratching the skin or affected area. The itch can be reduced by
the application of topical or prescribed creams. Over the counter oral
antihistamines can also reduce itching.

Reduce contact with water.

Switch to mild body cleansers and washes instead of harsh soaps.

Always use hypoallergenic creams, make up, cleansers and detergents.

Avoid irritants like lanolin and wool.

Try and avoid dusty and dirty spaces as it may trigger asthma.

Avoid certain foods such as eggs.

Keep stress at bay.

Keep track of the common triggers and avoid them.

Make sure to get adequate sleep.

Trim the nails regularly as persistent scratching can worsen the skin irritation.
Cover the area with a bandage or cotton mittens to avoid scratching.

Quit smoking.
Skin asthma is an autoimmune disorder. Thus, an improved and efficient immune
system can help a great deal in the reduction of the chronic condition. Some of the
natural remedies that may help alleviate the condition are as follows.

Daily consumption of multivitamins such as anti-inflammatory omega 3.

Natural foods such as salmon, flax seeds, spinach, and walnuts are also rich sources
of omega 3.

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, which can worsen the condition.
Regular exercise also helps improve immunity. Make yoga, tai chi, and relaxation
exercises like meditation a part of the daily routine.

Make a homemade body wash with one teaspoon each of comfrey root, white
oat bark, and slippery elm bark. Boil these ingredients in two cups of water for half
an hour and allow to cool.

Application of vitamin E on the affected area helps reduce itching and irritation
of the skin.

Prepare a paste of blueberry leaves and rub it on the skin to reduce

inflammation.

Consume foods rich in vitamin B and zinc to reduce irritation and fortify the
immune system.

Add a little colloidal oatmeal or baking soda in bath water. This helps to
hydrate and cleanse the skin.

Consumption of oolong tea twice a day may help reduce the symptoms of skin
asthma.
Skin asthma is a long-term skin condition and needs regular treatment. Consult a
dermatologist or a qualified skin specialist if the condition persists or symptoms are
accompanied with fever and pain.
In case of skin asthma, prevention is definitely better than cure. People suffering from
skin asthma are advised to keep their skin hydrated at all times. This means they

should drink at least three liters of water every day and apply moisturizer at all times.
This will help keep the skin moisturized. - See more at:
http://www.ladycarehealth.com/different-signs-and-symptoms-of-skinasthma/#sthash.hIfDYkkG.dpuf
HIVES, also known as urticaria, affects about 20 percent of people at some time
during their lives. It can be triggered by many substances or situations and usually
starts as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts. The itching may be
mild to severe. Scratching, alcoholic beverages, exercise and emotional stress may
worsen the itching.
Hives Symptoms
Raised itchy bumps, either red or skin-colored
Blanching (when pressed, the center of a red hive turns white)
For more information on hives symptoms click here.
Hives Triggers
Some food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and
ibuprofen
Insect stings or bites
Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
Latex
Blood transfusions
Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and
hepatitis
Pet dander
Pollen
Some plants, such as poison oak and poison ivy
Hives Management and Treatment
Avoid known triggers
See an allergist, who will try to look for triggers to your hives and may
recommend medications to prevent the hives or reduce the severity of
symptoms. Whether the treatment is available only by prescription or over the
counter will depend on several factors, including how uncomfortable the hives
are making you.
For more information on hives management and treatment click here.
Symptoms

Symptoms can last anywhere from minutes to months - or even years.

Diagnosis

While they resemble bug bites, hives (also known as urticaria) are different in several
ways:

In some cases, the trigger is obvious - a person eats peanuts or shrimp, and then
breaks out within a short time. Other cases require detective work by both the patient
and the physician because there are many possible causes. In a few cases, the cause
cannot be identified.

Hives can appear on any area of the body; they may change shape, move
around, disappear and reappear over short periods of time.
The bumps - red or skin-colored wheals with clear edges - usually appear
suddenly and go away just as quickly.
Pressing the center of a red hive makes it turn white - a process called
blanching.

There are two types of hives - short-lived (acute) and long-term (chronic). Neither is
typically life-threatening, though any swelling in the throat or any other symptom that
restricts breathing requires immediate emergency care.
Chronic hives occur almost daily for more than six weeks and are typically itchy. Each
hive lasts less than 24 hours. They do not bruise nor leave any scar.
If your hives last more than a month or if they recur over time, see an allergist, who
will take a history and perform a thorough physical exam to determine the cause of
your symptoms. A skin test and challenge test may also be needed to identify
triggers.
Therapies range from cool compresses to relieve itching to prescription antihistamines
and other drugs, such as anti-inflammatory medications and medications that may
modify your immune system.
Is It Hives or Angioedema?
Angioedema - swelling of tissue beneath the surface of the skin - can be mistaken for
or associated with hives. It can be caused by allergic reactions, medications or a
hereditary deficiency of some enzymes. The following symptoms may indicate
angioedema:

Swelling in the eyes or mouth

Swelling of the hands, feet or throat
Difficulty breathing, stomach cramps or chemosis (swelling of the lining of the
eyes)

An allergist can diagnose and treat both hives and angioedema.

A single episode of hives does not usually call for extensive testing. If a food allergy is
suspected, consider keeping track of what you eat. This will help you discover whether
there is a link between what youre eating and when you break out with hives.
Chronic hives should be evaluated by an allergist, who will ask about your and your
familys medical history, substances to which you are exposed at home and at work,
exposure to pets or other animals and any medications youve taken recently. If you
have been keeping a food diary, show it to your allergist.
Your allergist may want to conduct skin tests, blood tests and urine tests to identify
the cause of your hives. If a specific food is the suspected trigger, your allergist may
do a skin-prick test or a blood test to confirm the diagnosis; once the trigger is
identified, youll likely be advised to avoid that food and products made from it. In rare
instances, the allergist may recommend an oral food challenge - a carefully monitored
test in which youll eat a measured amount of the suspected trigger to see if hives
develop. If a medication is suspected as the trigger, your allergist can conduct similar
tests, and a cautious drug challenge - similar to an oral food challenge, but with
medications - may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Because of the possibility
of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, these challenge tests should be
done only under strict medical supervision, with emergency medication and
equipment at hand.
In cases where vasculitis may be the cause, your allergist may conduct a skin biopsy
and send it to a dermatopathologist to examine under a microscope.
The cause of chronic hives is often difficult to identify.
Management and Treatment
Researchers have identified many - but not all - of the factors that can cause hives.
These include food and other substances you take, such as medications. Some people
develop hives just by touching certain items. Some illnesses also cause hives. Here
are a few of the most common causes:

Some food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)

Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and
ibuprofen
Insect stings or bites
Physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
Latex
Blood transfusions
Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and
hepatitis
Pet dander
Pollen
Some plants, such as poison oak and poison ivy

Antihistamines - available either over the counter or by prescription - are a frequently

recommended treatment for hives. They work by blocking the effect of histamine, a
chemical in the skin that can cause allergy symptoms, including welts. Low-sedating
or nonsedating antihistamines are preferred. They are effective and long-lasting (may
be taken once a day) and have few side effects. Your allergist may recommend a
combination of two or three antihistamines to treat your hives, along with cold
compresses or anti-itch salves to ease the symptoms.
Severe episodes of urticaria may require temporary treatment with prednisone, a
similar corticosteroid medication or an immune modulator, which can reduce the
severity of the symptoms.
If your reaction involves swelling of your tongue or lips, or you have trouble breathing,
your allergist may prescribe an epinephrine(adrenaline) auto-injector for you to keep
on hand at all times. These can be early symptoms of anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal
allergic reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock. The only
treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine. If you develop hives and your injector is not
nearby - or if using the auto-injector doesnt cause the symptoms to immediately
improve - go to an emergency room immediately. You should also go to the
emergency room after using an auto-injector.
If the cause of hives can be identified, the best treatment is to avoid the trigger or
eliminate it:

Temperature: If you develop hives when exposed to cold, do not swim alone in
cold water and always carry an epinephrine auto-injector. Avoid exposure to
cold air and use a scarf around your nose and mouth in cold weather. If you
must be out in the cold, wear warm clothing.
Sun exposure: Wear protective clothing; apply sunblock.
Medications: Notify your physician or pharmacist immediately if you suspect
that a specific medication is causing your hives.
Chronic hives

Some cases of hives last for more than six weeks and can last months or years. This
condition is known as chronic hives.
If the cause cannot be identified, even after a detailed history and testing, the
condition is called chronic idiopathic urticaria. (Idiopathic means unknown.) About
half these cases are associated with some immune findings. Chronic hives may also
be associated with thyroid disease, other hormonal problems or, in very rare
instances, cancer. Even this condition usually dissipates over time.
Physical urticaria
In physical urticaria, the hives have a physical cause, such as exposure to heat, cold
or pressure.
Common triggers include:

Foods: Dont eat foods that have been identified to cause your symptoms.
Rubbing or scratching: Avoid harsh soaps. Frequent baths may reduce itching
and scratching, which can make the hives feel worse.
Constant pressure: Avoid tight clothing. Pressure hives can be relieved by
wearing loose-fitting clothes.

Rubbing or scratching (simple dermographism). This is the most frequent

cause of physical urticaria. Symptoms appear within a few minutes in the
place that was rubbed or scratched and typically last less than an hour.
Pressure or constriction. Delayed pressure urticaria can appear as red swelling
six to eight hours after pressure (belts or constrictive clothing, for example)
has been applied. Symptoms can also occur in parts of the body under
constant pressure, such as the soles of the feet.
Change in temperature. Cold urticaria is caused by exposure to low
temperatures followed by re-warming. This can be severe and life-threatening
if there is a general body cooling - for example, after a plunge into a swimming
pool.
Higher body temperature. Cholinergic urticaria is due to an increase in body
temperature because of sweating, exercise, hot showers and/or anxiety.
Sun exposure. Solar urticaria may occur within a few minutes after exposure to
the sun.

Inflammation of the blood vessels, or vasculitis, can also cause hives. These hives are
more painful than itchy, may leave a bruise on the skin and often last more than a
day.

watercress = kangkong
wax gourd = kundol
winged bean = sigarilyas
sweet potato = kamote
fruits = mga prutas

list of filipino names for some common vegetables and fruits

vegetables = mga gulay

bell pepper = siling pari
bitter gourd = ampalaya
bottle gourd = upo
cabbage = repolyo
cashew = kasoy
celery / chinese leek = kintsay / kinchay
chayote = sayote
chili pepper = siling labuyo
chinese cabbage (bok choi) = petsay / pechay
cilantro leaves = wansuy
corn = mais
cucumber = pipino
edible pot = bataw (not sure about the english translation...)
eggplant = talong
garlic = bawang
ginger = luya
jicama / turnip = singkamas
jute = saluyot
lima beans = patani
mung bean sprouts = toge / togue / togi
mustard = mustasa
native horseradish leaves = malunggay
onion = sibuyas
peanut = mani / mane
potato = patatas
pumpkin = kalabasa
radish = labanos
spinach = alugbati(?)
sponge gourd / luffa(?) = patola
string beans = sitaw / sitao
sugarcane = tubo
unhusked rice = palay (husked rice is bigas; cooked rice is kanin)

apple = mansanas
avocado = abukado
bananas = saging
bilimbi = kamias
coconuts = buko
pomelo = suha
grapes = ubas
guava = bayabas
jackfruit = langka
jamaica cherry = aratiles
lime = dayap
mandarin orange = dalanghita
mango = mangga
native blackberry = duhat
native lemon = dalandan / lemonsito
orange = kahel (rare; just "orange" is more popular)
pineapple = pinya
starapple = kaimito / caimito
starfruit / carambola = balimbing
sugar apple = atis
tamarind = sampalok
tomato = kamatis
watermelon = pakwan
unchanged names = mga di-binagong pangalan
asparagus
brocolli
carrot
cauliflower
chesa
durian
mangosteen
melon
okra
papaya

rambutan
santol
soya