Causes of Skin cancer?

 Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in which there is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of skin cells. When the cells grow and divide abnormally, they spread to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system. 

Different causes of skin cancer:

When mutations develop in the DNA of your skin cells, skin cancer occurs. The skin cells grow uncontrollably through such mutations and a mass of cancer cells is formed. Overexposure to the ultraviolet rays, which result in sunburn and blistering, is considered one of the leading causes of skin cancer. When our skin is exposed to UV rays, the skin’s DNA is damaged, and the skin cell growth can’t be controlled properly when the DNA is altered, leading to cancer. Contact with certain chemicals like tar and coal are other causes of skin cancer. Thus, you can become more prone to skin cancer if-

1.You spend more time working or playing in the sun.

2.You even have a history of sunburns in the past and if you live in a high-altitude/sunny climate.

3.Having light-coloured eyes, blond or red hair or freckled skin can also increase your risk of skin cancer.

4.If you have many moles or irregularly shaped moles.

5.A family history of skin cancer may put you at further risk of the disease.

6.If you have undergone an organ transplant, you are at risk.

7.If you are under medications that, in a way, weaken your immunity.

Types of skin cancer

There are mainly 3 major types of skin cancer- Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Asal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is seen in sun-exposed areas of your skin, including the head and the neck. Most basal cell carcinomas are caused due to overexposure to UV rays. Such cancers appear like a change on your skin, like a growth or sore that won’t heal. Its other characteristics include shiny, skin-coloured bumps, black, brown, or blue lesions, and flat, scaly patches. 

Squamous cell carcinoma

It is a common form of skin cancer that is not life-threatening but can be aggressive. Also, if left untreated, they may grow large or spread to other parts of the body, leading to serious complications. Avoiding overexposure to UV rays and tanning beds can protect us from squamous cell carcinoma and other forms of skin cancer. 

Melanoma

It is considered to be the most serious type of skin cancer. It develops in melanocytes that produce melanin- the pigment responsible for giving color to your skin. They can develop anywhere on your body and are most commonly found in areas such as the back, legs, arms, and face. It can even form on your eyes and internal organs.

 Skin cancer treatment

Skin cancer treatment and precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses depend on numerous factors, including size, type, depth, location of lesions, and stage of cancer, among others. Furthermore, if  the small skin cancer is limited to your skin’s surface, the cancer tissue can be removed through biopsy. Other common skin cancer treatments include-

1. Cryotherapy

In such treatments, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze skin cancer. It is after the treatment that the dead skin sloughs off. Actinic keratoses and some small, early skin cancers can be treated with this method.

2. Excisional surgery

This method may be used to treat any form of skin cancer where the tumor and surrounding healthy skin are removed. In some cases, removing the extra normal skin around the tumor is recommended.  

3. Mohs surgery

Such procedures involve removing the visible, raised area of the tumor following which the thin layer of skin cancer cells is removed using a scalpel. Right after the removal, the layer is closely examined under.Through this process, cancerous cells can be removed without taking much surrounding healthy skin.

4. Radiation therapy

In such methods, high-powered beams, such as X-rays are used to kill the cells causing cancer. When cancer can’t be removed completely through surgery, radiation therapy is preferred. 

5. Chemotherapy

In such treatment methods, medications are used to destroy the cancer cells. The anti-cancer medications can directly be applied to the skin if it’s limited to the skin’s top layer. Systemic chemotherapy may be used if cancer has spread to other body parts.

6. Photodynamic therapy

The skin cancer cells in this treatment are destroyed using a combination of laser lights and drugs that make cancer cells sensitive to light. The precancerous cells are destroyed while leaving normal cells alone.

Conclusion

Skin cancer is a very common disease, but it is life-threatening, and therefore, one should never take it lightly. If any symptoms signal probable chances of skin cancer, then it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin Health by Healthcarebeauty

 

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants that can do wonders for our skin. It's an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy, glowing skin. In this blog, we'll know the benefits of vitamin C for skin health, how it helps our skin, and why it's important to incorporate it into our daily skincare routine. We'll also introduce you to a revolutionary product, Vesco Pharma Vitamin C Injection 1000mg For Skin Whitening, that can help you to achieve brighter, healthier-looking skin.

Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin Health?

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause damage to our skin cells. So we need to use Vitamin C skin whitening products in our daily use that will help our skin to achieve light and brighter skin with the challenging time of environment.

Here are some of the benefits of vitamin C for skin health:

Boosts Collagen Production: Vitamin C helps to stimulate collagen production, which can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Fades Age Spots: Vitamin C's antioxidant properties can help to reduce the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Hydrates the Skin: Vitamin C helps to improve skin hydration by increasing the production of hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant that retains moisture in the skin.

Best Skin Care Tips for Healthy and Glowing Skin

Beautiful and glowing skin is something we all want to have. While some consider glowing skin a goal of beauty, others consider it an outward sign of good health. We list some simple, essential and natural skin care tips that you should follow to achieve healthy and glowing skin. They don’t require any elaborate arrangements and you can complete them sitting at your home.

What do you mean by Glowing Skin?

Everyone has a different definition of glowing and healthy skin. The word is often used to describe healthy skin that ‘feels alive’. For some people, healthy skin gives them a natural glow or glow.
Most of the people probably want healthy skin. A typical look of healthy skin tips for the face looks like this:
• Without cracks or blemishes
• Moisturizing enough, not too dry or oily
• Fairly even in tone, no redness or swelling

Factors Affecting Skin Health:
 

Genetics: A person’s genes can increase their risk of developing dry or dull skin. Genetics are linked to many dry skin problems, including atopic dermatitis.

Hormones: Changes in a person’s hormone levels can trigger acne breakouts and change whether their skin is oily or dry. It affects all genders, especially during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

Health problems and medications: People’s skin health may be affected by other concurrent medical problems or medications they are taking. For example, hormonal contraception may have positive or negative effects.

How to know your Skin Type? 

Normal skin type: This skin tone feels even – it’s not too oily or dry. It is not overly sensitive and does not react to any product.

Oily skin type: If your T-zone is oily and sticky, you may have oily skin. Large sebaceous glands that produce excess oil are more common in oily skin. Acne is also possible.

Dry skin: If your skin feels dry, especially after bathing, you may have dry skin. This skin condition causes itching and rashes. It is also open to early signs of aging.

Combination skin type: This is defined as having an oily T-zone and dry cheeks and rest of the face.

Sensitive skin type: If your skin reacts to products and irritates easily you may have sensitive skin.

What is skin health and why is it important? skin health.

 In our next few articles, we’re going to be talking about all things skin health-related, starting with why skin health matters, how to better support your skin health, and treatments to give your skin an extra boost.

Why skin health matters:

Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ? 

It serves many different roles and purposes, the most important being to protect your body from external dangers such as bacteria, chemicals, foreign objects, dirt, temperature or UV rays from the sun.

The nerves in your skin also give your brain important information about things you come into contact with. Is an object hot, cold, soft, hard, blunt or sharp? The knowledge gathered by your skin can quite literally be lifesaving.

With so much work to do, your skin needs care and attention to ensure that it’s as healthy as possible.

Understanding the structure of your skin

You might find it helpful to understand a bit more about the structure of healthy skin and why each element is important.

Your skin has three main layers:

The Epidermis is the outermost layer and is about the thickness of a piece of paper; it’s this layer that creates our skin tone and acts as the first line of defence against external threats.

The middle layer is the dermis, which contains connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands and sweat glands. These all play a crucial role in regulating the temperature of your skin and body. 

You’ve probably heard of collagen and elastin as they’re key ingredients of many skin and facial aesthetic treatments. Both of these are proteins found in the dermis that provide support and elasticity to the skin. Factors such as ageing or exposure to the sun’s UV rays break down these proteins, causing the skin to begin to wrinkle and lose its youthful firmness.

Beneath this is the hypodermis , which contains a layer of fatty tissue that nourishes the dermis and epidermis. This insulating layer also helps to conserve your body heat and protect your internal organs from trauma.

Within the epidermi

There are important sub-layers within the epidermis and these each play an important role in keeping you safe and healthy.

A.  The stratum corneum is the uppermost surface of your skin and the first barrier between the inner workings of your body and the outside world. It is composed mainly of a protein called keratin and lipids (fats), as well as closely packed dead cells. 

B.  Next comes the stratum granulosum. There’s a lot of activity in this layer as keratin proteins and lipids work together to create many of the cells in your skin’s protective barrier.

C.  Beneath this comes the stratum spinosum (aka the squamous cell layer), which produces keratin, the fibrous protein that gives skin, hair and nails their integrity and water-resistant properties. 

D.  Finally, there is the stratum basale where skin cells are reproduced. This layer contains one row of column-shaped keratinocytes called basal cells. These cells are constantly dividing and pushing already-formed cells up through the higher layers of the epidermis.        

Did you know that your palms and soles of your feet have an extra layer to the epidermis?

The skin on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet has a lot of work to do, which is why there is an extra layer within the epidermis in these two areas called the stratum lucidum. 

In Latin, stratum lucidum means “clear layer”, referring to the transparent nature of the cells that sit between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum with the purpose of reducing friction between the sandwiching layers.

Did you know that your palms and soles of your feet have an extra layer to the epidermis?

The skin on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet has a lot of work to do, which is why there is an extra layer within the epidermis in these two areas called the stratum lucidum. 

In Latin, stratum lucidum means “clear layer”, referring to the transparent nature of the cells that sit between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum with the purpose of reducing friction between the sandwiching layers.

What does healthy skin look like?

As we can see, the skin is a complex structure with every element working in harmony to protect your body.

But how do you know if your skin is healthy? What does that look like?

We live in a world where we’re bombarded with images of people with flawless complexions. You may be worried that your unique birthmarks, freckles or blemishes mean your skin isn’t in tip-top condition.

In fact, very few people have “perfect” skin. 

We’re all prone to areas of pigmentation, texture, acne or redness

 

What is Healthy Skin?

 Understanding the skin

First, we need to understand our skin: the texture, layers of the skin and types. We have three layers of tissues; epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, and each of them has an important role. These layers protect our skin from dust and any other harmful things. Damage to any of these can lead to damaged skin.

How to maintain the moisture of the skin

Leakage of water or moisture through the skin can lead to dry and flaky skin and can cause bumps on the skin making your skin rough. Moisturizers can be essential for the skin to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. Moisturizers containing natural ingredients like vitamins and essential oils such as tea tree, vitamin e, etc., are best.

Many people think that if they have oily skin they do not need any moisturizers and skip it, but this can damage the skin in the future. Our skin goes through much stress, such as pollution and UV exposure, and it needs proper care.

How to stop skin aging

Proteins like collagen and elastin help maintain the youth of our skin. Reduction in collagen production during old age is very common, resulting in dull skin and wrinkles. There are creams in the market specially designed to stop aging and wrinkles, creams that can help reduce the appearance of aging and wrinkles to some extent. Ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and sunscreen are scientifically proven to be effective in slowing the aging process.

Skincare tips

Some tips for healthy and clear skin are:

Using sunscreen on a daily basis. Sun exposure causes the most damage to our skin. As well as successfully protect our skin from harsh UV rays, preventing  blemishes and hyperpigmentation in the future, sunscreen is crucial in preventing skin cancers.

Maintain a skincare routine. Try to follow a simple skincare routine every day, both day and night, to clean the skin e.g. face wash, toner, and moisturizer. The steps will be the same for both day and night, except in the daytime it should include sunscreen. Avoid using harsh products.

Avoid smoking. Smoking can cause wrinkles and quicken the aging process.

Follow a healthy diet. No matter how much you take care of your skin from the outside, if the things you are consuming are not good, it will reflect through your skin. Drink a lot of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

Stress management. Stress can trigger many skin problems, as it disturbs the hormones resulting in pimples.

Adequate sleep. Proper sleep is an essential part of skincare, although it is often neglected. Lack of sleep can lead to dull skin and dark circles.

The Skin You’re In: Understanding the Importance of Skin Health

Human Skin

Human skin is the largest organ in the body and serves as a protective barrier between the external environment and the internal organs. It has three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

The epidermis is the outermost layer and contains several types of cells, including keratinocytes, which produce the protein keratin that gives the skin its strength and waterproofing ability. The epidermis also contains melanocytes, which produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and protects it from harmful UV radiation.

The middle layer of skin, or dermis, is made up of sebaceous glands, sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and nerves. It gives the skin stability and suppleness.

The skin plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, preventing dehydration, and protecting against infections and harmful UV radiation. It is also sensitive to touch, pressure, temperature, and pain, allowing us to sense our surroundings and interact with the environment.

Factors Affecting Our Skin:

Age

Sun exposure

Pollution

Diet

Smoking

Stress

Hormonal changes

Genetics

Skincare routine

Types of Skin Diseases:

Acne: A common skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the face, chest, and back.

Eczema: A chronic inflammatory condition that causes red, itchy, and dry skin.

Psoriasis: A long-term autoimmune condition that results in thick, scaly, and red skin patches.

Rosacea: A chronic inflammatory condition that causes redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels on the face.

Dermatitis: An inflammation of the skin that can be caused by contact with irritants or allergens.

Skin infections: Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause skin conditions like impetigo, cold sores, and athlete’s foot.

Skin cancer: The abnormal growth of skin cells that can lead to the development of cancerous tumors.

Hives: An allergic reaction that causes itchy, red, and raised bumps on the skin.

Vitiligo: A condition that causes the loss of skin pigmentation, resulting in patches of white or light-colored skin.

Scabies: A skin infestation caused by mites that causes severe itching and a rash

 Causes of Skin Diseases:

Genetics: Many skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis, have a genetic component.

Allergies: Allergic reactions to substances like pollen, pet dander, or certain foods can cause skin rashes and other symptoms.

Infections: Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause skin diseases such as impetigo, cold sores, and athlete’s foot.

Autoimmune disorders: Conditions such as lupus and scleroderma can cause inflammation and damage to the skin.

Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can affect the skin and lead to conditions such as acne.

Environmental factors: Exposure to UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental factors can cause skin damage and contribute to the development of skin diseases.

Symptoms:

1.Rashes

2.Bumps or blisters

3.Dry or cracked skin

4.Discoloration

5.Itching

6.Pain

7.Swelling

8.Wounds or sores

Preventions:

Protect your skin from the sun

Avoid irritants: Avoid exposure to chemicals, soaps, and other irritants that can cause skin irritation.

Moisturize: Regular use of moisturizers can help prevent dryness and cracking of the skin.

Practice good hygiene: Keep your skin clean and dry, and avoid sharing personal items like towels or razors.

Avoid scratching: Resist the urge to scratch itchy skin, as this can further damage the skin and increase the risk of infection

.

Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help support healthy skin.

Stay hydrated.

Avoid smoking: Smoking can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.

What is e-Health?

 The process of transformation of healthcare to be more digital has been accelerated by the current Covid-19 health emergency, which has necessitated much less face-to-face contact and more remote working. A recent review by Eric Topol on preparing the workforce for a digital future outlines the ways technology will change how we provide healthcare: the three key areas identified were telemedicine, smartphone Applications  and sensors and wearables Indeed, the smartphone is now a portable  personal computer and communications device, with nearly 80% of adults in high-income countries regularly using it to access the internet. The smartphone is arguably the key tool which facilitates m-Health.

This brief review will explore how the digital landscape of e-Health is changing the practice of cardiology and transforming the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease in general.

Electronic health records.

EHRs are a fundamental component of e-Health. Different EHRs offer varying levels of functionality, from basic documentation to real-time display of clinical signs and observations, often linked to communication with other healthcare professionals and electronic prescribing. EHRs have so far had a mixed reception from clinicians: a survey of US primary care physicians reported that although 63% believed EHRs have generally led to improved care, 74% reported that using an EHR increased their workload, and 68% stated that EHRs took valuable time away from patient care. A time and motion study from the USA showed that 49% of clinician time was spent on EHRs and administration.

There is no unified EHR across Europe: even within a single country, individual healthcare organisations typically procure their own software and can be at varying levels of digital maturity. Interestingly, primary care tends to have a more unified approach to EHRs than hospital-based systems. Interoperability is consequently a key challenge: data cannot easily be transferred from one system to another, the coding used may differ, and much of the information may not be easily searchable. Across Europe there is also the issue of language differences.

For clinicians to be able to make the best use of data from m-Health approaches (including Apps and wearables), the data have to be easily viewed, imported into the EHR, and shared with other relevant healthcare professionals. A clear “audit” trail is required to show on what basis decisions were made.

M-Health:

m-Health is the use of mobile wireless technologies for health. This often, but not always, involves the use of a smartphone. A simple use of m-Health is remote access to healthcare information and services. Estonia’s “e-Health record” is an example of a nationwide system whereby patients and emergency services are able to access summary health data remotely via an “e-Patient portal”. The National Health Service in the UK has recently launched the NHS App which allows patients to access their summary medical record.and book appointments, with further functionality being added rapidly. The European Society of Cardiology produces Apps for healthcare professionals, such as clinical guideline Apps, but also Apps for patients. The “My AF” App allows patients to record symptoms and quality-of-life data, which can be shared with healthcare professionals to add further value to interactions with clinicians.

Patient education is a key factor in improving health outcomes, particularly in cardiovascular disease, with improvements in diet, exercise, smoking cessation and medication compliance helping to optimise the outcome of care and lifestyle choices. Health literacy in Europe is poor: in a study across eight European countries, 47% of participants had low or inadequate health literacy, rising to 61% for those with more than one long-term illness  The NHS recently partnered with Amazon to allow people to access health advice via its voice assistant Alexa, and there is a proliferation of educational Apps aimed at presenting information in a more visual, easy-to-understand manner. Others allow symptom tracking and/or are even able to perform basic triage and provide health advice.

 Sensors

Sensors are integral to m-Health. A sensor measures a signal and collects data which can be transmitted or recorded for further analysis. This may be as simple as a Bluetooth-enabled scale to measure weight, or as complex as a multiparameter monitoring device. Broadly, sensors can be divided into invasive or non-invasive, the latter including both wearable and non-wearable technologies.

Non-invasive sensors

Bluetooth-enabled “smart” devices allow sensors to connect to smartphones or computers to track data and provide trends. Self-blood pressure monitoring, when combined with antihypertensive medication titration in response to readings, successfully reduces systolic blood pressure compared with usual care Patient-activated lead-I ECG recorders such as the KardiaMobileTM device have transformed the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation  and paroxysmal arrhythmia. Whilst previously diagnosis was usually made using Holter monitors, which are often limited by availability, technician analysis time and how long they can be worn, personal lead-I ECG monitors are being increasingly used. The Kardia device has been reported to have a 98.5% sensitivity and 91.4% sensitivity  in the community diagnosis of AF

Wearables

Wearable devices  are increasingly popular consumer products. The most common features of wearable devices are activity monitoring and heart rate monitoring and, whilst these are usually used to track fitness, step counters can be useful adjuncts in cardiac rehabilitation  and may provide data for prognostication of heart failure  Wearable, continuous ECG recording can also be done via patches or vests  which are more comfortable, less cumbersome and can monitor for longer than standard Holter monitors. Some “smart” watches, such as the Watch also have irregular pulse detection algorithms, and lead-I ECG recording capabilities. The Heart Study demonstrated that its irregular pulse algorithm had potential for community screening of AF. Over 400,000 patients were recruited, 0.5% had an irregular pulse notification and, of those who had an irregular pulse notification and sent back a 7-day ECG patch recorder, 34% had AF diagnosed by ECG. The study particularly highlights how digital technology has transformed research: there were no study centres and recruitment of a large number of study participants was done rapidly and at relatively low cost.

Invasive sensors

Cardiac implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers and implantable loop recorders are invasive sensors; a computer-based algorithm, rather than a physician, analyses the data in real time. More sophisticated implantable devices can monitor not just cardiac electrograms, but several other physiological variables such as intrathoracic impedance, respiratory rate and sleep apnoea. Proprietary algorithms using such data show promise in identifying patients at short-term risk of HF decompensation and can send an alert to the clinician . A significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure usually precedes HF decompensation and so implantable pulmonary artery pressure monitors can be used to titrate HF therapies and significantly reduce repeat hospitalisation in HF patients with recent hospitalisation.

Telehealth, self-care and personalised care

Telehealth is not yet widely used in cardiology but the growing pressures on outpatient departments will likely accelerate its deployment. The number of outpatient appointments is rising steadily: in the UK, for example, outpatient appointments have nearly doubled in the past 10 years, with cardiology clinic appointments accounting for more than 3% of all NHS outpatient attendances Alternatives to face-to-face consultations are therefore required, not only to address limited capacity, but also for patient convenience. Video consultations have so far been well received by patients because of reduced waiting times and travel cost , but there are few data on outcomes for specialist appointments for long-term health conditions. Telehealth also has the potential to connect clinicians from different specialties or between primary and secondary care, creating a “virtual Heart Team” and potentially saving unnecessary appointments and supporting more holistic care.

What is health information?

Health information is any about your health or disability. It includes information or opinion about your illness, injury or disability.

Some examples of health information include:

• notes of your symptoms or diagnosis
• information about a health service you’ve had or will receive
• specialist reports and test results
• prescriptions and other pharmaceutical purchases
• dental records
• your genetic information
• your wishes about future health services
• your wishes about potential organ donation
• appointment and billing details