What is a Chilblain?

A chilblain, otherwise known as perniosis, is a painful medical condition affecting the small blood vessels characterized by ulcers on extremities that occur only when a prone individual is subjected to sudden warming from cold temperature. As the extremities are exposed to cold environment, the capillary beds are damaged leading to the appearance of small red itchy patches which turn into purple in due course, swelling and blistering especially on the toes, fingers, nose and ears. But initially, the affected individual will experience burning and itching on the areas.

One effective measure to prevent chilblains is to keep the feet warm by wearing trousers, leg warmers and thick socks. Always avoid rapid changes in the temperature. In case when the feet turn cold, slowly permit to warm both feet up however; never place them directly in front of a source of heat. In addition, cotton wool must be placed between the toes to enhance circulation. Another contributing factor in which circulation in small blood vessels is interrupted is smoking.

The moment chilblain develops, it is advised not to rub or massage the affected area. Avoid direct heat such as heater, feet is only warmed by wearing woolen socks and footwear. Calamine lotions can be used to soothe the skin. Lanolin application can help stimulate the circulation. To prevent the chilblains from becoming infected, avoid the skin from breaking out or if broken, antiseptic dressing must be applied on the area.

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What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a common cancer ranking at the 12th spot for being one of the most common cancers worldwide and also the fifth most dangerous cancer affecting the female population. Cervical cancer is a malignant neoplasm where in the cells in the cervical uteri become malignant. From being a distinct precancerous growth known as cervical dysplasia, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it develops gradually over a period of many years to become cancerous. Unfortunately, in cervical cancer, the symptoms could only become obvious once it is already in the invasive stage. But, if detected early and treated promptly, success rate is extremely satisfactory.

Human papillomavirus infection is considered to be the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. Chances of getting the infection is increased when a woman engages in sexual relationship at an early age, or when she has multiple sex partners or having a male partner who has multiple sexual partners. Some other cofactors for cervical cancer include smoking, HIV infection, diet, multiple pregnancies, genetics, diethylstilbestrol exposure and hormonal contraception.

During the initial phases, cervical cancer is absolutely asymptomatic. In some cases, there is positive bleeding, vaginal mass, moderate pain during sexual intercourse. In advanced cases, the cancer cells have metastasized to other organs such as structures in the abdomen, respiratory system and somewhere else. Symptoms include loss of appetite, pelvic pain, leg pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, escape of urine and feces from the vaginal opening and bone destruction.

Surgery remains to be the most performed method for removing tumors limited to the outer layers of the cervical area. The types of surgical method may include cryosurgery, laser surgery and loop electrosurgical procedure. If the cancer becomes invasive and infiltrative, chemotherapy and hysterectomy are two possible means under surgical management.

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What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a term which is generalized for a grouping of conditions which develop during the first years of life and which affect the child’s ability to have coordinated movements of the body. Cerebral palsy often causes muscles to be floppy and weak or stiff and rigid.

In the US and in Europe, cerebral palsy happens in about 2 to 4 out of every 1000 births. Any babies who are born prematurely or at a very low birth weights are at a higher risk for cerebral palsy. This disorder is normally caused by injuries to the brain that occur very early in the development path.

This condition of cerebral palsy is not curable. But, by getting the correct therapy for the child may make a large difference.

Generally, those with cerebral palsy show a very wide range of symptoms and signs varying from very mild to extremely severe. They can include:

• Muscle coordination which is lacking when performing movements which are voluntary
• Exaggerated reflexes and muscles which are stiff
• Walking gait which is asymmetrical with 1 leg or foot dragging
• Varying in tone of the muscles, from too floppy to too stiff
• Difficulties swallowing or excessive drooling, speaking or sucking
• Tremors
• Precise motions such as buttoning a coat or writing which are difficult.

Brain injury causing cerebral palsy does not vary with time, so these symptoms normally do not get worse with age. Other neurological disarrays, like seizures or mental retardation, can also occur with cerebral palsy.

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What are Cancerous Moles?

Normally, moles are flat or slightly elevated skin growths appearing anywhere on the body, which vary from tan, brown red, to black colored measuring about six millimeters in diameter. These growths are the result of melanocytes build up. During pregnancy or when exposed to sun, the moles are likely to turn darker and lighten during cold seasons.

Moles that suggest risk of melanoma include those which are primarily asymmetric, moles with irregular or ill-defined borders, those with exaggeratedly black, white or red colored moles or whose color which changes over time and those moles with increased diameter.

If a mole is unintentionally traumatized or injured and bleeds, then try to block off the bleeding by applying pressure with a cloth saturated in a disinfectant. Assure the patient that the trauma in the moles has a very low chance to cause malignant transformation, since the process is highly associated to a concentrated and unguarded exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Above all, it is important that the patient seeks consultation from a dermatologist to examine the skin lesion and identify the possible carcinogenic factor.

During assessment, the doctor gathers information on the appearance, growth rate, environment, work, sun exposure and genetics. Depending on the clinical judgment of the physician, a total surgical excision may be needed to remove the cancerous moles. After, the specimen is sent for a histopathological examination. Moles can also be removed through lightening creams, bleach, cryosurgery, shave removal or by punch biopsy.

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What is Bullous Pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigold is a continual, rare condition of the skin which normally appears as fluid-filled, large blisters in the skin. Anyone may develop bullous pemphigold; it normally always distresses older persons.

It occurs because the immunization system builds up an attack on the layer of thin tissue below the on the outside layer of skin.

Medications which repress the abnormalities of the immunization system of bullous pemphigold can cause symptoms to get better but need consistent monitoring for any side effects which can be serious. It is hardly ever life-threatening, with the exception of older adults who already have health that is poor or in those people with poor functioning immune system.

The main features of bullous pemphigold are the appearances of blisters. Distinctiveness of these blisters can include some of the following:

• Fluid inside of these blisters normally clear but can have some blood
• Blisters are filled with fluid and are large as well as do not easily rupture when touched.
• Blisters may develop anyplace on the body but are regularly on the groin, abdomen, arms and inner thighs. Blisters are also located the length of folds or creases in the skin, such as the skin on the inside of a joint.
• The site of a busted blister can be sensitive or painful
• Skin surround the blisters can appear reddish, normal in people with skin color which is light or darker than what is normal in people with dark skin color.

Other symptoms or signs include

• Itching – the involved regions of skin are typically extremely itchy
• Mouth sores – can build up sores or blisters in the mouth and infrequently on additional mucous membranes
• Hives – raised, dark or red patches of swollen skin (hives) can appear before the development of blisters. In many cases, hives can be the only skin lesion to develop.

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What is Brain Cancer?

Brain cancer is the end result of unusual growths of brain cells. Brain cancer can be the result of abnormalities in the primary brain cells or from the cancer cells that develop in other organs that have metastasized to the brain.

It is rare for primary brain cancer to extend outside the central nervous system. Serious damage to neighboring brain tissues and death result when there is an unrestrained tumor growth in the confines of the skull. Primary brain tumors can be categorized under cancerous or noncancerous however both categories consume a limited space in the intracranial cavity causing severe symptoms and complications. The cancerous tumors are always critical since they are invasive and infiltrative in character. Noncancerous tumors are less serious compared to the malignant types; these only become life-threatening if they compromise vital organs such as an artery.

An environmental risk factor for brain cancer is an individual’s exposure to vinyl chloride. It is a carcinogenic substance usually used in manufacturing plastic products which is also present in tobacco smoking.

Because of the impediment in the cerebrospinal fluid flow, CSF builds up which increases the intracranial pressure. Nausea, vomiting and headache are the resulting symptoms. A brain tumor compressing the frontal lobe causes behavioral and emotional changes, impaired judgment and sense of smell, loss of memory, paralysis, reduced cognitive function and loss of vision. If the parietal lobe is affected, it causes impaired speech, inability to write, lack of recognition, seizure and spatial disorders. A brain cancer close to the brainstem produces irritability, difficulty speaking, drowsiness, morning headache, loss of hearing, one-sided facial muscle weakness, loss of vision and uncoordinated gait.

Treatment for brain cancer involves multiple surgery, radiosurgery, and chemotherapy.

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What is Blood Smear?

Blood smear, alternatively known as peripheral blood smear is a laboratory test in which a thin film of blood is blotted on a microscope slide followed by staining the specimen to permit numerous blood cells to be microscopically observable. This examination is usually indicated to look into the hematological status of the patient and rarely used to search for parasites within the blood.

There are no special preparations which are necessary. A smear is done by placing a drop of blood on one side of the slide, and then is dispersed over the slide’s length using a spreader slide. It is done in this manner so as to obtain a section where blood cells have enough gaps for them to be counted and discriminated. After, the specimen on the slide is left to air dry, and then the slide is immersed in methanol. The fixative process is vital to ensure proper staining and good presentation of cellular features. The slide is stained thereafter to differentiate the cells from the rest of the blood cells.

Doctors usually order the carrying out of a blood smear examination to assess and evaluate specific blood cell population which then indicates whether a certain group of blood cells is increased or decreased in number, or shows whether cells are abnormal, normal or immature. Patients having blood disorders are indicated to have a peripheral blood smear; patients include those who experience weakness, fatigue, pale complexion, unexplained yellowing of skin, bleeding episodes, spleenomegaly and bone pain.

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What are Blood Cells?

Blood cells, or Hematocytes, are cells which belong to any type which are found in the blood. They can be categorized under three general classes, namely, red blood cells or the eryrthrocytes, white blood cells or the leukocytes and finally, the platelets or the thrombocytes. Collectively, these blood components are approximately 45% of the blood tissue, and the remaining 55% of the volume comprises the plasma.

The erythrocytes, much more commonly known as the red blood cells are non-nucleated, biconcave disc-shaped blood cells primarily responsible in transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide via the utilization of hemoglobin. These cells live up to 120 days. Males have 5 to 6 million erythrocytes per cubic millimeter of blood, while females have about 4 to 5 million. If the number is considerably increased, polycythemia may be the culprit. If the count is low, the individual may suffer anemia.

The leukocytes or the white corpuscles are integral elements of the intrinsic immune system which live up to a few years.

The third classification is the platelet. These cells, also known as thrombocytes, are involved in blood coagulation and last for only nine days. Normally, one cubic millimeter of blood holds about 250,000 to 500,000 of these cells. If there is an above normal count, spontaneous clotting may arise but if the number is abnormally low, then clotting process is impaired when necessary.

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What is Blepharitis?

It is inflammation which affects the eyelids. Blepharitis normally affects the part of the eyelid where the eyelashes grow.

Blepharitis develops when the tiny glands of oil which are located near the base of the eyelashes stop working. This causes inflammation, itchy as well as irritated eyelids. Many conditions and diseases may cause blepharitis.

Blepharitis is usually a chronic condition which is very hard to treat. Blepharitis may be not only unattractive but also uncomfortable but it normally does not cause any damage that is permanent to the eyesight.

Symptoms and signs of blepharitis

• Eyes which are red
• Eyes which are watery
• Burning, gritty sensation in the eyes
• Greasy eyelids
• Eyelids which are itchy
• Swollen, red eyelids
• Skin around the eyes which is flakey
• Eyelashes which are crusted when awakening
• Light sensitivity
• Abnormally growing eyelashes – eyelashes which are misdirected
• Eyelash loss

Conditions and diseases which can cause blepharitis can include:

• Seborrheic dermatitis – which is dandruff of eyebrows or scalp
• Bacterial infection
• Oil glands in eyelids which malfunction
• Rosacea – skin problem causing facial redness
• Allergies – reactions to eye drugs, contact lens solutions or makeup for the eye
• Mites of the eyelashes

If an individual has symptoms and signs that does not seem to be getting better in spite of good hygiene, regular cleaning and care of the area that is affected – they should see their primary care physician.

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What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

This is the more frequent form of non-melanoma cancer of the skin. It is also the easiest to treat as well as the least probable to broaden.

Even though this type of carcinoma is hardly ever fatal, it may cause harm which is extensive to tissue in the surrounding area as well as the bone if it is not eradicated. This carcinoma can in addition have a much higher return rate; if you have one there is a good chance of developing one more within 5 years.

Most of this type of carcinoma is developed because of long time contact to ultraviolet or UV radiation coming from sunlight. The best protection is evading the sun as greatly as feasible. Sunscreen is a considerable part of any sun-safety plan but used by itself can not stop this carcinoma or any other variety of cancer of skin.

This carcinoma normally grows on parts of the body which are sun-exposed, usually the head as well as the neck. A smaller number can crop up on the legs as well as the trunk. Yet, this carcinoma can grow on areas of the body that rarely if ever see the light of day.

Even if a good common warning signal of cancer of the skin is a lesion that will not heal or which frequently bleeds and then scabs over, tumors which are basal cell are expected to take one of these types:

• A scaly, flat, flesh-colored or brown patch on the chest or back. Over time, these areas can grow very large – up to 4 to 6 inches.
• A waxy or pearly white bump, usually with blood vessels visible, on the ears, neck or face. The bump can develop a crust, bleed, or form a depression in the center. In dark skinned individuals, this kind of tumor is usually black or brown.
• Very rare, a waxy, white scar. This kind of basal cell carcinoma is very simple to miss but it can be a signal of a very disfiguring as well as invasive cancer known as “morpheaform basal cell carcinoma”.

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