Normally, the cells of the outer layer of the skin are constantly shed and replaced by new cells. In psoriasis, for reasons medical science has yet to determine, something occurs to speed up the rate of production of new skin cells, which then accumulate in thick, lumpy, reddish, flaky patches on the surface of the skin. Some people are constantly bothered by lesions on one or another part... 

Too much suntan is dangerous to your skin Years ago, people used to say that lots of fresh air and sunshine were good for you. Now they say the sun is dangerous. Why? Because frequent overexposure to sunlight can be dangerous, especially in a society in which suntan is so sought after. Too much exposure to the sun can prematurely age the skin and cause uneven deposits of melanin – the pigment... 

How to cure and remove acne scars Antibiotics can help by attacking the skin bacteria that accumulate in the comedones, which are a characteristic of severe acne. These bacteria turn the oil in the plugged pores into fatty acids that act as irritants. When enough oil collects, the blocked sebaceous gland ruptures the bacteria and fatty acids seeps into the adjacent skin. The result is irritation,... 

What can be done to get rid of warts The simplest and quickest way is to get a doctor to remove them. Remember there are only two kinds that lend themselves to self-treatment: the common wart and plantar warts, which grow on the soles of the feet. Genital warts must always be treated by a doctor. Don’t expect miracles from pharmacy wart remedies; they have to be painted onto the wart and... 

white complexion skin As is evident in any summer holidays resort, fair-skinned people are more easily affected by the Sun. Without adequate protection, their skin soon reddens and peels. Sometimes it becomes swollen and tender. Such people are more prone to skin cancer, which is at its most severe among European immigrants to Australia and at its lowest levels in India. Skin cancers are of three... 

cold sores What we know as cold sores – common but troublesome blisters that usually appear on our lips – are caused by a virus of the herpes family. Sometimes the sores erupt for no apparent reason, but usually its not hard to find a cause. Once the herpes virus first enters its victim, which may happen unnoticed or with flulike symptoms, it says in the nerve cells of the face, waiting... 

The skin is the body’s largest organ, a complex combination of two layers made up of variety of cells. It encloses and protects the rest of the body, and helps to keep it at an even temperature. The outer layer, the epidermis, varies in thickness and is composed mainly of keratin, a protein made by some of its cells. Keratin is the major component of hair and nails, which are really extensions... 

excessive sweating We all sweat at times to cool ourselves down – during vigorous exercises, for example – and to cleanse the pores of the skin. Occasionally, in an emotional upset of some kind, we may break out into what is often called ‘a cold sweat’. Perspiration of that kind is quite normal. Only when it becomes excessive and without apparent reason is there likely... 

itchy skin Nothing is more common than an itch of some kind in the skin. Dozens of times a day, we touch our faces rub our noses, scratch our heads, brush or dab the skin somewhere, all to remove some annoying irritation. And yet why we itch as we do is not yet fully understood. Sometimes, as when a fly or insect buzzes in, the cause is obvious. But itching may come from an allergy, a medication,... 

acne Few people in adolescence escape from the disfiguring pimples and blackheads known as acne. Because they often appear on the face, they always seem so much worse than they really are. If it’s any comfort, the problem usually vanishes by adulthood, though a few people have some acne all their lives. Acne is a companion of puberty , when increased hormone activity causes the sebaceous...