Itching
Itching is one of the most common symptoms that most of us have experienced at least once in life. While itching symptoms vary, it leads to a pretty uncomfortable skin sensation, and itching can be spread all over the body or localized on certain aread.
What can cause skin itching?
There are numerous conditions that may cause skin itching. Just to mention a few: contact dermatitis, medications, liver disease, kidney disease, eczema, even parasites or viral rashes.
Are there any associated symptoms?
Skin itching may be associated with rash, extremely dry skin, redness, bumps on the skin, blisters or spots on the skin. These associated symptoms may help to determine what provoked skin itching.
How can I get some temporary relief from itching?
In some situations (for example, when traveling), it is difficult to get medical help quickly. In order to minimize itching sensation, it is recommended to apply Dr.Numb® 4% Topical Anesthetic Cream to the affected area: its strong anesthetic properties will help to stop unpleasant sensations, and Vitamin E in its formula will provide additional skin hydration.
Laser Treatments
Laser skin treatments have long become some of the most popular skin treatments in dermatology and aesthetic medicine: they offer safe, effective technique that can treat a number of issues.
Which laser treatments exist?
One of the most popular treatments (after laser hair removal) is laser skin resurfacing. During this treatment, skin is being removed layer by layer with precision. Then, during the healing process, the new skin cells are being formed, which gives the skin a tighter, younger looking surface.
Why may I need laser skin resurfacing?
Usually patients turn to laser skin resurfacing to achieve rejuvenating effect, but it may be needed in case a patient has some skin irregularities, like acne scars. If you have fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes, mouth or on your forehead, then you may be a good candidate for this treatment.
How does the treatment work?
Laser skin resurfacing is an outpatient procedure, performed by a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. The full-face treatment may take up to two hours, meanwhile treating just certain areas may only last 35-40 minutes. Before the treatment, you doctor may ask you to stop taking any blood-thinning medications and avoid smoking as all these factors may affect healing process. A thick layer of Dr.Numb® 5% Lidocaine Cream must be applied to the skin area at least 30 minutes before procedure in order for it to take an effect and guarantee strong local anesthesia during the whole treatment.
Insect Bites
What can be more pleasant in summer than spending some relaxing time with friends and family outside, sharing a barbecue and enjoying the nature? It is one of the best pastimes, but it can be definitely affected by one unpleasant detail: insect or bug bites.
How can I stay protected from insect bites?
Even though it may feel that mosquitoes and bugs are absolutely everywhere, there are still some ways to increase your chances to escape the bites. Using repellents or even natural alternatives like citronella, can be a great way to keep insects away from your skin. The repellents usually keep their effect for about four hours, so if you are going to stay outdoors for a longer time, make sure to reapply.
How to ease the itching sensation from insect bites?
Once you get insect bite, you may experience pain, itching and redness – it happens because insects inject formic acid into your skin, trigging a biological reaction. If the itching sensation bothers you a lot, follow these simple steps: first, clean the area with warm water and soap. Then, apply the first layer of Dr.Numb® 5% Lidocaine Cream, rubbing it evenly. On top of that, apply a second, thicker layer of the cream and wrapping it with saran wrap. Keep the wrap on for around an hour. By then, the itching sensation shall be gone, so gently wipe off the excess of the cream.
When do I need to see a doctor?
Most insect bites are harmless, but if the area becomes infected and you experience strong redness, fever or a red streak that spreads toward the body, see a doctor immediately, especially if you are not sure what insect bit you.
Sunburn
At least once in a lifetime, we all have been in a situation when a temptation to stay longer in the sun overshadowed the need to take extra precautions when sunbathing.
What causes sunburn?
Of course, we all know that staying for too long in the sun can cause damage to the skin, causing redness, irritation and other unpleasant symptoms. The reason for that is that the sun sends off several wavelengths of ultraviolet light, including UVA and UVB lights. Both of these penetrate the skin and, if staying in the sun too long, can cause changes on the DNA level, provoking premature aging or even skin cancer, melanoma.
How soon can I notice sunburn?
It depends on your skin type and sun intensity, as well as the time you’ve spent exposed to the sun rays. It can take only 20 minutes of sun exposure to get a sunburn, but you will notice it later: the skin can redden and start hurting. If the sunburn is severe, you can even develop swelling, sunburn blisters and even fever.
What is the proper aftercare if I got a sunburn?
There are two main directions of the sunburn aftercare: first of all, you need to treat the damaged skin and, also, reduce painful symptoms. Cold compresses, cool bath, cremes or gels with menthol, camphor or aloe can help to soothe the burning sensation and heal the skin. Dr.Numb® 4% Topical Anesthetic Cream is the perfect choice to reduce the pain: it has a strong anesthetic formula and also contains such ingredients like Vitamin E, which provide skin hydration, which is so crucial if the skin was damaged by the sun.
Scrapes
Scrapes are skin abrasions or wounds that rub or tear off skin. In most cases, scrapes don’t go deep inside the skin tissue, and home treatment is enough for proper healing.
Why do scrapes occur?
Mostly scrapes happen in warm weather when the skin is more exposed. Small accidents or falls may provoke scrapes, if the skin is rubbed against a hard surface, such as the ground, sidewalk, carpet, road and others.
What shall I do if I get scrapes?
First of all, stop the bleeding with pressure. Then you need to evaluate the wound and determine whether you need medical help depending on how deep the wound is. Clean the wound with water and Dr.Numb® 4% Lidocaine Disinfectant Foam Soap to get rid of any bacteria and dirt. Dr.Numb® Foam Soap has strong disinfectant formula and also contains lidocaine, which will give a slight numbing effect for extra comfort. Dr.Numb® Foap Soap also contains aloe vera extract for faster healing.
Are there any risks?
The major risk is getting a wound infected, so it is crucial to properly clean it in the very beginning. If you experience any irritation and redness, bleeding – make sure to get a medical evaluation.
Minor Skin Irritations
Minor skin irritations, even though not considered as severe health conditions, may be pretty frustrating and troubling for some people. If not treated in a timely fashion, they can lead to more serious skin irregularities.
What are minor skin irritations (and what are the risks)?
Itching, local redness, extremely dry skin, even insect bites – all these can be called minor skin irritations. The main issue with these conditions is that they provoke skin itching, which can lead to that patient gets caught in itch-scratch-itch cycle. Constant scratching makes the skin more sensitive and harmed, which, then, prompts a push to scratch even harder and longer. Repeated many times, this cycle may lead to skin flaws and, in some severe cases, open injuries.
What shall I do if I get minor skin irritation?
First of all, examine the affected area, try to remove any potential allergic objects and clean the skin with a gentle cleanser and pat dry it with clean towel. In order to decrease itching sensation and avoid scratching, apply Dr.Numb® 5% Lidocaine Cream to the affected area for 15-20 minutes to achieve anesthetic effect which will last up to 2 hours.
How can I avoid getting minor skin irritations in the future?
If you are getting same type of skin irritations on a regular basis, it is best to see the doctor. If this happens just occasionally, try to observe and understand, what may be causing it. For example, if the irritation happens where you wear jewelry, try to remove it and see for some time how the skin will react. Changing washing products for your clothes can be a good idea too, as sometimes these chemicals may provoke certain skin allergies.
Dermal Curettage
Curettage is the term used to describe a procedure of surgical scraping, using a curette – a sharp, spoon-shaped instrument, to remove any superficial skin changes with minimal damage to the surrounding issue.
Why curettage may be needed?
This treatment is usually prescribed to remove diseased tissue such as tumors or growths or to obtain a biopsy that can be used for diagnosis. This procedure may be needed in case any of the following conditions take place: warts, spider nevi, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, and angiomas.
How painful is the procedure?
Even though it is a minimally invasive treatment, it still can be quite painful. In order to minimize the pain, it is recommended to apply Dr.Numb® 5% Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream 15-20 minutes before the procedure for the formula to take effect and achieve proper anesthesia.
Is there any aftercare recommendations?
The main advice goes as with any surgical procedures is keeping the wound dry during the first 48 hours, after which is needs to be regularly gently washed and dried. If it keeps bleeding, becomes red or irritated, it is necessary to urgently contact your doctor.