Integumentary System Diseases

Aromatherapy lends itself well to treating various skin conditions. On a fundamental level, most people understand how rubbing cream on their face might improve a specific skin condition. For this reason, creating products for skincare may make up a large part of your business, and it will be necessary for you to access a situation and make a quick judgment and recommendation.

Take into consideration, though from the Mind-Body-Spirit aspect, that the skin translates how we feel about how the world sees us. It is a delicate and fragile thing, even more than another health ailment. The skin has an ego attached to it, and people can be very self-conscious about their condition.

Congenital Skin Conditions

Eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin condition called dermatitis. It typically causes swelling, redness, and itchy scaly skin. This condition may be caused by another condition such as allergies, or due to your genetic makeup. Eczema is not contagious, with the most common type being atopic dermatitis. It is mostly found in babies and children.

While there are many types of eczema, all looking different most will experience the same symptoms: swelling, redness, and itchy flaky skin. This flakiness happens because the corneodesmosomes which make up the “scaffolding structure” of the skin becomes too brittle. This is because the lipids in the skin cannot keep it adequately lubricated and so you have this constant flaking away of the top layer of skin. In severe cases, you will find the skin breaks open and weeps.

As an aromatherapist, this will be the most common skin condition you will treat. Many suffer from this condition year-round, while others are only affected in the winter.

If the condition is atopic, this pertains to external factors making it worse. An overactive inflammatory defense mechanism causes this, and while it is not an allergic reaction, it has strong familial links to hay fever and asthma.

Eczema can take five primary forms:

1. Atopic Eczema causes inflamed swelling, redness, itchy, and flaky skin.
2. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, which usually present in the scalp and eyelids. This can be a very distressing condition because, not only is it itchy, it also looks very unsightly like greasy dandruff. This is caused by a fungal infection called Malassezia yeast.
3. Nummular eczema, which is also sometimes known as discoid eczema, only occurs in adults. Here the lesions look like crusted coins or discs.
4. Pompholyx breaks out in tiny blisters on the hands and feet.
5. Varicose Eczema is also referred to as stasis or gravitational eczema. This develops when there is poor circulation, usually from a sedentary lifestyle in obesity and the elderly, and the body cannot adequately pump fluid away from the feet. Fluid pools in the blood vessels, causing swelling and often eczema will form over the top.

Eczema requires a multi-prong approach in treating the skin with oils such as geranium or chamomile as well as other oils that will address the itching and breakage of the skin. The emotions will play a massive part in this condition as will diet.

Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red and inflamed due to an injury to the skin by an outside substance. Chemicals usually are the culprit, and you will see this among nurses, caretakers, and hairdressers in particular. Nurses wash their hands repeatedly with antibacterial washes causing their skin to become sore and overly reactive, while hairdressers immerse their hands into perming solutions and hair dyes daily.  There has also been an upsurge of workers in salons who do acrylic nails developing dermatitis as well.

Dermatitis can affect anyone who is in regular contact with solvents: acids, alkalis, and particularly detergents. Be aware, too, that it is not only the physical contact with the chemical causing the issue. They are inhaling it also. These chemicals are entering through the lungs, and since the body does not have any way to excrete them, they become lodged in the liver, which becomes fundamental to the body’s eczema reaction. Often these reactions are delayed, too. Since the amount of chemical exposure may be relatively low, this may not be the first thing that the client recalls. But, it is crucial to explore all lifestyle and career changes a person has made in the last few months when dealing with dermatitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with a substance that causes you to have an allergic reaction. Common allergens include:

• Adhesives, including those used for false eyelashes or toupees
• Antibiotics, such as neomycin, rubbed on the surface of the skin.
• Balsam of Peru (used in many personal products and cosmetics, as well as in many foods and drinks)
• Fabrics and clothing
• Fragrances in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, and moisturizers
• Nail polish, hair dyes, and permanent wave solutions
• Nickel or other metals (found in jewelry, watch straps, metal zips, bra hooks, buttons, pocketknives, lipstick holders, and powder compacts)
• Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other plants
• Rubber or latex gloves or shoes

Your client may not have reacted to this substance before when first exposed to it. However, overtimes they may become more sensitive and develop a reaction if used regularly.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting adults with symptoms of itchy red sore patches of thick, silvery scales. Patches of psoriasis may show up on the elbows, knees, scalp, face, or feet, but it may also appear on other parts of your body. Some people who have psoriasis also get a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis, which becomes a severely debilitating disease. It is believed that psoriasis due to a problem with a person’s immune system and can last a long time with symptoms that come and go.

It is unknown what causes psoriasis, although both stress and diet can adversely affect it. In particular pork-related products will cause a flare-up, presumably because of the additives they contain. Alcohol and smoking are also risk factors. There may be some link with streptococcal infections since often, a person’s skin will worsen after an infection. Psoriasis often has familial connections, and will usually first present during adolescence.

During a 1997 presentation to the International Federation of Aromatherapists, Vice-Chairwoman Jill Bruce described how she noticed pockets of psoriasis cases around Britain where it was far more severe. In Glasgow, she reported giving up to 8 times as many treatments for psoriasis than in other parts of the country. She related this might have something to do with the fact that these cases were near the nuclear disaster site, Sellafield, and that perhaps radiation might be a factor. You might want to pay attention to external factors such as this in your area in regards to the number of cases you treat. It may be very few, or it could be quite a few, depending on your area. Bruce described how she had found Cajuput oil to be a fantastic help with these cases of psoriasis, and recent evidence shows that it does exert an active effect on streptococcus and other bacteria.

Bacterial Skin Conditions

Acne vulgaris       

Traditionally, the scourge of every teenage boy, acne can affect people of any age. Acne is a skin condition that shows up as unsightly pimples or “zits” on the face but may flare up on the chest or back as well. Whiteheads with pustules or blackheads may also develop. Hormones may have a bearing, such as during puberty, menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause. Oily skin can make it worse as the sebaceous glands overproduce, and the pustules become infected. Acne occurs when pores on the surface of the skin become clogged.

Treat with antibacterial oils and jasmine or Helichrysum to cool the hotness in the skin and prevent scarring.

Acne Rosacea       

Rosacea is a condition that affects your skin with redness and pimples. It is most common in middle-aged women with a fair complexion. While it typically only affects the face, the inflamed skin gives the appearance they are blushing. As with many skin conditions, the medical community does not know what causes this condition.

Symptoms can include acne, a swollen nose, dry and itchy eyes, small red lines beneath the skin, and frequent redness or flushing. Using aromatherapy oils such as German chamomile can help reduce redness and heat.

Impetigo     

A young boy suffering from skin disease impetigo

Impetigo is a scary skin infection that runs rampant through schools like wildfire. It is caused by a bacteria caused by staphylococcal (staph) that gets into a cut or scratch. Symptoms start with red sores anywhere on the body, but typically on the face, arms, or legs. The pimples fill with pus, then break open after a few days forming a crust. Unfortunately, they are often itchy, and scratching the sores spreads the infection. Since it can be spread through contact with the infected person, this condition should be treated with antibiotics. There are two types of impetigo:

• Nonbullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, or both organisms. It mainly affects young children and is highly contagious, with yellowish-brown crusting.
• Bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It is characterized by blisters, is less contagious than the nonbullous form, and occurs at any age.

Viral Skin Conditions

Structure of herpes virus. A portion of the virus has been removed to reveal its inner structure. Vector scheme

Herpes

The skin and mucous membranes are inflamed by the herpes virus and break out into lots of little blisters. Two strains of herpes exist. Type 1 is caused by herpes simplex and causes a cold sore. Type 2 usually affects the genital area and infects more than half of the US population.

Herpes simplex

The herpes simplex or Type 1 causes a cold sore. This typically breaks out around the mouth – on the lips, chin, or in the nostrils in extreme weather (hot or cold). Treat with tea tree essential oil.

Type 2 herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which is causes sores on the genitals or rectal area, buttocks, or thighs. The virus can spread even when lesions are not present. Symptoms of Type 2 herpes include itchy and painful blisters during outbreaks. There is no cure for the virus, but outbreaks become fewer and less symptomatic as the years past.

Herpes zoster

Herpes zoster is the varicella-zoster virus, commonly known as chickenpox or shingles. After a person has chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the body. Later, when a person gets older, due to one of the various stimuli, the virus may migrate down the sensory nerve to affect one or more dermatomes on the skin, causing the shingles rash to reappear. Shingles can be excruciating, and apart from the characteristic of a skin rash, it can also affect the side facial muscles, especially the cheek and mouth, especially in the elderly. Aromatherapy treatments include oils such as mandarin, lavender, and chamomile to ease the pain and reduce the itching.

Warts

Warts are benign skin growths caused by the infection called ‘human papillomavirus.’ Typically you find them forming their dry, crusty appearance on the back of fingers and the hands. On the feet, we refer to them as plantar warts or verrucae.  Strangely, some will suddenly disappear, but this can take up to several years.

Genital warts are associated with some sexually transmitted infections, and women who catch them have a greater chance of developing cancer of the cervix.

Fungal Skin Conditions

Ringworm is a fungal infection affecting the skin, nails, and scalp. It is highly contagious and is a reportable disease. We can thank the lovely dermatophyte fungi when this appears. Look for ring-like lesions on the skin that are very itchy, which can spread by contact.

Ringworm’s most familiar form affects the feet that are known as athlete’s foot. Another strain, Tinea capitis, develops on the scalp, while Tinea cruris is a form of ringworm that affects the groin and thighs. Tinea barbae is ringworm that affects the skin beneath a beard. Fungal skin conditions can easily be treated with essential oils containing antifungal properties such as tea tree, lemongrass, clove bud, and oregano.

Folliculitis is an infection that inflames the little hair follicles on the surface of the skin. Again, this is an infection but can also be due to an imbalance of Pityrosporum yeasts.

Boils are caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus that infects a hair follicle. These inflamed, red bumps containing pus usually heal when discharge is released, or an antibiotic is used for treatment. Essential oils that contain antibacterial properties can be used effectively to treat.

Skin Cancer

According to the National Library of Medicine (https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skincancer.html), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most frequently seen types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. A different kind of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned, have light-colored skin, hair and eyes, have a family member with skin cancer, and are over age 50. If you have any suspicious skin areas or changes in the way your skin looks, you should have your doctor check it. Treatment is more successful when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.

Source: Skin Disorders Symptoms Blog http://skin-disorders-symptoms.blogspot.com/

Source: IvyRose Holistic http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/HumanBody/Skin/Skin_Disorders.php

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