A Look at Scar Removal

Most people are no stranger to scars. The majority of us carry around souvenirs of childhood wounds in various places on our bodies. While some people are very prone to scarring and result in scars from minor wounds, others may experience little to no scarring at all. This is due to biological factors and can vary greatly from person to person. Though some scars are small and blend in with the skin, others are a nightmare to live with. Extremely bad scarring can be enough to cause a real problem with day to day life. The laser removal of scars is now a realistic everyday option for sufferers. Living with scar tissue can be a painful reminder of an unfortunate accident or other unwanted memory. Scars can be caused by anything from cuts to acne and the reasons to remove it differ among patients. Consulting with a practitioner skilled in laser removal will make a world of difference when it comes to making such a committed decision. Rushing into any form of surgical procedure whether invasive or not is never recommended. It’s essential to be informed about all aspects and details associated with the treatment for your own well being. As unfortunate as it is, not everyone can successfully utilize the laser treatment. People with dark skin pigment are not usually considered prime candidates for laser scar removal. Also those who experience dermatological problems such as psoriasis or eczema often cannot undergo the procedure. Of course this is exactly why a consultation is so necessary. Everyone’s skin varies greatly and it’s impossible to guess what may or may not work for you. Never take unnecessary risks when it comes to something as precious as your skin. It’s the only set you’ve got and all measures should be taken to ensure its health and vitality. Depending upon the type of treatment required different lasers will be used. For example, a procedure to reduce severe acne scarring would employ a C02 laser whereas the PDL laser is used in cases that treat keloid scars. The licensed practitioner of your choice will evaluate your scar and decide which laser would be most beneficial to your particular situation. The length of the procedure depends greatly on the scar being removed. As little as a few minutes or as much as an hour or two can be required to effectively treat the scarred area. It’s considered to be out patient surgery due to the non-invasive nature of the procedure and often only a local anaesthetic is used. Following a laser surgery the doctor will provide you with all of the post treatment information that you will need. Some patients may be prescribed antibiotics or topical cream to aid in the prevention of infection and assist healing though it’s rarely required. It’s extremely important to follow all instructions closely to avoid any delay in the skin’s healing. Avoiding direct exposure to the sun is often a key component of healing within the first few days as the sun can alter the skin’s pigment. Take care of your skin and always have full knowledge of what you are doing to it.

How to Spot Conjunctivitis %26amp; How to Deal With it - Advice For Wearers of Contact Lenses

What is conjunctivitis?

The conjunctiva is a clear, thin membrane which stretches between your eyelid and your eye. It is what prevents contact lenses from being lost behind a wearers eyeball. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of this membrane. There are three major types of conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial and allergic. This article will discuss these three types of conjunctivitis and explain how they may be treated.

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis / how do you diagnose conjunctivitis?

You may have conjunctivitis if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Itchiness

Redness

Sensitivity to light

Swelling of your eyelids

If you experience any of the above symptoms of conjunctivitis you should stop wearing your contact lenses immediately. Wearing contact lenses whilst suffering from conjunctivitis can cause damage to the cornea of your eye so please make sure you don’t take any unnecessary risks by continuing to wear your contact lenses.

If you consider any of your symptoms severe you should book an appointment to see your GP / Optician. When you visit your GP / Optician, he / she will carefully examine your eyes and check for swelling or tenderness around your jaw and ears. Your GP / Optician may also take a sample of liquid from your eyes in order to test what types of infection is present.

How do you treat the different forms of conjunctivitis?

Viral conjunctivitis eventually goes away on its own, even if it isn’t treated. Your GP / Optician may however prescribe eye drops to help to manage your symptoms. Antihistamine pills may also help to relieve the itchiness. Viral conjunctivitis usually gets worse for around a week after the first symptoms. It usually gets better after between ten days and a month.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eye drops. These eye-drops help to wash your eyes gently. Bacterial conjunctivitis normally improves in less than two days after antibiotic eye-drops are first used. If after three days of applying antibiotic drops to your eyes the conjunctivitis has not cleared up then you should book an appointment with your GP / Optician.

Allergic conjunctivitis should be treated by first ensuring you are no longer exposed to the allergen. Once this is achieved, the symptoms should reduce naturally. Antihistamine tablets or certain eye drops may sometimes be prescribed to speed up the process.

Is there anything I can do to reduce the chances of getting conjunctivitis?

There are a few precautionary steps that contact lens wearers can take to reduce the chances of getting conjunctivitis. Please always:

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly

Avoid excessively rubbing your eyes

Avoid sharing eye makeup or cosmetics

Do not share towels or washcloths with others

By following the advice above you should reduce the risk of catching conjunctivitis. However, if you do think you are suffering from conjunctivitis and it is not clearing up then it is essential that you stop wearing your contact lenses and visit your GP / Optician.