Battling Adult Acne

It is widely known that acne is part of being a teenager. Parents tell us that we will grow out of it eventually. For some this is true, but for others, it seems as though they approach their twenties battling acne as if they were a young teenager going through puberty. It was found that about 54% of women suffer from some sort of facial acne ranging from mild to severe from the age of 24-44 (Berkeley Wellness). Acne does not go away with age for some, while others may not even have acne appear until adulthood. For most adults this can be discouraging and embarrassing. Acne is often blamed on young age and poor hygiene. Similar to teenagers, acne can have a negative effect on adults.

Teens develop acne because of the flood of hormones and changes that their bodies are making at that time in their life.The cause for acne adults is still questioned by many. Some believe it can be linked to genetcs, some can still be that hormone flares especially in women just before their menstrual period. Other reasons can be stress, resistant bacteria, climate changes, too little sleep, medications, or from smoking. 

Treating Adult Acne

• Wash and moisturize face one-two times a day.
• When washing your face be thorough but do not scrub too hard.
• Use a mild soap or facial cleanser specific for your skin. (Dry, Oily, Moderate) 
• When using a moisturizer avoid products that are oil based. 
• When choosing cosmetics avoid oil based cosmetics. Also remember to never go to sleep with out removing make up. 
• Avoid picking or popping pimples this will only irritate the skin, prolong healing, and can cause scaring. 
• Try an over-the-counter product containing benzoyl peroxide, which helps with killing bacteria. 
• If basic home treatment does not work, you may want to consider consulting with your doctor about different treatment. This could include oral contraceptives, Accutane (isotretinoin), or other products that can be used with a prescription. 

For more information of acne and its treatment follow the link below. 

BYU-Idaho Health Center

Resources:

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BYU-Idaho Wellness. (2012). "Skin Care for Acne". BYU-Idaho Patient Education. 

WebMD. (2013) "Acne Health Care" WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/acne-vulgaris-home-treatment

University of California Berkeley. (2014). "Dealing with Adult Acne" Berkley Wellness. Retrieved from http://www.berkeleywellness.com/self-care/preventive-care/lists/dealing-with-adult-acne/slideid_1529

Women's Heart Health

You see it everywhere—pink cleats in a football game, pink lighting on the white house, and pink shirts with the familiar pink ribbon on them. It is true that breast cancer is becoming more frequent and that 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer. Yes there is a need of support, but too often it tends to overshadow the bigger issue. (Cancer is the second leading cause of death for women but heart disease is the number one cause for death for women and has been for the past decade (Go Red for Women).)

As the occurrence of obesity rises so does the frequency of heart disease. Although the occurrence of heart disease occurs more often in men than women, the effects are more severe for women. Women tend to fare worse than men during a heart attack. After the age of 55, women are more likely to have poorer physical and mental functioning, more chest pain, and worse physical limitations post-heart attack than men (CDC). With the rise and severity of heart disease in women it is important that you take action now. 

Know the Risks and Red Flags

Here are some basic risks that can increase the chances of heart disease and some red flags that can tell you if you may have heart disease already. 

• Low or no physical activity especially cardio exercise. 
• High cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure 
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Diet high in saturated fats 
• Diet low in vegetables and fiber
•  High weight coupled with a high body fat percentage 

What Can you Do for yourself and Others?

Here is a list of things you can do or encourage others to do to help with their heart health; 

• Eat good fats such as unsaturated or polyunsaturated
• Avoid fats such as trans fats and saturated fats
• Get plenty of sleep preferably between 7 and 9 hours 
• Eat a low sodium diet
• Reduce added sugars in your diet
• Eat a diet high in vegetables
• Manage your weight and body fat percentage
• Be physically active in various cardio exercises such as walking, running, biking, or swimming 
• Take time to relax and don't let yourself get too stressed
• Keep an eye on your cholesterol and blood pressure 

Resources:

Breast Cancer. (2014) "U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Breast Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics 

CDC. (2014) "Leading Causes of Death in Females 2010" CDC-Womens Health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/women/lcod/2010/index.htm
Go Red for Women. (2014) "About Heart Disease" American Heart Association. Retrieved from https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/about-heart-disease-in-women/

Skin Care

Ladies lets be honest, we put our skin through torture almost everyday whether we realize it or not. We wash our skin with chemicals, put foreign substances on our skin, we touch and scratch our bodies, and expose it to severe weather such as wind, heat, and cold. We put it through a lot and it continues to protect us. But we should be aware of what it goes through and do our best to take care of it. Here are some tips for helping with skin care. 

Signs and Symptoms of Damaged Skin

• Dry, sensitive skin
• Intense itching
• Red, inflamed skin
• Recurring rash
• Scaly areas
• Leathery, rough patches
• Dark colored patches 
• Odd shaped moles 
• Newly formed or growing mols
• Cracking or bleeding sores

Causes of Skin Damage

• Long hot showers
• Dry weather
• Perspiration from exercise
• Stress
• Molds
• Sun exposure
• Food allergens
• Hormone fluctuation
• Bacteria's or viruses

How to Treat Damaged Skin

Depending on the symptoms and diagnosis of the skin condition, the treatment can vary but here are some basic procedures that can be done. 

• Moisturize every day
• Wear cotton or soft fabrics while avoiding any clothing that is rough or tight 
• Use a mild soap
• Pat dry your skin, do not rub with a towel
• Keep your fingernails short and clean
• If you are not sure always consult with your doctor. 

Performing Regular Skin Exams

Skin cancer can be found at young ages and can be very deadly. But when found early it can be treated quickly and effectively. Here are some ways in which you can catch skin cancer early. 

• Know your risks: Are you at high risk? Where do you live? Is your sun exposure common? Do you burn easily and often? What is your family history? 
• Examine your skin regularly: Look at your body often in the mirror looking for knew spots or irregular moles. Examine both front and back in a long mirror with bright light. Be sure to look behind ears, check your scalp, inspect you genitals and breasts. Don't forget small areas like between fingers and toes along with the bottoms of your feet and armpits. 
• Know what to look for: Think of your ABC's: A-asymmetry: is it asymmetrical?  B-border: is the border uneven? C- color: is it multiple different shades or odd colors like blue or grey? D-diameter: is it larger than the size of a pencil? E-evolving: has the diameter changed recently? If you say yes to any of these you may want to consult with a doctor and have it checked. 
• Actinic keratosis: These skin lesions look like pink or red spots that are usually rough and scaly. 

Resources:

University of California: Berkely. (2014) "How to Perform a Skin Exam." Berkeley Wellness. Retrieved from http://www.berkeleywellness.com/self-care/preventive-care/lists/how-to-perform-a-skin-exam/slideid_1690

Student Health Center. (2014) "Dry Skin and Eczema"  Patient Education. 

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