September | 2014 | ICM Pharma

Wound Management

Introduction Wounds are something that everyone of any age can relate to, from the child who grazed his knee in the park to the mother who accidentally cut herself with the kitchen knife. Most wounds that we encounter are superficial wounds that can be treated at home. Left unattended however, even minor wounds leave us vulnerable to infections due to the risk of germs getting into the body. Therefore, it is important to care for the wound promptly and carefully. Signs & Symptoms The symptoms of each wound would depend on the type and severity of the wound. In general, […]

Psoriasis

Introduction Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition of the skin, in which the skin cells multiply approximately ten times faster than normal. The time that it takes for a normal skin cell to form and reach the surface is roughly 25 to 30 days, yet the skin cycle for psoriasis skin cells can be as short as 4 days. Patients can experience intense itch, swelling and pain. Psoriasis can also lead to anxiety, especially when others mistake their condition for a contagious one. There are a few subtypes of psoriasis, including plaque, nail, guttate, pustular, erythrodermic and inverse psoriasis. Out of […]

Fungal Infections

Introduction The conditions that most of us know as “ringworm”, “athlete’s foot”, “white spots” and “sun fungus” all boil down to one root cause – fungus. There are many different types of fungal infections, affecting different parts of the body. These include: Tinea Pedis – Fungus of the feet, also known as athlete’s foot. Tinea Corporis – Fungus of the body. Tinea Cruris – Fungus of the groin area (jock itch). More often in males than females because of scrotal skin folds. Tinea Capitis – Fungus of the scalp. Beware of spreading among family members through sharing of hair accessories […]

Cough

Information Coughing is an action that expels air from your lungs forcefully. There are two main types of cough – productive and nonproductive cough. Productive coughs (or wet coughs) produce phlegm, and coughing helps to get rid of this phlegm from your lungs. Nonproductive coughs, called dry coughs, are tickly coughs that do not bring up mucous. They are usually caused by swelling or irritation of the throat. Signs & Symptoms Cough in itself is usually the symptom of another underlying condition (look under section “Causes”). When to Seek Medical Attention Even though cough is a very common during a […]

Common Cold and Influenza

Introduction It is not difficult to understand why many people are confused whether they have the common cold or influenza. Because symptoms can overlap and vary from person to person, even health professionals have trouble distinguishing the two. Generally though, influenza, or the flu, is more debilitating and can cause more severe body aches, fatigue and fever than the common cold. Influenza can also lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and heart problems in vulnerable populations. Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms of cold and flu overlap. These include: Fever Blocked nose Cough Sneezing However, the flu tends to […]

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Introduction Eczema is a term that encompasses many inflammatory skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, photosensitivity dermatitis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. However, when most people mention that they have eczema, they are usually referring to atopic dermatitis. The word “atopy” means the individual has a genetic tendency to be hypersensitive, while “dermatitis” refers to an inflammation of the skin. Most cases of atopic dermatitis manifest in early childhood, and sufferers have an increased chance of developing other atopic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Signs & Symptoms Atopic dermatitis patients usually have skin that is Sensitive Red and […]