Posts Tagged ‘Itchiness’

Psoriasis And Eczema What Is The Difference

September 1st, 2010

CIMG2316

Eczema is an itchy inflammation of the skin most common in children although it can affect adults as well. It affects any part of the body and is also known as Atopic Dermatitis. It is caused by a hypersensitivity of the skin, which is made worse by various factors including dry skin, stress, and temperature changes. These irritants can cause inflammation over long periods of time. This inflammation can in turn cause itchiness and the skin becomes dry, scaly and damaged. In some cases where the sufferer has scratched consistently, the skin can become thicker and appear leathery in order to cope with the damage from scratching. If the Eczema sufferer is an adult, it is generally due to a long-term condition or recurring bouts of the condition.
Psoriasis is caused when the skin cells of the epidermis multiply at an abnormally high rate. This causes the skin to thicken and become scaly. The skin then becomes inflamed and red as white blood cells enter the skin. Psoriasis occurs at any age and generally appears from the age of 15 to 25. Although Psoriasis is caused by an unusual growth of skin cells it is not a related condition to cancer and the condition itself is harmless although distressing for sufferers.
In comparison with Eczema, Psoriasis symptoms include red scaly skin that is quite thick whereas Eczema is typically red, scaly skin that can appear moist in some areas. Eczema may not always appear moist however and in some cases the skin can also become thick which makes diagnosis difficult. Both conditions can appear on the hands, feet or neck, however Psoriasis will typically appear on the back of the elbows and the front of the knees, whereas Eczema will be on the reverse of these sides. It is often a common belief the Psoriasis is found on the scalp primarily but it can be found anywhere and Eczema can also be found on the scalp. You may not always be able to tell these two conditions apart if the skin condition is on an area that is typically shared by both and the symptoms are typical of both conditions. Hands and feet are the most difficult areas to determine but topical creams can be very effective for both of these conditions so it should not interfere with treatment.
If you are suffering from either Eczema or Psoriasis, a topical cream can help to soothe and alleviate the symptoms of these conditions without the need of determining which ones you have. If you are suffering from a skin condition and your doctor has been unable to determine which condition it is there are treatments available that can help regardless of the skin condition you suffer from. Even though both these skin conditions are caused by different means the treatment of them is primarily the same. A soothing natural cream that contains vital natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera a well-known skin-enhancing ingredient that has been noted as having various health benefits will provide you with natural and effective Eczema or Psoriasis relief whatever your skin condition is within a time period of about 4 to 12 months of regular use.

Are Alternative Eczema Treatments Really Effective?

July 20th, 2010

Are Alternative Eczema Treatments Really Effective?

Anyone suffering from eczema will attest that not only the skin disease is a painful one, but it also very depressing. On cannot help but think about how other people react upon seeing those unsightly red, swollen and scaly patches on the skin. Because of this, those afflicted by the disease will try any available eczema treatment to help lessen the symptoms at all costs.

There is really no cure for eczema; however, there are many treatments available that help lessen the symptoms. Doctors often prescribe topical and oral treatments that will help in alleviating inflammation and itchiness, but these do not come without side effects. Some of them potentially include nausea, vomiting, hypertension, glaucoma, growth retardation and many others. With all these side effects in mind, someone with eczema cannot help but look at some of the alternative ways of treating eczema.

Herbal Medicines

There are hundreds of herbal medicines out there that claim to have beneficial effects to the symptoms of eczema. Basically, what they do is try to control the hyperactivity of a persons immune system, control inflammation and relieve itchiness. There are a variety of preparations and mode of applications for such herbal medicines. Some of them may be in the form of oils, lotions, soaps, infusions, teas and even pills.

Herbal treatments for eczema may include and may be derived from the following popular plants and plant parts:

- Aloe Vera gel
- Babul tree bark
- Burdock root
- Butea seeds
- Chamomile
- Linseed oil
- Madhuca leaves
- Oat straw
- Rosemary
- Walnut leaves
- Witch Hazel

Just bear in mind that herbal medicines are still medicines. Although they may not be potentially hazardous to your health, they may still cause side effects, no matter how minor they may be. Also, before trying out any herbal treatment, it is best to consult your doctor first. This is particularly important if you are currently on certain medications, as these natural remedies for eczema may interfere with the drugs.

Aromatherapy and Massage

Aromatherapy treatment for eczema may include massaging of the affected skin with essential oils that give off strong smell, this being derived from aromatic plants. Studies conducted among children have shown that massaging the eczematous skin with ordinary oil yielded the same positive results obtained using essential oils. In both cases, the children achieved relief from the symptoms, as well as improved their sleep.

It has been found out that stress plays a major role in the flaring up of eczema. That is why many doctors recommend anyone afflicted with the skin disease to relax, get rid of stress and have a positive outlook in life. This is where aromatherapy works: the scent of the essential oils used helps the person achieve relaxation better; hence, diminished flare ups.

Biofeedback

Although stress does not directly cause eczema, it does have an effect on flare ups, as discussed earlier. Some experts might use a device attached to the body of the person suffering from eczema which evaluates different body signals. These signals include muscular tonicity, heart and respiratory rates. The information the device gives is called biofeedback an eczema treatment which is helpful to many.

The goal of this method is to let you sense the changes going on in your body when you are stressed, and learn how to control them right away. With less stress, less flare ups are likely to occur.

Eczema Is The Most Common Occupational Disease

June 24th, 2010

Radiance Beauty Elixir

According to the Albert Einstein School of Medicine at New Yorks Yeshiva University, nearly 20 percent of all reported occupational diseases in the U.S. involve some form of eczema. In fact, two studies recently conducted by Wake Forest University in North Carolina revealed that three out of four Hispanic farm workers in N.C. are affected by various skin diseases including eczema. The Einstein School of Medicine recommends prevention as the most effective way of dealing with the problem. Hundreds of dermatologists are now recommending a good shielding lotion to protect against harsh environmental chemicals and other substances that can serve as triggers for eczema and related skin conditions.

Contact dermatitis, eczema caused by direct contact with a chemical irritant, and allergic dermatitis, eczema caused by contact with an allergen, are the two most common types of eczema in the workplace. The occupations most affected are those that involve food handling, and those who manufacture or work with cosmetics, medications, perfumes, soaps, detergents, solvents, adhesives, and rubber. Reactions to latex rubber, both natural and synthetic, are often due to proteins in the powder used in some types of latex gloves.

Symptoms range from itchiness and redness to rashes and lesions that ooze, or become scaly and raw. Skin conditions caused by contact with irritating substances can occur immediately on contact, or may manifest after continuous exposure. It is common to develop an allergy to something after months or years of exposure so if you develop eczema, dont rule out a particular substance simply because youve been handling it for years without ill effects.

Thoroughly washing the area in contact with the irritant can sometimes inhibit the development of eczema and other skin problems, but the best prevention is a goodshielding lotion that has been tested and verified as an effective barrier to the chemicals causing the condition.

Is Eczema Stopping Your Child From Having Fun?

June 24th, 2010

Reed's Third Bath

Whether your physician says that your child has eczema or Atopic Dermatitis, you will need to know more. It is important for you to know and understand the disease, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and what can be done at home. It is important to know that the disease is not contagious.

Eczema is often used as a synonym for Atopic Dermatitis, even though it is a general term which covers any inflammation of the skin. Neither race nor gender has any correlation with the disease, which affects 10% of people worldwide. Instead, a combination of environment and heredity tend to be the culprits causing the disease.

Eczema is characterized by skin that is scaly, dry, inflamed, and itchy. It is possible for the affected areas to form blisters which break open, becoming open sores. Scratching does not alleviate the itchiness; rather it becomes worse and can be the cause of the open sores. Determining factors for diagnosis include:

Age, Eczema symptoms usually begin to manifest in early childhood, especially infancy.

Itching
Location, Eczema is usually found on the face, behind the knees, and on the inside of the elbows. It can affect other parts of the body as well, such as hands, feet, or scalp.

Appearance, the skin is usually scaly and dry, but the disease can look different from one person to the next. Skin can have open sores, tiny blisters, or thickening.

Heredity, Children who have a genetic history of asthma, eczema, or hay fever are more likely to have it than others.

Causes

Too many inflammation producing cells are released into the skin when an affected person comes in contact with a trigger. Triggers include: various environmental factors, having too mush stress, or having an infection. This release of cells is a normal bodily reaction, but in eczema patients the cells continue to be released even after the trigger is gone.

What kinds of things make symptoms worse and what can I do?

The different things that set off a flare up (worsening of symptoms) are called triggers and are different for everyone. Different triggers include:

Allergens, These may be food related or airborne. Airborne allergens can be dust, pets, and pollen among other things. Avoiding allergens (possibly having your pediatrician prescribe allergy medication) will help reduce eczema flare ups.

Dry skin, People who have eczema have to keep plenty of moisturizer on their skin because their skin does not moisturize itself like it is supposed to. To help avoid this, use plenty of moisturizer; apply in the morning, at night, after bathing, and during the day when dryness causes itching. Don’t use lotions as they have ingredients that can actually cause further drying. Creams with a petroleum jelly base provide the most relief. These should be applied to wet skin.

Infection, Infections from breaks in the skin (often due to scratching) often trigger flare ups. Keep nails cut short and wash with anti bacterial soap regularly (do not forget to moisturize,as described above, afterward).

Irritants, Man made products that irritate the skin when your child comes in contact with them. Try to not let your child come in contact with chemicals that irritate his skin.

Stress, It has not been determined why, but stress often precludes a flare up. A good support network is important, as is learning stress management techniques. Make sure your child knows about and understands his eczema.
S
Sweating, Sweat tends to irritate the skin of eczema patients. Bath as soon after sweating as possible, remembering to moisturize, as described above.

Temperatures, Extreme heat or cold as well as sudden temperature changes can affect eczema.

What kind of treatments can I expect?

It is important to realize that eczema has no cure. Treatments will alleviate the symptoms, but they will not make the disease go away permanently. Eczema is considered a chronic disease, meaning that it is incurable and it is very long term. Some children seem to outgrow eczema, but often they are actually just in remission for a number of years.

Topical medications, Often the pediatrician or dermatologist will prescribe corticosteroid medications that are applied several times daily. Be sure to apply these exactly as your doctor prescribes. Too few applications or inadequately spaced (in terms of time) applications will not help relieve the symptoms. Likewise, applying too often can cause other problems, such as thin skin and stretch marks.

Antibiotics, Any skin infections may require antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that are causing skin irritation.

Allergy medications, For airborne allergy triggers, your child may have to take an antihistamine regularly.

Home Remedies For Eczema: Making Itch-Free Skin A Possibility

June 24th, 2010

Here kittyyyyyyyyy!

Now you can enjoy itch-free skin for good with the use of safe and effective home remedies for eczema. For those who do not know, eczema is a skin condition that manifests itself through skin inflammations and rashes. These rashes can be very itchy and unbearable. They do fade over time but have a high possibility of coming back. Those who are afflicted with the condition often find themselves having to spend so much money just to keep the condition at bay. Now, there is a safe and cheaper way to prevent eczema from plaguing your skin ever again.

Before proceeding to the home remedies for eczema, it is essential that you know what causes the condition. This skin condition can be caused by a wide variety of factors. It is essential that you know what causes your flare-ups before deciding which remedy to use. Eczema can be hereditary or can be triggered by certain irritants and events. The most common form of irritants includes chemicals, detergents, and solvents. Allergies can also trigger the development of Eczema. Emotionally, stress can lead to eczema flare-ups while physical conditions like decreased blood flow and vitamin deficiency can also cause the development of eczema.

Home remedies for eczema have been developed to soothe the manifestations as well as to treat the condition. Since those with eczema suffer most from itching, most of the home preparations you will find are catered to the reduction of the itchiness. These include the use of sandalwood, Blueberry leaves, tomato juice, and oatmeal among others. When applied to the rashes, this can provide the patient relief from itching.

An individual with eczema can experience a heightened sense of itchiness if the skin becomes dry. Many of the home preparations for eczema were developed to trap in the moisture in the skin, keeping the skin hydrated thus preventing itching. You will find that Vitamin E, Pine tar soap, and Emu oil can accomplish this effectively. You can also decrease the inflammation associated with eczema with the use of Zinc and Shark cartilage.

Eczema home remedies can be very helpful, here are some good ideas:

1. Fill up a tub with warm water, add some oatmeal to the water, get in and relax for 30-40 minutes. This will relax the itches and help you get rid of the eczema.

2. Blueberries are good for skin problems. Drink blueberries juice daily.

3. Eat 1 banana every day.

4. Almond oil is a very good treatment for skin problems; apply some on the red parts.

5. Drink 1 cup of tomato juice every morning to treat eczema problems.

6. Vitamin E is very good for the skin. Apply some vitamin E oil on the skin to make it smoother, look better and treat skin problems, like eczema.

7. Add one teaspoon of castor oil in 1 cup of water and drink up every morning.

8. When you are taking a bath make sure the water is warm and also add a few cups of whole milk into the water so the skin won’t get dried.

When it comes to Eczema however, the most important is to prevent the flare-ups from occurring. There are many preventive measures for eczema that you can accomplish quite easily. Most of these preventive measures can be done by avoiding the factors that trigger the flare-ups. You will find that this skin condition can be quite manageable if you only know the home remedies for eczema.

Eczema’s Effect On The Face

March 28th, 2010

Asleep after a hard day of day care

One of the worst places to develop eczema is on the face because faces are visible all the time. Having to endure eczema’s itchiness, redness, dryness, and inflammation is difficult enough but having it front and center on your face often affects a person’s self image and self confidence, making it an even more miserable skin disorder. Eczema of the face has similar symptoms to eczema that affects other body parts. There is often redness, dryness of the skin, and occasionally, if the eczema is severe enough, cracking of the skin, scabbing, scaling and oozing or weeping of fluid. Some patients suffer eczema only on their faces, while others experience it other places as well.

Atopic eczema is the most prevalent variety of eczema; it typically begins in infancy and childhood. Many babies suffer it beginining between the ages of one to six months. Frequently the forehead and cheeks are the first areas to be affected and then it can spread to other parts of the face and sometimes all over. Some children have a localized form of eczema limited to their face, while others have a more generalized type that affects their whole body.

The three most common symptoms of facial eczema are redness, dryness and constant itchiness. Giving in to the desire to scratch could cause the affected skin to thicken and, in some people, especially those with a darker complexion, the skin actually becomes darker as a result of the skin disorder. When facial skin thickens, the visibility of the skin’s normal markings increases; this is called lichenification. The sufferer’s eyelids often suffer problems when this happens. Thickening of the eyelids, called blepharitis, can be a persistent, recurring problem for those who suffer facial eczema.

Seborrhoeic eczema is another common facial eczema that plagues both many adults, as well as many children. When adults develop it, the scalp, the inner eyebrows and creases by the nose are affected. Sometimes the eyelids display signs of blepharitis as well. In this instance, the scalp sheds dandruff and the facial skin is red and displays yellowish types of flakes. Seborrhoeic eczema is thought to be connected to a yeast allergy. This yeast is naturally found in the seborrhoeic or greasy areas of both the scalp, as well as on the face. This is a very frustrating variety of eczema as it commonly recurs over and over again.

Seborrhoeic eczema differs slightly in babies from how it presents in adults. If an infant will develop this type of eczema, he or she generally will suffer from it before they turn three months old. This variety, often referred to as cradle cap, causes thick yellowish flakes on the baby’s scalp as well as flakes behind the ears but it rarely affects any other facial feature. The good news on this type of eczema is that it normally goes away by the end of the child’s first year of life and it does not itch. However, approximately twenty-five percent of children who develop seborrhoeic eczema are at a higher risk of developing atopic eczema later in life.

A Primer On Eczema

March 24th, 2010

It's Off Again

Eczema is one of the very rampant skin diseases that affect people all over the world who are allergic to certain skin allergens.

Eczema occurs with some other atopic or skin diseases, whose exact infected locations can not be really traced. Some of these diseases include asthma, hay fever and conjunctivitis.

Eczema is often chronic and symptoms and manifestations can further and continually develop, continue to exist or disappear over some period of time. When you say chronic, it means the disease is treatable but not curable.

There are several forms of treatment or medications for eczema. Treatments like ointments and other forms are generally used to ease or relieve the itchiness caused by eczema. These are also used to reduce or diminish the affected area in the skin.

Eczema is often mistaken for psoriasis, which is another chronic another skin disease.

Eczema shows up or affects infants whose ages may range from one month to six months. In the united States alone, 60% of people diagnosed with eczema have had experienced their first onset of the skin disease when they were just a year old.

About 90% of eczema infected patients in third world countries got the skin disease when they were about 5 years old and below. There are cases of eczema onset during adolescent years but they are very uncommon and rare.

Symptoms of eczema

Be aware that manifestation or symptoms of this itchy and uncomfortable skin disease vary with age.

Overall, eczema is characterized by the presence of lesions which occur or can be found in different areas of the body, depending on age.

For example, an infant has eczema if he has lesions in the extensor surfaces, the face or in the trunk. For young children, they are found in ankles and wrists. In adults, these lesions may be found in the upper chest, in the neck, in the face and in the genitals or sex organs.

Eczema in infants and children show up through rashes occurring during warmer weather. These rashes will surely worsen with the climate change from warm to winter or colder climate.

Skin areas infected with eczema also are characterized by unusual and unaesthetic skin drying.

Treating eczema

Modern medicine believes that eczema may be worsened or complicated by stress or emotional and psychological anxieties.

The dryness in the infected area in the skin can be practically reduced by avoiding and preventing further contact with the allergen that may have caused or triggered eczema.

Also, moisturizers are available and easily accessible in local drug stores and retail chains. But remember, it is important to seek a doctors or a dermatologists prescription and consultation first. Self-treatment or self-prescription should be avoided for it may only worsen the skin disease.

Use of strong and harsh soaps must also be reduced to help prevent further drying of the skin. Most soaps today have chemicals that wash away and put out the natural oil produced by the skin. These natural oils contain substances that will help prevent skin drying.

Eczema Prevention

Of course, just like other skin diseases, the most basic and general prevention is hygiene.

Avoid skin contact with allergens like skin irritating chemicals, solvents and clothes. As much as possible, also avoid too much exposure to extreme climates like very high or very low temperatures.

It can be hard to explain but emotional stress can also be a factor causing eczema so as much as possible avoid it, as well as exposure to excessive or little tobacco smoke.

Remedies for eczema – Part 9

March 16th, 2010

L c?a cy ?i?u, ?o l?n h?t .... Leaves of Anacardium Occidentale ...

I was fortunate enough to receive a full-sized 200ml tube of Aveeno a few months ago through a promotion they were running and I haven’t looked back since. Doctors often prescribe it to soothe eczema and I’m not surprised considering how effective it is.

I suffer from very dry skin on my face and body with patches of eczema on my arms. My face has been a nightmare in the past with flaky, dry skin and I tried countless products to try and resolve it. The Aveeno product I use is Skin Relief Body Lotion. There are others in the Aveeno range but this is the one that in my experience has worked at soothing and calming down my skin when my eczema flares up.

First of all, it’s good to know that Aveeno is fragrance free (great if you have sensitive skin) and made with ‘naturally active ingredients.’ It’s main ingredients are shea butter and natural oatmeal which means it’s comfortable to use on even sensitive skin. It has a strange consistency which is almost gel like and mytip for applying it is to note that a little really does go a long way!

It absorbs really quickly into the skin and leaves it instantly feeling soothed and smooth. My legs and arms always used to be dry with flaky skin and scaly bits (gross I know!) but I now use Aveeno lotion every couple of days and they skin is much smoother and I don’t suffer from itchiness or flakiness anymore.

Whilst this is a body lotion, I also use it sparingly on my face with the same effect. My skin feels far more nourished and it makes a great lightweight base for applying makeup as it is so easily absorbed. I occassionally sufer from outbreaks of psorisis on my forehead and Aveeno cream works a treat for soothing it and helping to heal my skin.

The only downside for me is the price. It’s a little on the expensive side but as I mentioned before, it does last and it’s worth the money for a product that actually works. I have spent far more in the past on high end ‘designer’ skin care products that the sales assistants promised would solve my dry skin but they only went on to irritate it further. It is readily available in chemists and supermarkets.

If, like me, you tend to be a sceptic, then there is also the opportunity to try before you buy. If you search on the internet for Aveeno, you can request free samples to check that the product is suitable for you before you go out and buy the full size. It’s well worth doing this as I don’t think you’ll look back!

Find The Right Eczema Treatment

February 13th, 2010

Sweet orange range

Excessive dryness, rashes, flaking, bleeding, cracking, redness and itchiness are all symptoms of eczema. If you have eczema you know how uncomfortable and unpleasant the condition is. Fortunately, eczema can be treated.

Diagnosis

The best way to treat eczema is to first get a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your medical history, determine what type of eczema you have and its severity, and then discuss with you your treatment options. Treatment may involve the removal of lesions, however, maintenance and preventive treatments are often advised to keep your skin healthy. Treatments aim to clear infection, control itching, reduce inflammation, minimize new lesions and eliminate other lesions.

Treatment

Research indicates that the best way to treat eczema is to use a combination of therapies to treat affected areas of the skin as well as a lifestyle change to control and prevent flare-ups. Medication that will be prescribed to you will be specifically for the type of eczema you have as well as your preference. Oftentimes you will be prescribed topical treatments to clear the symptoms of eczema and the skin condition itself.

Making a lifestyle change involves many things. To treat eczema naturally, you may want to eat healthier foods and exercise regularly. Generally staying fit improves blood circulation and helps nourish the skin with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and protected. Good blood circulation helps oxygen and nutrients reach the skin effectively.

Bath with warm water for a maximum of 20 minutes only, as staying in hot water for longer periods of time can dry skin and cause eczema. Use a gentle cleanser, as cleansers with fragrances and other harsh additives can strip your skin of its natural moisturizers.

When you’re done bathing, always use a gentle moisturizer/lotion to prevent your skin from drying. You should also pat yourself dry instead of rubbing the towel against your skin (this can irritate the skin and cause flare-ups).

Although exercise is important in keeping your skin healthy, excessive sweating can aggravate eczema as it triggers rashes, itchiness, and bacterial growth. What you can do is take a shower after exercising and change your exercise program to one that doesn’t make you sweat too much.

Furthermore, eczema can actually be caused by allergens. Treat eczema by trying to identify what you’re allergic to. Allergens can come from pet dander, pollen, soaps, dust, and perfumes. If you avoid the things you’re allergic to, you can control your eczema.

Finally, get into a daily skin care regimen by using mild products like ZENMED DermCare to maintain eczema-free skin. It is easy for eczema symptoms to come back, so it’s always a good idea to maintain skin instead of just treating it. The DermCare Lotion is designed for adults and kids and is not greasy or too dry. Use products like the DermCare Cleanser as your second step to remove excess oils and dead skin cells without the added fragrance, coloring, soaps, petroleum and other irritants that may trigger other skin conditions.

New Ways To Combat Skin Eczema

December 26th, 2009

Psoriasis Before

In previous articles I have covered the infant version of exema. This article will discuss the ailment known as seborrheic eczema. Skin irritation skin disorder skin ailment, call it what you like but eczema is an eruption of the skin causing suffering and pain to many millions worldwide. According to The National Institutes of Health, some fifteen million people in the United States including about 10 percent to 20 percent of all babies suffer from the red, itchy, dry cracking skin associated with eczema.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis: This is a type of eczema brought on by regular contact with everyday substances, such as detergents or chemicals which are irritating to the skin. One of the major causes of eczema is the imbalance in a persons immune system and is probably a form of response to the environmental substances such as dust, pollution, yeast, cosmetic products, chemicals such as: detergents, oils, greases, solvents at home or in the work place. By rubbing in cream and oils on your skin, and avoiding contact with irritants like chemicals, dust etc is a way of approaching your eczema form the outside of the body. One of the most important components of an eczema treatment is to prevent scratching. 1- When there is a flareup of eczema, one of the most effective means of treatment is the use of antihistamines. When there is an outbreak of eczema, one of the most effective means to reduce further problems is to use antihistamines and this should help reduce the itchiness and pain associated with it. Corticoid creams containing hydrocortisone are the most common conventional treatment for eczema. Some other tips to avoid the need for eczema treatment are also pretty simple. There are several simple lifestyle changes and remedies to help alleviate the symptoms of eczema. An easy way to stop this form of eczema is to reduce contact with the affecting substance. Seborrheic eczema is not so bad when compared to some of the other types of eczema since it is not uncomfortable and does not stay permanently. Although it may appear so, eczema is not contagious.

The key to learning about your type of eczema and treating your type of eczema is to get the proper diagnosis. It is accepted that eczema is made worse when the skin loses its natural oils, it becomes less supple, dried out and starts to itch. In short,the approach behind all the things that we have found success with is not to force the skin to behave differently but to support the skin in fulfilling the functions for which it is designed.