Analysis and Design of Vital Cellular Skin Care

Analysis and Design

The Extent of Skin Disease

There are over 2000 dermatological pathologies recognized by clinical medicine. Of these many are wholly or partially inflammatory. Two common and debilitating dermatologies are Eczema and Psoriasis.

Prevalence of Eczema: 15 million people; 10% infants/children estimated.
Prevalence Rate: approx 1 in 18 or 5.51% or 15 million people in USA 15-25% of all dermatological patients suffer from eczema. Surveys have shown that eczema prevalence is increasing.

Prevalence of Psoriasis: 5.5 million people in the USA, between 1 and 2 percent of the United States population
Prevalence Rate: approx 1 in 49 or 2.02%.

There is a need for effective, all natural, topical applications for customers with inflammatory skin disorders.

Discussion of conventional medical treatments for skin disorders will focus on the risks and side effects. For many people with skin diseases, treatment is long term and the risk of side effects is therefore greatly increased. These treatments also introduce some of the complex physiology underlying skin disease.

  • Corticosteroids: A class of substances related to a natural hormone that can diminish an inflammatory response such as itching or irritation of the skin. This is a short term remedy for acute conditions which suppresses the natural, normal, immune / anti-inflammatory response. Commonly used in eczema and dermatitis. Inflammation is a natural, normal response with three objectives; detoxification, repair and protection. Using the drug cortisone suppresses the body's ability to detoxify, repair and protect. Cortisone is fibrolytic. As such it breaks down connective tissue, the underlying structure of the skin. Cortisone also increases the susceptibility to fungal, viral and bacterial infection due to the immune suppression action of the drug. Cortisone does not address the mechanisms of the disease itself but rather suppresses the body's ability to heal itself.
  • Antihistamine: A substance capable of reducing inflammation, swelling and other effects often experienced as an allergic reaction. These drugs suppress particular pathways of normal inflammation. Histamine is present in the skin. Its action is to increase vascular permeably and dilation of the small blood vessels. This action increases the rate at which the body can transport healing resources to a site of injury. It is released in response to a variety of stimuli: trauma, heat, and cold; immune reactions involving antibodies and allergy; anaphylaxis and histamine releasing proteins derived from leukocytes; neuropeptides (substance P); and cytokines (interleukins 1 & 8). While antihistamines are essential and life saving in anaphylaxis and are valuable as acute remedies, they have side effects.

    Central nervous system reactions to antihistamines include drowsiness, sedation, dizziness, faintness, disturbed coordination, lassitude, confusion, restlessness, excitation, tremor, seizures, headache, insomnia, euphoria, blurred vision, hallucinations, disorientation, disturbing dreams/nightmares, schizophrenic-like reactions, weakness, vertigo, hysteria, nerve pain, and convulsions. Overdoses may cause involuntary movements.

    Gastrointestinal problems include increased appetite, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

    Hematological reactions are rare, but may be severe. These include anemia, haemolysis, reduced platelets, reduced white cells, and bone marrow failure.

    Other adverse effects are chest tightness, wheezing, nasal stuffiness, dry mouth, nose and throat, sore throat, respiratory depression, sneezing, and a burning sensation in the nose.

    During pregnancy, antihistamines are considered category C, drugs which may harm the foetus. Regardless of the category of the drug, it is recommended that mothers not breast feed while taking antihistamines.

    Contraindications

    The following are absolute or relative contraindications to use of antihistamines. The significance of the contraindication will vary with the drug and dose.

    • glaucoma
    • hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
    • high blood pressure
    • enlarged prostate
    • heart disease
    • ulcers or other stomach problems
    • stomach or intestinal blockage
    • liver disease
    • kidney disease
    • bladder obstruction
    • diabetes
  • Antibiotic: A drug with the ability to kill bacteria. Bacterial infections are associated with acne in particular, foliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis and wounds. Short term therapy may be lifesaving. However open prescriptions of antibiotics can lead to high doses of the drug being administered for many years. The systemic side effects are focused on a failure of gut flora and malabsorption, upset stomach is common. Also there are increased infections, colitis and irritable bowel and reduced effectiveness of hormonal birth control.
  • Tar treatment: Treatment consisting of chemicals related to coal tar used topically to reduce itching. The tar is a thick, black by-product of the coal and gas industry. This is commonly used in psoriasis. Use of coal tar increases sensitivity to sunlight and can cause irritation and redness. Coal tar may also increase the risk of skin cancer.
  • Cyclosporine: A powerful prescription drug that decreases the body's immune response. Because of the way that cyclosporine acts on the body, it may cause effects that may not occur until years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as lymphomas or skin cancers. Noticeable side effects include: high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, changes in blood chemistry, acne, trembling, spontaneous bleeding and convulsions.
  • Moisturizing creams: Medical creams are not all natural. The ingredients usually include hydrocarbon mineral oil, chemical preservatives and synthetic emollients. Carcinogens such as propylene glycol are commonly used. Any 'natural' ingredients are synthesized or highly processed.