Prevalence Of Skin Problems Research Articles

Overview of major cutaneous and subcutaneous skin problems in horses and their associated risk factor in and around Bishoftu town

Horses are the most important animals in the packing and transport systems of Ethiopia. Though disease and related problems are significant impediments to their performance, their socioeconomic contribution is frequently undervalued; as a result, their welfare is severely jeopardized. As a result, this cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the major skin problem of working horses in and around Bishoftu town, as well as associated risk factors. A total of 414 working horses were considered for the study. Selected horses were clinically examined for visible skin lesions, and a questionnaire survey was performed simultaneously. The overall prevalence of skin problems was found to be 60%. In decreasing order, the skin problems recorded in the study were wound (41.3%), epizootic lymphangitis (16.4%), and sarcoids (1.9%). There was a significant difference (x2 = 15.66, p 0.05) in the prevalence of wounds among different body condition scores; horses in poor body condition were more exposed to wounds than horses in better body condition. There was a significant difference (p 0.05) in the prevalence of wound up by age group, indicating that horses in their senior years were particularly vulnerable. Injuries caused by an improper harness and saddle design were more prevalent (x2 = 409.93, p = 0.000). A slightly higher proportion of wounds was encountered in the chest area of the body (24%). There was a significant difference (x2 = 4.0028, p 0.05) in the prevalence of epizootic lymphangitis depending on the type of work that indicated that cart horses were more highly affected than pack horses. But there was no significant difference based on age, body condition score, or housing system. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of sarcoids between horses that had been sheltered and those that had not; the non-sheltered horses had a significantly higher prevalence than the sheltered horses. The anatomical distribution of the occurrence of wounds on the horses was found to indicate an association between areas of harnessing, packing, and inappropriate hobbling. This study showed wounds as a major skin problem for working horses in the region. A comprehensive equine health programme should be implemented in order to alleviate the prevailing problem.

Environmental Stress and Health Vulnerability Assessment around Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant, West Bengal

One of the 17 types of severely polluting sectors in the nation is thermal power plants which exert pressure upon the environment and health aspects in several ways e.g. creating thermal, air, and water pollution, exacerbating physiological acute and chronic responses, and affecting the subjective wellbeing of an individual residing proximal to the source. Situated on the right bank of the Rupnarayan river, Kolaghat thermal power plant is one of the major power generating plants of West Bengal, which is also producing 7500-8000 metric tons of fly ash every day but having only 325 acres of land for its disposal. Hence the plant has been exerting pressure upon the surrounding environment since its establishment and growth between 1980-1985. This study is to evaluate the overall impact of thermal power plants on the local environment and public health using a composite index that incorporates environmental and health dimensions i.e. Air quality index, drinking water quality index, land surface temperature, social parameters, Non–communicable disease rate, etc. The study reveals the local-level impact of air pollution and the impact of fly ash emissions. Nandakumar, Tamluk, and Kolaghat have been identified as blocks under stress. The workers of the plant have reported undesirable thermal and ambient air quality conditions within the battery limit, with the prevalence of skin problems, allergies, and fatigue among them. Site-specific plantation and phytoremediation techniques with the use of riparian buffers have been recommended.

SELF CARE TRADITIONAL HERBAL THERAPY FOR PSORIASIS

Background: Psoriasis a skin ailment leading to frustration, stress and social isolation is a vital health problem to be addressed. Research in the area of herbal medicine and rejuvenation practice is based on the number of Random trials in the prevalence of a disease and a survey on the number of published in the journals indexed in the subject area.
 Objective: To document successful casestudies and suggest the progressive herbal treatment plan carried out in Rajendra Herbal Research and training centre.
 Methodology:In a survey of 1000 patients with reported skin problems undergoing traditional herbal and Ayurvedic treatment, 554 had scratchy itch related skin problems, 215 bite based blisters, 32 Hair related Allopecia, 47 White patch, 36 Black patch, 49 psoriasis and 67 patients had red rashes. The group had 518 males and 482 females. Five sets of skin patients were chosen for a cohort study with 0 to 70 years of age having151, 149, 149,154 &175nos.An experiment was designed to carryout a randomized double blind placebo controlled study in 140 psoriatic patients.
 Results: Random survey of 1000 skin patients and cohort study of five sets of herbal respondents of agegroup 0-70 were tabulated.Out of the 140 treated Psoriatics, sixcase studies presented with the treatment plan followed at the Rajendra Herbal Research centresshowedsuccesstowards positive health.
 Conclusion:In all the sets females out-numbered males with the prevalence of skin problems in 11 to 40 years of age. More females of the age group 41 to 50 ended up in Psoriatic arthritis and males with Diabetes. Rajendra supportive herbal therapy for Psoriasis promises social freedom and psychological harmony.

Prevalence of skin problems and leg ulceration in a sample of young injecting drug users.

BackgroundDrug users suffer harm from the injecting process, and clinical services are reporting increasing numbers presenting with skin-related problems such as abscesses and leg ulcers. Skin breakdown can lead to long-term health problems and increased service costs and is often the first indication of serious systemic ill health. The extent of skin problems in injecting drug users has not previously been quantified empirically, and there is a dearth of robust topical literature. Where skin problems have been reported, this is often without clear definition and generic terms such as ‘soft tissue infection’ are used which lack specificity. The aim of this study was to identify the range and extent of skin problems including leg ulceration in a sample of injecting drug users. Definitions of skin problems were developed and applied to descriptions from drug users to improve rigour.MethodsData were collected in needle exchanges and methadone clinics across Glasgow, Scotland, from both current and former drug injectors using face-to-face interviews.ResultsTwo hundred participants were recruited, of which 74% (n = 148) were males and 26% (n = 52) were females. The age range was 21–44 years (mean 35 years). Just under two thirds (64%, n = 127) were currently injecting or had injected within the last 6 months, and 36% (n = 73) had previously injected and had not injected for more than 6 months.Sixty per cent (n = 120) of the sample had experienced a skin problem, and the majority reported more than one problem. Most common were abscesses, lumps, track marks and leg ulcers. Fifteen per cent (n = 30) of all participants reported having had a leg ulcer.ConclusionsThis is an original empirical study which demonstrated unique findings of a high prevalence of skin disease (60%) and surprisingly high rates of leg ulceration (15%). Skin disease in injecting drug users is clearly widespread. Leg ulceration in particular is a chronic recurring condition that is costly to treat and has long-term implications for drug users and services caring for current or former injectors long after illicit drug use has ceased.

Skin Problems among Users of the Urine-Based Fertiliser in Ouagadougou Periurban Areas, Burkina Faso: A Prospective Study

The great challenge for the sustainable use of excreta (urine, faeces) in agriculture is to increase the benefits of these products as resources and decrease the negative effects on human health. The risk of gastrointestinal diseases associated with the use of human excreta as natural fertilisers is well established, while information on skin problems remains largely anecdotal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of skin problems among people involved in the handling of the urine used as fertiliser along a productive sanitation system in Ouagadougou periurban areas. A questionnaire was used for each targeted worker to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, conditions of work and reported health symptoms such as skin burning, itching, eye irritation and paronychia. The exposure measurements were essentially based on field observations. A total of 435 people were interviewed, including 45 workers in urine storage sites, 209 farmers using urine-based fertiliser and 181 control farmers. More than 35% of site workers reported skin symptoms. For farmers using urine-based fertiliser and their controls, 17.2% and 26.0% reported skin symptoms, respectively. Overall, the associations between skin symptoms and the handling of urine used as fertiliser were almost significant (P 0.06). Also, the study showed that these skin symptoms reported by the urine handlers are associated with conditions of work. Effective preventive measures such as wearing suitable protective equipment and practicing good personal hygiene should be emphasized. This topic needs to be further examined using longitudinal studies.

The Relationship Between Psychiatric Illnesses and Skin Disease

To examine longitudinally the relationship between skin disease and psychological morbidity in young women, testing the hypothesis that psychological morbidity (depression, anxiety, and stress) is a factor in the causation of skin disease. The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health was designed to investigate multiple factors affecting the health and well-being of women over a 20-year period. Data from 3 surveys (conducted in 2000, 2003, and 2006) were analyzed. Multivariate longitudinal generalized estimating equation models, with and without time lag, were used to determine significant factors associated with skin disease (including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and stress). An Australian community-based study. Women, aged 22 to 27 years at the time of the first survey, were randomly selected from the Australian National Medicare database. Participant numbers for the surveys from the years 2000, 2003, and 2006 were 9688, 9081, and 8910, respectively. Outcome measures were the scores from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire for Young Women, and an item to elicit reporting of anxiety symptoms. Of 6630 women providing data on skin diseases on all 3 surveys, 8.0% (n = 523) reported having skin problems on all 3 occasions; 12.1% (n = 803) on 2 occasions; and 23.9% (n = 1582) on 1 occasion. On the 2000, 2003, and 2006 surveys, prevalence of skin problems was 24.2%, 23.9%, and 24.3%, respectively. In the generalized estimating equation models, depression symptoms and stress (but not anxiety) were significantly associated with skin problems (P < .005). Conclusion The findings of this relationship of depression and stress to skin disease may have considerable clinical implications, including implications for adjunctive psychological interventions in the management of patients with skin disease.

Itchy rashes and sensitive skin

Four part presentation covering the prevalence of skin problems, clinical diagnosis, defining sensitive skin, irritancy and allergy, and effective care of the skin.

Skin problems in lower limb amputees: A systematic review

Purpose. Skin problems of the stump in lower limb amputees are relative common in daily rehabilitation practice, possibly impeding prosthetic use. This impediment may have great impact in daily life. Our objective was to review literature systematically concerning incidence and prevalence of skin disorders of the stump in lower limb amputees.Method. A literature search was performed in several medical databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, RECAL) using database specific search strategies. Reference lists in the identified publications were used as threads for retrieving more publications missed in the searches. Only clinical studies and patient surveys were eligible for further assessment.Results. 545 publications were initially found. After selection, 28 publications were assessed for research methodology. Only one publication fulfilled the selection criteria. The prevalence of skin problems in a series of 45 lower leg amputees of 65 years and older was 16%.Conclusions. Prevalence and incidence of skin problems of the stump in lower limb amputees are mainly unknown.

Rapid increase in skin problems among dental technician trainees working with acrylates.

A panel of trainees at The Danish School of Dental Technicians was asked to fill in questionnaires 2X a year, to elucidate whether the prevalence of skin problems on their hands increased during the study and to compare the results to the general population. At the beginning of the study, trainees had a prevalence of skin problems not statistically significantly different from that in the general population. 8 months later, an increase of 23% in the prevalence was observed. Compared to the general population the standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) increased to 4.78, and compared to dental technicians at work, an SPR of 0.71 was found after 1 year of study. Very few trainees experienced relief in symptoms during the 1st year of study (5%), whereas 33% developed worse symptoms. The results demonstrate that trainees shortly after beginning their education have the same very high magnitude of skin problems as dental technicians at work. Trainees were exposed to acrylates more extensively than dental technicians. It is far from acceptable that this educational experience involves such a great risk to individuals with no experience or knowledge of the hazards of their occupational environment. Preventive actions are called for, e.g., increased use of encapsulated systems, use of gloves with a well documented protective effect and mandatory courses on the hazardous effects of dental materials.

Dermatoses in metal workers

In an epidemiological study of 286 metalworkers exposed to metalworking fluids (MWF), the prevalence of skin problems was investigated. Minor changes, such as a dry rough skin with slight erythema, were seen in 31%, and major changes, such as more serious and widespread dermatitis, were observed in 27% of all workers. By far the most cases were of irritant origin; in only 2.8% was a contact sensitization established. Exposure to water-based MWF caused irritant contact dermatitis more often than exposure to neat oils. No influence was found of the presence of atopy on the occurrence of dermatitis. Other factors that may result in irritation of the skin are discussed, as well as measures to be taken to minimize insult of the skin.

Skin problems in workers using visual display terminals. A study of 201 patients.

201 patients with skin problems caused in their own opinion by working with visual display terminals (VDTs) were referred and examined. 18% claimed that their condition improved overnight and 21% that it did so over the weekend. In 25 patients, the skin problems occurred mainly on the cheek turned towards the VDT. Half the patients had rosacea, but their subjective skin symptoms were generally more severe than those in ordinary cases of rosacea, i.e., severe pain, itching and burning. The rest of the patients mainly had common facial dermatoses such as seborrhoeic eczema, acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. The patients' skin types, judged by their response to ultraviolet light, did not differ from those of a control population. 18% had non-specific skin problems, e.g., itching and redness. This latter group of patients most closely resembles those cases previously described amongst VDT-workers. An attempt to correlate skin problems with VDTs' electrostatic field strength was unsuccessful because of difficulties in eliminating it. Of 52 electrostatic shields placed in front of patients' VDTs, 38 were defective and 9 were wrongly earthed. The prevalence of migraine-like headache was 40%, which is much higher than in a control population. There was no great use of cosmetics by the study population. When followed up after an average of 8 months, 2/3 of the patients had fewer skin complaints. The question of whether the prevalence of skin problems in general is higher amongst individuals using VDTs than in a control population is addressed in a current study.