Whilst cleanliness is important when the skin is healthy and the amount of perspiration and secretion is quite normal, in the case of the abnormal skin we must intensify our efforts to maintain cleanliness. In disease the skin, as an eliminating organ, is throwing off much more of its poisons, and the unclean skin may act in an irritating way. Water is the great solvent, and we must use it to assist the sluggish skin in its functions. The cleansing bath is necessary in most cases, and by this we mean the use of hot water and a good soap. If the skin is hard and scaly then it is a very good plan, before taking the bath, to rub the whole of the body with olive oil, or if the scales are located in one particular area, then that alone may be well oiled. This is very useful, because when the soap and the water are then used the hardened skin will give up the scales and scabs with much less trouble.The water should be about 90 degrees, and the patient should be immersed in the bath for a few minutes before commencing the lathering process. This should be done very thoroughly, especially wherever there are folds of the skin. Then the lather should be washed off every part of the body before the drying process begins. As a rule the bath should be of about fifteen minutes’ duration, but less, of course, if the patient shows any signs of exhaustion.The bath should be taken at a time when it may be followed by a period of rest. If the skin trouble is of a major character then a rest in bed is indicated right after the bath. On no account should any strenuous work be undertaken right after the bath, nor should the body be exposed to draughts and cold air. Keeping warm after the bath will help to prolong the period of elimination which is the really important thing to bear in mind.
*21/154/5*

Acne vulgaris is most commonly caused by the hormonal changes of adolescence. Adolescent girls produce more of the hormone oestrogen and boys, androgen. These hormones lead to an increase in the activity of the sebaceous glands of the skin on the face, neck and back. Sebum, the sticky substance produced by these glands, can fill the skin pores resulting in blackheads and whiteheads. If these become blocked and infected the skin becomes inflamed and covered with red and purplish pimples which may disappear, or in more extreme cases, cause scarring. For the adolescent who has a new and sudden interest in body image, acne is very distressing.
Diet is important and sweets and oily foods must be avoided. It is important to stay away from junk food, takeaways and dairy products; nuts and chocolate can also cause problems. Drink soy milk as a milk substitute and get plenty of fresh air and exercise to help keep the skin healthy. Foods containing high levels of vitamin A have shown good results with acne sufferers as have foods with high zinc content. As teenagers’ diets are usually not as good as they should be, supplementation of these nutrients is advised.
Skin care needs special attention. It is best to avoid removing blackheads as this may result in scarring. It can be done if the area has been softened with a special lotion containing the herb thyme. Only soaps designed for skin health should be used and a good skin scrub will help remove the dead top layer of skin and help open the pores. This will allow the sebum to escape without clogging. To treat the pimples use a tea tree gel daily. Tea tree is an anti-bacterial oil which will not harm healthy skin but will effectively destroy acne bacteria. Also, wash and condition the hair regularly and keep it off the skin as this will aggravate the oiliness.

Topical treatment
Wash face with an anti-bacterial face wash daily. Apply a tea tree gel to the pimples once daily.

Supplements
Children over 12
Bio Zinc            1 tablet daily with food
Cod liver oil             1 teaspoon daily before food
Vitamin E             250 IU daily with food
Sodium sulphate        200 mg. twice daily
In severe cases add echinacea 175 mg twice daily in combination with red clover, sarsaparilla, burdock and yellow dock.
*1/199/5*

The S.C.C Is a tumour arising from the prickle cells of the epidermis which lie above the basal layer. This form of cancer easily Invades the dermis, and may on occasions spread to local lymph glands or more widely through the blood stream.

Causes. S.C.C.s are much more prevalent on sun-damaged skin. They may however arise following prolonged exposure to chemical carcinogens such as tar, lubricating oils, creosote and soot. Occasionally they arise at the site of an old Injury, such as a burn or leg ulcer. The taking of arsenic for medical purposes, many years previously, will predispose one to developing a S.C.C. The majority of these cancers are due to the cumulative effect of solar damage in genetically predisposed people, and occur on sun-exposed areas. The incidence is high amongst outdoor workers—especially those with fair or freckled complexions—living in countries like Australia, South Africa, or in the American State of California. (The incidence is 15 times less in blacks than in whites of the same area.

Features. A S.C.C. rarely arises in healthy-looking skin. They usually appear against a background of blotchy pigmentation, alternate thickening and thinning of the skin, and wrinkling. Frequently, they occur within a longstanding solar keratosis. The most common sites are the backs of the hands, the arms and the facial area.

The earliest sign of a S.C.C. is often a firm thickening of the skin, usually at the base of a solar keratosis. More frequently, however, the earliest sign is a warty growth, or a small ulcer, with a rolled solid border. Initially the ulcer is not obvious because of a firmly adhering crust, which bleeds when it is knocked off. The lower lip is a favourite site for these S.C.C.s. Here a S.C.C. may be preceded by a white flat patch, known as leukoplakia, or dry, scaly, cracked lips. It may begin as a persistent fissure or crack, which becomes hard and ulcerated, or as a warty or fleshy, red growth.

*108\44\4*