Tim

Itchy Left Palm: Female, Superstition, Medical Meaning, Pregnancy, Love

by

At least once in your lifetime you have ever experienced itchy hands at some point or another. Some sources link itchy left palm to some superstition connections. Traditionally, you may find out that superstition is basically formed on beliefs but not supported by facts. Regardless of the existence of a link between itchy left palm with you getting or giving out money being common all over the world, the way you interpret this belief will depend on where you are located.

What Cause Itchy Left Palm?

By outlining some examples, countries that are located in the eastern part of Europe, itchiness in the left palm is normally associated with issues to deal with money. In cities like Bulgaria and Belarus, they believe that when your left palm is itchy, you are going to receive some money that day or few days to come.
However, in other places, you may only find kids believing in such superstations. Those who believe in this suggest that during this left hand itch you should not scratch the hand as it will reverse your expected fortune
On the other hand, an itchy right palm is usually linked to encountering a good fortune in the near future, in countries like Romania, whereas the left hand itch is connected to a child being bitten in that day.
Furthermore, they conclude by saying that you can increase this fortune by rubbing the itchy left palm on the wood for it to surely come good. When you rub the itchy hand on your knees it will surely come to you.

What does it mean when your left Hands are Itching?

Sources have revealed that should your left palm itch at least you will part with money, as the satisfaction of you not scratching it while it itches. To add more confusion, other sources claims that your left hand itching is associated with financial improvement, but if it is the left hand that itches you will meet a new person or you will travel to a new place.
The big problem with these beliefs is that we are not sure if the y apply universally, or if the meaning will be reversed for those who are left handed. Also, I wonder what will happen for those people who are ambidextrous.

What itchy left hand mean as compared to right one

  • What I have head of is that, there exists and old tale which suggest that if your hand is itching, it could be connected to money. An itchy left palm means money will be paid out, while an itchy right palm stands for money coming in to you. To stop your left palm from itching, this superstition suggests that you rub your arm on the wood.
  • Something may be connected to this old tale, since your palms will itch to show some new internal energy movement in your hands. Your left hand is the passive or the receptive, while your right hand is the active one. Therefore, if your left palm is itching, look for some new energy or services that will be coming into your life of which they will cost you some cash probably. On the other hand, your right palm itching means your energy and services going out and in this regard you might be paid for your work.
  • Moreover, touching or rubbing wood with the itchy hand is an old way of transferring or getting rid of the unwanted energy buildup-thus why there is this expression “to touch the wood”. Therefore if your left hand itches, you can try rubbing it to a wood structure and if you do not get a splinter, you will have saved your money.

Left Hand Itching Female

There are several myths that have been connected to itchy palms and most of them will vary with the geographical areas the said person originates from. There are those superstition beliefs connected to either male or female, or left palm or right hand for either of the gender.
For example, in a sub-continent of India, probably the northern part, people in this area believe that if a female experiences an itchy left palm that is not associated with any visible reason, then it is accompanied with a good news in the near future to come.
If a male person experiences the same itchiness in the right palm, then the results will be the same as compared to that of the female. In this context, the community associates left hand to be the stronger side of a woman while the right hand to be the stronger side of a man. This belief applies generally across the community regardless of those who are left-handed or right handed.
In contrast it is very negative if it happens that a female is experiencing an itchy right palm while a male faces an itchy left palm. This will means that a female will have to meet with bad news in the near future and similarly for males with left itching palms will experience a bad happening.
However, all these are just but myths that have not been proved to be true.  So the result may be or may not be as people in this area believe.

Itchy Left Palm Medical Meaning

Your itchy palm can also be a medical problem that needs to be addressed by a doctor. Furthermore, your itchy palms may be an underlying problem inside your body that has extended its symptoms to your palms.
There are several medical conditions that will result to itchy palms especially the left palm. It is very important to note that itchy palms are not a disease but a skin condition. Let as look at some of the primary medical meaning of itchy left palm.

Medical meaning of itchy left palm

  1. Diabetes

This is a condition in the body that is normally associated with presence of uncontrolled amounts of glucose levels in the blood, which can eventually result in itchiness in either left or right palm of people who are diabetic. This is normally just one of the many symptoms that diabetic people experiences. When the blood glucose level is brought to its normal state, this symptom of itchy palms may disappear. Even though there is no other treatment for itchy palms, it should be taken seriously as it can be a sign that the said person has heart disease.

  1. Bumps under palm skin

Your itchy left palm can also be a sign of dyshidrosis eczema or dyshidrotic eczema which forms numerous blisters on the palms of the affected person. Usually, the blisters are accompanied by itchiness and they may produce a fluid-like substance in their later stage. Medical experts have not yet confirmed what usually cause this condition. However, some of the experts believe that the condition could be connected to seasonal allergies such as the hay fever.

  1. STDs

As per the recent trends noted in persons with stds, itchy palms has become a common sign that can be used to detect these conditions in the early stages before they develop into great problems. Sources reveal that itchy left or right palm has become a common sign of an underlying condition of STDs each passing day. The common type of sexually transmitted disease that is known to show with sign is syphilis, and once noted test should be done and treatment commenced immediately.
Always practice safe sex and if you are suspecting yourself, you can go for a test and if found to be infected, commence treatment immediately.

  1. Dry skin

Itchy left palm can as well be a medical meaning of a dry skin. This is because, people who have dry skin eventually their hands are dry always. The affected person will realize that the dryness and flakiness that is associated with inflammation of the skin will thereby result in the itchiness of palms of the hands. There are numerous factors that have been found to cause dry skin which include increased exposure to the sun light, exposure to conditioning and increased weather changes.

  1. Allergies

Also, your palms can be itchy due to exposure to allergic conditions. Allergic reaction will take place when your immune system confuses a substance that is not usually harmful to you as being harmful. These kinds of substance may include grass, detergents, pollen and many more.
When someone is exposed to such substances, the immune system responses by producing histamines, which may eventually cause skin rashes to develop. The rashes can as well cause your palms to itch since they are also part of the skin.

  1. Scabies

Scabies is a condition of the skin that is known to be very itchy due to increased bumps all over the skin. The condition can also be contagious, and therefore persons affected should not share clothing and towels. Scabies is caused by an itch mite referred to as the sarcoptes scabiei. The mite may dig deep into the skin and cause infection. Some of the symptoms of this condition may include scaly skin, itchy palms, and wrists, with small blisters.
This condition can be treated by both oral and topical drugs that you can acquire over the counter. Before using any drug you may have your doctor look at your condition first, so that he/ she can offer some advice that will help you recover fast.

  1. Stress

Stress is a very common cause of many problems human beings go through. Not many people know that when overwhelmed with anxiety and stress you may be causing some conditions to your body. Stress usually results in hormonal imbalance in the body since it facilitate over production of insulin. Just as diabetes, the insulin produced results in changes in hormonal level which in turn result to itchiness of the skin. Your palms are covered with skin and they are likely to experience any condition that affects the rest of the skin.
Therefore, you can avoid stress by keeping yourself busy through exercises and having some time out with friends or in recreational facilities.

  1. Lack of some nutrients in the body

If it happens you are lacking some nutrients in the body, the effect may spread up to your palms. Proper diet is very essential when it comes to renewal of body cells and tissues including the skin. Therefore, people with poor nutrition may end up having itchy palms in addition to other many symptoms. It is important to eat foods rich in nutrients that are essential in repairing of body cells and tissues.

Superstition for Left Hand Itching

As we have said above, in some areas in this world, an itchy left palm will be associated with your money leaving your possession. This superstition implies that, you will be paying out money, maybe for a services rendered to you.
According to a number of superstitions that are believed across the world, when your left hand itches it means you are going to spend a very large amount of cash, or will lose great money in the upcoming financial situation that will happen without any warning.
Apart from the medical meaning of palm itchiness that we have talked about in the above discussion, there are many superstitions that stand for itchy left palm among many different societies in the world. Let as look at some of these beliefs

  • In this modern world, itchy left palm is normally associated with payment of large bills by the affected person. The said person can help relieve that energy by rubbing or touching wood to transfer the unwanted expense that is forth coming to it. In other case, there are people who believe that when you experience an itchy left palm you are going to receive that is not expected at one point in your life, and this money will come when really you are in need of it.
  • In the ancient days, people connected itchiness of the palm to money. In this case, the superstition has it that your left palm itchiness means that one will pay out money, while the right hand itchy palm stands for incoming money in the near future. Also, in this superstition, rubbing your hand to the wood will provide relief to the said impending fortune.

The question many people ask themselves is if these superstitions make sense. There are cases where you receiving money and the belief can coincide; I think such beliefs are just but northing to trust in. For real, how someone can just sit down because he/she had an itchy hand and expect to receive money in the near future! It is not good to just believe in various superstitions that connect this condition to money and they have never been proven theoretically if they really work, or else you will die bankrupt.
For my case, I just connect my itchy hands to either of the above medical reasons that we have talked about in the above segment.

Itchy Left Palm Love

Also, itchy hand can be connected to loving someone in other communities.  Some people across the world believe that, when your left palm is itching, the person that you love most who had gone on a far journey is on the way coming.
Moreover, others believe that an itchy left palm shows that the person you love most is talking about you positively. On the contrary to this, your itchy right palm is connected to the person you hate most. In this case, when you experience itchiness in your right palm, it is either your hater who is on the way coming, or he/she is talking ill about you.
All these are just but believe which have no grounds to base on. It is not important to dwell on them so much or else you may end up raising your concern for nothing. However, there are cases you may encounter a coincidence of this belief.

Left Hand Itching Pregnancy

When pregnant women are in their late stages of pregnancy, some of them may experience increased itchiness in their palms. The itchiness may shift from either palm to the other simultaneously. Usually, this itchiness in pregnant women is caused by a condition referred to as cholestasis. This is a liver problem that is only experienced with pregnant women.
Cholestasis condition occurs when the normal bile flow in a pregnant woman’s gall bladder is affected by the presence of increased pregnancy hormonal levels. Often, a woman will experience this problem on the later stages of pregnancy probably the last trimester. This is because during this stage the hormones are at their peak, and it will disappear a few days after the woman as delivered the baby.
Therefore, in case you are pregnant and you have an itchy left palm or itchy right palm, there are no other beliefs you can connect your conditions to other than the hormonal activities in your gall bladder. A “sure superstition” your condition could be that you are pregnant in your last stage.
More references

  1. Luck and itchy hands: http://www.patrickarundell.com/blog/luck-and-itchy-hands/
  2. Itchy palms and money: http://palmistryandhandanalysis.blogspot.co.ke/2007/07/itching-palms-and-money.html
  3. Left palm itchiness: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-superstition-behind-itchiness-of-the-left-hand-Where-did-it-originate
  4. What it means if your palms are itchy: http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/what-it-means-if-palms-are-itchy-money-superstition/
  5. Itchy hands pregnancy symptom: https://www.whattoexpect.com/blogs/strollersandstilettosonemothersbalancingact/unusual-pregnancy-symptoms-itchy-palms-

Blister on Hands: Fingers, Water, Small, Itchy, Causes, Treatment

by

Why blister on hands and fingers? Explore more on causes of small, watery, itchy and painful blisters on your hands, symptoms and how to treat.

Blister on Hands Causes

A blister also called a vesicle by medical professionals, this is basically an injured area of your skin that has a developed a bubble-like appearance because of fluid that has accumulated between the layers of your skin.
You are probably familiar with blisters on hands from digging or cultivating a land using a Jembe after a long time without using rough object on your hand. This common cause of blistering produces vesicles when friction between your hand and the jembe handle causes layers of skin to separate and fill with fluid.
Blisters are often annoying, painful, or uncomfortable. In most cases, they are not a symptom of anything serious and will heal without any medical intervention. Some of the common causes of having blister on hands include:

  • Irritation

Blisters can be caused by physical factors that irritate the skin, such as friction (rubbing the skin), irritating chemicals or extreme cold or heat.
Blisters on the feet can result from shoes that are either too tight or rub the skin in one particular area.
Blisters also can be caused by contact dermatitis, a skin reaction to some type of chemical irritant. Intense cold can trigger frostbite, which often leads to blisters once the skin is rewired. Any type of burn, even sunburn, also can cause blisters.

  • Allergies

Allergic contact dermatitis, a form of dermatitis or eczema, may result in blisters on the hands. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by an allergy to a chemical or poison, such as poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

  • Infections

Infections that cause blisters on hands include bullous impetigo, an infection of the skin caused by staphylococci (staph) bacteria; viral infections of the lips and genital area due to the herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2); chickenpox and shingles, which are caused by the varicella zoster virus; and coxsackievirus infections, which are more common in childhood.

  • Skin diseases

Numerous skin diseases cause blisters. Examples include dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigoid and pemphigus. There also are inherited forms of blistering skin conditions, such as epidermolysis bullosa (in which pressure or trauma commonly leads to blisters on hands) and porphyria cutanea tarda (in which sun exposure provokes blisters).

 Dyshidrosis

This is a type of eczema, which is a skin condition, will frequently cause multiple blisters on hands that can cause pain and itch at the same time. When these blisters break open they can be prone to developing an infection.

Friction injuries

This is the most common cause and can occur because of any type of movement that is repetitive like sweeping the floors, shovelling snow, raking the leaves and digging.

Burns

This can come being in a fire, touching a hot object like frying pan or pot.
Some uncommon causes of blisters on hands can include:

Hand-foot-mouth disease

When having this medical condition you can develop small blisters with red borders and white centers that are painful on the palms of your hands.

Pompholyx

This is a chronic skin condition that can cause itchy blisters on hands and the palms of your hands and the sides of your fingers that are normally red and scaly. They also ooze fluid.

Small Blister on Hands

Small blister on hands most of time is caused by insect bites or sting, Bugs that bite or sting in some people have a mild allergic reaction and a larger area of skin around the bite or sting becomes swollen, red and painful. … Occasionally, a severe allergic reaction can occur, causing symptoms such as blister on hands, breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth.
For example:

  • Spider bites, such as a bite from a brown recluse spider and some of its Symptoms include reddened skin followed by a blister that forms at the bite site, pain and itching, and an open sore with a breakdown of tissue (necrosis) that develops within a few hours to 3 to 4 days following the bite. This sore may take months to heal.

Note
But occasionally these insect can become infectious, cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or spread serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and malaria.
  To help prevent insect bites and stings:
(a) – Use an insect repellent – those containing 50% DEET (diethyltoluamide) are most   effective
(b)- Cover exposed skin – especially at sunrise and sunset when insects are more active
(c)-  cover food and drink because the colors and smells attract insects

  • Pinching  the skin forcefully, like when a finger gets caught in a drawer. A small blister may form if tiny blood vessels are damaged.

What Causes Water Blister on your Hands

Water blisters are comprised of blood serum, minus the clotting agents and blood cells. When the body detects damage to the outer layer of the skin, it sends blood to the area in order to heal and cool the area.
Acting as a protective shield, the serum pads the wound and prevents further harm from taking place. These painful water filled bumps appear most frequently on the hands and feet, but can form anywhere.
Unlike blood blisters, the water variety appears as a bulbous pocket of water. Single blisters or clusters may appear wherever the body needs healing.
These pockets of serum come in different shapes, from round to oval. Small ones may look like clear pimples while large blisters can be the size of a nickel or quarter, depending on its cause.
There are several possible reasons that cause water blister to occur. The most common are as follows:

  • Friction

Partly, friction happens when the rough edges of one object snag on the rough edges of another object, and some of the objects’ energy has to be used to break off those rough edges so the objects can keep moving. And when you rub two soft things together, like your hands, sometimes they squish into each other and get in each other’s way and this may lead to water blister on hands.

  • Sunburn

Sunburn is the most obvious sign that you’ve been sitting outside for too long. But sun damage isn’t always visible. Under the surface, ultraviolet light can alter your DNA, prematurely aging your skin. Over time, DNA damage can contribute to blister on hands and skin cancers, including deadly melanoma.

  • Exposure to heat

Many people are exposed to heat on the job, outdoors or in hot indoor environments. Operations involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities have a high potential for causing heat-related illness including blister on hands.
Workplaces with these conditions may include iron and steel foundries, nonferrous foundries, brick-firing and ceramic plants, glass products facilities, rubber products factories, electrical utilities (particularly boiler rooms), bakeries, confectioneries, commercial kitchens, laundries, food canneries, chemical plants, mining sites, smelters, and steam tunnels.

  • Electrical burns

When electricity passes from any source and into the body it can result in burns ranging from minor to extremely severe. The damage may be minor skin damage like blister on hands if touch or may cause damage to internal organs.

  • Chicken pox

Chickenpox (varicella) is a contagious illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blister on hands or all over the body. Chickenpox can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have immune systems problem that make it hard for the body to fight infection.

  • Herpes and cold sores

Cold sore sometimes called fever blisters are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skins around the blisters are often red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. They usually heal in several days to 2 week

  • Contact dermatitis (poison ivy, chemicals, and other irritants)

Either way, your skin gets red and tender after you’ve touched something. It could be your immune system is involved. After you touch something, it mistakenly thinks caused by an, allergy or because the protective layer of your skin got damaged. If it’s an allergy your body is under attack. It springs into action, making antibodies to fight the invader.
A chain of events causes a release of chemicals, including histamine. That’s what causes the allergic reaction – in this case, an itchy rash and water blister on hands. It’s called allergic contact dermatitis.

When to Drain Water Blister

There are some occasions when it is appropriate to drain or pop a water blister. For instance, if the area is painful, causes extreme discomfort, or has begun to leak fluid, it may need to be drained.
In those rare instances, it is important to proceed with caution. Remove any clothing covering the water bumps.

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water. This limits the chances of exposing the skin to infection.
  2. Immerse a needle in rubbing alcohol. It should be totally immersed to be completely sanitized.
  3. Dampen a washcloth, wring out excess water, and then squirt a dab of liquid soap on the cloth.
  4. Wipe the area with the soapy cloth to clean the surface of the skin.
  5. Using the needle, puncture the blister along the outer edge.
  6. Push out the fluid gently, guiding the serum out of the hole.
  7. Pat the blister with clean gauze, dabbing any excess water.
  8. Avoid tearing or pulling the skin flap away.
  9. Dab on an antibiotic cream containing polymixin B.
  10. Cover the broken blister with a gauze pad.

If you are unsure whether or not you should pop a blister, consult with a medical professional. They can determine the best course of action.

Diagnosis of Blister on Hands

If the cause of your blisters is not obvious, your doctor will ask about your family history and your personal medical history, including any allergies you have and any medications you take, including over-the-counter medications. You also will be asked about any recent exposure to irritating chemicals or allergens.
Your doctor often can diagnose the cause of your blisters by their appearance and your history. If your doctor suspects an allergic reaction, he or she may recommend patch tests with chemicals to identify the allergen. Some blistering diseases are diagnosed with a skin biopsy, in which a small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a laboratory.

Blisters on Hands Treatment

What treatment should be used depends on what causes your blisters on hands. If you have certain medical condition like diabetes, you should let your physician check it out to make sure that there are no complications from the blisters.
One thing that you should not do is pop a blister because that could cause an infection. When you pop a blister the lower layers of your skin are exposed to the elements having an infection most likely to develop.
Popping a blister does not make it heal faster. If the blister does need to be popped it should be done by your physician under conditions that are sterile in order to prevent an infection from setting in.
The best treatment for blisters on hands is to leave them alone and do nothing and try to not put any pressure on the blisters while it is healing naturally.
You should keep it wrapped to help protect the blisters on hands from accidentally being popped and if they are popped the bandage or gauze you have wrapped around it will help to prevent something from getting into the opened blister.
If the blisters on hands were caused by any of these you can treat them by:

Friction Blisters on Hands

You should cover it with a piece of gauze or bandage and let it heal naturally

Dyshidrosis blisters on hands

You should apply an antibiotic ointment to the open blisters and cover with gauze or bandage. This type of blister is hard to self-treat so you should contact a dermatologist to make an accurate diagnosis of whether it is or is not Dyshidrosis.

Blisters from burns

Gently wash the blisters on hands with hydrogen peroxide or sterilized water and pat the area dry with done. Make sure that you avoid rubbing the area. You should then cover it very loosely with a piece of sterile gauze or bandage so bacteria cannot enter the blister. Depending on the degree of the burn you may want to see your physician for further treatment.

Hand-foot-mouth disease

There is no specific treatment for these blisters and normally the infection that is causing these blisters of hands will resolve itself within a week or less.

Pompholyx

To help these blisters on hands heal you should use compresses that have been soaked in Burrow’s solution or potassium permanganate. You can also use topical steroids to help decrease the itching and inflammation. When you see your physician or dermatologist they may give you antibiotics or use light therapy on the blisters to help them heal and to help prevent infections.
If the blisters on hands have not healed within four days you should see your physician because sometimes blisters on hands can be an indication of other illnesses and diseases like chicken pox, eczema, and herpes.

Blister on Hands Prevention

There are many simple strategies to prevent blisters caused by skin irritation. You can wear comfortable shoes that fit well, with socks that cushion the feet and absorb sweat. Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn.
Be particularly vigilant about avoiding sun exposure if you are taking medications that are known to cause sun sensitivity, such as doxycycline (sold under many brand names). During cold months, use mittens, hats and heavy socks to protect your skin against freezing temperatures and chilling winds.
As much as possible, avoid irritants and allergens that tend to trigger eczema, such as certain hygiene products (bubble baths, feminine hygiene sprays, detergents), certain metals in jewellery, especially nickel, and irritating plants such as poison ivy.
To prevent blisters caused by infections, wash your hands often and never touch skin sores, cuts or any open or broken areas of skin on other people. To reduce the risk of herpes simplex, never have sex (even with a condom) with someone with active herpes. In addition, the fewer sexual partners you have, the lower your risk of herpes simplex.
To avoid the spread of childhood infections, try to prevent children from sharing toys and utensils that have touched another child’s mouth.
To prevent chickenpox and to help prevent shingles later, have your child immunized with the varicella vaccine. People who have not had chickenpox should avoid people with chickenpox or shingles until all of the blisters have crusted over.
Adults can be vaccinated if they have never had chickenpox, especially if they are at risk of exposure (for example, day-care workers and teachers).
There is no known way to prevent many of the blistering diseases such as the hereditary forms and the autoimmune (bullous) diseases.

Sharp Pain in Left Breast Causes: Cancer, pregnancy Treat

by

Is it normal for my left breast to hurt? Explore more on causes of that sharp pain in breast that comes and goes, symptoms and best remedy.
A left breast pain can be a condition that originates from the underlying tissues of the breast or from the organs of the body like digestive system, heart or respiratory system. For example, when you suffer from a minor illness like excess gas in the digestive system you may experience the problem by having pains in your left breast.
Furthermore, a serious condition like heart attack is also associated with these kinds of pains in the left breast. Therefore, it is greatly important to know what is causing you pain in your left breast so that you can strike the exact treatment that will offer relief.
A sharp, stabbing pain in the left breast can range from a minor to a more serious condition. For example, pains that result from gastritis can be dull, throbbing pain, which may feel like something is gnawing your breast.
Usually, most chest pains can be somehow momentary and become sharp with a lot of discomfort. In addition, squeezing pains that appear as if something is pushing through your breast are usually heart-related and therefore don’t ignore them at any given point.
A condition whereby someone may experience pain that is focused either in the left or right, or even both breasts is common. According to research findings, at least 70% of women will go through this condition in their lifetime, a part from the normal changes that occur on their body during puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
During these periods, women may undergo several problems on their breasts such as breast lumps, soreness, pain, and change in sizes and shapes.
Pain in left breast can either be felt in the whole breast or just a small area on the breast. Also known as mastalgia or mastodynia, or mammalgia, pain in the breast is usually involved with a burning, dullness, tightness, soreness and swelling of left or right breast. In other cases, both of them may be affected.
Pain will go away without treatment in most cases. More so, its pattern is normally described as either cyclic or noncyclic. For cyclic pain, the patient may experience pains that comes and goes with regular intervals, more often with changes in hormonal levels in the body. Non-cyclic pain is usually a discomfort which is slightly intermittent, although prolonged over a given period of time.

Symptoms of pain in left breast

If you are a woman and it happens you experience some left breast pains few days to your periods, this should not cause worry as it is a normal issue. In other women, this pain may be severe and can stay for longer than anticipated. Usually, three to five days before you attend your periods are normally worse. For other women, the pain may last up to even two weeks before periods.
The pain in the left breast usually reduces as the periods starts. The severity of the pain usually varies from months to months in this case. Other symptoms for pain in the left breast may include:

  • Your breast may feel more swollen and lumpy that its normal stat. this lumpiness is generalized and therefore does not result to a single definite formation of lump.
  • When carrying out physical activities such as jogging or exercising can worsen the pain in left breast.
  • Sleeping may be difficult due to increased pain at night.

 What Causes Pain in the Left Breast?

There is no suggested reason why one breast will hurt more tat the other, however, the cause of pain in the left breast will ultimately cause breast pain in the right breast. In most cases, pain in the breast usually disappears on its own with no treatment. As we have said, major causes of pain in the breast are hormonal changes in levels mostly in women during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Other causes may include the following:

  1. Breast injury

The whole of your breast is covered with a sensitive and elastic skin that offer protection to the nerves, connective tissues and blood vessels and lobes and ducts that produce breast milk. In case by bad luck you hurt your left breast causing injury to it, you may end up having bruises and pains that will persist until the skin and the underlying tissues are healed.
In some cases, when an injury to the breast heals, it may end up leaving you with a scar tissue, which can cause pain normally referred to as fat necrosis. Fat necrosis usually appears as a lump making it difficult to differentiate it from breast cancer.

  1. Breast surgery

After any breast surgery, may it be augmentation, or reduction, or reconstruction, both of your breasts will hurt as the incisions continue to heal with development of a scar. Moreover, with a scar tissue that is related to an injury, pain may come and go even long after your surgery.

  1. Infections and milk ducts conditions

A number of non-cancerous and painful conditions can occur inside your breast milk production system. For Example, an abscess can occur under your nipples or the areolas. Your milk ducts as well can become blocked and in the long run get infected, resulting to mastitis or ductal ectasia. Also, breast cysts and fibro- adenomas can grow to crowd the milk system or your connective tissues, resulting into aches and pain in left breast or both.

  1. Hormonal changes

Also, change in hormone levels can cause pain and tenderness in the breast. This may occur either during menstrual cycle or when you use contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy.
While change in hormonal levels in the body can cause pain in left breast or right breast of both, there are cases when one breast may be affected much more that the other. It is important for you to know that medical conditions such as hypothyroidism associated with low levels of thyroid hormones in the body, can also be connected to non-cancerous breast conditions that result in breast pains.

  1. Inflammation and lumps

In case you suspect pain in the left breast from inflammation or infections, take a step of visiting your doctor immediately. There might be a need to take antibiotics or any other prescribed drugs to help to clear the problem. Also, whenever you realize a lump or a bump on your breast, take it a quick precaution to run to your doctor for treatment.

  1. Breast cancer

As much as they say breast cancer is associated with a painless lump, you may develop a breast cancer that causes a very painful lump on either of the breasts. Breast cancer can show up with pain either in the beginning or even in later stages. That is why it is insisted to have any strange feeling in your breasts checked by your doctor. Cancer with pain in left breast can as well appear on the right breast in association with an irregular lump or mass.
To give an example, an inflammatory breast cancer is a type of cancer that form on the breast and it often start with some pain, redness and more other symptoms. In this type of cancer, many people who experience it may even fail to see a lump.

Non- breast related causes of pain in left breast

Other causes of pain in the breast may not be necessarily a condition in the breast itself but a problem with a given body system. The pain may appear so close in the left or right breast until you thing that it originate just in the breast. There are a number of non-breast related causes that are as follows:

  1. Costochondritis

This is usually a potential inflammation pain in the chest wall cartilage and also bones. If you happen to feel pain in breast that originate from the cartilage than costochondritis in the sternum or breast bone, this can cause pain on the right or left side of the chest.

  1. Chest wall injury

Those people, who exercise, lift heavy loads or bend improperly may develop a pulled muscle in the chest wall. Normally, this may cause a rib fracture, or bring back pain which may as well feel just the same as pain in left breast.

  1. Muscle spasm

Below the breast is a chest wall muscles which can spasm when having anxiety and stress, leading to pain that may last for a few seconds or even a number of days. This pain from the chest wall muscles can develop on either left or right breast.

  1. Fibromyalgia

This condition can cause pain in any part of the body, and pain in left breast or right breast is not uncommon. Fibromyalgia can cause problems to muscles, joints, and the connective tissues, forming a generalized pain.

  1. Airway Causes

Bronchitis, also known as the painful inflammation of the airways may lead into lung pain. This type of pain may become worse when someone cough or try to strain when breathing, however, it can felt like a breast pain. Also, pneumonia can cause pain in chest since the lungs are located in the chest area underneath the breasts.
Clotting of blood in your legs which break off and move to the lungs, pulmonary emboli, may lead to pain that is feel like it originates from the breast.

  1. Heart Attack

If you are convinced that you’re left breast pains are symptoms that could be related to the heart, you have to seek medical attention without wasting time. Also, if you experience pain in left breast from heart attack seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms associated with heart attack are chest pain or pressure. However there are a small percentage of people with heart attack that do not experience these symptoms.

  1. Esophageal Causes

The esophagus runs in the chest on the left breast and gastroesophageal reflux condition can occasionally appear as pain in left breast. Pains that originate from esophagus can feel more like a burning sensation, and also may be associated with an acidic taste in the mouth most of the time.
Also, gallbladder inflammation can also result into a pain in the right side of the chest that feels like is coming from the breast.

  1. Shingles

This is a condition where by women may develop a burning or tingling pain that appear as if it is in the skin or on the surface of the breast. Shingle is a skin condition which tends to affect people who are aged above 60 although it can occur to any person. With this condition, the pain in breast may precede the onset of a rash by some days.

Is it normal to have a Sharp Pain in Left Breast?

A sharp pain in either of your breasts can be cyclic or non-cyclic as we have discussed above. This kind of pain can either be described as soreness, or heaviness that originates from the armpit.
A sharp pain in breast is often more severe in women before they attend their menstrual cycle and may reduce as the period ends. Cyclical pains may occur in either of the breasts and may go away without intervention of any treatment.
However, a sharp pain from non- cyclical problems is common in women who are past 30 years in age. The pain may occur in one breast. It is usually described as a sharp, burning pain that occur in the area around the breast.
If it happens that the underlying cause of this type of pain is found, treating should be commenced to bring down the pain. Sharp pain in left breast can get worse with changes in the hormonal levels. Stress as well can facilitate breast pains.

Left Breast Pain no Lump

Most of the breast pains are not associated with lumps. We have talked about non-breast related pains. Nearly all of the conditions we have talked about in this part will occur without any trace of a bump.
Furthermore, there are cancerous conditions that will just cause pain in the breast tissues and may end up not showing a lump on the surface of the breast. In fact, having pain in left breast without a lump should be a cause of worry since this means that the suffering is from within.
In this case, having a doctor diagnose your condition can be helpful and if there is any infection or underlying disease, look for treatment as fast as possible. There are other breast pains that may result to a lump in later stages and some of these lumps are normally nothing to worry about as they heal without treatment.

Reasons for Pain in Left Breast and Armpit

Usually, your breast and the armpit or arm has a connection. Most of the nerves and tissues in the breast run through the armpit into the arm. Moreover, if your left breast is infected, you may develop a swollen lymph node in the left armpit. Therefore, pain resulting from either of the breast can as well be felt in the armpit or in the arm adjacent to the breast.
Some people may worry that pain in the breast can be a sign of cancer. However, pain itself is rarely a symptom of cancer. Breast pain that that affect your armpit can be minimized by wearing supportive bras while exercising, and during the day and night. Also, you can take over the counter painkillers if you are sure that what you are dealing with is not a serious problem.

Is Sharp Pain in Breast a Pregnancy Symptom?

During pregnancy, there is increased activities of hormones both estrogen and progesterone. This may cause a pregnant woman to experience pimples on the nipples or breasts and sharp shooting pains in association with other symptoms.
Also, during pregnancy, breasts have to enlarge so that they can offer enough space to produce and keep enough milk that will be fed to a child. During all these happenings, pain is felt in both of the breasts although the pain may fluctuate in either of the breasts since each breast conducts its activities separately.
If the pain in left breast is severe, you are advised to either use a warm compress or a cold compress to bring down the pain. You may also visit your health care provider for advice since pregnant women are not supposed to take any medication without their doctor’s knowledge.

Is Pain in Left Breast a sign of  Cancer?

Cancer is the most feared disease when it comes to breast conditions. This is why there are many organizations that offer free mammogram checkups to make sure that no one is got by a surprise with breast cancer when it is on the worst stage.
Breast cancer can affect either left or right breast respectively. Although many researchers suggest that breast cancer is associated with a lump on breast that is irregular and painless, however, breast cancer can be painful as well with no lump.
Breast cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed in its early stages. It is therefore advisable to regularly go for checkups to be on the safe side. However, breast cancer is generally treatable. Those who go through the process of treatment may describe it as a very painful process as well.

How to Treat Pain in Left Breast

Treatment for the pain in the breast may vary according to what is causing the pain. In most cases, breast pains usually heal without treatment and if medical care is required, it does not involve many complications. For the case of hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as the stage comes to an end, the patient goes back to her normal state.
If the pain in left breast is more serious, you may consider the following treatments. If you are pregnant consider visiting your doctor first before opting for any treatment that involves drugs.

  1. Support your breasts

In case you develop pain, it is advisable to wear a well supporting bra. Research has it that many women wear bras that are not their size and this may be the reason for pains in their breasts. It is very important that you wear a bra that fits you well- not much tight or too loose. While carrying out an exercise, wear sports bra. Also, wearing a soft bra at night may be the best as it may help you sleep comfortable.

  1. Take painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs

You can visit your chemist who is professionally trained to acquire some drugs that may help you lower the pain. Over- the- counter drugs have also proven to be successful when it comes to dealing with breast pains.

  1. Topical non-steroidal drugs

There are a number of such drugs that can also deal with your painful breast. You can acquire various topical NSAIDs or get them on prescription. Topical NSAIDs also have been proven to be helpful to relieve the pain from cyclical breast pain.

  1. Consider your medication

There are numerous drugs that affect the hormonal levels in the body which may make cyclical breast pain worse. It has not been suggested if changing the medication may help. However, sometimes it may be a good choice stopping or changing the medication to ascertain if it will help. You can have a discussion on this with your doctor.

  1. Medicines to block hormones

There are some medications that you can use to control the severity of hormonal activities. These kinds of medicines help by reducing the level, or preventing the effect of, hormones. However, such medications may as well be associated with side-effects.
Also, there are home remedies that can help in reducing pain in left breast or both breasts. For example, the use of cold or warm compress can bring down the seriousness of some pain that originate from injury to the breast. Also, generally massaging the breast can help to reduce pain as well. In case of a severe condition like cancer, it will be better if you run to your doctor so that the problem is brought under control immediately.
More references

  1. Pain under left breast: http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/pain-under-left-breast/
  2. Left breast pain: http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/breast-pain-tenderness/articles/left-breast-pain.htm
  3. Breast pain: http://www.webmd.com/women/tc/breast-pain-mastalgia-topic-overview#1
  4. Why do I have a pain in my breast: https://www.verywell.com/causes-for-sharp-breast-pain-429843
  5. Breast pain: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breastpaincyclical/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Lump on Breast: Hurts, Small, Hard, Types, Pictures, Removal, Treatment

by

What does it mean when you have a lump in your breast? What does it look like and feel? Explore more on the causes, symptoms and treatment of hard movable lump in your breast.

What Causes Lump in Breast that Hurt?

When many people hear about a lump on the breast the first thing they think of is cancer. However, you should know that not all lumps that develop on the breast should be a cause for worry. However, the best thing to do when you realize this condition is to have it checked by your medical provider to ascertain the underlying condition behind the lump on your breast. There are a lot of conditions that will result to a lump on breast some of which will just heal and disappear without your intervention.
There are numerous lumps that can form on your breast that can be benign or non-cancerous; hence they are caused by conditions like change in hormonal levels in women. They experience this problem mostly during menstrual cycle.

Lump on Breast Causes

There are numerous signs that may show up in association with a lump on your breast. Some of the symptoms may be severe and they may call for immediate medical attention.

  1. Breast pain

A lump on your breast may cause sharp shooting pain especially when you try to touch. This is very common with fibrocystic changes that cause pain in both breasts, although at times one breast is usually more painful than the other. Pain in the breast from fibrocystic changes occur a week before you attend your menstrual period. Thereafter, the pain will capsize gradually when your period starts over.

  1. Nipple discharge

A breast lump can as well be associated with a discharge from the nipple. This is a clear sign of infection, or it may be cancer, or from small tumors of the brain known as the pituitary glands, which facilitates secretions from the breast. In the case you have an infection on your breast, the discharge secreted with be brown or greenish in color. However, the nipple discharge color cannot be used reliably as an indicator for the diagnosis of cancer. Only your medical provider can conclude that you have cancer after test.

  1. Skin changes

After a formation of lump on your breast, you realize change in skin color on the area where the lump formed. For example, in the case of cancer there is a condition called fibrosis which the scarring of the underlying structures of the breast resulting in retraction of the breast that thereby lead to dimpling of the skin or flattened nipples. Cancer lump can as well block the drainage of the breast thus causing the skin to change color to peel of an orange.
These are very serious symptoms and the affected person has to visit a medical professional immediately. There are other symptoms that you have to observe such as:

  • Pain associated with redness of the skin
  • Warmth around the breast
  • Tenderness that result from swelling
  • Aches all over the body
  • Fatigue
  • Fever with chills
  • Breast engorgement

Lump in Breast Hurts or Painful Lump in Breast

Conditions whereby one develops lumps on the breast, or hard lump inside the breast are very common. This usually depends on which period a woman is experiencing these symptoms. For example, when a teenage girl begins to develop breasts, during menstrual periods and pregnancy, women usually experience numerous kinds of breast pain associated with other changes. These lumps on breast are usually painful but not always.
Therefore, a lump on breast associated with a lot of pain is a common condition in women. Those lumps that occur during pregnancy are not usually painful. Also, older women rarely experience a painful lump in their breast. Although pain is usually a point of concern, breast cancer does not base on pain as the only symptom.

Types of Breast Lumps

There are numerous types of lumps that form on the breast. Your lump on breast can be cyclic mastalgia or non-cyclic mastalgia. Cyclic lumps are associated with menstrual cycle while noncyclic ones are not. Some lumps on the breast may be caused by infections and such lumps that will completely disappear as the infection is treated are the ones referred to as noncyclic mastalgia. In case you are not sure of the origin of your lump on breast, it is advisable you seek help from your doctor to make sure that you are not dealing with a serious condition.

Types of lumps on breast

Normally, your breast is connected to some muscles on the chest wall. It is often made up of fatty tissues. Inside the fatty tissues are glands that form milk (lobules).  During breast-feeding, milk usually drain from these glands into the breast ducts. If finally leave the ducts into the nipple.
This process can however be disrupted by formation of a lump. There are numerous types of lumps that can develop on the breast. Some of them include the following:

  1. A fibro-adenoma lump on breast

This is a benign lump on the breast that is common in women who are under the age of 40. Those who are in the 20s are the majority affected by this condition. These types of lumps are the most common benign lumps on breast. They normally occur due to excess growth of the glands and connective tissues inside the breasts. These lumps can be felt as round, firm, and rubbery bumps. They usually move around in the skin when you try to press them. Usually they are not painful.

  1. Breast cyst lumps

Usually, cysts are more common in women who are approaching menopause, although they can appear at any age. Lumps from cysts are usually oval or round, smooth and firm. Cyst lump on breast usually move slightly when pressed. A cyst may appear on your breast within two weeks prior to your period and go away immediately after the periods.

  1. Infection lump on breast

Women who are breast feeding are the common culprits of lump on the breast from an infection. This is because the ducts that carry milk to the nipples can become blocked.  Also, bacteria can enter the breast through cracks in the nipple. This may end up resulting to development of a collection of pus in the breast. This may be seen as a lump on the breast. You may use a warm compress or antibiotics to bring the infection down. However, women who are not breast feeding can as well develop a lump from infection on their breast.

  1. Fat necrosis lump

A lump on the breast can as well result from injuries or trauma to the fatty tissue of the breast. These types of lumps usually heal and disappear without your attention after a given period of time. In case it is associated with other symptoms, you may need to remove them.

  1. A lipoma on breast

This is a fatty growth on the breast that usually occurs deep in the fatty tissue of the breast. These types of lumps are not a cause for worry as they usually heal without your intervention. In case it is large and associated with other symptoms it can be removed.

  1. A breast cancer lump

This is usually a severe condition that calls for immediate intervention. Breast cancer lump is treatable especially if it is identified in early stages. The lump is usually associated with other symptoms that are clear indication that the patient is suffering from something serious. A cancer lump on breast is normally treated by chemotherapy.

Small Hard Lump in Breast

Your breast can develop small hard lumps especially if you are pregnant. The small hard lumps are sometimes not painful and they may come and go. Normally, it is important to have your breasts checked regularly so that you do not a victim of surprise when you are diagnosed with a serious problem when it is too late. Small hard lumps inside the breast can also be felt in teenagers.  During puberty, expect anything strange to occur on your breast since there is increased hormonal activities in the body.
Those women who are above 50 years of age should have their breasts screened regularly since that is the age bracket where cancer is common.  In this case, a type of x-ray known as mammogram is carried out to identify early signs of cancer. Most of small hard lumps on the breast are non-cancerous. You may notice small lumps on your breast at least once in a while but in most cases they may not be something to cause an alarm.

Are all Breast Cancer Lumps Hard?

Knowing how your breast feel and looks like normally can be helpful when it comes to realizing a strange lump on it. Identifying a cancer lump on breast early can be a possible one way of making it easy to be treated easily and successfully. Not all lumps on breast that result from cancer are hard. A cancer lump can as well begin as a painless soft lump which after sometimes you may start to experience some serious symptoms.
Breast cancer is rarely identified by just looking at how the lump feels or looks like. In case you have a lump on your breast you have to visit your doctor who may carry out some tests to rule out if it is cancer or not. Knowing what to look for when it comes to cancer lump should not take a place of your regular mammograms and other breast screening tests. This is because, screening can help to identify a lump on breast from cancer while still on its early stages.
A breast cancer is commonly identified with a lump or a hard mass that is painless and irregular in shape. However, you may have a breast cancer while the lump has not yet been identified or you can have a tender, soft, or rounded mass also from cancer. The lumps can also be painful. Therefore, it is important to have any breast mass checked by your doctor to ascertain if it is cancer or just a benign.

What Does a Lump in your Breast feel like?

Feeling the lump on breast can also be helpful when it comes to finding out the cause of the lump but not always. You can know how the lump feels like by touching it.  In most cases, a cancerous lump is usually hard movable irregular lump but in some cases it can be tender and soft to touch. A cyst on breast is normally soft with an oval or round shape. It is most soft when felt with a hand.
When a lump on your breast is painful with or without touch, it is usually infected. If it is associated with severe symptoms, it is important that you visit your doctor for treatment. Since mammogram cannot identify every type of cancer, a patient should be aware of changes that take place in your breast and know the symptoms of lump on breast that are dangerous.

What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer beside a Lump?

Commonly, a lump on breast is associated with a lump or a mass that is hard to touch and it is usually irregular in shape. Also, breast cancer causes your lymph nodes in the armpit to swell up. For breast cancer, you can carry out a self-check up by running your opposite hand on the chest from up to down while the hand on the affected side is carried up. In this case, you will end up feeling a sharp pain every moment you touch the area where the lump is to develop.
Breast cancer has much more symptoms that you should observe apart from a mass or lump on breast. A part from a lump, you have to watch out the following symptoms for breast cancer:

  • The affected breast nipple may turn inwards or retracted
  • The area around the lump appear red, scaling or thickening of the nipple
  • Change in texture of the breast skin
  • A clear or bloody discharge may be seen oozing from the nipple, or a milky discharge for those who are breast feeding
  • A dimpled skin on the breast
  • Nipple pain or breast pain
  • Change in size and shape of the breast

When you visit your doctor, make sure you explain to him/her in case you feel any of the above symptoms. This is because the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed and treated the, the higher your chances of healing it successfully.

Can a benign Breast Lump turn into Cancer?

In is not easy for lump on breast to develop into cancer. However, if a persisting lump on breast is not treated, it can result to more serious complications like cancer. Not unless a lump is known to be cyclic, every bump on the breast that is suspected to be caused by infection should be treated immediately. Lumps that result from change in hormonal level in the body of women usually disappear as the condition is restored to the normal level.
One of the ways you can use to make sure that your lump on breast has not turned into cancer is by use of ultrasound. By this means, your doctor

Breast Lump Pictures

If you want to know more about breast lumps is good that you have information on how each condition that cause a lump on breast looks like. In this case, we have included some pictures in this post that will help you know how different lumps that form on breasts appear.

Lump in Breast that Moves

There are cases where a lump on your breast can be movable. Lumps that are movable can be cysts on breast. Cysts are not harmful and they are usually drained by a medical practitioner. They are usually soft lumps that are filled with fluid with some debris which makes them to be raised on the skin. Cysts are easily treated and therefore you should not let them be a cause of worry. In some cases the cyst may drain away on its own.
Also you can develop a soft, smooth, round lump that moves a little when you press on it. In some cases these lumps may cause pain when touched and they can be small or large. No matter the case, if you find that a lump on breast is causing you more problems, do not hesitate to have your doctor look at it because you may not want to lose your breast just because of something that just started like a small lump that moves around.

Breast Lump Removal and Treatment

The removal of a breast lump can involve a surgery just in the cases whereby a lump on breast is from cancer. During the surgery, the tissue around the cancer lump is also removed. This type of surgery is usually referred to as lumpectomy. When a noncancerous tumor such as a fibro-adenoma of the breast is removed, this process is usually referred to as an excisional breast biopsy, instead of a lumpectomy.
How the lump removal is done
There are cases where a health care provider can’t feel the lump when carrying out the examination. However, in case it is seen on imaging results, wire localization will be done then followed by surgery. The following are things carried during this process:

  • First, a radiologist normally uses a mammogram or an ultrasound by placing a needle wire near the abnormal area of the breast. This normally helps the surgeon to know where the breast cancer is so that it can be removed.
  • Lump on breast is removed from an outpatient by surgery most of the time. Your doctor will give you either a general anesthesia or a local anesthesia. The procedure usually takes for about 1 hour.
  • After that, the surgeon then makes a small cut through your breast. The cancer with some of the breast tissue that occurs around it is removed. A pathologist then examines a sample of the removed tissue from cancer lump on breast to make sure all the infection has been removed.
  • If it happens no cancer cells are found on the edges of the removed tissue, this is commonly known as a clear margin.
  • Also the surgeon can also remove lymph nodes from the armpit to confirm if the cancer has spread to them.

Bumps on Hands: Palms, Small, Itchy, Causes, Treat

by

Bumps on hands can be bothersome. For some reasons it should not be a cause of concern as some cases tend to heal on own. Get insights on the causes, on palms, back of hand, itchy ones, small, big, how to treat and prevention mechanisms.

What Causes Itchy Bumps on hands

Itchy bumps on hand are very common and have many different causes. If you are experiencing outbreaks, the following might be the main causes:
(a) Atopic dermatitis
This chronic condition causes itchy bumps on hands, inflamed skin, and symptoms tend to appear most often on the torso, limbs, face and neck.
There are two types of atopic dermatitis:

  • Allergic contact eczema
  • Contact eczema

Each type causes symptoms on different parts of the body. Causes of this condition are believed to include malfunctions of the immune system as well as hereditary and environmental factors.
Treatment 
Most recommended medication for this condition are antibiotics, corticosteroid creams, antihistamines and other medications can help heal the skin and prevent flareups for people who suffer from this condition.
(b)Psoriasis
This is another serious health problem, and it’s defined by the surface build up of skin cells that are reproducing faster than dead skin cells that are to be shed from the body. The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, and the key symptom of this condition is a build up of reddish or whitish scales that build up on the skin.
Other forms of psoriasis may look like large swaths of deep red sunburn or affected areas of the skin may become cracked or blistered and bumps on hands. Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, although plaque psoriasis usually appears on the head, neck, back, shoulders, torso, elbows and knees.
Treatment 
When it come to the treatment of psoriasis, topical treatments and light therapy can help to quell psoriasis skin bumps, while medications can help to delay the frequency of flares. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, although researchers believe symptoms can be triggered by too much stress or traumatic events.
(c)Shingles
This is another rash that people should be aware of, especially those who have had chicken pox in their child stage. The herpes zoster virus that causes chicken pox permanently remains dormant in the body, and traumatic events, illnesses or other factors later in life can cause these traces of virus to reactivate and cause shingles.
Shingles outbreak may start as a tingling or slight itchiness in one area of the body, but small blisters start forming within days. A shingles rash usually lasts for a few more days before the bumps on hands burst, ooze and crust over, leaving the body vulnerable to infection.
Treatment
There are creams that can be obtained over the counter which can help people to limit the pain from shingles rashes.
Some anti-viral drugs or vaccination taken early can also reduce the duration of outbreaks and prevent further outbreaks from occurring and this works well for People over the age of 60 years.
(d)Rosacea  
This is another common skin rash that causes bumps, although this rash is not known to cause any lasting health problems. However, rosacea is an issue that can cause emotional distress for those who struggle to control their symptoms. Rosacea causes redness in the face, and the condition can also cause pus-filled bumps on hands to appear.
Most people who get rosacea are middle-aged women with fair skin, though this problem can happen to anyone. In its early stages, rosacea often takes on the form of acne or hives, which causes many people to wait longer than they should before seeing a doctor.
Treatment
There’s no cure for rosacea, but topical creams and medications can help people reduce the severity of flare-ups while preventing further outbreaks from happening for weeks or months at a time.
Some people with this condition may experience minor eye problems, and men who suffer from rosacea may experience a thickening of the skin on the nose.
Outbreaks can be avoided in part by avoiding common rosacea triggers such as hot baths, alcohol, and prolonged exposure to sunlight, spicy foods and hot beverages. Drugs that increase blood flow can also cause flare-ups of rosacea symptoms.
(e)Drug rashes
This are also health hazards for people who’ve recently started taking new medications. Antibiotics, diuretics and anti-seizure drugs are the most likely medications to cause people to break out bumps on hands. Often appearing within days of first dosages, these rashes signify an allergic reaction to the medication being used.
Some drug rashes are small, while others can cover large areas of the body. If left untreated, the complications of a drug allergy can eventually become life-threatening.
The simplest way to treat a drug rash is to stop taking the medication causing the outbreak.

(F)Impetigo

Impetigo is a very contagious skin condition that typically affects babies and toddlers due to diaper irritation, or irritation due to bacterial infection of the face, neck, and hands of infants. There are two types of bacteria cause Impetigo namely:
(a) Streptococcus aureus
(b) Staphylococcus pyogenes this are caused by a skin injury, insect or animal bite.                  This type rarely affects adults, Impetigo can spread via skin-to-skin or bedding to skin contact (via contact with an infected person).

(g)Hives

Hives develop as an allergic reaction to food, environmental surroundings ( dust), or medication. They form a rash of annoying and raised itchy welts that can also burn. Hives will appear anywhere on the body in a few raised spots or they will join together to create one larger patch of raised, itchy skin that can last up to a few days.
(h)Chicken pox
This appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face and limbs. Lasting seven to 10 day. The rash progresses from red bumps on hands to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp, around the eyes or on the genitals, and can be very painful.
This cycle repeats itself in new areas of the body until finally, after about two weeks; all of the sores have healed. The disease is contagious until all the spots have dried up. Unfortunately, the virus is also contagious for at least one day before the rash breaks out.
Overview
Some skin rashes develop over several days or weeks, while others may rapidly spread in several minutes or hours. Anyone who has a rapidly spreading skin rash should seek emergency medical help, as this could signify the onset of a severe allergic reaction. In addition, people should see their doctors about bothersome skin rashes that linger for more than a few days.
Most skin rashes are the result of minor allergic reactions to things such as dust mites, pet dander and certain fabrics found in clothing. These skin rashes can be easily controlled with over-the-counter medications or simply by avoiding known allergy triggers. However, you cannot be too cautious if you have an unusual skin rash.

Reasons for Small Bumps on Hands not Itchy

Small bumps on hands even if they are not itchy or painful, the appearance of your skin can make you self conscious, and you might worry about spreading the bumps to other people or parts of your body.
Although non-itchy bumps probably do not indicate any type of serious medical condition, especially if you do not have a fever or other serious symptoms, it is important to see your doctor so that he can identify and treat them
Small bumps on hands not itchy in adults mostly are caused by:

  1. Folliculitis
  2. An infection of the hair follicle
  3. Eczema
  4. An allergic condition that can make your skin dry and prone to irritation
  5. Sebaceous cysts

Note
Both of these conditions can turn itchy and painful if left untreated.
Children can get viral rashes that appear as non-itchy red bumps on hands and accompany by fever and lack any specific pattern or appearance. Sears notes that these types of rashes typically start on the trunk and then spread to the arms and legs. Although this condition rarely occurs in adults,

How to Prevent

Friction from tight clothing or irritation from shaving or waxing can cause folliculitis. To prevent further damage to your hair follicles make sure you are wearing loose clothing while waiting for the infection to clear.
It is also recommend not shaving or waxing the affected area while the bumps are present. Keep the area clean and dry and avoid using contaminated towels or washcloths.
Antihistamines is used lessen severe itching, for treatments for eczema phototherapy (therapy using ultraviolet light applied to the skin), and the drug cyclosporine for people whose condition doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Warning
Although you might be tempted to ignore non-itchy red bumps on your body when they appear in hidden places and do not cause you any discomfort, be cautions against ignoring bumps and cysts. Visit your doctor if you notice new growths on your body so he can examine you for skin cancers.

Bumps on Palm of Hand Causes

Dyshidrotic Eczema
The most common cause of bumps on palms of the hands is something called dyshidrotic eczema. In this condition, the skin on the palms (or the soles of the feet) becomes irritated, and the initial symptoms are small firm blisters under the skin, about the size of a pinhead, which may be either whitish or clear in appearance. If the inflammation and irritation continues, these blisters may coalesce to lead to areas of peeling and itching skin.
No one exactly knows what causes dyshidrotic eczema, but it is made worse by stress and by swings in temperature. It is also worse in those who have their hands immersed chronically in water (dishwashers) or chemicals.
Warts
Warts are the result of human papillomavirus. They can grow all over your body but are more common on the palm of hands and fingers. They usually do not itch, but they can be sensitive to touch and can bleed. They can be contagious through skin contact, sexual contact or sharing of towels or linens.
Insect Bites
Insects are all around. Insect bites often appear as red, itchy bumps. If you believe you have been bitten, watch your symptoms and see if they escalate. There are some species of spiders whose venom causes severe pain. Some people also have allergic reactions to the stings of wasps, yellow jackets and bees that can be fatal.

How to Treat Bumps on your Hands

1.     Basic Hygiene

Your hands are exposed to germs all day long. You use your hands as protection when you cough and sneeze, to eat and to assist in our bathroom activities. You are constantly touching door handles, household objects and computer keyboards that have been touched by other people. Washing your hands thoroughly on a regular basis can cut down on the risk of unwanted skin conditions.

  1. Part of the treatment of dishydrotic involves regulating stress free, keeping the hands well moisturized, and protecting them from water and chemicals through the use of gloves. Most cases of dyshidrotic eczema, however, will also require prescription steroid creams from a primary care doctor or a dermatologist in order to clear up completely
  2. You can treat warts at home by using salicylic acid on a daily basis for several weeks. Doctors have multiple ways to remove warts including freezing them off with liquid nitrogen.

Why you have Little Bumps on Hand that itch

Itchy little bumps on hands can be on one small region of the body like hands or on general body. The causes of this bumps are numerous and varies, it may be a result of something very serious or severe. The following are some of the causes of little bumps on hands that itch:

  1. Infections

There are several infections that cause little bumps on hands that itchy and include:

  • fungal rashes
  • mites, including bedbugs
  • Chicken pox
  • Measles
  • Lice
  • Scabies
  • pinworm
  1. Internal diseases

There are some internal diseases that may be very serious cause itching bumps on hands.
They include:

  • liver disease
  • Kidney failure
  • Anemia
  • Leukemia
  • lymphoma
  • thyroid disease
  1. Nervous System diseases

Nervous system diseases that can cause little bumps on hands that itchy include:

  • Neuropathy
  • shingles
  • neuropathy
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple sclerosis
  1. Medications

There are some medicines when taken they react with the body and cause itchy bumps on hand and they include:

  • Narcotic painkillers
  • Anti-convulsant medications
  • Antifungals
  • Antibiotics (especially sulfa-based antibiotics)
  1. Pregnancy

Itching little bumps on hands is common when a woman is pregnant. It usually occurs on the breasts, arms, abdomen, or thighs. Sometimes this is due to a preexisting condition, such as eczema, that is made worse by the pregnancy.

  1. Skin Conditions

The following are skin condition that commonly causes little bumps on hands that itchy:

  • Dermatitis: inflammation of the skin
  • E eczema: a chronic skin disorder that includes itchy, scaly rashes
  • psoriasis: an autoimmune disease that causes skin redness and irritation, usually in the form of plaques
  • Dermatographism: a raised, red, itchy rash caused by pressure on the skin

What to do with Small Itchy Bumps on Back of Hand

Urticaria also known as nettle or heat rash, which presents a severe, itching, is associated with the formation of Small Itchy Bumps on back of hand
The bumps are usually very small and sometime they may emerge to form large raised bumps that are usually very hot and itchy.
The bumps may appear only in certain areas of the body like on hands, but can be more widespread when severe.
The following are factors that cause Urticaria to occur.

  • Skin irritation through contact with certain plants or insects.
  • Skin reaction to something that has been eaten such as eggs or nuts.
  • Skin reaction to drugs, most commonly aspirin or penicillin.
  • Skin’s response to cold or sunlight.
  • Skin’s reaction to sweating bought on by exercise or heat.

Note!
Urticaria condition can be effectively treated and is only serious if the rash occurs in or around the mouth and is accompanied by swelling.
This can be very serious as the air passage may be blocked by the swelling of the tongue or the throat a condition known as angioneurotic oedema.
If you happen to see these symptoms, it is very agent to get medical assistance immediately?
More references:

  1. Skin disorder: healthline.com
  2. Lumps and bumps on body: https://health.clevelandclinic.org
  3. Skin Problems and Treatments: webmd.com
  4. skin center: medicinenet.com
  5. Dermatology: topix.com

Canker Sore on Gums: Causes, How to Treat, are they Contagious, Pictures

by

Can you canker sore on gums? Get insights on Causes and treatment symptoms, when contagious and how to treat.

What causes a Canker sore on your Gums?

Canker sores are small sallow ulcers that can appear on the tongue, gums, inside the lips and on cheeks. The sore usually have red borders with white or yellow centers. Canker sores can be very painful to extent that you cannot eat or talk comfortable. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious and they cannot spread to other people.
Anyone can develop a canker sore on gums but the infection is more common to women and young individual of age group 10 to 20 years. Most people have once experience the infection of canker sores in their lives.
The cause of canker sore on gums are unknown but there are so many believes and speculation about the cause of canker sores. You can easily get canker sores when you are exposed to risk factor that causes the widespread of infection.
The following can be the main cause of canker sore infection on your gums:

  1. Mouth injury

Having an injury on the mouth can be the cause of canker sore on the gum. Presence of mouth injuries can stimulates canker sores to appear on the gum. Cleaning your mouth using hard brushes can result to inflammation of the gum which can lead to cankers sores.
Some oral products that cause tissue damage can also cause canker sore on gums. Harsh mouthwash that encourages damage of the skin on the mouth should be avoided because they can trigger the development of canker sores on your mouth.
Eating hard and dried food like popcorns can damage the skin of the mouth which can develop in to painful sores. It is advisable to avoid dried snack that can cause canker sores on the mouth. Taking too hot food can also burn the skin of the mouth and cause canker sore on gums.

  1. Food allergies

The food that you take can be the cause of canker sores on your mouth. Some fruits and green vegetable can increase mouth ulcer that can develop into cancer sores. Some food contains acid that can burn the skin of the mouth. Lemon, oranges, pineapple, strawberries and tomatoes can encourage the development of canker sores.
Some people are very sensitive to spicy food and they can develop canker sore soon after eating the food. Taking food that is flavored by spices is delicious but the problem is, you can easily be allergic to spices and develop canker sore on the gums.

  1. Poor immune system

Like other infection, canker sores can attack you basing of the body defense mechanism. Having weakened immune system can be the cause of canker sores on the mouth. Young adults who have not yet developed fully the antibodies in their body system are more prone to this infection.

  1. Deficiency of vitamin and minerals salts.

Taking vitamin in your diet is very important and can help your body to escape many infections including canker sores. Having a deficiency of vitamin B-12 can cause the development of canker sore on your mouth. For young adult they can have a problem of canker sores because of the deficiency of vitamin B-12 in their body.
Mineral deficiency in the body can also lead to the development of canker sores on the mouth. Individual with the deficiency of zinc and iron in the body system can be the main cause of canker sores in the mouth. Lack of folic acid in the body system can also result to the development of sores on gums.

  1. Change of body hormones due to menstrual cycle

Fluctuation of body hormones due to menstruation cycle can cause canker sores to appear on the mouth. It is clear that women experience more cases of canker sores on the mouth than men. Hormone imbalance in the body can result to the development of canker sore on gums.

  1. Poor oral hygiene

You can easily get canker sores on the mouth when you do not practice good oral hygiene. Accumulation of bacteria in the mouth as a result of not cleaning your mouth can cause canker sores to appear on the gums.
Poor oral practices can lead to fungal growth in the mouth that can result to development of sores.  Taking care of your mouth by cleaning can minimize the chances of canker sore infection.

How long do Canker Sore on Gums Last

Canker sore on your mouth can take a period of one to two weeks for the healing to take place. Sometimes the infection may take few days and disappear on your gun within 10 days. Major canker sore on gums may take longer duration before healing takes place.
The infection can take shorter time in your mouth when you take right treatment and canker sore medicines. You can get rid of the infection faster from your mouth if you employ a combination of home remedies to treat the canker sore on gums.
Canker sore on mouth can result to irritation and discomfort on gums that can last for few days before developing open ulcers on the mouth. After the pain has gone, healing takes place and the canker sore on gums can disappear without you noticing.
When canker sores on the mouth get infected by fungi or bacteria, the ulcers can take long time for healing to take place. It is advisable to talk to your medical doctor for assistance if canker sore have worsened and are becoming bothersome to you.
Canker sore are not permanent infection on your mouth, the sore will disappear slowly after a couple of weeks. You should not worry much about canker sore on gums because the infection will go away within a period of two weeks.

How to Treat Canker Sores on Gums – Home Remedies

Canker sore on gum can be treated using the following home remedies:

  1. Honey

Raw honey is a wonderful treatment for canker sore on the mouth. Honey has a medicinal value that helps in treatment of canker sore on gum. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that fasten the healing of canker sores on your mouth.
How to use:

  • Take warm water and swish in your mouth.
  • Apply small amount of raw honey on the canker sores on gums.
  • Reapply the honey three times daily.

Ensure you apply one of the treatments before night and this will do best since it will not be interfered by talking or eating. Manuka honey is the best because has not been processed and it retains the ability for healing.

  1. Salt water rinse

Use of salt water can be used for the treatment of canker sores on the mouth. Salt has be ability to draw water from cells around the canker sores by osmosis process that helps to dry up sores faster. Rinsing your mouth with salt water can greatly reduce the pain and irritation caused by the canker sores.
Salt water rinse also has general soothing effects that relieve the inflammation of the gums faster. Salt rinse also reduces bacteria in the mouth and keeps the affected area clean.
To use:

  • Get ½ cup of warm water and mix with one teaspoon of salt.
  • Swish the solution in your mouth three times per day until canker sore goes away.
  1. Application of Alum powder

Alum powder is obtained from potassium aluminum sulfate. The powder is used in process of preserving food. Alum powder has astringent ability that helps to draw tissue together and to dry canker sores on gums faster.
How to prepare:

  • Prepare a paste by mixing the alum powder with a drop of water.
  • Dab the paste onto affected area with canker sores.
  • Leave the paste to sit on the sores for about one minute.
  • Rinse your mouth with clean water.
  • Repeat the same procedure until canker sore on gums disappears.
  1. Yogurt

Eating yogurt daily can be the best treatment for canker sores on the mouth. Yogurt is made from fermentation of milk. It is the product of bacteria or yeast after the conversion of carbohydrates to organic acid.
Yogurt contains live cultures of bacterial that can be used to keep away other bacteria that causes canker sores on the mouth. Take one glass of yogurt daily when having cankers sores on gums.

  1. Use of baking soda

Baking soda can be used in treatment of canker sores. The reagent is used to restore pH of the mouth and reduce the inflammation caused by canker sores.
How to use:

  • Mix one teaspoon of baking soda into ½ cup of water.
  • Swirl the prepared solution in your mouth for 30 second then remove it from mouth
  • Repeat the same after few hours as many times you can.
  1. Use of coconut oil.

Coconut oil has ant-inflammatory and antimicrobial ability that help in the treatment of canker sores. The oil provides faster soothing effect for painful sores on the mouth. The oil also has a credible taste and can be applied inside your mouth without having any side effect to you.
Use clean hands to apply the oil directly onto the affected area with canker sores. You can alternatively use cotton swab to apply the oil on the inflamed gums. Ensure you apply the coconut oil on the sores three times per day for faster healing to take place.

  1. Use of hydrogen peroxide solution

You can use hydrogen peroxide solution to promote the healing of the canker sores on the mouth. Use the solution to clean canker sores on gums. Hydrogen peroxide reduces the bacteria in the mouth to initiate the process of healing of canker sore on gums.
How to use:

  • Get 3% of hydrogen peroxide solution and mix with equal amount of water.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply the solution on your canker sores.
  • Apply the solution on canker sores several times per day to initiate the healing process.
  1. Use of Aloe Vera rinse

The plant is known to have a medicinal value that can be used for the treatment of canker sores. Aloe Vera rinse has a soothing effect that reduces the pain and irritation cause by canker sores on the mouth.  It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that provide faster relieve of canker sores on gum.
Directions:

  • Get one teaspoon of aloe Vera gel and mix with one teaspoon of water.
  • Swish the gel gently over the canker sores three times a day.
  • Repeat the same until canker sore goes away.
  1. Milk of magnesia

Milk of magnesia is made from magnesium hydroxide. The reagent is alkaline in nature and it is a laxative. You can use magnesium hydroxide to change the pH of the mouth in order to reduce canker sores to develop and also helps to coat the sores in the mouth to promote faster healing.
How to use:

  • Apply small amount of milk of magnesia on the canker sores.
  • Allow it to stay in your mouth for 30 seconds and rinse your mouth with clean water.
  • Repeat the treatment three times per day to promote healing until the sores disappear.
  1. Chamomile

Chamomile has the ability to heal wounds and ease irritations. German chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help to treat your canker sores. Chamomile tea bag can be used to sooth canker sore and also to reduce pain on the gums.
Get a wet chamomile tea bad and put it over the affected area with canker sores for few minutes. You can rinse your mouth with brewed chamomile solution. Ensure you apply the treatment three times a day to fasten healing process.

  1. Sage

For many years, sage tea has been used as the treatment for inflammations in the mouth. Sage mouthwash can also be used for the treatment of canker sores. Sage has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ability that can relieve pain caused by canker sores on gum.
Sage mouthwashes are available to many pharmacies and you can get it to heal your canker sores. When sage mouthwashes are not available in the pharmacies, you can prepare your own sage at home and use it to rinse your mouth.

  • Take one cup of water and boil it and add two tablespoon of fresh sage leaves.
  • Boil it for five minutes.
  • Sieve the mixture to obtain sage extract.
  • Swish the extract in your mouth for 30 seconds.
  • Spit out the rinse.
  1. Echinacea

Echinacea liquid can be used for the treatment of canker sores on your mouth. Echinacea can heal sores faster and also prevent future development of canker sore on gums.
How to use:

  • Mix one teaspoon of liquid Echinacea into equal amount of warm water.
  • Swish the solution into your mouth for one minutes
  • Get the solution out of the mouth by spiting it out.
  • Repeat the same procedures four times a day until canker sores disappear.
  1. Apple Cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that can be used for treatment of canker sores. The acid in the apple cider vinegar can help to kill bacteria around the canker sores and reduce the irritation.
Apply the apple cider vinegar on the canker sores using a cotton swab. The application of the treatment can be very painful due to acidic nature of the vinegar. Be very careful when using apple cider vinegar to treat canker sores because it can cause more ulcers in your mouth. Ensure you use diluted solution to prevent the burning that may result from side effect of cider vinegar.
How to use:

  • Take one cup of water and add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
  • Swish the solution around the mouth for one minute
  • Spit out the mixture and rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • Repeat the treatment several times a day until sore gets healed.
  1. Use of DGL mouthwash

DGL mouthwash can be used for the treatment of canker sore on gums. DGL is prepared from deglycyrrhizinated licorice which is a natural extract of the herb. You can use the mouthwash to treat canker sores on the mouth. Ask your doctor where to purchase the product.
Preparation:

  • Add one capsule of DGL into one cup of warm water and stir.
  • Swish the mixture in your mouth for two minutes.
  • Spit out the solution.
  1. Vitamin B supplement

Taking vitamin B-12 complex supplement can help to get rid of canker sores on mouth. Eating a diet rich in vitamin B-12 can help you to escape canker sores attacks.
Topical medication and oral products
Topical products can be used for the treatment of canker sores. It is advisable to talk to your doctor to prescribe to you a mouth rinse that can help in the treatment of canker sores. Some mouth rinse containing steroid dexamethasone can be used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by canker sores.
Over-the-counter drugs that include pastes, creams, gels and liquids can be used to relieve pain and initiate the healing of canker sores.  Oral medication can be prescribed by your doctor to you for the treatment of canker sores on gums.

Are Canker Sores on Gums Contagious

Canker sores on gums are not contagious. The infection cannot spread from one person to another. Canker sore on gums only appears after you are exposed to some of predisposing factors that cause canker sores.
Some people believe that canker sore can spread by sharing utensil but the fact is that canker sore is not contagious and it cannot spread from one person to another. You should not fear about spreading canker sore to your friends and relatives.

Canker Sore on Gums Symptoms

You can have canker sore if you have:

  • Burning sensation on the gums.
  • You feel painful sores on your gums, tongue and inside the cheeks.
  • White or grey Sores on the mouth with red border.
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Headache

You should consult your doctors if the symptoms of canker sore are worsening and the sores are spreading to dominate the whole mouth.
You May Also Like:

  1. White Bump on Gums, not Painful, above, below Tooth, Baby, Spots, Sore, Home Remedy, Get Rid, Pictures
  2. Swollen Gums around Tooth, Wisdom, Back of Mouth, Painful, Home Remedy, Over the Counter Medicine, How to Treat
  3. Black Spot on Gums, between Tooth, Painful, How to Get Rid, Causes, Dark Spots, Photos, near Wisdom Tooth, from Smoking, Bruise
  4. Bleeding Gums Causes, without or when Brushing, around Tooth, Symptoms, What to do, How to Stop
  5. Painful Gums, Causes, Home Remedy, Sore, in Back of Mouth, Jaw, between Teeth, around Tooth, Relief
  6. Purple Gums Causes, Smoking, Black People, Dark Red, Spots, How to Get Rid, Treat, Pink
  7. Lump on Gum, Hard, Painful, Bump, above Tooth, upper, Near, Cyst, Causes, Cyst, White

More reference

  1. Causes of canker sores on gums.https://www.oracoat.com/pages/mouth-sore-treatment#treatment
  2. How long do canker sore last on gums.http://www.treasuredsmilesdentistry.com/for-our-patients/common-problems
  3. How to treat canker sores on gums.http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-to-get-rid-of-canker-sores#overview1
  4. Are canker sores contagious?http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/expert-canker-sores.html
  5. Canker sore on gums symptoms.http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/canker-sores#1

Canker Sore on Lip: Causes, Contagious, Last, Pictures, Get Rid, Treat

by

How do you get canker sore on lip? Learn more about the causes, the contagious, how to get rid of it and treatment.

What is the difference between a Cold Sore and a Canker Sore

Canker sore and a cold sore are two ailments that look almost similar. Both of the infection affects the same location and their symptoms also look alike. You can easily get confused and find it very difficult to tell the type of the infection you are suffering from.
Canker sores are small, grey ulcers that has red border that appears inside the mouth. Canker sore may also appear on the lips, inside the cheeks, on tongue and also at the throat. Most medical experts believe that the infection is caused by bacteria or virus that attacks body immune system.
On the other hand, cold sores are tiny blisters that appear on the lips, on nostrils and sometimes inside the mouth. Cold sore comes as a result of herpes simplex virus that is very contagious and remains in body system for long period of time.
Look on the table below that shows clear difference between a cold sore and canker sore.

                          Canker sore           Cold sore
1.       No clearly defined causes can be triggered by stress, fatigue, change of body hormones or trauma on the mouth. Caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Outbreak can be triggered by stress, fatigue, injuries on the lips or exposure to sunlight.
2.       It appears inside the mouth and on gums. Appears mostly outside the mouth, on lips and nostrils.
3.       Not contagious. Highly contagious, herpes virus can spread from active blisters to infect other people.
4.       Heals within a period one week. Takes more than one week to be healed.

How do you get Canker Sore

Have you ever been attacked by a canker sore on your mouth? How did you get the infection?  The truth is, canker sore has no specific cause but can affect anybody. You can have high risk of getting a canker sore on lip if your family has history of canker sores.
Canker sore on lip can appear to anyone at any age. Simple canker sore usually affect individual of age group of 10 to 20 years. Young individual are more susceptible of getting canker sore. Complex canker sore on lip may appear at any age.
You can get canker sore if you are exposed to some of predisposing factors that causes canker sores. These risk factors include the following:

  • Stress
  • Food allergies
  • Change of body hormones
  • Mineral and vitamin deficiency
  • Injuries on mouth
  • Weakened immune system

Canker Sore on Lip Causes

Have you ever asked yourself what can be the causal agent of canker sore on lip? The fact is that, there are so many speculation and argument about the cause of canker sore. The infection has no clear cause but there are five common reasons that result to widespread of canker sore and they include:

  1. Stress and injury

Having a stress or any mouth injury can result to development of canker sores on lip. The use of hard brush on your mouth can cause some injuries that can result to development of canker sores. Also eating food that can cause mouth injuries t and inflammation can easily result to canker sore on your mouth.
Oral products and harsh mouthwashes that can damage the skin of the mouth can be the factor for development of canker sores. Brushing your mouth too roughly that can cause stress to mouth tissues is another factor that cause canker sores.

  1. Weakened immune system

Individual with weakened immune system are more susceptible to canker sores. Young individual who have not yet developed enough body defense mechanism are more prone to canker sores.

  1. Food allergies

Food is very important for normal functioning of the body but it is ironical that some fruits and vegetable are not desirable when someone is having canker sores. Acidic food like lemon, orange and pineapple can cause canker sore on lip.
Some food can increase mouth ulcers. Strawberries, figs, tomatoes and apple have been attributed to encourage canker sores.

  1. Deficiency of vitamin

From scientific research, vitamins are very important to keep away any infection that invades into your body system. Deficiency of vitamin B-12 can result to development of canker sores. For young individual who are still growing require large amount of vitamins and sometimes they may suffer from vitamin deficiency which can result to development of canker sore on their lips.

  1. Deficiency of mineral salts in the body

From health research, it has been noted that individual with deficiency of zinc and iron in their body system are more prone to canker sore attack. Deficiency of folic acid in the body can also result to development of canker sore on lip.

  1. Fluctuation of hormones and menstrual cycle

Canker sore often occurs on women than men. This is because women experience wide fluctuations of body hormones due to menstruation cycle.

Are Canker Sore Contagious

No need to worry because canker sore is not contagious. These means the infection cannot spread from one individual to another. You can only develop canker sores after being exposed to one of the risk that causes the infection.
Having canker sore in your mouth should not stop you from sharing utensil by your friends and relatives because the infection does not spread to others. You can also kiss without fear when having canker sore on lip but take care not to injure yourself.

How long do Canker Sore Last

Infection of canker sore on lip may take a couple of weeks before healing to takes place. In most case canker sore heals within a period of 10 days. Major canker sores on the mouth can cause serious damage which can take a bit longer time before going away.
You can speed up the healing process on your mouth by going for correct medication that can help you to get rid of the sores. It is better to visit your doctor if canker sore are worsening and cause a lot pain. You can alternatively use a combination of home remedies to fasten the healing of the sores.
Sometime canker sores can cause a lot of pain and make it difficult to eat or even talk; fortunately they don’t cause lasting damage. Canker sore on lip cannot be permanent; the infection disappears with a period of one to two weeks.

How to get rid of Canker Sore on Lip – Home Remedies

Canker sore on your mouth can be removed by the following home remedies that include:

  1. Use of salt water

Rinsing your mouth with salt solution can help you to get rid of canker sore on the lip. Although rinsing your mouth with salt solution can be very painful but it will help to dry out canker sores.
How to use:

  • Get a glass of warm water and add one teaspoon of salt and mix.
  • Swirl the mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds before spiting it out.
  • Keep on rinsing your mouth with this solution at interval of few hours.
  1. Use of Alum powder

Alum powder is the component of potassium aluminum sulfate. The reagent is used in food preservation and also to pickle vegetable. Alum has the ability to draw tissue together when applied to open sores on the mouth. You can use the alum powder to dry out faster canker sores.
Preparation:

  • Make a paste by mixing alum powder with few drops of clean water.
  • Apply the paste onto a canker sore on your mouth.
  • Allow the paste to stay on the sores for about one minute.
  • Take warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
  • Repeat the same procedure daily until canker sore goes away.
  1. Application of honey

Honey is known to have medicinal values that can be used for treatment of canker sores. Honey has antibacterial and ant-inflammatory properties and this is why you can use it to reduce pain and size of red sores on the mouth.
Use natural honey to apply four times a day on your mouth sores. Manuka honey is less processed and good for the treatment because it retains all the healing properties. Honey that has undergone heat treatment is not the best to use because high temperature has destroyed most of its nutrients.

  1. Use of yogurt

Taking yogurt daily can aid in preventing and treating canker sore on lip. It is recommended to eat one glass of yogurt each day when having canker sores.
Yogurt contains live probiotic cultures that have lactobacillus that help to eradicate other bacteria in the mouth that cause the development of canker sores on the lips.

  1. Use of baking soda

Rinsing your mouth with baking soda helps to restore pH balance and reduce inflammation which can help to heal canker sores.
How to use:

  • Take one teaspoon of baking soda and add in ½ cup of water.
  • Swirl the mixture in your mouth for about 30 seconds and spit out.
  • Repeat the same procedure after few hours

Ensure you avoid the swallowing of the baking soda during the rinsing. If you accidentally swallow the mixture no need to worry because it won’t harm you.

  1. Application of coconut oil.

From the studies, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties. If the canker sore is cause by bacteria, coconut oil is the best treatment for canker sores. The oil also has an anti-inflammatory ability that reduces the redness and irritation caused by the infection.
Clean your hands before using the oil. Apply the oil on the affected area using your figure. Ensure you repeat the application of the oil several times per day. Coconut oil can also be applied on the tongue because it tastes good and has no side effect if swallowed.

  1. Hydrogen peroxide solution

The use of hydrogen peroxide solution initiates the healing of the canker sores by remove excess bacteria in the mouth. This solution can be used to clean canker sores that are infected with bacterial and fungi.
How to use:

  • Take 3% of hydrogen solution and dilute it using the same amount of water
  • Using a cotton swab, dip into the solution and apply it directly on your canker sore on lip.
  • Apply the treatment on the canker sore several times a day for faster healing.
  1. Watermelon frost

According to traditional Chinese medicine, watermelon frost has been used to get rid of canker sore on the mouth. There is no scientific correlation between canker sores and watermelon but the powder and spray made from watermelon has been used to treat the sores.
You can get watermelon frost from Asian herbs store or buying it from online. You can as well prepare yours from the watermelon. Be careful when buying chines herbs because it has been reported to contain high content of mercury.

  1. Milk of magnesia

Milk of magnesia has magnesium hydroxide that act as acid neutralizer. Oral use of magnesium hydroxide changes the pH so that canker sores cannot continue to thrive. It also coats the open sores to relieve pain faster.
To use:

  • Take small amount of milk of magnesium and apply on your canker sores.
  • Allow it to sit for 30 seconds, then rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • Repeat the application three times per day until canker sores on lip disappear completely.
  1. Use of chamomile

German chamomile has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can heal wounds faster. You can use chamomile tea bad to sooth and compress your canker sores. Chamomile also helps to keep away pain cause by the canker sores on your mouth.
Take a wet chamomile tea bag and press it over the canker sores for few minutes. Alternatively, you can rinse your mouth with fresh brewed chamomile tea. Use the treatment for three times per day for faster healing.

  1. Echinacea

You can use Echinacea liquid to get rid of canker sore on lip. The product also can be used to prevent the development of canker sores on your mouth.
How to use it:

  • Take one tea spoon of liquid Echinacea and add to equal amount of warm water.
  • Swirl the solution in your mouth for about one minutes
  • Remove the mixture from your mouth by spiting it out.
  • Repeat the same procedure three times per day for good results.
  1. Use of cider vinegar

Cider vinegar has medicinal value and can be used for the treatment of the canker sores on your mouth. The acidic nature of cider vinegar can help to kill bacteria that cause irritation of the canker sores.
Use a cotton swab to apply cider vinegar direct on your canker sores. You can feel a lot of pain and irritation during the time of application due to acidic property of the cider vinegar. Take precaution while using the cider vinegar because it can increase the sores in the mouth instead of healing.
How to use it:

  • Add one teaspoon of cider vinegar into one cup of water.
  • Swirl the mixture around your mouth for 30 seconds.
  • Remove the mixture and rinse your mouth with clean water.
  • Repeat the procedure daily until canker sores disappear.
  1. Use of sage

Sage mouthwash has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent ability that can relieve pain faster when applied to canker sores. For many years sage are used as the treatment for mouth inflammation.
You can obtain sage mouthwash from nearby pharmacies and use it to get rid of canker sore on lip. Alternatively you can prepare your own sage to rinse your mouth:

  • Take 2 tablespoon of fresh sage leaves and add to one cup of boiling water.
  • Allow it to boil for about five minute.
  • Strain the mixture to obtain sage solution.
  • Swish the mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds
  • You can swallow the sage or remove it out of the mouth by spiting it out.
  1. Application of DGL mouthwash

DGL can be used to get rid of mouth cankers. They help to make canker sores shrink and get healed faster. Your doctor can advise you where to purchase it.
The product of DGL is made from deglycyrrhizinated licorice which is an herbal extract. The product has anti-inflammatory properties and is has been used for long time to be a natural remedy for any ulcers in the mouth. DGL are available which can be used to make mouthwash to keep away canker sore on lip.
Preparation method:

  • Take one cup of warm water and add one DGL capsule and mix it.
  • Swirl the solution in your mouth for about 2 minute.
  • Remove the solution out of the mouth.
  1. Supplement of vitamin B

Canker sores on mouth can be cause by deficiency of vitamin B-12. You can get rid of canker sore on lip by taking vitamin B-12 daily. It is advisable to take balance diet rich in vitamin B-12 that will prevent you from getting canker sores.
Canker sores on lip can worsen and for this reason you need to visit your doctor to give right treatment in order to get rid of it. You can talk to your doctor if you experience the following:

  1. Canker sore is larger in size than normal.
  2. You are getting multiple canker sores
  3. If the sore do not heal within a period of two weeks.
  4. If sores are spreading to the lips and are causing a lot of pain
  5. When you experience difficulties in eating and talking

Your doctor will administer you right medication that will help you get rid of canker sores.
Further References

  1. Different between canker sore and cold sore.http://www.orajel.com/en/Resource-Center/Mouth-and-Canker-Sore-Pain-Relief/Canker-sore-vs-Cold-sore.
  2. How do you get a canker sore? https://www.uhs.umich.edu/coldcankersores
  3. Cause of canker sore on lip. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/canker-sores#1
  4. How long do canker sore last. http://www.healthline.com/health/canker-sores#prevention9
  5. How to get rid of canker sore on lip. http://everydayroots.com/canker-sore-remedies

Bumps on Fingers Causes: Stress, Red, Painful, Itchy, Treat

by

What causes bumps on fingers? Get insights on the reasons for red, itchy, painful stress bumps on your finger joints, between and under skin, home remedies and best treatment.

What Causes Bumps on Fingers

Bumps on fingers are very common and in most cases they are harmless. They can result from a number of conditions, including: an infection, an allergic reaction, skin disorder and cancer. Bumps on fingers can vary in appearance and number depending on the cause.
There are a number of skin conditions that cause bumps to appear on the surface or just below or under the skin of the fingers. Below are some of the most common causes of bumps on fingers:
Eczema
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is an itchy rash that may be red, swollen, oozing, crusty and scaly. Most people with eczema are children, and more than half of adults continue to have it through adulthood, often in the form of hand eczema, the rash Itchy, red bumps on fingers may develop.
Outbreaks may occur after exposure to chemicals or frequently using the hands, as when gardening or doing household or office work.
Protect your hands with gloves when going outside in cold weather or when you are washing dishes. Your doctor may prescribe an ointment to clear up hand eczema, though the condition may take several months to fully resolve.
Scabies
Scabies are tiny mites that live on humans, and their burrows and bites can cause bumps on fingers.
Symptoms 

  • One of the first symptoms is itching, and it occurs within a few hours to a few days after infestation.
  • You may notice burrows, which are small tracks between your fingers where the mites dig into the skin.
  • The scabies might lay eggs or leave feces in the burrows.
  • When the scabies bite, they leave very itchy, tiny red bumps.

Note.
Scabies is very contagious and will not clear up on its own. If you think you may have the condition, see your doctor for treatment. You will need to apply insecticide ointments for several days to kill the mites, and the treatment often needs to be repeated a month later.
Fungal Infection
Tiny, red bumps on fingers around your fingernails may be a symptom of a fungal skin infection. Fungal infections are common in those with diabetes or other conditions that impair the immune system.
Other signs include itching and the development of tiny blisters or scales. If you have diabetes and think you may have a yeast infection, see your doctor promptly for treatment. You may need a prescription anti-fungal medication to completely cure the infection.
Skin Cysts
Cysts are noncancerous, closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid, pus, or other material and form bumps on fingers.
Cysts are common on the skin and can appear anywhere including on the fingers. They feel like large peas under the surface of the skin. Cysts can develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands (oil glands), or around foreign bodies, such as earrings.
Skin cysts usually are:

  • Slow-growing
  • Painless
  • Smooth to the touch when they are rolled under the skin

Treatment
Cysts usually do not cause pain unless they rupture or become infected or inflamed. Most cysts do not disappear on their own without treatment. Some cysts may need to be drained to relieve symptoms. That involves piercing the cyst with a scalpel and draining it. That doesn’t cure the cyst, however.
Some inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of cortisone medication to cause it to shrink. Cysts that do not respond to other treatments or reoccur can be removed surgically if they cause troublesome symptoms.
(e)Dermatofibromas
Dermatofibromas are harmless round, red-brownish bumps that are most commonly found on the arms and legs and fingers. Dermatofibromas contains scar tissue and feel like hard lumps in the skin.
The symptoms of dermatofibromas include:

  • A red, brown, or purple growth that can change colors over time
  • A growth that is as small as a BB pellet
  • Tenderness, pain, and itcning ; however, growths also can be painless
  • A dimple that appears when the growth is pinched

In most cases, there is no need to treat dermatofibromas. However, the growths can be removed surgically or can be flattened by being frozen with liquid nitrogen.
Epidermoid Cysts
Epidermoid cysts, also called sebaceous cysts, are benign (non-cancerous) skin cysts formed by an out pouching from the hair follicle. Most commonly, epidermoid cysts are found on the genitals, chest, and back; but, they also can occur in other areas of the skin.
Symptoms 
In general, epidermoid cysts have a round appearance. A dark portion of the cyst is visible on the skin. If the cysts become infected, they will become red and tender. When the cysts are squeezed, they can produce a cheesy white discharge.
Treatment
The effective treatment of epidermoid cysts requires that the sac of the cyst be completely removed. If the cyst is squeezed and the discharge is forced out without removing the sac, the cyst will return.
Usually, a doctor will be able to remove the cyst by making only a small incision in the skin. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat infected cysts

Red Bumps on Finger Joints Causes

Our finger is one of our greatest tools. Their multiple small joints on them work together with muscles to produce precise motions and strength. They allow us to button a shirt, open a jar, wave to a neighbor, stroke a pet’s fur or provide a comforting touch.
But hands also can be prone to arthritis and related problems and, in some cases, provide clues to what’s happening elsewhere in our body. Many conditions can cause bumps on fingers; some are completely harmless, while others are serious and require medical care.
If there’s no obvious cause for the bumps, such as a bug bite or injury, or if the bumps don’t go away, see your physician to find out what is causing them.
The most common causes include the following:
Granuloma Annulare
Granuloma annul is a disorder that causes bumps or ring-shaped lesions on your skin, especially your hands, feet, elbows or knees. The bumps are red, purple, skin-colored or pearly white, and they sometimes itch.
Most granuloma annul are bumps disappear on their own after a few months. No one knows what causes granuloma annulare, and treatment isn’t necessary unless you have a very severe case that causes cosmetic issues. If this is the case, your dermatologist will treat you with steroids or other medications or with ultraviolet light.
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a muscle disease that causes chronic red bumps on finger joints and muscle inflammation and weakness. A skin rash is the signature sign of this disease; the rash usually appears before the muscle symptoms.
The rash is purple or red and most often appears on your knuckles, eyelids, knees or toes, although it can appear on your back, face neck, chest or upper shoulders. Light will often make your rash or muscle symptoms worse.
There is no cure for dermatomyositis, but you have treatment options including corticosteroid drugs, heat therapy, physical therapy, assistive devices and rest  the treatment ,your physician chooses for you depend on the type and severity of your symptoms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disorder that causes your body’s immune system to attack the lining of your joints and cause red bumps on finger joints. RA is twice as common in women as in men, and usually strikes between the ages of 40 and 60, although it can occur at any age.
Doctors don’t know what causes the disease, but your genes may make you more susceptible to it. Rheumatoid arthritis often causes whole-body symptoms like fever and fatigue, but most of the damage rheumatoid arthritis causes is in your joints, especially your hands and feet.
Rheumatoid arthritis destroys cartilage and bone in your joints and loosens the tendons that hold the bones together. If you have Rheumatoid arthritis there is about a 25 percent chance that you will develop rheumatoid nodules — pink or reddish bumps on or next to your affected joints that are firm, moveable and not painful.
Doctors don’t know what causes these bumps, but they often indicate a more severe case of RA that requires more aggressive treatment.
Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that causes a rash of purplish-red flat-topped bumps that are often very itchy. The rash appears on the skin, including the fingers, but especially the wrists and ankles.
Most dermatologists consider lichen planus an autoimmune disease; it is not contagious. You can also get lichen planus in your mouth or develop ridges on your fingernails.
Your dermatologist will tell you if you have lichen planus and prescribe a treatment such as topical corticosteroid cream, anti-inflammatory medication or ultraviolet light treatment, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by too much uric acid in your blood. You can have excess uric acid for years before you have any symptoms; eventually the uric acid forms crystals in your joints and causes an acute attack.
Acute attacks of gout affect the joints of your big toe, hands, feet, knees, wrists or ankles. Attacks are extremely painful, and your affected joints swell and turn red bumps on finger joint. Tophi are nodular masses of monosodium urate crystals, caused by years of chronic gout.
Such bumps are most likely to appear on your finger joints, wrist, hand, elbow or Achilles tendon. Tophi cause complications such as pain, nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome, deformity and damage to your soft tissue or joints. If you have tophi, your doctor will probably prescribe medicine to lower your uric acid level.

Can you get Stress Bumps on fingers

Stress bumps on fingers are due to histamine release and are also known as urticaria.Stress affects most people in some way. Acute (sudden, short-term) stress leads to rapid changes throughout the body.
Almost all body systems (the heart and blood vessels, immune system, lungs, digestive system, sensory organs, and brain) gear up to meet perceived danger. These stress responses could prove beneficial in a critical, life-or-death situation. O
ver time, however, repeated stressful situations put a strain on the body that may contribute to physical and psychological problems. Chronic (long-term) stress can have real health consequences and should be addressed like any other health concern. Fortunately, research is showing that lifestyle changes and stress-reduction techniques can help people learn.
Ways to Ease the Effects of Stress Bumps on fingers
You probably can’t avoid stress completely, but you can try ways to handle it better. Try these approaches:

  1. Don’t neglect your skin. Take care of it, even if you’re tired or stressed.
  2. Get regular exercise. It’s good for your skin and the rest of your body.
  3. Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy, even if you only have 10 minutes. Take a bath or read a book.
  4. Take a walk around the block.
  5. Practice stress management stress techniques, such as breathing exercise, meditation, or visual imagery.
  6. Get enough sleep. Seven to eight hours each night is ideal.
  7. Say no. It’s OK to set limits and boundaries to lower your stress.
  8. Talk to someone. Seek support from a friend or a professional therapist.

Red Dots on Finger under Skin not Bumps

Many people suffer from red dot on finger under skin and they look scary sometime. These are caused due to many non fatal reasons. This can usually happen due to bleeding which occurs under the skin surface. Sometimes, rupture or damage to the blood vessels can be a reason for this condition.
These blood spots can be petechiae that are tiny spots just like pinpoints and this can be due to blood vessel damage. They can also be purpura which is usually caused when the blood gets collected under the skin in a large flat area and they may also look purplish red.
This condition can be caused due to several reasons and a few of them are discussed below. You can also take a look at the causes and treatment for red blood dots that occur on the skin.
Causes 
This can be caused due to several reasons and exposure to the ultra violence rays is the most common reason.

  • Petechiae: The condition of red dots on skin is a clear indication of the condition of petechiae. This condition usually occurs when the blood vessels present under the skin get damaged spilling out the blood in the inner skin layers. This results in the accumulation of blood in particular skin areas. This condition is mostly observed on feet and ankles. This can also occur when the body suffers from lack of platelets as they play an important role in blood clotting process.
  • Platelet Deficiency: There are several factors that lead to this condition and platelet deficiency is another reason and is medically termed as thrombocytopenia. This condition is mostly seen in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, measles or leukemia.
  • Cherry Angioma: The medical term used for this condition is cherry angioma which occurs due to clumping of dilated blood vessels. This condition mostly occurs in the top skin layers. This condition is mostly seen in elderly people and they may become severe along with the age. However, they are harmless and may not require any kind of treatment.
  • Sun Exposure: Too much exposure to the ultraviolet rays can lead to this condition. It can also lead to other skin problems and hyper pigmentation. This condition looks similar to rash but is not a heat rash.

Common Causes of red blood spots under the skin.

  • Injury: This is considered as the most common reason for this condition. Trauma due to an injury is also another reason for causing red blood spots. This can happen due to a harsh or forceful hit on the body damaging the blood vessels in that particular area resulting in these spots.
  • Aging: This is another reason which makes the skin more sensitive further causing this condition. This is caused as the fat present under the skin reduces making the skin extremely prone to internal bleeding and damage.
  • Medical Treatment: Certain medicines can result in internal bleeding further leading to red blood spots. Steroids, blood thinners and aspirin can cause this condition.
  • Infections: Viral infections can result in blood clotting and this can eventually lead to this condition.
  • Leukemia: Unexplained purpura and blood clotting can be related to the condition of leukemia. Chemotherapy and radiation used for this condition can cause red blood spots.
  • Thrombocytopenia: This condition occurs in people suffering from low platelet count. This can result in poor blood clotting system as they play a major role in blood clotting further resulting in internal bleeding and this condition
  • Septicemia: This condition is considered as a very serious issue and occurs due to the presence of bacteria. Septicemia also affects central nervous system, abdomen, lungs, heart, bones and urinary tract. This condition can also show symptoms like red blood spots, chills and fever.
  • Malnutrition: Lack of certain essential vitamins like Folic acid, iron, vitamin B12, K etc. can be the reason behind this condition.
  • Blood Disorder: Hemophilia and Von Will brand blood disorders can cause this condition. These blood disorders can be caused due to family history as well and require immediate medical attention.
  • Autoimmune Disorders: These disorders affect the immune system weakening it and destroying the healthy tissues in the body. The damaged blood vessels can cause red blood spots.

Treatment 
It is very important for a person suffering from red dot on finger under the skin to seek medical attention as early as possible.

  • The condition of red blood dots on skin can be treated according to the underlying cause of this condition.
  • Usage of sunscreen lotions before stepping out the house can help you overcome this condition.
  • The condition of petechiae requires immediate medical attention and cherry angioma can be treated with the help of cryotherapy.
  • Application of liquid nitrogen will also be of great help in overcoming this condition.

What about Painful Red Bumps on Fingers

There are several conditions associated with painful red bumps on fingers. At times, these may be itchy and unbearable. Bellows are some symptom that helps provide a better understanding of causes and treatment of these related conditions.

  • Drug allergy

A drug allergy is an allergic reaction to a medication and can cause a rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing.

  • Broken or fracture fingers

Broken, or fractured, fingers are among the most common injuries and can cause pain, swelling and bruising.

  • Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system causing difficulties with balance, speech, and movement.

  • Paronychia

Paronychia is a skin infection that causes pain and swelling around the fingernail or toenail.

  • Allergic reaction

Allergic reaction causes sneezing, runny nose and hives and can lead to anaphylaxis, a whole body reaction.

Cold Sore on Tongue: Causes, Get Rid, Symptoms, Treatment, Pictures

by

What causes cold sore on tongue? Get more insight on symptoms, how to get rid of and the treatment.

Can you get a Cold Sore on your Tongue?

Is it possible to get a cold sore on tongue? The answer is yes you can get a cold sore on your tongue and the condition is commonly known as tongue herpes. Oral herpes will usually affect your tongue and other part of the mouth.
It is normal to get one bump or tiny blister on the tongue once in a while. It can be bothersome when having painful sores on your tongue that keep on coming every now and then. This can be so annoying when the sores in the mouth do not go away faster.
A cold sore on tongue comes as a result of having herpes virus in the entire mouth. The infection is caused by herpes simples virus type 1 (HSV-1) or by herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Other than attacking your tongue, cold sore can appear on the lips, cheeks, roof of the mouth and on nostrils. Throat is another part that is very sensitive to cold sore infection and some sores can also appear on it.

Development of cold sore on your tongue

The virus that causes tongue herpes can be looked in two different developmental stages. Herpes virus is said to have three phases:

  1. At infection

At infection, the active virus enters your skin and passes to nerve system and they replicate. The virus multiplies to colonize the infected area by increasing their numbers. At this stage you may develop no symptoms of herpes infection.

  1. Dormancy:

The virus remains inactive for some times. It moves to ganglia in your spinal cord and continues to replicate. During this phase your body will not show any symptoms of the virus.

  1. Reactivation

The virus inside your body system becomes activated once again due to presence of triggers like fatigue, stress, fever, exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun and also weakened body defense mechanisms.
The active herpes virus move to the skin of the mouth to cause cold sores to appear. Tongue being part of the mouth also will be affected by the presence of active virus that lead to development of blisters.
After the infection of Cold sore on tongue, the blisters will appear by going through five stages, it is important to learn the stages that your blister will go through.
Stage 1: tingling phase
Tightening and tingling is felt on your tongue. Burning sensation is also common in the affected area on the tongue. During these phase, irritation of the tongue is more and you can easily tell the parts on the tongue that are about to develop a cold sore.
During this time the HSV-1 virus are very active to cause the blisters to come out on the tongue. The virus at this time keeps on reproducing under the skin ready to cause cold sore on tongue.
Stage 2: inflammation and blister formation
The surface of the tongue develops tiny blisters. The blisters on the tongue get inflamed and become fluid-filled. The skin under the lesion turns red.
The lesions are usually tiny but can be in clusters. The outbreak can attack one or multiple point on the surface of the tongue. The blisters will appear on the mouth depending on the body immune system. Individual with weakened immunes system are likely to get more blisters on the tongue.
Stage 3: ulceration
Ulceration phase also called weeping stage of the blisters. The cold sore on tongue burst to release a fluid. The fluid that comes out the sores is very dangerous because it contain active HSV-1 virus that can spread to other people.
Weeping stage is highly contagious and at this moment the patient should be very careful to minimize the spread of the infection. Kissing at this stage can spread the virus to next person.
Open sores on the tongue turn red to greyish ulcers making it very painful. Cold sore on tongue sometimes cause more discomfort and can result to difficulties when eating food. Painkiller drugs can be taken to reduce the pain on the tongue.
Stage 4: scabbing
Blisters on the tongue crust over into yellow deposit. The blisters may also harden into scabs. Presence of moisture in the mouth can prevent the formation of the hard scab on the tongue.
Stage 5: healing
It is the final stage that allows the scab to fall off and healing to take place slowly. Cold sore on tongue will then disappear during this stage.

Cold Sore on Tongue Causes

Have you ever had a cold sore on your tongue? The cause of the infection is herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). There are two type of herpes virus, type 1 and type 2 but the common cause of cold sore is type1 (HSV-1) virus.
The viruses that cause cold sore on tongue are very contagious and can spread at a faster rate from one individual to another. The virus can spread by kissing process or even you can get the virus by direct skin contact with infected person.
Blistering stage is most contagious period of the cold sores. You can get infected with the virus from active lesion containing virus. Once the lesion has dried up, the risk of spreading the virus are reduce. Sometime the virus can get in the saliva when the sore are present or not.
The virus can be passed from infected person to you through sharing the same glass or a cup and cause cold sores to appear on your tongue. You can also catch the virus from contaminated surface that contain active virus. Sharing of towels and washcloth may also cause the spread the infection.
During the first infection the virus enters through the skin to the nerve cell, they finally move to the ganglion where they can stay for long time in the dormant state.  Herpes virus will only cause cold sores on tongue after activated by stress or fever.
Factors that activate herpes virus to cause cold sores on your tongue include the following:

  • Fever
  • Flu
  • Body stress
  • Weakened body immune system
  • Fatigue
  • Change of body hormones during menstruation cycle.
  • Trauma on the tongue
  • Food allergies

Herpes virus in the mouth can cause the development of cold sores in your entire mouth through the appearing of blisters as main symptoms. The virus can cause cold sore to keep on appearing on the mouth.

Cold Sores on Tongue Symptoms

What are the symptoms of cold sore on tongue? Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of cold sore on your tongue. Many people have oral herpes but no symptoms to tell they have the virus until the cold sore develop on their tongue.
Having a cold sore on your tongue is a clear symptom that shows you are having herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The virus can stay in your body system for many years in a dormant state and become activated to cause cold sores.
Young children who have not yet developed strong body immune system, the symptoms of cold sore on their tongue is more severe and the virus can result to serious damage of their body. Individual with weakened body immune system also herpes virus can cause more illness of their body.
Symptoms of cold sore on tongue include;

  • Pain on the tongue and entire mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lip
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Difficulties in swallowing saliva and food
  • Dry lips
  • Headaches
  • Tiny blisters on the tongue

The following symptoms comes when you are about to start developing blisters on the tongue .During this time the HSV-1 virus are very active on your mouth and like other viral infection, there is a general body weakness.

Cold Sore on Tongue Pictures

A normal tongue is covered by small tiny bumps called papillae that generally seen after experiencing some irritation on the mouth. Eating too salty food or acidic food that can cause tongue trauma can lead to the appearance of papillae.
Infection of oral herpes can result to bumps on the tongue that look very different from papillae. The cold sores are large in size than papillae and also they are very painful. The blisters are fluid filled and they burst to leave open ulcer on the tongue.
Sometimes cold sore can develop on the tip of the tongue and hurt you so much. The sores at the tip of the tongue can be a big problem because you can bit the bump and cause more injuries. Cold sore on tip of the tongue can also swell and get inflamed.
Cold sore can also appear at the side of the tongue. The sore can be stimulated to develop near a chipped tooth in the mouth. Having a cold sore at the side of the tongue require you to be more careful in order to avoid biting the affected area.
Bacterial or fungi can attack your cold sore on tongue and increase the infection. Ulcers may form on the surface of the tongue and this now requires medical attention.

How to get rid of Cold Sore on Tongue

If your tongue has a cold sore, no need to worry when you can use natural therapies for treatment. Have a look on the following home remedies to get rid of cold sore on your tongue.

  1. Tea tree oil: Use a cotton swab to apply tea tree oil on the surface of your tongue three times a day for few days. The oil has anti-viral compound known as Terpinen-4-ol that fight against herpes virus on your tongue. The oil also has a soothing effect on the painful sores hence initiated the sores to disappear.
  2. Salt solution: Take one tea spoon of salt crystals and dissolve in one cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with the solution three times a day. Salt has a property that enables the inflamed sores on the tongue to dry up faster and also help to keep your mouth fresh.
  3. Hydrogen peroxide solution: Rinse your mouth with 10% hydrogen peroxide solution. This should be done as many times as you can a day. Hydrogen peroxide has the ability to remove excess herpes virus from the cold sore and also encourages faster healing to take place.
  4. Use of honey and lemon juice: Take one glass of lemon juice and mix with two tea spoon of honey. Apply the mixture on your tongue several times a day. Honey has soothing properties that help reduce pain cause by cold sore on tongue. Lemon juice helps to reduce the number of herpes virus on the tongue.
  5. Goldenseal: The root of the herb has medicinal value and has been used as antiviral for cold sores. You can get rid of cold sores on your tongue by consuming the capsules made from the herb.
  6. Cold milk: by using a cotton ball apply the cold milk on your tongue slowly. The cold milk helps to fasten the healing process of the blisters. It also keep away the irritation and discomfort.
  7. Fenugreek seeds: The plant has antioxidant properties that can help you to get rid of cold sore from your tongue. Take few seeds and soak them in a glass of warm water. Take the extract obtain from the soaked seed. Alternatively you can chew the soften seeds.
  8. Ice cube: Take a piece of ice cube and place it on the swollen blisters on your tongue several times a day. Low temperature of the ice cube helps to reduce irritation of your tongue and also help to fasten the healing.
  9. Aloe Vera: get a fresh leaf of the plant and squeeze to get out the extract that looks like oil. Apply the extract on the cold sore on your tongue several times a day.
  10. Balance diet: Take a balance diet to boost immune system. Ensure you consume green vegetable daily. Fruits like citrus should be taken in plenty. Take lysine supplements to prevent outbreak of cold sores. Minerals like magnesium are very useful to make the body resistance to HSV-1 virus.
  11. Use of petroleum jelly: Apply the jelly on the affected area with cold sores. The jelly work best in healing the blisters and also protects you against bacterial infection.

Medical remedies can also be applicable on your tongue to get rid of cold sore. Tropical treatment is useful for faster relief of the fever blisters on the mouth. The drugs are usually prescribed to you by qualified doctor.
Get the following tropical treatment to get rid of cold sores on your tongue:

  • Docosanol (Abreva), you can get the drug over-the- counter.
  • Acyclovir (zovirax) and penciclovir drug.

You also see your doctor to prescribe for you ant-viral pill that can help you reduce the duration of cold sore outbreak. You can go for pills or anti-viral creams, but the use of creams work best for quick relief. The cream also reduces pain and irritation as a result of open blisters on the mouth.
Start using acyclovir (zovirax) as soon as you experience the first sign of cold sore on tongue. Also Valacyclovir (Valtrex) can be taken once you start felling some symptoms of cold sore. Ensure you consume a full dose of the drug according to doctor’s prescription.
To relieve pain fast, use Ibuprofen or Tylenol drug that helps to deal with discomfort that comes as a result of cold sore infection. The drug does not stop the spread of the virus and you need to be more careful in order to prevent it from infecting other people.
Take the following precaution not to spread the herpes simplex virus.

Herpes virus is so contagious and can spread at a faster rate trough kissing your relatives and romantic partners. The virus is usually found in the body fluid of the infected person and can be transmitted even in the absence of active sores. It is important to understand the symptoms of cold sore in order to avoid spreading the virus to others.

  • Avoid kissing while having active cold sores on tongue. If a kiss should be necessary to your friends and relative, try butterfly kiss until blisters move away.
  • Oral sex during the outbreak should be avoided because herpes virus can spread from mouth to genitals.
  • Sharing of utensils with anybody should be avoided when having active sores on the mouth. The virus in the saliva can infect anybody who comes in contact with it.
  • Never share washcloth, towels, lipstick, lip balm or even toothbrushes.

Taking all these precaution into consideration can help you to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to your friends and relatives.
Further References

  1. Cold sore on tongue. http://www.authoritydental.org/tongue-herpes
  2. Cause of cold sore on tongue. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172389.php
  3. Cold Sores on tongue Symptoms.http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/mouth-sores-and-infections/article/tongue-blisters-types-treatment-1215
  4. How to get rid of cold sore.https://healtreatcure.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ImageCure-a-Cold-Sore-Fast-Step-15-1.jpg
  5. How to get rid of tongue blisters. http://www.livestrong.com/article/303067-how-to-get-rid-of-a-cold-sore-on-the-tongue/

Cold Sore Stages: Pictures, 8 Critical, Hurt, Look Like, Contagious

by

What are the stages of cold sore? Lean more on how long does it take a cold sore to go away, understand why it hurt so much and also be conversant on how long is it contagious?

Cold Sore Stages

Cold sore also called fever blister, and are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-1). The herpes virus can stay in your body in a dormant state for many years before the appearing of cold sore on the skin.
Cold sore can appear as tiny blister like lesion on your mouth or even inside the mouth. The blisters can also attack nostrils, cheeks and even eyes.
The blister caused by cold sore stages on the skin takes about ten days to clear up. For people with weakened immune system it may take long time than ten day to be relieved from cold sores and also they might experience a serious damage of blisters on the mouth.
Cold sore infection is very contagious and can spread from one individual to another. The virus can be passed through fresh saliva or by direct skin contact with contaminated surface of herpes virus.
Once you get exposed to the virus, they enter into body system in to nerves system and remain inactive for some time but may later be appearing during cold sore stages.
After the initial infection of the herpes virus, the first symptoms can be observed after one week. Some people may contact the virus but due to strong body immune system cold sore may not appear on their mouth.
The dormant herpes virus in your body system can be easily be activated by some factors to cause the reoccurrence of cold sores. The possible factors that triggers herpes virus to cause cold sore include the following:

  • Fatigue
  • Stress
  • Fever
  • Change of hormones
  • Weakened body immune system
  • Exposure to sunlight

Presence of one these cold sore triggers do encourage the  dormant herpes virus to be activated in the body system which then move to skin surface through nerve fibers to cause the development of blisters.
Herpes simplex virus usually causes infection that typically follows five cold sore stages that can be analyzed as follows;

  • Tingling
  • Blistering
  • Weeping
  • Crusting
  • Healing

Stage 1: Tingling
Tingling around the mouth is the first symptom that indicate about to have cold sore on your skin. You may feel irritation on the lips or nostril. The area where the cold sores are about to develop may get some burns or itch.
During this stage the HSV-1 virus is already active on the skin to cause cold sore to appear. Treatment of cold sore at this time cannot stop the formation of the sores but it will help to reduce pain for faster relief.
Treating the infection at tingling stage may help to reduce the manifestation of developing more blisters on the mouth. Oral drugs are more useful during this stage to limit the effect of the outbreak of the cold sore.
Tropical treatment is beneficial during tingling phase of the cold sore. Some of the treatments that can be used to relief pain during tingling phase include:

  • Acyclovir (zovirax)
  • Doscosanol
  • Penciclovir

The drugs should be prescribed only by a professional for best result.
Aloe Vera gel also has the ability to block the activity of HSV-1 virus on the skin. These means aloe Vera can be an alternative tropical drug for the treatment of the first phase of cold sore stages.
Sometimes tingling phase can be very painful and you need to visit your nearby chemist to get pain killers like acetaminophen that provides faster relief.
If you experience frequent cold sore it is advisable seek medication. Talk to your doctor about the problem. Oral medication would be prescribed for you.
Stage 2: Blistering

Comes a day after you feel initial tingling phase and then cold sore develop into blistering stage. During this stage one or more blisters appears on the skin surface. The blisters are then filled with fluid. The skin under the blister turns red in color.
The blister may appear on the lips, inside the mouth, nostrils and even in your throat. Blistering phase has a lot irritation and pain.
Ensure you stay hydrated by taking a lot of fluids especially when the sores are on the mouth. Taking clean water during this time is important.
You can use pain reliever during blistering cold sore stages.  Tropical cream can also be applied on the blisters. Oral medication can also be taken after doctors prescriptions.
When blisters appear on the surface of your skin they can spread to other part of the body. Wash your hands with soap and warm water after touching the affected area. Also avoid sharing of utensils or washcloth to prevent the spread of the virus.
Kissing and oral sex are the factors that can encourage the spread of the virus. You should avoid intimate contact during blistering phase.
Blistering phase may cause more discomfort during eating. Certain food should be avoided during this time. Some of foods that can increase pain on the blisters are;

  • Hot drinks
  • Spicy foods
  • Acidic foods
  • Salty foods

Stage 3: Weeping
During this phase the cold sores breaks and open up allowing clear fluids to come out of the cold sores. Open sores on the skin turn red.
Weeping stage is the most contagious as the fluid from the open sores are containing a lot of infective virus that can attack others if they come in contact with it.
Picking of the sores can lead to worsening of the condition and also the sore can spread to other skin part. During this phase, take a lot of water to prevent dehydration of the body.
Proper hygiene procedure is also required to minimize the spread of the herpes virus. Avoid sharing of washcloth during this phase.
Stage 4: Crusting
Crusting happens after weeping stage, your blisters will dry up into yellow crust. During this time be very careful not to injure the blister because it may even cause bleeding if crust removed before healing.
Warm compress the blister will fasten healing process. Zinc oxide ointment can be used at this stage.
Stage 5: Healing
It is the final stage of cold sores. The crusted blisters scabs over. Use zinc oxide emollients to keep the scab soft. Aloe Vera cream can also be used to keep the scab soft and moist.
Ensure you stay away from direct sunlight that can cause cracking of the skin near the affected site. Healing stage comes to an end when the scab on the skin disappears slowly to normal.

How long does it take a cold sore to go away

How long does it take for a cold sore to go away? This is a question that comes to your mind after the outbreak of cold sores. It is clear that cold sore will normally disappear within a period of one to two weeks after the complete of five cold sore stages.
Cold sores take about 8 to 1o days in order to go away. With the use medication, the sores can take less time for healing to take place.
After the healing of cold sore, it is unfortunately when you contracted HSV-1 virus that will never go away from your body system. Once you are attacked by cold sore, it is likely that an outbreak may come again from time to time.
Taking care of the lips and mouth by keeping them moisten can help you escape from cold sore that might develop due to presence of herpes simplex virus in the body system.

Why do Cold Sores Hurt so Much

Like other infections, cold sores can hurt you so much. Cold sore stages are very painful and can lead to psychological torture. This infection is caused by herpes simplex virus that stay in the body system for long period of time because body immune system cannot eliminate the virus completely hence cold sores are common to individual infected by the virus.
Cold sores can disappoint you when they keep on reoccurring on the skin. Sores may appear even ten times a year. Sometimes is can be so embarrassing when cold sore is a beauty problem on your face that can lower you self-esteem.
Other than psychological torture of cold sore, the blisters also have a physical pain that causes irritation and discomfort. The blisters can develop into mouth ulcers that may take long time to get relief. Also mouth blister can be a big problem when eating food.
Cold sore also as a viral infection it attack nerve system and this increases body sensitivity hence general body pain may be felt by the patient suffering from the cold sores.
In addition cold sore has other symptoms like headaches, vomiting, fever and sore throat that can also hurt you for long time before the five cold sore stages to appear.
Cold sore can also disappoint you when the virus attacks other parts of the body like on the eyes, skin of the fingers and on the genital. When cold sores appear on the private part of the body it creates a big worry and even you might think you it is a sexual transmitted infection.

Do Cold Sores have Pus in them

Many people question themselves if cold sores may contain some pus? The answer is cold sore do harbor the pus in them. During infection of HSV-1 virus you can notice a burning sensation that takes about one day before blistering occur on the skin.
The tiny fluid-filled blisters then turn cloudy which means that there is the presence of pus in the blisters. During blistering phase, the cold sores are very irritating and painful. The cloudy blisters then become swollen ready to break.
The fluid-filled blisters get soften then they break to allow pus to come out slowly. It is not easily to tell that sore contain some pus because they open up before more pus can accumulate in the blisters.
In some scenario cold sore may not turn to cloudy appearance as the open up within few hours of blistering and this does not allow the formation of the pus in the blisters.
Cold sore may contain some pus when the sores are infected with bacterial or fungi. The bacteria or fungi in the open cold sore may initiate the production of pus around the cold sores. It is advisable to maintain high standard of hygiene during the development of cold sore stages.

What does the start of a Cold Sore Look Like

After the infection of herpes simplex virus, you are more likely to experience the start of cold sore on your lips. The cold sores are not visible but you can feel them. During this stage, herpes virus is very active to cause the formation of cold sore on your lips.
Here are the first symptoms to tell the start of cold sore on your skin:

  • Tingling of the affected site, usually happens on the lip, nostril or inside the mouth.
  • Burning sensation on the skin of the lip or inside the nostrils.
  • Tiny swelling on the lip or nostril that can be felt by touching but not very visible to the eyes.

Tiny blisters starts to appear on the infected skin. The swollen blisters at first moment are hard and difficult to differentiate from a pimple. After few hours the tiny blisters increased in size and soften by being filled with fluid.
When the blisters are now full with fluid it is easy to identify to be a cold sore at early stage even before they break to leave open sores. The blisters can develop on your lips or nose according to five cold sore stages.

How long is a Cold Sore Contagious

Cold sore is a contagious infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The virus can be passed from one individual to another by means of exchanging body fluids. Direct saliva or sharing of same utensil like a glass or cup can spread the infection.
Herpes virus is more contagious during the time a person is having active cold sore on the mouth. Blistering and weeping phase are the most contagious these of the cold sore. During blistering time the herpes virus is very active and they replicated hence can infect other people when come in contact with them.
Sometimes normal skin of infected person with HSV-1 virus can shed active virus that can cause infection to other people. Herpes virus is also contagious when a patient has no active sores. The virus can also stay on the contaminated surface for long time.
Kissing or having oral sex with infected person with herpes virus can result to spread of the infection. During the process of kissing the virus in the saliva can be transmitted to the partner and cause cold sore infection.
The virus can be also be contagious in the inactive state and activated when they are passed to next victim. The virus can spread in the form of cysts that develop in to herpes virus when they get favorable conditions to grow and cause cold sores.
Generally, cold sore is a contagious infection that can spread fast and infect large number of people if no proper hygiene is taken into consideration.
Herpes simplex virus from the cold sores can survive for about five hours on plastic material, four hours on cloth and three on skin.it is your role to clean and disinfect any material of surface that comes in contact with cold sore.

When is a Cold Sore Healed enough to Kiss

It is clear that cold sore is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus which can shed from active lesion. The virus can spread from mouth sores to target victim during a process of kissing and cause the development of cold sores.
It is advisable to avoid kissing another person when having active cold sores on the mouth. Kissing should be done when all the cold sore on the lip is completely healed. Kissing during the cold sore stages can also reduce the ability of the sore to be healed faster. You can also cause more injuries on the lips other than spreading the herpes virus to your partner.
30 days can be enough breaks to allow complete healing of the cold sore on your lips before kissing again. This duration will keep you and you kissing partner safe and also will reduce chances of spreading the virus from active lesion.
Many people advocate kissing when they have completely recovered from cold sore infections to avoid the spread though this infection is common to people and no serious consequences.