According to the NHS some people with eczema only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread red, inflamed skin all over their bodies


Another sign you may have rosacea is if you have times when your symptoms are particularly bad, followed by periods when they are less severe.


If you have severe itching, your doctor may also recommend


antihistamine medicines. Sometimes eczema flare-ups can be triggered by things like heat,


certain fabrics or certain soaps or detergents. If you’ve found out what triggers your symptoms you may be able take steps to avoid it.


Psoriasis This skin condition varies greatly in how much it impacts people’s lives, with some finding it just a minor irritation and others being more severely affected. It happens when your body’s production of skin cells increases, causing a build-up of skin cells that causes patches.


How to spot it Psoriasis patches are red, flaky and crusty, and covered with silvery scales. They can appear on any part of your body but are mostly found on elbows, knees, the scalp and lower back. They can also cause itching and soreness. If you have psoriasis you’ll usually find it runs in cycles that cause


problems for a few weeks or months before easing or stopping. If you think you may have psoriasis, see your GP for a diagnosis and for treatment advice.


What can you do? There’s a range of treatments designed to manage psoriasis that your GP can prescribe, including skin creams and stronger treatments such as light therapy and oral or injected medicines if you need them. However if you have psoriasis it’s also important to follow a healthy


lifestyle, since the NHS says people with psoriasis have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Eating a healthy balanced diet and staying physically active can also relieve stress and improve your symptoms.


Rosacea Nobody knows exactly what causes rosacea, but some of the things that can make it worse are associated with the summer, including exposure to sunlight and hot weather.


How to spot it Rosacea mainly affects the face, initially causing episodes of flushing (when your skin turns red for a short period of time). Other symptoms can then develop, including burning, stinging, permanent redness, spots and visible blood vessels in the skin.


What can you do? If you regularly have symptoms that may be caused by rosacea, your GP can advise you about treatments that can stop it getting worse, including creams, gels and tablets or capsules including antibiotics. In the meantime there are things you can do


yourself to keep rosacea symptoms under control, including using sun cream to protect your skin from the sun (the NHS recommends using a broad-spectrum sun cream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30). Avoiding anything else that may trigger your


symptoms is a good idea too – other triggers include stress, strenuous exercise, cold weather, hot drinks, alcohol, caffeine and some foods (including spicy foods).


If you want more information on over-the- counter treatments and self-help measures that may improve any of these skin conditions, speak to your local Careway pharmacist.


Managing acne


If you have spots on your face, your pharmacist can recommend creams, lotions and gels that can help keep them under control. They can also refer you to your GP if you have severe acne or spots on your back or chest, as you may need antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription. Things you can do yourself to relieve acne


include:


• Washing your skin no more than twice a day (washing more frequently can irritate skin)


• Using a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm – not hot or cold – water


• Avoiding squeezing spots • Removing make-up thoroughly before going to bed


• Using non-comedogenic make-up and cosmetics (this means they’re less likely to block your pores)


All About health 17


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