Pustule Health Dictionary

A zoonotic infection of humans contracted from sheep, cows and similar animals and their products. Caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-bearing Gram positive rod. Anthrax includes a cutaneous form (malignant pustule), a pneumonic form (Woolsorters’ disease) and intestinal anthrax. The form of the disease depends largely of the site of entry.... anthrax

A common skin condition starting after puberty, and which may persist for many years. It involves plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples and deeper nodules on the face, neck, trunk and even the upper arms. It arises from pilosebaceous glands (relating to hair follicles and associated SEBACEOUS GLANDS). SEBUM production is increased and bacterial proliferation causes in?ammation with PAPULE and PUSTULE formation. Plugs of sebum and epidermal cells form blackheads (comedones); the colour is not due to dirt but to dried oil and shed skin cells in the hair-follicle openings.

Treatment Twice-daily washing with a salicylic-acid cleanser can help remove the pore-blocking debris, as can daily shampooing. Use only oil-free cosmetics and hide blackheads with a ?esh-tinted acne lotion containing benzoyl peroxide, acid or sulphur. Never squeeze blackheads, however tempting; ask a skin specialist how to do this properly. Other treatments include microdermabrasion, and the antibiotic lotions erythromycin and clindamycin may be e?ective. Tretinoin and adapilene can be used on the skin but are not permitted in pregnancy and may cause problems such as hypersensitivity to sunlight, so medical advice is essential. In resistant cases, long-term suppressive oral therapy with one of the TETRACYCLINES or with ERYTHROMYCIN may be necessary. In females a combined oestrogenantiandrogen ‘pill’ is an alternative. Severe resistant acne can be cleared by a 16- to 24week course of oral isotretinoin, but this drug is teratogenic (see TERATOGENESIS) and can cause many side-effects including depression, so its use requires specialist supervision.

See www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/... acne

So-called to distinguish the disease from syphilis, the great pox (pox being the plural of pock, the Old English term for a PUSTULE), is also known as variola (from varus, the Latin for pimple). It is an acute, highly infectious disease due to a virus. Once it was one of the major killing diseases; however, in the 1960s the World Health Organisation undertook an eradication scheme by means of mass VACCINATION. As a result, the last naturally occurring case was recorded in October 1977, and on 8 May 1980 the World Health Assembly con?rmed that smallpox has ?nally been eradicated from the world.... smallpox

Common chronic in?ammation of the facial skin, this condition is seen in middle and late life. Redness, obvious dilatation of venules and crops of ACNE-like papules and pustules affect mainly the central forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. A keratoconjunctivitis (combined in?ammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the EYE) may be associated. Subjects ?ush easily, especially after alcohol or hot drinks. Eventually the affected areas may become thickened and oedematous, and in men, proliferation of ?brous and sebaceous tissue may lead to gross thickening and enlargement of the nose (RHINOPHYMA).

Treatment Long-term, low-dose, oral tetracycline (see ANTIBIOTICS; TETRACYCLINES) is the treatment of choice. In mild cases, METRONIDAZOLE gel can be helpful. Potent topical CORTICOSTEROIDS are contraindicated and make rosacea worse.... rosacea

Sycosis. Barber’s itch. Inflammation of the hair follicles commencing as scattered pimples progressing to pustules on the scalp or beard.

Cause: mostly staphylococcal or streptococcal.

Key agent: Thuja.

Alternatives. Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Clivers, Garlic, Poke root, Red Clover flower, Yellow Dock root, Echinacea root. Devil’s Claw, Guaiacum resin, Sarsaparilla.

Decoction. Burdock and Sarsaparilla; equal parts. Mix. 1oz to 1 pint water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Powders. Combine equal parts, Echinacea and Garlic. 500mg or one-third teaspoon in water or honey, thrice daily.

Practitioner. Tinctures: Guaiacum BPC (1949) 0.5ml; Rheum Palmatum BPC (1934) 5ml; Thuja 0.5ml; Trifolium pratense BHP (1983) 5ml; Arctium lappa BHP (1983) 5ml; Rumex Crispus BHP (1983) 5ml. Aqua et 100ml. Sig: 5ml (3i) tds Aq. cal. pc.

Topical. 10 drops Tea Tree oil in eggcup Almond, Safflower or Sunflower oil. Evening Primrose oil. Aloe Vera gel.

Diet. See: DIET – SKIN DISEASES.

Vitamins. A. B-complex, B2, B6, D, F, Biotin, Niacin, Zinc.

Note: There is a form which is part of the constitutional disease resulting from gonorrhoea which presents with dry soft spongy cauliflower warts. See: GONORRHOEA. ... folliculitis

A localised collection of pus. A minute abscess is known as a PUSTULE; a di?used production of pus is known as CELLULITIS or ERYSIPELAS. An abscess may be acute or chronic. An acute abscess is one which develops rapidly within the course of a few days or hours. It is characterised by a de?nite set of symptoms.

Causes The direct cause is various BACTERIA. Sometimes the presence of foreign bodies, such as bullets or splinters, may produce an abscess, but these foreign bodies may remain buried in the tissues without causing any trouble provided that they are not contaminated by bacteria or other micro-organisms.

The micro-organisms most frequently found are staphylococci (see STAPHYLOCOCCUS), and, next to these, streptococci (see STREPTOCOCCUS) – though the latter cause more virulent abscesses. Other abscess-forming organisms are Pseudomonas pyocyanea and Escherichia coli, which live always in the bowels and under certain conditions wander into the surrounding tissues, producing abscesses.

The presence of micro-organisms is not suf?cient in itself to produce suppuration (see IMMUNITY; INFECTION); streptococci can often be found on the skin and in the skin glands of perfectly healthy individuals. Whether they will produce abscesses or not depends upon the virulence of the organism and the individual’s natural resistance.

When bacteria have gained access – for example, to a wound – they rapidly multiply, produce toxins, and cause local dilatation of the blood vessels, slowing of the bloodstream, and exudation of blood corpuscles and ?uid. The LEUCOCYTES, or white corpuscles of the blood, collect around the invaded area and destroy the bacteria either by consuming them (see PHAGOCYTOSIS) or by forming a toxin that kills them. If the body’s local defence mechanisms fail to do this, the abscess will spread and may in severe cases cause generalised infection or SEPTICAEMIA.

Symptoms The classic symptoms of in?ammation are redness, warmth, swelling, pain and fever. The neighbouring lymph nodes may be swollen and tender in an attempt to stop the bacteria spreading to other parts of the body. Infection also causes an increase in the number of leucocytes in the blood (see LEUCOCYTOSIS). Immediately the abscess is opened, or bursts, the pain disappears, the temperature falls rapidly to normal, and healing proceeds. If, however, the abscess discharges into an internal cavity such as the bowel or bladder, it may heal slowly or become chronic, resulting in the patient’s ill-health.

Treatment Most local infections of the skin respond to ANTIBIOTICS. If pus forms, the abscess should be surgically opened and drained.

Abscesses can occur in any tissue in the body, but the principles of treatment are broadly the same: use of an antibiotic and, where appropriate, surgery.... abscess

A term applied in several ways to serious disorders. A TUMOUR is called malignant when it grows rapidly, tending to in?ltrate surrounding healthy tissues and to spread to distant parts of the body, leading eventually to death (see CANCER). The term is also applied to types of disease which are much more serious than the usual form – for example, MALIGNANT HYPERTENSION. Malignant pustule is another name for ANTHRAX.... malignant

Linn.

Family: Araceae.

Habitat: Cultivated as an ornamental. Found in Bihar, North Bengal, Orissa, Western Ghats and Southwards.

Siddha/Tamil: Aanaparuga.

Action: Leaves—anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial. Applied to smallpox pustules. Root—bruised and fried in oil, applied to abscesses.... pothos scandens

A rare inherited disorder in which areas of the skin (most commonly the fingers, toes, scalp, and the areas around the anus and mouth) are reddened, ulcerated, and covered with pustules. Acrodermatitis enteropathica is due to an inability to absorb enough zinc from food. Zinc supplements usually help.... acrodermatitis enteropathica

Linn.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Throughout India in gardens, waste places and tea plantations.

Folk: Phutium (Gujarat), Kuri (Garhwal).

Action: Plant—cytotoxic. Leaf— applied to ulcers and swollen glands.

The plant contains a number of poly- acetylenes which are toxic to bacteria, fungi and human fibroblast cells. Phenylheptatriyne is the major constituent of the leaves and stems.

B. pilosa Linn. var. minor (Blume) Sherff, synonym B. pilosa Linn. var. bi- pinnata Hook. f. in part, gave phytos- terin-B, which like insulin, showed hy- poglycaemic activity both in normal and diabetic rats. B. pilosa auct. non Linn., synonym B. chinensis Willd., is used for leprosy, fistulae, pustules, tumours.... bidens pilosa

Indian heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum).

Plant Part Used: Leaf.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The leaves are traditionally boiled in water and taken as a tea or bath for skin conditions including rash, papules, pustules, measles and chicken pox.

Safety: This plant contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. No studies on the safety of this plant in humans have been identified in the available literature. Cases of mortality in grazing animals due to ingestion of this plant have been reported.

Clinical Data: In human clinical trials, isolated plant constituents (alkaloids) have been investigated for their anti-cancer effects.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The leaves have shown anti-inflammatory activity in animal studies, and the ethanolic extract has shown wound-healing effects. In vitro, plant extracts have demonstrated antitumor activity.... borraja

An infectious skin disease caused usually by Staphylococcus aureus and less often by Streptococcus pyogenes. The itching rash is seen especially on the face but may spread widely. Vesicles and pustules erupt and dry to form yellow-brown scabs. Untreated, the condition may last for weeks. In very young infants, large blisters may form (bullous impetigo).

Treatment Crusts should be gently removed with SALINE. Mild cases respond to frequent application of mupiricin or NEOMYCIN/BACITRACIN ointment; more severe cases should be treated orally or, sometimes, intravenously with FLUCLOXACILLIN or one of the CEPHALOSPORINS. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, ERYTHROMYCIN can be used.

For severe, intractable cases, an oral retinoid drug called isotretinoin (commercially produced as Roaccutane®) can be used. It is given systemically but treatment must be supervised by a consultant dermatologist as serious side-effects, including possible psychiatric disturbance, can occur. The drug is also teratogenic (see TERATOGENESIS), so women who are, or who may become, pregnant must not take isotretinoin. It acts mainly by suppressing SEBUM production in the sebaceous glands and can be very e?ective. Recurrent bouts of impetigo should raise suspicion of underlying SCABIES or head lice. Bactericidal soaps and instilling an antibiotic into the nostrils may also help.... impetigo

Rottb.

Synonym: K. tenuifolia Stend. Cyperus triceps (Rottb.) Endl.

Family: Cyperaceae.

Habitat: Northwestern India, Gujarat, Rajasthan and South India.

Ayurvedic: Nirvishaa (var.) Mustaka (var.), Apivisha.

Folk: Mustu (Maharashtra).

Action: Root—febrifuge and antidermatosis. Also used for diabetes.

Kyllinga monocephala Rottb., synonym Cyperus kyllinga Endl., common throughout India, is also known as Nirvishaa, Nirbishi and Mustaa (var.). The root is used as diuretic (in polyuria), demulcent, refrigerant and antipyretic. It is prescribed for fistula, pustules, tumours, measles, diarrhoea and other intestinal affections.

Traces of hydrocyanic acid are reported to be present in the root, stems and nutlets.... kyllinga triceps

The pigmented circular area surrounding the nipple. The term is also used to describe an inflamed area around a pimple (see pustule).... areola

Infections caused by bacteria of the genus STAPHYLOCOCCUS.

Different types of staphylococci are responsible for a variety of disorders, including skin infections such as pustules, boils, and abscesses, and a rash in newborn babies (see necrolysis, toxic epidermal); pneumonia; toxic shock syndrome in menstruating women; urinary tract infection; food poisoning; and, if the bacteria enter the circulation, septic shock, infectious arthritis, osteomyelitis, or bacterial endocarditis.... staphylococcal infections

(toxic pustuloderma) a reaction to a medication, resulting in the appearance of fine sterile *pustules on inflamed skin; the pustules may easily be overlooked. Common causes include penicillins, and pustular psoriasis must be excluded from the diagnosis.... acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis

an infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Bartonella henselae, which infects cats and is transmitted to humans by a cat scratch or bite. A papule or pustule develops at the site of the injury followed, a week to two months after infection, by swelling of the lymph nodes (usually those closest to the wound). Fever and malaise are common. The condition usually resolves without treatment but antibiotics may be given to prevent complications.... cat-scratch disease

A common contagious itching disease caused by Sarcoptes scabei hominis (see SARCOPTES) which can live only on human skin. The fertilised female burrows into the skin surface, creating a tunnel within the stratum corneum in which she deposits 2–3 eggs per day, as well as faecal pellets which contain the ALLERGEN which initiates the immune reaction responsible for symptoms. The adult female is just visible. Eggs hatch within 3–4 days, producing larvae. After successive moults these become adult mites and the 15-day lifecycle re-starts. A rapid build-up of mite numbers is not noticed by the host until an immune response induces itching after about six weeks. Subsequently, scratching reduces the adult mites to a dozen or fewer. Scabies is spread by skin-to-skin contact, usually via the hands: it thus spreads in a family or sexual setting. Though most common in young adults, scabies can affect any age-group.

Typically the patient complains of widespread severe itching, worse when the body is warm after a bath or in bed. Burrows are visible as wavy black lines 3–5 mm long in the skin of the hands, wrists or sides of the feet. The intensity of the rash depends on the immune response. Papules, pustules, crusts and excoriations are seen on the hands and there may be a widespread eczematous (see DERMATITIS) or urticarial (see URTICARIA) rash elsewhere. Papules or even nodules on the PENIS and SCROTUM are characteristic. In infants, burrows occur on the palms and soles. Diminished immune response in old age, DOWN’S (DOWN) SYNDROME, etc. lead to a type of scabies which is less itching and more scaly. Rarely, absence of immune response causes a mite-saturated, generalised scaly dermatitis (Norwegian scabies). Admission of such a patient to hospital may result in an outbreak of scabies in other patients, sta? and visitors caused by mite-infested airborne scale.

Treatment MALATHION 0·5 per cent aqueous lotion, or PERMETHRIN 5 per cent cream, applied to the whole body, except the head, for 24 hours and then washed o? cures the infection. In infants the head and neck should be included. The secondary eruption may take 2– 3 weeks to settle completely and 10 per cent crotamiton cream is used during this period. It is essential that all intimate contacts be treated simultaneously. FOMITES need not be treated.... scabies

Desv.

Uraria lagopoides DC.

Synonym: U. lagopodioides Desv.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Grasslands of Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and Palni Hills. Ayurvedic: Prishniparni. (Prishniparni and Shaaliparni are used together in Indian medicine. Both have been equated with Uraria sp., U. lagopoides and U. picta. Siddha: Moovilai.

Action: Whole plant—anticatarrhal and alterative. Root—used in prescriptions for intermittent fevers, pulmonary inflammation and as a recuperating tonic. Leaves— prescribed in diarrhoea.

Flavonoids, including 5-hydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxy flavonol, have been isolated from the plant.

The plant is mentioned as an aborti- facient in ancient Ayurvedic texts. Hot aqueous extract of the shoots showed oxytocic activity on both gravid and non-gravid uteri of experimental animals. The aqueous extract of the plant shows anti-implantation activity on rats and spasmogenic effect on the guts of rabbits and uteri of rats.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout Himalayas, up to an altitude of 2,700 m and in Khasi, Aka and Lushai hills.

Prishniparni (related

Action: Prescribed in dysentery, diarrhoea; enlarged spleen and liver; also for the treatment of pustules, tumours and fistula.... uraria crinita

(Blume) Rolfe.

Synonym: Orchipeda foetida Blume.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Indonesia; cultivated in Indian gardens.

Action: Latex—used for treating fistula, pustules and tumours.

The bark contains a bitter alkaloid (yield 0.25%).

A related species, V. grandifolia (Miq.) Rolfe has been introduced into the Indian Botanic Garden, Kolkata. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids which vary seasonally. The trunk bark contains as high as 2.72% of alkaloids on dry basis in November. The leaves contain a mixture of alkaloids (yield up to 1.23% on dry weight basis) containing vobtusine, vobtusine lactone and deoxyvobtusine.... vocanga foetida

n. an occupational acne-like skin disorder that occurs after regular contact with chlorinated hydrocarbons. These chemicals are derived from oil and tar products; ‘cutting oils’ used in engineering also cause the disease. The skin develops blackheads, papules, and pustules, mainly on hairy parts (such as the forearm). Warts and skin cancer may develop after many years of exposure to these chemicals.... chloracne

n. a small pus-filled eruption on the skin characteristic of *chickenpox and *smallpox rashes. See also pustule.... pock

Kurz.

Synonym: W. floribunda Salisb.

Family: Lythraceae.

Habitat: Throughout North India, rather scarce in South India.

English: Fire-flame Bush, Shiran- jitea.

Ayurvedic: Dhaataki, Dhaatri, Kun- jaraa, Taamrapushpi, Bahupushpi, Vahnijwaalaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Velakkai.

Action: Dried flower—purifies blood, heals ulcers, astringent, prescribed in haemetemesis, erysipelas, dysentery, diarrhoea, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea. Flowers are used in alcohol-based tonics for fermentation (a yeast strain, saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been isolated). Bark—uterine sedative.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the flower in acute diarrhoea, haemorrhages, ulcerations and erysipelas.

The dried flowers are powdered and sprinkled over ulcers and wounds. The flowers also enter into an ointment used on pustules of smallpox.

In small doses the plant stimulates, while in large doses depresses the central nervous system.

The flowers and leaves gave polyphe- nols—ellagic acid, polystachoside and myricetin-3-galactoside. Flowers also gave anthocyanins—pelargonidin- 3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin-3,5-di- glucoside; octacosanol, chrysopha- nol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and beta-sitosterol. Hecogenin, mesoinos- itol and flavone glycosides—quercetin- 3-rhamnoside, naringenin-7-glucoside and kaempferol, have been reported from flowers.

The bark contains C-glucoside, ber- genin.

The flowers, leaves and bark contain tannins—24.1, 12-20 and 20-27% respectively. Dimeric hydrolyzable tannins—woodfordins A, B and C, and trimeric tannins woodfordin D and oenothein A and B have been isoalt- ed from dried flowers. A new tannin monomer, isoschimawalin A and five oligomers—woodfordin E, F, G, H and I, have also been isoalted.

Oenothein A and B exhibited remarkable host-mediated antitumour activity. Woodfordin C and D also showed antitumour activity. Woodfordin C showed inhibitory activity toward DNA topoisomerase II.

Dosage: Flower—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)

English: Pala Indigo Plant.

Ayurvedic: Shveta Kutaja. (white- flowered), Punkutaja, Indrayava (seeds).

Unani: Inderjao Shireen.

Siddha/Tamil: Irum-paalai, Nila- paalai.

Action: Bark—antidysenteric. Also used in piles and skin diseases. Seeds—antidysenteric, astringent, febrifuge, anthelmintic. Bark and seeds—prescribed in flatulence and bilious affections.

Pods, without seeds, contain the cycloartanes, cycloartenone and cy- cloeucalenol along with alpha- and beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and the terpene, wrightial. The leaves contain beta- amyrin. Stem bark gave beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol and lupeol.

The seeds, leaves and roots have been shown to contain an indigo- yielding glucoside.

The flowers gave 3-O-rhamnogluco- side which exhibited significant anti- inflammatory activity in carrageenan- induced hind paw oedema.

The bark is commonly used as an adulterant of Kurchi Bark (obtained from Holarrhena antidysenterica).... woodfordia fruticosa

Inflammatory sebaceous skin disease with pustules, papules and cysts found frequently in adolescents at commencement of puberty when the sebaceous (grease) glands become more active. Blackheads are formed by blockage of follicles with sebum. A black pigment, melanin, concentrates on the top of the hair follicle forming a plug.

Lesions may appear on face, neck and chest. Worse in winter, better in summer. Acne vulgaris has blackheads (comedones) that distinguish it from acne rosacea. Studies show low zinc levels. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia records Poke root singularly effective. Medicines containing iodine and bromine (Kelp) should be avoided. Dr Edward Frankel, Los Angeles, warns against use of Vaseline which, through build-up of bacteria, may cause pustular reaction.

Alternatives. Teas. Agrimony, Alfalfa, Burdock leaves, Chamomile, Dandelion, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Heartsease, Hibiscus, Marigold petals, Mate tea, Nettles, Redbush (rooibos), Rose Hip, Violet, Wood Betony.

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag, Dandelion, Echinacea, Queen’s Delight, Seaweed and Sarsaparilla, Poke root, Devil’s Claw, Goldenseal.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Blue Flag 1; Poke root half. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. Thrice daily before meals. Evening Primrose oil. Success reported.

Maria Treben. Nettle tea.

French traditional. Horse radish vinegar.

Greek traditional. Marigold petal poultice.

Topical. cleanse lesions with distilled extract of Witch Hazel or fresh lemon juice. Follow with Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment, dilute Tea Tree oil, Evening Primrose oil, Jojoba or Aloe Vera gel. Thyme Lotion (Blackmore’s).

Aromatherapy. Sandalwood oil. Or Lavender and Tea Tree oils.

Diet. Lacto-vegetarian. Low fat, low carbohydrate. Avoid chocolate, cow’s milk, sugars and drinks that induce facial flushing. Raw fruit and vegetables.

Supplements. Vitamins A, B-complex, B6, C, E. Chromium, Selenium, Zinc. ... acne, vulgaris

Furuncles. A boil is a hard swelling arising from infection of the hair roots and sweat glands caused by staphylococcus bacteria and dead white corpuscles. It is red and inflamed, with a central point, and can occur anywhere, especially, back of the neck, under armpit, on buttocks. A pustule develops, which increases in size and tension. A poultice may be necessary to bring the boil to bursting point and to discharge its contents. Severe cases require lancing with a sharp sterile instrument. Defective personal hygiene may produce satellite lesions nearby by pus infecting other hair follicles or by burrowing under the skin (carbuncle). Where persistent, test for diabetes.

Care should be taken to trace any underlying cause which should receive primary treatment: diabetes, kidney inflammation, anaemia, etc. The ‘core’ or centre of the boil should be extracted, although pustular matter may disperse and eruption aborted. Echinacea counters infection and hastens ripening. Goldenseal is shown to be effective for staph. aureus.

Alternatives. Teas. Chickweed, Clivers, Comfrey leaves, Figwort, Linseed, Marshmallow leaves, Plantain, Nettles.

Combination tea. Equal parts: Dandelion root, Nettles, Senna leaf, Burdock leaves. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water, thrice daily.

Decoctions from any of the following: one teaspoon to two cups water; gently simmer 20 minutes; strain when cold. Half-1 cup thrice daily. Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Echinacea root, Marshmallow root, Yellow Dock, Wild Indigo.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea, Blue Flag, Queen’s Delight, Poke root.

Powders. Formula: Echinacea 1; Poke root half; Goldenseal quarter. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 1; Burdock 1; Yellow Dock 1; Few drops Tincture Myrrh. Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoon in water thrice daily.

Tincture Myrrh, BPC (1973). 10-20 drops in water, 3 times daily.

BHP (1983) recommends, internal – combination: Burdock, Poke root, Violet and Wild Indigo.

Topical. Self-cleansing process is promoted by hot poultices of equal parts: Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm bark (preferably in powder form). An ointment with this combination is available. In the absence of herbs, use honey on clean lint, cover with cotton wool and fix in position. Alternatives: poultices of Carrot, Cabbage, White Pond Lily, Chickweed, Comfrey, Plantain, Linseed, Fenugreek. Cover with clean linen or gauze.

Dr A. Vogel. Tincture Marigold; pulped Cabbage leaves.

Tea Tree oil. After cleansing site, use lotion: 5 drops oil in eggcup boiled water, 3-4 times daily. Supplements. Vitamins A, C, D, E. Zinc.

Preventative: 2 Garlic capsules at night. ... boils

A drug used to treat glaucoma. It may initially cause blurred vision, headache, and eye irritation.pilonidal sinus A pit in the skin, often containing hairs, in the upper part of the buttock cleft. The cause is probably hair fragments growing inwards. Although usually harmless, infection may occur, causing recurrent, painful abscesses. If a sinus is infected, a wide area around it is surgically removed. Recurrence of infection is common, and plastic surgery is sometimes required. pimozide An antipsychotic drug also used to treat Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome. Pimozide may cause sedation, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision. pimple A small pustule or papule. pindolol A beta-blocker drug used to treat angina pectoris and hypertension. Possible side effects are typical of other beta-blocker drugs, except that pindolol is less likely to cause bradycardia. pineal gland A tiny, cone-shaped structure deep within the brain, whose sole function appears to be the secretion of melatonin in response to changes in light.... pilocarpine

A common skin disease characterized by thickened patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered by silvery scales. It usually appears between ages 10 and 30, tends to run in families, and affects men and women equally.

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. New skin cells are made about 10 times faster than normal. The excess cells accumulate, forming thickened patches covered with dead, flaking skin. Sometimes, there is also a painful swelling and stiffness of the joints (see arthritis). Psoriasis tends to recur in attacks, which may be triggered by factors such as emotional stress, skin damage, and physical illness.

There are different forms of the disorder. The most common is discoid, or plaque, psoriasis, in which patches appear on the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis occurs most often in children, and consists of many small patches that develop over a wide area of skin. Pustular psoriasis is characterized by small pustules.

In most cases, the condition can be improved with topical treatments, such as those containing corticosteroid drugs and coal tar. Other treatments include dithranol ointment, PUVA, and drugs such as methotrexate. Psoriasis is usually a long-term condition.

psych- A prefix meaning mental processes or activities, as in psychology.... psoriasis

(candidosis) n. a common *yeast infection of moist areas of the body, usually caused by *Candida albicans. It is especially common in the vagina, where it is known as thrush, but is also found in the mouth and skin folds. On the skin, the lesions are bright red with small satellite pustules, while in the mouth candidiasis appears as white patches on the tongue or inside the cheeks. In the vagina it produces itching and sometimes a thick white discharge. Candidiasis may develop in patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics as well as in those who are *immunocompromised. Topical, intravaginal, or oral therapy with *imidazoles is effective; oral *nystatin helps to reduce candidal infection of the bowel.... candidiasis

n. flushing of the skin due to dilatation of the blood capillaries in the dermis. It may be physiological or a sign of inflammation or infection. Erythema nodosum is characterized by tender bruiselike swellings on the shins and is often associated with streptococcal infection. In erythema multiforme the eruption, which can take various forms, is characterized by so-called ‘target lesions’ that may be recurrent and follow herpes simplex infection (especially in children) or medications (especially in adults). Erythema ab igne is a reticular pigmented rash on the lower legs or elsewhere caused by persistent exposure to radiant heat. Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease, slapped cheek syndrome) is a common benign infectious disease of children caused by erythrovirus (human *parvovirus B19). It is characterized by fever and a rash, first on the cheeks and later on the trunk and extremities, that disappears after several days. Erythema toxicum neonatorum (neonatal urticaria) is a common self-limiting asymptomatic rash appearing in up to half of newborns, usually 2–5 days after birth. It is characterized by small erythematous papules and pustules surrounded by a diffuse blotchy erythematous halo. The eruption typically resolves within the first two weeks of life. See also palmar erythema. —erythematous adj.... erythema

n. an intensely itchy eruption of small papules. Besnier’s prurigo is a type of chronic atopic *eczema that is lichenified (see lichenification). Nodular prurigo is a condition of unknown cause, although it is usually found in atopic individuals (see atopy). Very severe itching characterizes these nodules, which mostly occur on the distal limbs. Prurigo of pregnancy occurs in 1 in 300 women in the middle trimester of pregnancy, affecting mainly the abdomen and the extensor surfaces of the limbs. It may recur in later pregnancies. It is linked to abnormal blood hormone levels, particularly elevated levels of gonadotrophins and lower levels of cortisol and oestrogen. Pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy is a similar pruritic eruption, predominantly on the trunk and thighs, consisting of follicular papules and pustules. It usually presents in the latter half of pregnancy and resolves early after delivery.... prurigo