Hervey Bay Local Health News

Maggie’s Secret skin cream has been developed, trialed and tested over a period of seven years, resulting in an effective skin cream with outstanding qualities including …

*  RELIEF           - Fast relief from the pain and irritation of skin damage
*  PROTECTION - Anti-bacterial ingredient to reduce the risk of infection.
*  HEALING        - Safe, natural healing.
*  SKIN CARE    - To keep skin naturally healthy.

Maggie’s Secret Skin Cream was originally developed by Margaret to provide personal relief from severe skin problems suffered over many years.

Tests were carried out over a period of time using various formulas comprising mainly natural ingredients. Finally Margaret achieved the results sought. She had developed a skin cream  which  provided  fast  relief  from  the discomfort of her severely cracked skin with the bonus of having an effective healing capability.

In just a few days the lifelong crippling damage to the skin of Margaret’s feet began to heal and a short time later the skin was completely healed. Similarly, the cream proved to be effective for the removal of dry spots on her face, hands, arms and legs.

Maggie’s Secret Skin Cream worked for her.

Encouraged by these results, Margaret extended trials to cover a range of skin ailments. Samples of the cream were distributed and tested with reports confirming that Maggie’s Secret Skin Cream was indeed effective for the treatment of a wide range of skin problems.

The Ingredients
A unique formula of natural products including anti-bacterial Manuka Honey Active 12+, blended with essential oils and aqueous cream. Preservative phenoxyethanol.

Active UMF Manuka Honey
Active UMF Manuka Honey was first discovered by Dr Peter Molan M.B.E of New Zealand’s Waikato University Honey Research Unit, while doing routine research on the anti-bacterial properties of honeys in general. Dr. Molan has since received an M.B.E. for his outstanding work on honey.

The anti-bacterial component is measured against Phenol in disinfectant. Only Manuka honey with a rating of 10+ or more can carry this UMF trademark. A UMF rating of 10+ or higher is recommended to effectively clear an infection. Manuka Honey UMF 12+ is the level used in Maggie’s Secret Skin Cream.

Active UMF Manuka honey has shown to be effective against a wide range of bacteria and fungi including Staphylococcus aureus the most common cause of I wound infections, and the MRSA ’super bug’.

Active   Manuka   honey has the UMF factor (Unique Manuka Factor) that is not found in any other honey. Manuka honey has unique health properties, which make il special, compared to other honeys and is used in many ways tc support the healing process that the body needs to stay healthy.

Maggie’s Secret Skin Cream is a product of Maggie’s Secret Pry Ltd. ABN 26 107 328 932. For further information please visit our website at www.maggiessecret.com.au.

Dandruff is a common scalp condition caused by too much shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Dandruff is an embarrassing condition that affects many people. Having dandruff may cause a lack of confidence and low self-esteem.

The good news is there are treatments and steps that can be taken to help prevent and control problem dandruff. Understanding what dandruff is and the factors that cause it are the first steps in self care treatment and prevention - talk to your pharmacist about which treatments are best for you.

What is dandruff
A normal scalp skin sheds old cells in a cycle once every month. These old cells usually go unnoticed as there are very few of them at any one time. In dandruff the shedding of the dead skin cells from the scalp occurs at an excessive rate. The skin cells cycle every week, or even every three to four days.

Dandruff can happen at any age, but is more common from 12 years of age, peaking at 20 years of age. A form of dandruff known as cradle cap can occur in newborn babies and infants. Dandruff tends to be seasonal. It is most severe during winter and mildest during the summer.

Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with small, round white to grey scales (flakes) on top of the head, which itch. Sometimes the flakes may appear yellow in colour and are waxy or greasy. Scales can occur anywhere on the scalp, in the hair, on the eyebrows, in the beard, and can spread to the neck and shoulders.

Dandruff is not dangerous, does not cause balding and is not contagious. Dandruff is a natural process and it can not be eliminated or cured. However dandruff can be effectively managed and controlled with the right treatment and self care.

Causes   
Dandruff and the fungus theory
The exact cause of dandruff is unknown. However, today most skin specialists agree that dandruff is linked with the overgrowth of a tiny fungus present on the scalp called  Pityrosporutn ovale, P. ovale for short.

This fungus lives on our bodies and scalp all the time, usually without causing any problems. Unfortunately, for some people, it can increase in number, leading to dandruff.

Another possible cause may be overactive oil glands on the scalp which cause an increase of the natural skin shedding process. Clogged oil glands on the scalp are also another possible cause. These clogged pores can lead to over-drying and flaking of the skin.
(more…)

Tinea is a fungal infection that grows best on warm, moist skin. The usual sites are warm, sweaty areas of the body, such as between the toes, beneath the breasts and in the groin. Tinea is sometimes called ‘ringworm’, which is misleading as it has nothing to do with worms. Tinea can be treated with the
help of a pharmacist.

Tinea is contagious, and is spread from person to person through skin-to-skin contact, or indirectly through towels, clothes and floors. It is also spread through animals such as cats, dogs, horses or cattle, or from soil, although this is rare.

Signs and symptoms

Warning
Some rashes look like tinea but are not. See a doctor if:
*       The rash is red, inflamed or starts to ooze, weep or smell
*        Nails become infected - look yellow, thick and crumbly
*        The rash does not get better with treatment
*        You also have diabetes or circulation problems
*        You are unsure if your rash is tinea
*        Hair is being lost from a tinea on the scalp.

A doctor may scrape some skin to check under a microscope. Do not put anything on the skin before the scraping is taken as this can make it hard for a doctor to find out what is causing the rash.

Tinea of the feet (athlete’s foot, tinea pedis)
*    Skin on feet appears soft and whitish, often with cracks and redness
*    Seen especially between the toes
*    Often itchy, and may burn and sting
*    May have an unpleasant smell
*    May have small fluid-filled blisters.

Tinea of the groin - jock itch
*    Itchy, red rash on the inner thighs, usually with scaly edges, clearing in the centre; sometimes occurs in the pubic area and between the buttocks
*    Small fluid filled blisters in rash area.

Tinea can also affect the other areas including the scalp, body and nails, particularly the toenails.
*   Slightly raised, itchy red patch on body, often round with a scaly edge and clearing centre
*    Small fluid-filled blisters in the patch
*    On the scalp, may appear as scaly patches with broken hairs.

(more…)

The sun’s rays are harmful to the skin. Melanin, the natural pigment in the skin, gives some protection from these damaging rays, but for most people, it is not enough. UVB rays cause sunburn and also affect the DNA in the skin which may cause skin cancer. UVA rays damage the skin, causing wrinkling, sagging and premature ageing, and may also have a role in causing skin cancer. Visible light may trigger photosensitivity reactions and a recurrence of cold sores.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight is made up of UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Only some UVB and most UVA rays reach the earth’s surface. UVC and shorter UVB rays are either absorbed in space or in the ozone layer.

There is less UVR in the morning and evening, when the sun is closer to the horizon, and less in winter than in summer. During the middle hours of the day UVR is greater because there is less atmosphere for it to pass through. There is also more UVR closer to the equator, at high altitudes and when pollution levels are low.

Risks
If you have fair or sensitive skin or spend a lot of time in the sun or outdoors without protection, you risk:
*    Sunburn
*    Wrinkles, sunspots
*    Coarse leathery skin
*    Skin cancer.

Important
See your doctor if you have:
*    An unusual skin condition that does not heal within four weeks - including any lump, sore, ulcer or scaly patch on the skin, or white patch on the lips.
*    A freckle, mole or spot that appears or changes over a period of months.
*    An unusual freckle, mole or spot - look for irregular shape, uneven surface, colour change in the freckle, mole or skin around it. Do not hesitate to see your doctor - the earlier you have it checked, the easier it will be to treat.
*    Skin cancer in adults is related to the amount of exposure to UVA and UVB rays during childhood.
*    Clouds do not block out UVA and UVB rays.
*    White surfaces (e.g. cement, sand, snow) reflect sunlight and increase exposure to UVA and UVB rays.
*    Sunlight goes through water and can burn while you swim.
*    Wind may be cooling, but the sun still burns the skin.

Signs and symptoms
Melanoma
*    The most dangerous skin cancer
*    If treated early, 90% can be curable
*    May appear as a new spot or an existing freckle or mole that changes colour, size or shape
*    Usually has an irregular or smudgy outline and may be several different colours
*    Grows over weeks to months, anywhere on the body.

(more…)