Diagnostic Studies And Procedures

The goal of diagnostic procedures is to differentiate histoplasmosis from other diseases. In addition to chest X-rays, studies may include skin and blood tests. Laboratory examinations of sputum, urine, bone marrow, and a liver biopsy may also be ordered.

Medical Treatments

Depending on the extent of the infection, the medication of choice is either of two antjfungal agents: ketoconazole (Nizoral), which is given by mouth, or amphotericin B (Fungizone), which is administered intravenously. If the infection has reached the central nervous system, as might happen in people who have AIDS, amphotericin B is injected into the spinal column. While the adverse side effects of ketoconazole nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and itching are minor when compared with those of amphotericin B fat loss, anemia, fever, and kidney disorders both of these drugs must be monitored closely because of their potential to produce liver toxicity. Antifungal medications are not effective for treating the histoplasmosis syndrome that affects the eyes. In these instances, treatment consists of a combination of corticosteroids, laser surgery, and radiation therapy, all directed to the retina. In cases of extensive lung damage, the affected portions of the lung may be surgically removed.

When a person has red, inflamed and other irritations of the skin, the may be suffering with a form of dermatitis called Eczema. Usually indicated by dry, red, flaking skin, in serious cases the victim may even have oozing or even bleeding. Affected areas are often first treated with anti-itching drugs which as a consequence stops the person from scratching which can be an effective Eczema treatment.

The problem with Eczema is that the skin loses its natural moisture which needs to be replaced so moisturizing creams or lotions. As far as the sufferer is concerned, anything that helps the skin retain its moisture and natural oils is encouraged and products that remove moisture are discouraged. Moistening agents are called emollients and the rule for their use is to match the thicker ointments to the driest, flakiest skin. When the skin is this dry, aqueous cream and other light emollients cannot be used as they dry the skin out further. Often in milder cases of Eczema, treatment, Hydrocortisone or Desonide corticosteroids can be used with great success in reducing the severity of Eczema but unfortunately are not a permanent solution.

Eczema sufferers are usually warned about the problems of corticosteroid overuse and the skin problems that can be caused when it is applied to frequently. Research has shown that one of the reasons for Eczema could be the type of diet the sufferer has and any allergic reactions they may have to certain foodstuffs. Still in the early stages of research this could prove invaluable for those people whose Eczema is caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. Those foods indicated in being Eczema triggers are wheat, milk, cheese, butter, eggs, Soya, coffee and nuts but varies from individual to another.

Of course both alternative medicine and Chinese Traditional Medicine also have Eczema treatments. Should you decide to try either of these methods you will be required to inform your dermatologist or doctor straight away. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western herbalism, suggest a wide variety of treatments, each of which may vary from individual to individual as there efficacy or harm. Eczema can mean that the problem areas of skin allow bacteria to infect the system; so antibiotics are used to help alleviate this problem as well as cure the condition.

To make matters worse, the Eczema sufferer can cause this problem themselves by constant scratching. For skin that is already sensitive, this is not a good thing as any further infection will just cause more problems unless a course of antibiotics is given. The UVA band of Ultraviolet light has become another type of acne treatment that has some degree of success. It would be foolish to consider this a long term Eczema therapy bearing in mind the problems associated with excessive UVA exposure on the skin. This article cannot possible explain every Eczema treatment available but has been written to give an idea of the main options available.