There are claims that the first association between Valentine’s Day and romance was referenced by Chaucer writing in the 14th century. In any event, there was a certain element of romance by the time Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in 1600.

Paper Valentines, the beginnings of the Valentine Day cards, became popular in the early 1800s; so popular it was written that “St Valentine’s Day” had virtually become a “national holy day” in the USA.

Whilst around the time of Valentine’s Day 2010 our thoughts may still turn to romance, those romantic thoughts may not be so likely if you’re afflicted with an annoying cold sore.

Your friends and family probably won’t find cold sores all that appealing either; a fact confirmed by a survey conducted a few years ago by one of the pharmaceutical companies involved with the marketing of a cold sore relief cream. Cold sores were shown to be more off-putting than tinea, dandruff or even bad breath!

In this warm summer weather, cold sores will be more common. Dry, burnt lips present the ideal conditions for a cold sore to break out.

Nevertheless, there are effective products to treat cold sores and some excellent information from your local pharmacy on how to prevent them from occurring.

Pharmacies which provide the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information have a recently updated “fact card” on cold sores. It tells you all you need to know, and more, about these annoying little skin infections – what cold sores are, how they occur, what medicines help and how best to use them.

Cold sores are caused by one of the viruses from the herpes family, known as herpes simplex (HSV). There are two types of HSV infections. HSV-1 usually causes infections on the face, such as cold sores around the lips and nose, whereas HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes.

Unfortunately, cold sores come back time after time because, as with all the herpes infections, the virus “hides” in the nerve cells in the skin at or near the original site. A range of triggers can then reactivate the virus to cause another cold sore – as well as sunburn, other triggers can include cold weather, fever, illness, and fatigue; in fact just about anything that puts our immune system under some stress.

There are formulations containing so-called immune system boosters: ascorbic acid, zinc and the amino acid lysine; but there is little evidence to support the use of other herbal or vitamin products in the prevention and treatment of cold sores.

Mild and occasional cases of cold sores can be treated with anaesthetic and analgesic ointments, creams and lotions. Topical antiviral preparations containing acyclovir or penciclovir will help if applied frequently and from the first sign of the lesion – that is when the itch or tingle is first noticed. Severe or recurrent cold sores respond well to oral antiviral medications which are currently available as prescription products.

Cold sores are easily transferred from person to person, and they can be particularly dangerous if caught by babies or people taking medicine that affects their immune system. Cold sores are not the kind of condition that you can kiss better – kissing’s a sure fire way of spreading them around. In fact kissing’s probably very much off the agenda anyway. With cold sores you’re almost certain to get the cold shoulder as well.

There may be no permanent cure for cold sores, at least not yet (not even St Valentine has the answer); but you need to know how best to prevent them and how best to treat them when they do occur – so your social life won’t become “no social life at all”. Phone the Pharmaceutical Society (PSA) on 1300 369 772 or visit the website www.psa.org.au to find the nearest pharmacy providing the Cold Sore fact card and have a talk with your pharmacist.

©2010 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Tinea on the toes and elsewhere on the foot – commonly called “athlete’s foot” – is probably the best known of all the fungal infections. It’s caused by a group of fungi called “dermatophytes”. Areas of the body other than the feet can be affected. Fungal nail infections which are notoriously difficult to treat are generally caused by this kind of fungus.

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Other forms of fungal infections are caused by yeasts and moulds. The infection known as candidiasis, or thrush, is caused by the Candida species of yeasts. Candida infections may be easily confused with other fungal infections such as tinea or bacterial infections such as impetigo or even non-infectious skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.

Candidiasis commonly affects those parts of the body where skin rubs against skin, especially if the environment is warm and moist. If the patient – man, woman or child – is overweight or obese, the risk is even greater still. So, the areas where you are likely to see those beasty yeasts multiply (or rather where you would like to avoid seeing them), are the groin, under the breasts, the armpits and maybe beneath the beer gut.

Candidiasis of the skin usually responds well to topical treatments. Products containing nystatin are effective but the broader spectrum imidazoles (such as Canesten, Clonea, Daktarin, Mycospor, Nizoral, Pevaryl or Resolve) will be a better choice if infection with dermatophytes (tinea) is also suspected.

If the area is inflamed or itchy, a combination of one of the imidazole antifungals plus hydrocortisone might be useful (products such as Hydrozole or Resolve Plus which are available directly from your pharmacist). In most cases of nappy rash, Candida infection is present, so one of these creams is an appropriate treatment.

A regular routine associated with nappy changes will help reduce the risk of thrush infection: change nappies frequently and do not use plastic overpants or nappy liners which prevent the skin from drying; use a soap substitute and dispersible oil for bathing; use a damp cloth or baby wipes that do not contain alcohol; and apply an emollient such as zinc and castor oil cream after each nappy change – your pharmacist can recommend a suitable product.

Oral thrush is also common in babies; but not only babies. Older people (with a less competent immune system) and denture wearers are at increased risk, as are smokers and people with a chronic dry mouth condition. People who use so-called corticosteroid preventer puffers for asthma may also be at risk if the mouth is not rinsed properly after using the puffer.

Various antifungal gels and drops are available to treat oral thrush. If dry mouth is a trigger factor, then saliva stimulatory products will be useful. Specially formulated mouthwashes, gels, gums and toothpaste can help. Oral thrush in adults can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition; so it needs to be investigated.

Vaginal thrush can be particularly uncomfortable, and recurrence is common. Creams and pessaries are available to treat vaginal thrush; and they come in seven day, three day or single dose therapy. The single dose treatments are usually only effective for the first or infrequent episodes. A single dose oral treatment (fluconazole) is now also available and may be chosen when the topical treatments (creams and pessaries) have not been successful, or if the preference is for oral therapy.

Thrush symptoms can be very distressing but they can be treated effectively and comparatively easily. A summary of the causes, the aggravating factors, the treatment and the self help hints to reduce the risk of re-infection, is printed on the recently updated Fact Card titled Thrush.

The card is available from all pharmacies around Australia which provide the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. Check out the nearest Self Care pharmacy at www.psa.org.au or phone the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772.

©2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

However, as a result of exposure (often over exposure), to unfriendly “elements” and occasional (sometimes frequent) neglect by its owner, skin can become quite traumatised. And the result: a dry, inflamed, irritating, itchy redness of the skin known as eczema.

Dermatitis is another term used to describe an inflammation of the skin. In fact, the two words eczema and dermatitis, both of Greek origin, can be used interchangeably; but the term eczema is also commonly used to describe the specific condition known as atopic dermatitis (AD).

Dermatitis or eczema can be acute, that is occurring somewhat suddenly and of short duration, or it can be chronic, that is long lasting and difficult to treat effectively.

It can also be classified as exogenous, where the condition is triggered by external factors such as irritants or allergy causing substances; or it can be classified as endogenous – that is, due to internal factors or an inherited tendency – and it is this form which is generally known as atopic dermatitis (AD generally begins in infancy or childhood; with 60% of cases occurring in the first year of life and 30% between the ages of one and five years).

People who are pre-disposed to atopic dermatitis nearly always have a family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever. If both parents have eczema, there’s an 80% chance the children will too. In fact, if you sniffle, sneeze and wheeze, there’s a good chance you’ll itch and scratch as well.

Allergic or contact dermatitis is common and sometimes severe; but if the external cause can be identified a cure is much more achievable. Chemical irritants – soaps, detergents, wool, oils and so on – can often be avoided, or gloves used to protect the hands from direct contact. Nickel in jewellery is a well recognised allergen, as is lanolin in cosmetics and toiletries.

In any event, in many cases of eczema, the cause is a combination of both internal and external factors. And regardless of the type or cause of eczema, the management principles are much the same. If infection is present, that needs to be treated; then the aim is to relieve the symptoms – the itch, redness and inflammation.

So-called corticosteroid (cortisone-like) preparations are the main topical treatment. The weaker strength steroid creams and ointments are available without prescription, but the stronger products should only be used under medical supervision. Non-prescription products containing tar or ichthammol might be suitable for less severe cases. Once the condition has been stabilised, keeping the skin well hydrated is essential in the overall control of eczema and the prevention of “flare-ups” of the acute phase. Regular use of moisturisers and non-soapy cleansers is important.

The recently revised Fact Card titled Eczema and Dermatitis is now available from pharmacies providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. Phone 1300 369 772 or visit the website www.psa.org.au/pharmacies

You can also get cards on other skin conditions – Acne, Cold Sores, Hair Loss, Head Lice, Shingles and Tinea.

©2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Called Beyond Reasonable Drought the exhibition is currently on view at Old Parliament House in Canberra; and from October will tour around Australia.

The problems of climate change and water resource issues in our “sunburnt country” are now well known. Not of the same magnitude, but nevertheless discomforting are personal problems caused by the dry weather, especially during winter.

The cold weather encourages us to spend too much time in a hot bath or shower, and the harsh soaps we use further strip away the natural layer of protective oils. The result is skin which much more easily becomes itchy, red and inflamed.

Sometimes a skin problem is the first sign of a more serious condition that needs proper and thorough investigation. Childhood infections like measles and chickenpox may only come to notice by way of the rash that accompanies the other more obscure symptoms; and those supersensitive people amongst us may find that contact with various substances will cause irritating skin allergies. However, skin problems often result from, or are made worse by, lack of care and attention.

Eczema and dermatitis are two general terms which mean very much the same thing – inflammation of the skin. Medically speaking there are two major forms of eczema: contact eczema and atopic eczema. As the name suggests contact eczema results from direct contact with an irritant substance, often a chemical substance such as detergent, shampoo, cosmetics or the metal in jewellery. Redness, minor swelling, oozing and itching might all be features of contact eczema.

The cause of atopic eczema is not so easy to define. It tends to occur in families and is more likely to affect people who also have asthma or hay fever. Atopic eczema may be made worse by stress. Sometimes, it may be itchy, red and inflamed with small weeping blisters; sometimes it may be dry and scaly, usually in the creases of the elbows, knees and wrists.

If you have a chronic skin condition such as eczema or dermatitis avoid the use of soaps altogether. Instead use substitutes – creams such as aqueous or sorbolene cream or the specially formulated Cetaphil range of products.

The addition of tar products (like Pinetarsol) to the bath will help relieve the itch and irritation; and hydrocortisone creams (such as Dermaid) which are now available without prescription are also very effective to reduce the swelling and redness as well as the itch. A prescription product containing the new steroid ingredient pimacrolimus may be helpful for atopic dermatitis, particularly for children.

For skin which is extra sensitive to chemicals, cotton gloves should be used next to the skin, and then rubber or vinyl gloves over the top, when washing or doing work around the house. Once the rash is under control, the application of a barrier cream will help prevent its recurrence.

Of course skin rashes can occur as a result of any number of different causes. The rash needs to be correctly diagnosed so that the cause is identified and if possible removed, and the right treatment used.

The new fact card titled Eczema and Dermatitis will help you differentiate between one skin problem and another and help you choose the best possible treatment.

This card along with around 80 others in the Self Care series is available from pharmacies throughout Australia providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s health information. Phone 1300 369 772 for the nearest location.

©2008 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

For some of us acne will persist long beyond our teenage years, and it may affect areas of the skin more likely to be visible only in the summer months – the chest, the shoulder and the upper back.

At the very least acne is annoying and unpleasant. At the other end of the acne scale, it can leave sufferers with both physical and psychological scars.

Fortunately even the most severe cases of acne respond pretty well to modern therapy; but despite this fact, there are still many myths and misconceptions about acne.

In treating acne, it helps to understand how acne occurs. About the age of puberty there is a hormone related surge in the production of sebum – an oily substance whose function is to lubricate and soften the skin. Males are generally more likely to suffer with acne than females, although hormone changes during pregnancy or when taking the oral contraceptive can also cause acne.

This increase in sebum combined with dead skin cells causes a blockage in the hair follicle which encourages the overgrowth of normally well behaved bacteria known as propionibacterium acnes. It’s the reaction between the bacteria and the sebum/dead skin cell “plugs” that results in the inflammation described as acne, pimples or zits.

The treatment of acne, even mild acne, should never be delayed. Early attention can reduce the potential for the social, psychological and physical adverse effects of the condition. The aim of acne treatment is to unblock that plug (sometimes called comedone) in the hair follicle, and to reduce the production of sebum, the number of bacteria on the skin and the inflammation. Salicylic acid 2% in alcohol is a useful peeling lotion for the face. Slightly stronger concentrations can be used for other parts of the body.

Non-prescription topical treatments can be used for all types of acne. However, if the condition is unresponsive after 6 weeks or so, it’s best to see your GP. A course of antibiotics or combination peeling agent and topical antibiotic may be needed.

Severe acne will almost always require prescription therapy – specially formulated oral contraceptive pills work well for women. And dermatologists can prescribe specific medicines for severe cystic acne.

The gentle, non-soapy cleansers and fragrance-free, non-oily moisturisers and sunscreens are recommended to counteract the dry skin and sun sensitivity that most acne treatments will cause.

For more up-to-date advice about acne, pick up one of the Acne fact cards at pharmacies providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care information. Phone 1300 369 772 for the nearest location.

©2008 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia