Essentially Quinny Maria Arora

Also known as Chloasma, Melasma is a condition where there is hyperpigmentation of the skin (dark discolouration). It usually shows on the face, especially around the cheek area but can show over the whole face at times. It is also a condition which affects mainly females with South Eastern Asian genetics, but it can affect anyone including males. 
What is the difference between Melasma and Chloasma?
Chloasma is when the discolouration is caused by pregnancy.
What triggers Melasma?
The primary trigger of Melasma is hormones. In particular, an imbalance between Progesterone and Estrogen. 
Stress (a primary and secondary trigger) can aggravate the condition as well as other conditions which cause hormonal imbalance (for example, pregnancy). 
How do we treat Melasma?
The first step is to see what your hormone levels are through a saliva test. We can then work on balancing your hormones. 
For topical support (on the affected area) we use a natural exfoliator made with fruit peel along with other natural products. 
Nutritional support is important if you are under long term stress (have something to ‘push’ through) or are pregnant.
Can it be cured?
In some cases we can reverse Melasma, but this depends on individual circumstances like age and general health. In most cases we can stop it from progressing or reduce the presentation.
Support
If you would like natural support for Melasma, visit https://www.aurorahealingcodes.com/  to book your appointment.

Rosacea is often thought of as an appearance problem, where the person is red in the face. While this is not untrue, most people do not realise that, when aggravated, it causes eye-sight problems, pain and irritation and face deformity. It also does not just ‘appear’ out of nowhere and the primary cause needs to be addressed if the person wishes to recover.
 
Four types of Rosacea
There are four different kinds of Rosacea. This doesn’t mean there are four separate types of Rosacea, more that one Rosacea episode can lead into a more aggravated form. 
The first stage is where everything is quite red and the face has capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that are quite noticeable. Many people feel embarrassed about this and with this the face flushes very easily. This is called Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (a mouthful to pronounce!).
The next stage is Papilla Pustular Rosacea, where the skin presents with elevations, called papules. This can be quite agitating as the skin is already irritated and burning from the first stage. This often gets confused with Acne. The difference is the papules which form in acne contain pus whereas the Rosacea papules are generally just raised bumps.
Phymatous Rosacea is when the nose starts to enlarge and the person starts to get an out-of-shape, contorted nose. This can become quite evident, further adding to embarrassment.
The last stage is where the ocular comes into play and is usually the most aggravating phase. Ocular refers to the eye and with Ocular Rosacea the eyelid becomes droopy, the eyes become very red and eyesight is affected. 
 
What causes Rosacea?
As I mentioned, Rosacea doesn’t just happen for no reason. There are primary and secondary triggers (as I have explained in previous episodes). 
Primary Trigger (causal factor)
Hormones - Estrogen dominance, high levels of cortisol and the balance of your hormones generally is the best place to start your investigation.
Secondary Triggers (Aggravating factors)
These are often things that people become aware of through experience, for example:
Hot, spicy food Heat - For example, when washing your face use cool water and pat your face (don’t rub) to dry it (rubbing creates friction which means heat generation).  Make-up and creams containing irritating chemicals Quick changes of temperature - Creates changes in the capillaries (dilation and constriction) Medication - Especially those that increase blood flow as they flush more blood to the area, forcing the capillaries to overstretch and then they have difficulty returning to normal.  Histamine producing foods and drinks - For example, wine, tomatoes, fermented food and drinks, dairy, strawberries Stress - Directly affects your hormonal balance   
Treatment
Getting the right diagnosis is important as skin rashes, hives, eczema etc can all look similar to the untrained eye but treatment may be different depending on the primary and secondary triggers. 
Supplementation - Be careful to not take anything that is going to expand the blood vessels. Instead we want something with a cooling effect.  Reduce and avoid secondary triggers Ocular and nose changes/damage - Once at this point it can be very difficult and perhaps impossible to completely revert the condition and the damage it has caused.  Ointments - We have an ointment in the clinic which has a wonderful cooling effect and also works very well for the Papilla Pustular presentation. To book an appointment (over Zoom or in person) with Maria, contact Perth Psoriasis and Good Skin Clinic through the website https://www.perthpsoriasis.com.au/ 

Next week we will be talking about Lichen Planters.

This week we are talking about Granuloma Annulare and like most skin conditions, it is an autoimmune condition. Granuloma Annulare is often mistaken for the fungal condition, Tinea Corporis (Ringworm) because it looks similar. It is not contagious, does not hurt or burn and can be addressed quite quickly through stress levels and diet. 
The difference between Tinea Corporis and Granuloma Annulare
Tinea Corporis presents as a little raised, reddish, round lesion on the skin, with a well defined edge. It can also be flakey and/or itchy in the middle. Granuloma Annulare also has a well defined raised edge and circular appearance but it has a completely different centre. The centre of the Granuloma Annulare is flat, does not (usually) itch or flake and has a wave of different tones of pinks and purples.
It is worth remembering here that if you have any skin condition which is itchy, it is likely a result of your liver not functioning well (e.g. too much sugar and heavy foods) or you are dehydrated from the sun and/or from not drinking enough water. 
Where does it present?
Granuloma Annulare is most common in females and young adults but can occur in anyone. It presents most commonly on the hands, feet and heels but I have seen it on faces and the trunk of the body as well. Diagnosis can be done through a biopsy.
Treatment
To treat this condition we look at primary and secondary triggers (as we have discussed previously). We know the primary trigger (what caused the condition) is active if there are new lesions appearing on the skin. A calm nervous system is essential for healing so we look at how much stress the body is under and how we can reduce it to help stop the primary trigger. 
We can see if the secondary triggers (what aggravates the condition) are active by looking at whether or not the existing lesions are getting bigger or worse. 
As I said, in most cases, Granuloma Annulare can be addressed quite quickly through stress levels and diet. This is because the Granuloma Annulare affects the fibrin net of the skin which is usually the elastin and collagen. This fibrin net requires nutrients to keep producing elastin and collagen (which is why we look at diet) but it also requires certain hormones (which is case specific).
Vitamin D, Vitamin E, coconut oil and apple cider vinegar can all be helpful when you have Granuloma Annulare as they are very supportive of the skin. However, they will not treat the condition. Treating the condition will require both internal and topical support in the majority of cases for a fast recovery. The longer the condition has been present (before seeking assistance) the longer it will (likely) take to recover.
Next week we are talking about Rosacea. 
To book an appointment (over Zoom or in person) with Maria, contact Perth Psoriasis and Good Skin Clinic through the website https://www.perthpsoriasis.com.au/ 

This is episode four in our holistic care for skin series. Fungal conditions of the skin not only affect how your skin appears but can also be extremely painful, itchy and debilitating. Today we are talking about what the most common fungal conditions are and how we can treat them naturally.
Fungal conditions are something we call mycosis, which is an external fungus which is bigger than a bacteria and takes over your body. We normally know the fungal condition called Candida (or yeast) which makes many females panic because it can be a really tough issue to get on top of, especially because it tends to show up in the vaginal area which is very moist making it the perfect area for Candida to grow. In today’s episode however, we are not talking about internal presentations of Candida like this, but we will address it as a skin presentation. 
Forms of fungal conditions on the skin:
Pityriasis Versicolor - Trunk, neck and/or arms
Tinea Corporis - Most common type, known as ringworm. Corporis Means in your body or comes from your core. 
Tinea Pedis - Presents mostly between the toes but can also be seen between fingers. 
Tinea Cruris - Presents in the groin area, between thighs and genitals. 
Candida - Presents in the genital region (jocks itch) and also under the breasts
There are other forms as well but as these are the most common this is where we will focus our attention today.
For a fungal condition to take hold of the body it must have the right body conditions. The biggest factor is a low body pH (acidic). We have spoken about being too acid a lot in previous episodes. If you missed it I highly recommend going back and learning how to alkalise your body. Moisture and darkness are two other conditions which encourage fungal growth on the body.
Tinea Corporis (Ringworm) lives in soils, pets and water with the perfect conditions described above. If/when we come in contact with it and we have a low pH it will be able to grow and spread, using our body as a host. You can see the effects of ringworm on the skin where you get patches of light red circles with defined edges. They are almost flat and slightly flaky. These spots will not necessarily itch. 
Tinea Pedis shows up more like a cut in between the toes. It can be very painful, especially when you sweat, due to the rawness and blistering it can create. Candida varies from Tinea in that it is a lot more red and itchy.
Pityriasis Versicolor is a different family or variety of fungus from Tinea. It prevents the sunlight from hitting the melanocytes (sun receptors on the skin which create pigment) and thus creates patchy, white areas over the body. Pityriasis Versicolor does not create flakiness or have a well defined edge.
What should you be aware of if a fungal condition has taken hold?
Look at what you are eating and drinking that could be contributing to a low pH. Reduce stress levels - High cortisol can definitely make you acid.  Supplement to help neutralise the pH If it is on the toes, keep them dry.  Avoid synthetics and polyester in which you will tend to sweat and trap the sweat in. Cotton is both breathable and cooling so it is the best option. Some people tend to use talcum powder to help with Tinea, but it is very toxic so it is not recommended. However, arrowroot powder is a good substitute and if you have essential oils you can blend a few drops of Lavender (not Lavandin as that will burn) with the arrowroot before applying.  For the other types where they are covering large areas (that aren’t necessarily moist) we need to use an ointment. Sometimes we also need to exfoliate, especially with tinea corporis, as we need to remove the scale as the fungus dies so the new skin can come through. Exfoliation is best done twice a day as the skin regenerates about 3 times per day.   Support the immune system as a low immune system leaves the door open for any number of parasites, bacteria, viruses etc and fungus is no exception. A good start

This is the third episode in a series about natural treatment for skin conditions.
I have become known as a complementary dermatologist for supporting people with skin conditions in a natural way. Remember that the information I give is for guidance and for your understanding and not for treatment or diagnosis purposes. 
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition which can present in many different ways, according to the type of psoriasis. It can range in intensity and effect on quality of life from very mild to severe and even death. Most people are not aware there are nine forms of psoriasis or that most forms of psoriasis are not scaling conditions (where the skin flakes off). Psoriasis also often gets mistaken for candida (yeast) infections or fungal nail conditions, which makes patients believe there is no help for their symptoms (because the treatment given is not effective). However, with the right holistic treatment, great relief and healing occurs.
Where psoriasis presents on the body...
Plaque Psoriasis -  Plaque psoriasis can either be thick plaques or hyperkeratotic plaques which often look like fish scales. Plaque psoriasis is often seen around the elbows and knees but it can also go to other parts of the body.
Erythrodermic psoriasis - This is when 90% of the body becomes red, hot, inflamed and oozing fluid. Erythrodermic psoriasis can literally kill patients and people with this condition are often hospitalised. It is a very exhausting and aggravating condition.
I recall having a young teen patient with erythrodermic psoriasis who, after a year in hospital, did not have much relief. With tissue salts and some other natural treatments this patient experienced great relief within two weeks and within a month she was almost fully restored. 
Scalp psoriasis - On the head.
Palm or plantar psoriasis - On the base of the feet and palms of the hand.
Pustular psoriasis - Presents as little vesicles (small white or yellow pus-filled pustules). This condition can become quite nasty.
Flexural psoriasis - Is generally thin and red and is seen on the groin, armpit, where the mammary glands are (breasts) and/or umbilical area.
Joints - Psoriasis on the joints can be very painful and is often mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis. One of the keys to identifying it as psoriasis is noticing that it is on the small joints like the toe joints. It is common for psoriasis on the toe joint to become swollen, hot and very painful to the touch. 
Aggravating substances to joint pain associated with psoriasis are grains (specifically wheat products) and aromatic synthetic substances. The key to keeping the joints happy is to alkalise the body. Joints and a low pH (acid) do not work well together. 
Nail psoriasis - Nail psoriasis can make the nails very thick and sometimes there can be thick ridges and even drops of blood.
What else do we need to consider when supporting the body to heal psoriasis?
Reducing stress Supporting major organs, especially the liver Mineral support Topical support Psoriasis is different to eczema and dermatitis as it needs to be supported locally on the part of the skin that is inflamed/hardened. The skin normally regenerates three times a day so having an application of ointment is essential to support the improvement otherwise the area can get quite dry. If the skin is dry then it will be itchy. The itchiness makes the person scratch and when the person scratches it brings a breakdown on the surface of the skin. As a consequence the person tends to rebuild their scale because there is normally a faulty system with psoriasis where the skin regenerates more than one layer. Hydration is also important for the same reason in that if you are dehydrated you will scratch more. 
Diet wise, people with psoriasis should avoid histamine inducing foods and any food which is heavy on the liver. If the liver is not functioning properly then itchy skin is one of the effects of excess toxin

This is the second of a series of episodes about skin conditions.
 I have become known as a complementary dermatologist for supporting people with skin conditions in a natural way. Remember that the information I give is for guidance and for your understanding and not for treatment or diagnosis purposes. 
Eczema is a distressing condition which affects many children and adults. It is often treated with steroid creams and treatments which do not help in the long term healing and rebalancing of the body. When you understand what is happening when the body presents with eczema you can find great relief and healing with the right steps of body support.
The difference between eczema and dermatitis
Eczema is usually more localised than dermatitis and you usually find it in the cubital fossa (inner elbow) or the popliteal fossa (behind the knee). Other common areas include around the neck, mouth and eyes. Eczema can be considered as an atopic presentation, meaning it is a long standing condition which tends to flare periodically.
There are different ways that eczema can present, including:
Nummular eczema - coin-like and responds a little different from normal type of eczema Generalized - Everything gets red itchy and extremely swollen (looks like a dermatitis presentation) Lichen-like presentation - when it looks leather-like, usually a chronic condition What triggers eczema to flare?
When eczema flares, it is the immune system saying, “I am not happy. There is something annoying me. Please can we get rid of this trigger!” We then need to look at what these triggers may be and we address both external and internal factors.
External factors include pollens, grasses, animal fur, food, dust mites and chemical agents. We also have internal factors like stress hormones which can create an aggravation.
If the eczema is red, hot, itchy and/or burning then we know we are having a histamine response (see last week's episode # 30). 
Factors to consider with eczema
Are proteins from dietary intake breaking down properly? Is the blood and gut pH balanced? Is the gut flora balanced Do we need to support any mineral deficiencies? What is the trigger and how can we remove it? We need to consider each of these factors and perhaps change more than one but not every case will need to have each area addressed. Quite often, the difficulty is trying to work out what is causing the problem. Is it internal or external, environmental or nutrition or a combination?!
As a rule of thumb, when we are treating eczema we:
Deworm - When parasites have been in the body for a while, we tend to get leaky gut, have poor digestion and uptake of nutrients and have an acid pH. As a consequence the immune response becomes higher (which can result in eczema flares). Introduce high quality probiotics Take digestive enzymes Cut histamines, grains, dairy, nuts and acid forming foods - Once the condition settles we can reintroduce slowly and notice how the body responds so we can work out if any are triggering an immune response.  Acid forming foods include fizzy drinks, coffee, alcohol (especially spirits),wheat and dairy
Also look out for meals that can be triggering as a whole. For example Spaghetti bolognaise where the wheat is acid forming, the tomato is high in histamine and the cheese is both acid and histamine forming.
A big misunderstanding is when we say, cut out grains and then people reach for gluten free carbohydrates. Gluten-free is not necessarily the solution as there are other proteins which can be triggering to the immune system which are found in other grains, aside from wheat.  
Avoid topical creams which will aggravate (including essential oils) Avoid hot water exposure - Hot water will increase the histamine response If the skin is weeping - No exposure to water on the skin at all (better to be a little smelly than worsen the condition!). When I see conditions that are weeping I also find that we need to support the li