Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that causes a patchy loss of skin color and premature graying of the hair on the face and scalp. It is caused by the lack of melanin in the skin, which is a pigment produced by melanocyte cells. While the condition is not considered medically dangerous, it can impact one’s self-esteem. Treatment for vitiligo largely depends on one’s age, the progression of the disease, and its effect on one’s life. Topical treatments One of the most common vitiligo treatment options doctors prescribe is a topical treatment such as a cream or an ointment to help restore lost color. OPZELURA is a prescription treatment for non-segmental vitiligo. It is an FDA-approved treatment that helps restore lost skin color due to vitiligo and can be used among those who are 12 years and older. Light therapy Phototherapy or light therapy using narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) light can slow down and even stop the spread of active vitiligo. This line of treatment may take one to three months to show effect, with sessions scheduled two to three times per week. Light therapy particularly helps restore the color of the face and neck. But, it may cause redness, itching, and burning, which generally subside after a few hours of the procedure. While in-office treatment is recommended for safety purposes, one may also invest in portable or handheld UVB light therapy devices available for home use. Depigmentation If the condition is widespread, depigmentation may be a good idea to treat vitiligo. Here, a depigmenting agent is applied to the unaffected areas of the skin to lighten its appearance and achieve an even skin tone. This is done once or twice a day for nine months, but it may cause redness, swelling, itchiness, or dry skin. Surgery Some people with stable vitiligo also opt for surgery to restore skin color.

Polycythemia vera is a form of chronic leukemia that causes the bone marrow to produce excessive red blood cells (RBCs). Too many RBCs can make the blood thick and sluggish and increase one’s risk of blood clots. This may also lead to symptoms such as itchy skin, shortness of breath, and excessive sweating. The disorder progresses slowly, making it difficult to diagnose. That said, once diagnosed, various treatments can help manage the condition. Early stage treatment Treatment for polycythemia vera (or PV) in the early stages involves conservative options. The most common management option is frequent blood withdrawals through phlebotomy. This is the same procedure used to donate blood but may vary depending on one’s health condition. Phlebotomy may reduce the overall blood volume and the number of excess blood cells. If symptoms persist or worsen, the expert might recommend additional treatment options. Treatments to reduce itching For itching caused by advanced PV, a healthcare professional may recommend a range of management options, including phototherapy. This method involves using a combination of ultraviolet A (UVA) light and an organic compound to make the skin more receptive to the therapy. Treatments to reduce RBC count Various prescription-based options can help one manage red blood cell count. One of the most common options is Jakafi (Ruxolitinib). The treatment helps stop proteins in cells from growing. The prescription is available in tablet form, which one can take orally with a glass of water as directed. Bone marrow transplant Bone marrow (stem cell) transplants can help manage certain cases of polycythemia vera when other lines of treatment may have not worked or had limited effects. Additionally, a healthcare professional considers multiple factors before recommending the procedure, including the severity of one’s condition and the body’s healing capacity. The procedure involves the use of peripheral blood stem cells, which are immature in the bloodstream.

Plaque psoriasis is a condition that leads to raised, scaly patches on the skin. It is the most common form of psoriasis—an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body. When dealing with plaque psoriasis, the affected areas are typically the elbows, lower back, scalp, and knees. Here, the scaly patches can feel dry, itchy, and inflamed. That said, these symptoms can be managed with a few treatment options. 1. Topical treatments This is usually the first line of treatment one undergoes upon noticing plaque psoriasis symptoms. It involves using prescription-based creams or ointments to relieve the dryness, redness, and irritation around the scaly patches. Topical treatments are often better suited for treating psoriasis symptoms localized to a specific part of the body. If the plaques are widespread or the topical options do not work as intended, a doctor might move on to other management options. 2. Phototherapy Light therapy, or phototherapy, is a common management option for various skin diseases, including psoriasis. The treatment method involves exposing the affected parts of the skin to light, which can be natural or artificial. Here, controlled exposure to UVB and UVA light might be recommended, as this can slow skin cell growth and help reduce inflammation associated with the condition. This process is often repeated to keep plaque psoriasis symptoms in check, but the number of sessions required can vary based on the type of light therapy. Phototherapy may also be combined with prescription treatment. 3. Prescription treatment When dealing with advanced plaque psoriasis, prescription-based systemic treatments can help relieve symptoms. Systemic therapy, unlike topical options, treats psoriasis from the inside out. So, it is often recommended when phototherapy and topical treatments do not work as expected. Doctors often opt for multiple systemic solutions before narrowing down the most suitable option that seems to keep plaque psoriasis symptoms in check for a while.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes rashes, scaly patches, and itchiness. There are various types of the condition, among which, plaque psoriasis is the most common . Plaque psoriasis leads to patches of skin becoming raised, dry, and covered in scales. While there is no cure for the condition, certain treatment options can help manage it. Tremfya is one such option that can be used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. How Tremfya works Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, that is, it is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. Due to this attack, the production of the skin cells increases rapidly, which then causes them to pile up, creating raised patches, called plaques, on the skin’s surface. These plaques can be quite bothersome, as they can cause itchiness and can even be painful. This is why it is important to treat or manage the condition. Here is where Tremfya comes in. Tremfya is specifically designed to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. It works by preventing a specific protein, called cytokines, from sending inflammatory responses. Once the activity of cytokines is suppressed by Tremfya, the immune system can stop attacking the healthy skin cells. This eventually prevents the development of plaques. Clinical results of Tremfya Tremfya conducted a couple of clinical studies which demonstrated promising results. In the first study, after 16 weeks of receiving the Tremfya treatment, 70% of the participants noticed that at least 90% of their skin seemed clearer. After 48 weeks, in the same study, almost 90% of the participants noticed 90% clearer skin. In the second study, 50% of the participants saw their skin had become completely clear after 16 weeks of treatment. Besides clearing the skin, the studies also showed improvement in other symptoms. After the first 16 weeks of undergoing  Tremfya  treatment, the participants experienced a reduction in symptoms such as itching, pain, burning sensation, and skin tightness.

A migraine is a severe headache that causes symptoms like light or sound sensitivity, nausea, upset stomach, or speech issues. Usually, the neurological condition can last a few hours to days and occurs in four stages – prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. Each stage of migraine has distinct symptoms and may require a different treatment approach. While the condition cannot fully be cured, it can be managed well with some lifestyle choices and treatments. Popular migraine treatments to explore Certain prescription treatment One of the quickest ways to relieve migraine pain is to use certain preventive treatments, which deliver targeted therapy through intravenous (IV) infusion. Migraine occurs when certain proteins in the body, like the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), attach themselves to brain receptors that activate pain pathways and cause a migraine headache. Certain prescription treatments bind to the CGRP protein and prevent it from activating the receptors. Nasal sprays Suitable especially for migraines that occur after waking up in the morning, nasal sprays provide rapid relief and can help manage nausea as well. These sprays work quickly because the blood vessels in the nasal passage help the solution to reach one’s bloodstream directly. Magnesium and vitamin B2 Nutrients like magnesium help reduce migraine symptoms like vision or sensory problems and also work well to manage migraines due to menstruation. So, those who are diagnosed with the condition should add magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy vegetables, nuts, and whole grains to their daily meals. Similarly, vitamin B2, commonly found in foods like almonds, wild rice, mushrooms, and soybeans is also known to reduce pain experienced during a migraine. Dissolvable treatment options These are a type of chewable treatment options that are useful for relieving mild or moderate migraine pain. One can find these dissolvable migraine treatments in the nearest pharmacy or wellness stores. But, it’s important to ensure that the chewable is prescribed by a doctor and taken in the right quantity for maximum benefit.

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which one loses skin pigmentation in patches. While it can affect any body part, it usually appears on the face, neck, hands, and skin folds. At times, vitiligo may also affect the eyes, mouth, wrists, and fingers. Further, a JAMA dermatology survey suggests that about 2.8 million people nationwide develop this autoimmune skin disease. The condition is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Management options for vitiligo Light therapy Phototherapy with narrow-band ultraviolet B or UVB may prevent vitiligo from progressing. Dermatologists may recommend taking light therapy sessions two or three times a week, and one is likely to see visible results after one to three months. Sometimes, it may even take six months for the therapy to show results. But since there’s a risk of developing skin cancer through excessive light therapy, it’s best to speak to one’s doctor about its potential risks beforehand. Skin grafting In this procedure, doctors extract small patches of healthy skin from the patient’s body and transplant them to affected areas. Skin grafting mainly intends to enhance skin appearance, which can boost one’s overall self-image and esteem. Depending on the part of the body from which the skin is extracted, grafting may be of different types. Depigmentation This therapy is considered the last resort if the vitiligo has spread considerably and no other treatments have worked. A depigmenting agent is applied to the parts of the body where the vitiligo hasn’t spread. This way, the skin gets lightened gradually, and it integrates with the discolored areas. Depigmentation therapy is carried out once or two times a day for a minimum of nine months. Home remedies Apply sunscreen frequently Exposure to UV rays can worsen depigmentation, so those with this condition should apply sunscreen every morning and reapply it once every two to three hours during the day.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a virus that can lead to severe respiratory infections and illnesses, especially in children. In fact, the virus has even been found to be the most prevalent cause of hospitalization in children. This is why it is crucial for parents and caregivers to be aware of the common signs of RSV infections in babies. Likewise, it is also important to know how an RSV infection can be prevented. Signs of RSV in babies Usually, the signs and symptoms of RSV infections begin showing after about four to six days of getting infected. Runny nose Since RSV affects the respiratory system, a lot of the signs of its infection in babies are similar to those of a common cold. A runny nose is one of the most common signs of an RSV infection in babies . One may also notice the babies having nasal congestion. Fever Just like in the case of a cold, babies may have a fever due to an RSV infection as well . The fever may be low-grade when the infection is in its early stage . But if one notices their baby having a high fever, it could be a sign of the infection getting more severe. Coughing Due to an RSV infection, babies can also keep coughing. This persistent cough can be either dry or wet. Loss of appetite Along with the symptoms of a cold, a common sign of RSV infection in babies is a decrease in their appetite. One may notice the babies being fussy or irritable and refusing to eat. Unusual breathing pattern When an RSV infection becomes too severe, it can begin affecting the lower respiratory tract of babies. In that case, one may notice unusual breathing patterns in the infants. This may include faster breathing, flaring of their nostrils when breathing, and caving in of their chest when breathing.