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Types of Cutaneous Drug Reactions
The common types of reactions are:
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Urticaria
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Maculo papular rash.
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Fixed drug eruption.
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Erythematic multiform
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Stevens Johnson's
syndrome.
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Toxic epidermal necrolysis.
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Drug eruptions can be dangerous Toxic epidermal necrolysis
and Stevens Johnson's Syndrome can sometimes prove fatal.
Drugs that Commonly Cause Reactions
 Theoretically
any drug can cause a reaction. However pain killers and certain antibiotics
and drugs used for epilepsy are the commonest culprits.
Morbilliform eruption is caused by administrating ampicillin to a patient
with infectious mononucleosis.
Sun Allergy
All About Skin Cancer
 One-half
of all new cancers are skin cancers, making it the most common cancer.
Skin cancers can occur on any portion of the body, although they are most
commonly found on areas that are exposed to sunlight.
Malignant melanomas, is the most serious type, but can be successfully
treated if caught early. Usually beginning as a light brown or black,
flat spot with irregular borders that later can become red, blue or white.
All types of skin cancer are caused mainly by too much exposure to the
sun.
Fortunately, the majority of skin cancers are local growths and do not
spread from the site of origin. Malignant melanoma is one that can and
does spread from its site of origin. The spread of cancer cells from their
original location to other parts of the body is called metastasis.
Skin Cancer
Wellness and Prevention
 Most
skin cancers appear on the parts of the body that are exposed to the sun.
Sun protection is an essential part of the prevention of skin cancers.
Some skin cancers do not appear in sun exposed areas and it is thought
that they are genetically related.
Complementary Therapies:
Once skin cancer is diagnosed, the only acceptable treatment is medical
care. Alternative approaches may be useful in cancer prevention and in
combating nausea, vomiting, fatigue and headaches from chemotherapy, radiation,
or immunotherapy used to treat advanced skin cancer.
Nutrition and DietSkin experts know that the mineral zinc and the antioxidant
vitamins A (beta carotene), C and E can help repair damaged body tissue
and promote healthy skin. Now researchers are trying to determine whether
these and other nutrients might protect skin from the harmful effects
of sunlight. To test the theory, selected skin cancer patients are given
experimental supplements of these vitamins in the hope of preventing cancer
recurrence.
Herbal Therapies Following the advice of a local herbalist, some light-skinned
Zimbabweans have used a crude ointment from the root and bark of the African
sausage tree (Kigelia pinnata) to treat skin cancer. While initial research
indicates that kigelia extract can kill melanoma cells, further study
is needed to determine whether or not a kigelia-based drug will effectively
treat melanoma in humans.
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