Yellow Jaundice

A progressive and rapid development of yellow discoloration in the skin and whites of the eyes, frequently reflects disease of the liver and gallbladder system. This condition, termed jaundice, is frequently connected with a light clay color to the bowel movement, an extreme body weakness, and sometimes pain in the liver and gallbladder region. Yellow jaundice is always a significant finding and tells a definite medical story. It may come and go painlessly and be entirely gone in the short duration of two weeks, but it is always significant enough to have a thorough physical examination to find the underlying cause.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is the loss of the normal skin color in an irregular patchy manner anywhere on the body, and is due to lack of pigment formation in these skin areas. These regions sunburn readily but will not tan in the sunlight like normal, surrounding skin. The color difference is very hard to hide and attempts to cover these areas with pigmented powders and creams, and even tattooing, is usually very unsatisfactory. The reason for the pigment loss in vitiligo is still unknown, and complete cure is impossible, but this skin condition has no great significance aside from its embarrassing cosmetic appearance.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This difficulty, in the simplest terms, means an over supply of oil in the skin. It is found primarily in the scalp but is also seen in the folding body skin sites, such as the armpits or groin. In addition to the excessive greasiness of the skin, there is usually a red crusting accompanied by intense itching which invites scratching and infection. The disease seems to be worse during adult life when sex hormones flow through the blood stream at their highest level, and is frequently seen at the age of fifty years or later.

Seborrheic dermatitis demands continual and scrupulous cleansing, frequent shampooing, and a diet low in fats. Severe, stubborn cases may require antibiotic treatment and possibly endocrine therapy.