Diagnostic laboratory of Dalimed medical center

Winter may be beautiful, but it can be tough on your hands. Cold air, low humidity, and constant temperature changes between indoors and outdoors can strip the skin of moisture. Add frequent handwashing or exposure to irritants, and your hands can quickly become dry, rough, and even cracked. Fortunately, with a few simple habits, you can keep your hands comfortable, hydrated, and healthy all season long. Why Winter Dries Out Your Hands When temperatures drop, the air becomes drier both outside and inside heated buildings. This lack of moisture pulls hydration from your skin, weakening its natural barrier. Moving between warm and cold environments causes the skin to lose even more moisture. On top of that, handwashing—while essential—removes natural oils your skin needs to stay protected. People with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema often feel these effects even more intensely. Top Tips for Healthy Winter Hands 1. Moisturize Frequently Keeping your hands moisturized is the most important step in preventing dryness. Apply a fragrance-free, gentle hand cream every time you wash your hands and throughout the day. Look for ingredients that help lock in moisture, such as shea butter, glycerin, urea, or hyaluronic acid. 2. Use Gentle Cleansers Many hand soaps contain harsh ingredients or heavy fragrances that can irritate the skin. Switch to mild, fragrance-free cleansers that won’t strip away natural oils. When washing your hands, use lukewarm water rather than hot water—hot temperatures can worsen dryness. If you’re on the go, handwashing is preferable to alcohol-heavy sanitizers when possible. If you must use sanitizer, choose one with added moisturizers, and apply hand cream afterward.3. Protect Your Hands from the Cold Cold air is one of the biggest culprits behind winter dryness. Wearing warm, soft gloves whenever you go outside helps keep your hands at a consistent temperature and prevents moisture loss. Long exposures to both cold and heat (like heaters or open fires) should be avoided, as extremes in temperature can further dehydrate your skin. Don’t forget gloves for household chores, too. When cleaning, washing dishes, or using detergents—especially strong chemical products—wearing protective gloves prevents irritation and helps preserve your skin barrier. 4. Try an Overnight Treatment For hands that feel especially tight or rough, consider a simple overnight treatment. Apply a rich moisturizer generously, then wear cotton gloves as you sleep. This intensive approach delivers deeper hydration and can make a noticeable difference by the next morning. You can do this as often as your hands need a boost. 5. Exfoliate and Mask (Gently) A little exfoliation goes a long way. Once a week, use a gentle homemade scrub—such as sugar mixed with a small amount of plant oil—to remove dead skin cells. This helps your moisturizers absorb better. You can also use hydrating masks. Natural ingredients like avocado (rich in healthy fats) and olive oil (deeply moisturizing) can nourish the skin and restore softness. 6. Treat Cracks with Care If the skin begins to crack, choose a thick, healing ointment containing natural protective ingredients like beeswax or shea butter. These create a barrier that shields the skin while encouraging healing. Avoid exposing cracked hands to cold air or irritants, and always wear gloves when handling cleaning products.Support Hydration from Within Healthy hands aren’t just about what you put on your skin—your overall hydration matters too. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed, walnuts, or oily fish. These healthy fats help support the skin’s protective barrier. When to Seek Professional Help If dryness becomes severe, painful, or doesn’t improve with regular care, consult a dermatologist. Persistent cracking, bleeding, or visible inflammation may require medical treatment or prescription-strength creams. Keep Hands Healthy All Winter Long Winter hand care is all about maintaining moisture, protecting your skin, and avoiding extremes. By adopting a consistent routine—moisturizing frequently, cleansing gently, protecting your hands, and nourishing your skin—you can prevent discomfort and keep your hands soft and smooth all season. With the right care, winter doesn’t have to be harsh on your hands.

Melasma is a common skin pigmentation disorder that primarily manifests on the face, with hyperpigmented patches appearing in areas exposed to the sun. It appears as symmetrical brown or gray-brown spots, most commonly on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose, and chin. This condition is more frequent in women, especially those with darker skin (Fitzpatrick III–V type). Causes and Mechanisms of Development The causes of melasma are diverse. One of the primary factors is sun exposure (ultraviolet and visible rays), which stimulates melanocyte activity, increasing melanin production. Hormonal influences also play an important role, as melasma often occurs during pregnancy (known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"), or with the use of contraceptives or hormonal treatments. Notable factors include genetic predisposition, thyroid disorders, certain medications, or cosmetic products that make the skin more sensitive to light. In melasma, from a dermatological perspective, there is an increase in melanin in the epidermis, dermis, or both, depending on the type of melasma. Clinical Picture Three main forms are differentiated: • Epidermal Melasma – light brown, well-defined edges, which intensifies under Wood's lamp examination. • Dermal Melasma – grayish or bluish color, poorly defined edges, which does not intensify under Wood's lamp. • Mixed Form – contains features of both types. Diagnosis The diagnosis is primarily based on the clinical presentation. Wood's lamp examination plays a supporting role, as it helps determine whether the pigment is located in the epidermis or dermis. If necessary, dermatoscopy is performed. Treatment The treatment of melasma requires a comprehensive and individualized approach, as it has a chronic and recurrent course. 1. Sun Protection – the most important step. Broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 50+ should be used daily to protect against UVA/UVB rays. 2. Topical Treatment – skin lightening agents such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, and niacinamide are used. 3. Aesthetic Interventions – chemical peels and laser therapy (e.g., Q-switched Nd:YAG) can improve the appearance of the skin, but they must be done with caution, especially in individuals with darker skin, as they may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusion Melasma is a benign but long-lasting condition. Although it may not always fully resolve, consistent treatment and the use of sun protection can lead to noticeable improvement. Patients should be informed that recurrences are possible, and it is crucial to maintain sun protection, avoid irritating agents, and perform gentle care.

Women's health is not just the absence of diseases; it includes physical, hormonal, psychological, and sexual well-being. Daily preventive and mindful habits can significantly enhance the quality of life, providing energy, self-confidence, and harmonious relationships with one's body. Below are 10 essential pillars of women's healthy life that are scientifically backed and easy to incorporate into daily routines: 1. Regular Gynecological Visits At least once a year, it is recommended to undergo a gynecological exam, Pap test, and, if necessary, a vaginal ultrasound. This approach allows early detection of inflammatory, infectious, or hormonal changes, which often develop without noticeable symptoms. Early diagnosis is one of the most effective preventive measures. 2. Sensitive Monitoring of the Cycle Keeping a cycle calendar helps in understanding the dynamics of hormonal balance. It is important to note: • Cycle duration, • Nature of blood discharge, • Presence of pain, • Changes in mood. This information facilitates both self-monitoring and cooperation with a doctor, ensuring a more accurate approach. 3. Balanced Diet and Sufficient Iron Diet plays a key role in regulating a woman's hormonal system. It is essential to increase the intake of: • Proteins (fish, poultry, legumes), • Green vegetables, • Foods rich in B vitamins. Iron deficiency is a common issue for women, so attention should also be given to iron-rich foods such as meat and leafy vegetables. At the same time, it's advisable to limit excessive sugar and caffeine, which can disrupt the natural hormonal cycle. 4. Hydration At least 1.5–2 liters of water per day is the minimum required to: • Reduce the risk of urinary infections, • Improve skin elasticity, • Boost recovery processes. Dehydration can also affect energy levels and concentration. 5. Movement and Circulation Stimulation Walking, yoga, pilates, or light aerobic exercises promote better circulation in the pelvic area. This, in turn, supports hormonal balance, reproductive health, and overall vitality. Systematic but moderate physical activity also helps reduce stress accumulation. 6. Quality Sleep Sleep deprivation disrupts estrogen and progesterone levels while increasing the effect of stress hormones. For women, it is especially important to have: • 7–9 hours of restful sleep, • Regular sleep patterns, • Reduced screen time before bed. Good sleep is a cornerstone of hormonal balance and mental stability. 7. Mental Peace Stress can interfere with the menstrual cycle, affect fertility, and impact the thyroid gland. Helpful practices include: • Meditation, • Breathing techniques, • Self-care rituals, • Social support. Mental health is an integral part of a woman’s overall health. 8. Mindful Preservation of Sexual Health Sexual health includes not only safe sexual behavior but also a mindful attitude toward one’s body. It is important to: • Use reliable protective methods, • Maintain proper hygiene, • Have open and healthy communication with a partner, • Avoid self-medication. Regular check-ups help monitor any changes. 9. Vigilance toward Hormonal Changes A woman’s life is divided into phases: adolescence, reproductive years, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and perimenopause. Each stage has its own requirements, and it is essential to consult a specialist not only for problems but also for general awareness and support. 10. Love for Womanhood Health is not just about the state of the body, but also the attitude toward oneself. A woman’s identity becomes more complete when she learns to love her body, accept her cyclical nature, and value both her strength and gentleness. Womanhood begins with health, and health begins with care and awareness.

Menopause or climacteric is one of the natural stages of a woman's life, following the climacteric period. Menopause is mostly observed between the ages of 48-52. It is characterized by the absence of menstrual bleeding for one year or more. From this point on, the woman's reproductive function is completed, and the ovarian function is reduced. The secretion of sexual hormones (estrogens, progesterone) and gonadotropic hormones is quantitatively altered, and the sexual organs perform their function partially. The presence of blood in the sexual organs is no longer normal and becomes unusual. The sexual organs undergo physiological aging and atrophy if not surgically removed. A perimenopausal period is distinguished, which precedes and follows menopause. Many and various changes occur in the woman's body, both general and local in nature: In the vagina, there is dryness of the mucous membrane, atrophic phenomena, and minor injuries. Urinary problems, such as incontinence, often arise. There may be pelvic muscle and ligament weakness, organ prolapse. Hot flashes, increased sweating, tachycardia, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, nervous irritability, mood instability, and depression are common. Symptoms of anxiety, memory loss, vision deterioration, fluctuations in blood pressure, headaches, dry skin, hair loss, joint pain, weight changes, etc., may also occur. Bone tissue loss is often observed, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Sexual function disturbances may also occur.Causes and Negative Factors of Menopause The course of this physiological stage in a woman’s life can be negatively affected by harmful habits, psychological factors, poor and unbalanced nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, the presence of inflammatory and other diseases (including endocrine gland disorders), and others. Menopause may also occur due to: • Surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. • Other medical interventions, such as radiation or chemotherapy. Main Approaches to Menopause Treatment It is very important to perform research and treatment for women in this age group. It is recommended to perform ultrasound, mammography, laboratory tests, and other examinations. Treatment depends on the presence and severity of symptoms and can be both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacological treatment may include: • General, • Local, • Combined. This includes: • Hormone therapy, • Treatment of comorbidities, symptomatic treatment. A healthy lifestyle is also essential and plays a significant role. • Balanced diet, • Adequate physical activity, • Water procedures, • Regulation of blood pressure and weight, • Giving up harmful habits, • Positive emotions, • Avoiding stress. In some cases, physiotherapy is also used: • Reflexotherapy, • Electrophoresis of the lumbar region. Early Consultation with a Doctor — Individual Approach In all cases, it is essential to consult a doctor early, and an individual approach is crucial. Early treatment results in better health for the woman and makes this phase of life more tolerable. Thus, menopause is one of the natural stages in a woman’s life, which causes numerous changes in the skin, sexual organs, and psychological state. Take care of your health and consult a doctor in time to avoid severe consequences.