Treatments    - skin, hair & nail SKIN What are Botox treatments? Treatment that blocks impulses from nerves to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. The procedure relaxes these muscles so they do not contract. After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion. Are Botox treatments safe? Botox injections have been used safely and effectively for over ten years to treat many opthalmological and neurological disorders. Each year, thousands of patients receive Botox treatments for a variety of conditions and it is quickly becoming a popular treatment for reversing the visible signs of aging.   HAIR What is Menkes Disease? Menkes disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder of copper metabolism. It is characterized by seizures, psychomotor deterioration, failure to thrive, temperature instability (hypothermia), and strikingly peculiar hair. Copper is deficient in most tissues of Menkes disease patients, causing structural changes in the hair, brain, bones, liver, and arteries. The characteristic kinky hair is stubby, tangled, sparse, or steely and is easily broken. It is often white, ivory, or gray in color. Brain abnormalities such as atrophy, subdural hematoma, and/or rupture or thrombosis of arteries in the brain may occur. Weakened bones (osteoporosis) may result in fractures. Because it is an X-linked genetic trait, Menkes disease primarily affects males. Affected infants may be born prematurely. In some cases, normal or slightly slowed development may proceed for 2 to 3 months. At approximately three months of age, severe, developmental delay, loss of early development skills, and convulsions typically occur. Is there any treatment? Early treatment with intravenous or oral copper supplements may be of some benefit. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive. NAILS So what kind of things are we looking for? Thick yellow nails: can be the cause of long term use of the antibiotic tetracycline, now if you are not taking antibiotics then you do not need to know what this drug is for. Another reason for nails in this condition can mean a reflection of diseases of the lungs, thyroid gland, or lymphatic system (this does not mean you have all three). The yellow discolouration could also be because you are a chronic chain smoker (but hey, I'm only guessing on this one). Blue nails (or a bluish tinge): if you are cold your fingernails will go slightly blue, the colder you are the bluer they will go, but this is not a health problem, you just need to put on a jumper and have a hot drink. But in all seriousness if your fingernails are blue all the time, it can mean you have problems with your circulation, usually caused by heart disease. Either that or you are too skinny during winter and feel the cold too much, and need to put on some weight. White marks: these are often common and mean nothing at all. But if you're a heavy drinker, or have had some liver problems, it can indicate cirrhosis of the liver. You may have other symptoms if it is your liver, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin & the whites of your eyes). See your doctor for a liver function test if you are worried. White striped horizontal lines: these can be caused by kidney failure, heart attacks, sickle-cell disease, or Hodgkin's disease. If you have one of these diseases, you will be feeling it. So if you are feeling terrible, and have these lines, see your doctor immediately for a check up. Curled nails, otherwise known as 'clubbing': You cannot mistake clubbing of the nails. Clubbing signifies problems with the heart, liver, colon, or lungs. If this is occurring see your doctor immediately for some tests. Horizontal grooves: these are furrows within the fingernails and can indicate malnutrition or a build up of toxic substances, or a number of different problems with the health. These can be rather common, and likely to be unimportant. But if you are having problems with your health, for example not eating well or abusing drugs, it may be beneficial to have a check-up with your doctor. Spooning: which look like large indentations vertically across the nail, this may suggest a low iron count (anaemia). If you have these 'bumps' you are likely to be low on iron. A simple blood test from your doctor will confirm this diagnosis. If you have anaemia, alterations in your diet will be required, along with iron supplements. For worst case scenarios, a blood transfusion may be required, however this is unlikely. Pitting: this can be an indicator of eczema or psoriasis. These are conditions you will have other symptoms with. If it's becoming a problem, then see your doctor for treatments for these conditions. If you have any of these problems with your fingernails and are generally healthy, and feel well, there is probably nothing to worry about. It is difficult to explain these defects in the nails, so it can be easy to misinterpret what these defects really look like. If you are worried, please visit your doctor. If your doctor thinks there is room for concern, a simple blood test can be taken for a diagnosis.