You are here: Home / Archives for Skin Health

Examining Eczema

July 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
eczema-1

The term eczema is very broad and actually can mean a handful of different skin conditions that causes the skin to get red and irritated, to various intensities. The most common cause of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The term “atopic” means when a person is sensitive to allergens such as pollens, molds, dust, pet dander, and certain foods. “Dermatitis” means inflamed skin.

Eczema often starts in childhood—about 1 in 10 kids develop the condition. Some doctors say that kids can be predisposed to get eczema through a familial history of hay fever, asthma or other allergies. It has also been linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to unknown triggers; however, the exact cause of eczema is unknown. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Children's Skin, Skin Disease, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , ,

Wrinkles: A Sign of Wisdom

July 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
wrinkles

Perhaps! But most people prefer not to have them. What are they exactly? In humans, collagen cells are strong and stable for about 30 years. After this time period, collagen can slowly start to deteriorate and slowly becomes fragmented, causing wrinkles. However, there are multiple factors that contribute and speed up the process of wrinkles such as:

  • Smoking
  • Lack of sleep
  • Squinting
  • Sun exposure
  • Over-washing face
  • Growth factors
  • Lack of sunscreen
  • Certain sleeping positions
  • Skin type
  • Hair styles
  • Occupational and recreational habits

Of course, some of these factors are beyond your control; however, the best preventive measures are to not smoke and always use sunscreen. Skin ages all over the body, but much more so where there has been sun exposure. The sun is responsible for roughness, dryness, sagginess, and growths in addition to wrinkles.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Stages of Melanoma

July 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
stage_4_melanoma

Stages of Melanoma

The following stages are used for melanoma:

  • Stage 0: In stage 0, the melanoma cells are found only in the outer layer of skin cells and have not invaded deeper tissues.
  • Stage I: Melanoma in stage I is thin:

    The tumor is no more than 1 millimeter (1/25 inch) thick. The outer layer (epidermis) of skin may appear scraped. (This is called an ulceration).
    Or, the tumor is between 1 and 2 millimeters (1/12 inch) thick. There is no ulceration.

    The melanoma cells have not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

  • [Read more...]

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Procedures, Skin Cancer, Skin Disease, Skin Health Tagged With: ,

Melanoma

July 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
melanoma

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer found throughout the body, bust mostly on areas that have had sun exposure such as your back, legs, arms and face. It is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the skin cells (melanocytes). Melanocytes are found on the lower part of the epidermis. Melanomas can also occur in areas that don’t receive much sun exposure, such as the bottom of your feet, palms of your hands, and fingernails.  The “hidden” melanomas are more common in darker skin toned people.

Melanomas don’t always begin as a mole, although most do. It can also occur on normal skin. That’s why it is very important to do self-skin exams to detect for possible melanomas.

Melanocytes and Skin

Melanocytes and Moles

Melanocytes are the skin cells which produce the skin pigment Melanin. Melanin is the pigment which lends skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment causing the skin to darken.

Sometimes melanocytes and surrounding tissue can form darker noncancerous growths called moles. Moles are very common, and most people have up to 40 moles ranging from pink to tan to dark brown. Moles can be raised or flat,and are generally round or oval and smaller than 1/4 inch in diameter. (Technically a mole is properly called a nevus; the plural is nevi.)

Melanoma occurs when Melanocytes turn malignant.

Diagnosis of Melanoma

If your doctor suspects that a spot on your skin might be melanoma, She will generally take a small tissue sample called a biopsy. This is generally done by numbing up the skin around the mole, and using a small scalpel to remove the suspicious tissue along with a small margin of healthy tissue. The sample is then sent to an expert pathologist who will review the cells under magnification and determine whether the tissue is healthy or malignant. A biopsy is the only way to make a definite diagnosis. During the biopsy the doctor tries to remove all of the suspicious-looking growth so that the diagnostice procedure is also curative.

Staging

If the diagnosis is melanoma, the doctor needs to learn the extent of the disease before planning treatment. The medical team establishes how thick the tumor is, how deeply it has invaded the skin, and whether the malignant cells have spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

This process is called Staging, and the melanoma is assigned a stage. The stage of the melanoma will help indicated the course of treatment.

Depending on the apparent stage of the malignancy, the doctor might order removal of nearby lymph nodes (as both a diagnostic and therapeutic measure). If the tumor is thick, may order chest x-rays, blood tests, and scans of the liver, bones, and brain.

Treatment

Options for treatment depend on different factors such as stage of melanoma, location and size, and the individual’s general health. One common treatment is surgical excision. Most people with a early case of melanoma can get it cut out. The surgery is less extensive and results in little scarring.

Other treatments include radiation therapy and lymph node dissection. Radiation therapy will direct high-energy rays at the melanoma, which kills the malignant cells. Lymph node dissection removes most or all of the lymph nodes in the region.

Consult your dermatologist or physician for more information on symptoms and treatment of melanomas.

Read more about the stages of Melanoma and the corresponding treatment regiments here.


The National Cancer Institute has a toll free information line available for patients and their familes. The specialists at the NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions about melanoma and can send NCI materials

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Skin Cancer, Skin Disease, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , ,

Dysplastic Nevi

July 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
dysplastic_ nev_ visual_guide_ 1

Background

Otherwise known as unusual moles that may resemble melanoma. People who have 10 or more of these moles have 12 times the risk of developing melanoma. Those who have dysplastic nevi plus a family history of skin cancer have an extremely high risk of melanoma.

The Classic Atypical Syndrome

People with a classic atypical mole syndrome have the following three characteristics:

  • 100 or more moles
  • One or more moles 8 mm (1/3 inch) or larger in diameter
  • One or more moles which are atypical.

Characteristics

Atypical melanocytic nevus – asymmetric, border is irregular, color varies, diameter is greater than 6mm.

Multi-colored nevus – has a wreathed-shaped appearance, common patterns.

SHAPE: often asymmetrical: A line drawn through the middle would not create matching halves.

BORDER: irregular and/or hazy—the mole gradually fades into the surrounding skin.

COLOR: variation and irregularity with subtle, haphazard areas of tan, brown, dark brown, red, blue or black.

DIAMETER: generally larger than 6 mm (1/4 inch), the size of a pencil eraser, but may be smaller.

LOCATION: most commonly on the back, chest, abdomen and extremities; may also occur on normally unexposed areas such as the buttocks, groin or female breasts, as well as on the scalp.

GROWTH: Enlargement of a previously stable mole or appearance of a new mole after ages 35–40 should raise suspicion.

SURFACE: Central portion often is raised, whereas the peripheral portion is usually flat, sometimes with tiny “pebbly” elevations.

APPEARANCE: greatly varied; dysplastic nevi often look different from one another.

NUMBER: From a few to well over 100 dysplastic nevi may be present.

Here’s a quick visual guide from Cancer.Gov:

For more information, please visit and/or call your physician.

Here are some great resources to learn more about Dysplastic Nevi:

SkinCancer.Org

American Association of Dermatology

Cancer.Gov

Nevus.Org

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Skin Cancer, Skin Disease, Skin Features Tagged With: , , ,

What Skin Are You In? The 4 Common Types of Skin

July 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
skinCareImage

It is very important for you to know what kind of skin you have. Each skin type has unique characteristics and requires different kinds of care and treatment. Below are the 4 skin types:

Normal/Combination: This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, healthy color. It has a balanced oil and water content. It feels smooth and velvety. To care for this type of skin, you should generally use a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer regularly.

Oily: This type of skin has over-reactive oil-producing glands, which makes the face shiny, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). This skin type has large pores, which makes it easy to acquire pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Careful cleaning, minimal carbohydrate consumption, and avoiding rich creams can be helpful in improving oily skin quality.

Dry: This type of skin lacks oil and moisture. It looks textured, transparent and fragile. It chaps and flakes easily. It has a tendency towards wrinkles. To treat dry skin, the main aim is to create a balance between oil and moisture. Use a cream-based cleanser, keep a healthy diet of fruits and veggies, plenty of water and sleep, and lastly, exercise in fresh air.

Sensitive: This type of skin reacts externally and internally to anything in life. It can be both oily and dry; it can also be easily disturbed by cosmetic products. It tends to be blotchy and itchy at some times. It is frequently allergic and rashy. To treat sensitive skin, it is best to consult a dermatologist because this type of skin requires very special care.

These are the most common skin types. So, what type of skin are you? If you find that you do not belong to any of these types, do not fret! There are more than just 4 types of skin. Talk to your dermatologist today to find out what type you are. After all, it is true what they say—that we should all learn to love the skin we’re in.

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Skin Features, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , , ,

Holy Moley: The Truth Behind Moles

July 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A mole on supermodel Cindy Crawford
Moles are small, dark, skin growths that can develop on any part of the body, alone or in groups. It is normal about have between 10 to 40 moles by adulthood. Moles are caused when the cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called melanocytes, which makes the pigment that gives skin its natural color.

Moles are usually not dangerous, but there are different types of moles that you should be aware of, such as:

Congenital Mole: When you are born with a mole, it is called a congenital nevus. About 1 in 100 are born with these. The mole’s size can vary but moles of bigger size have a higher risk of developing cancer.

Atypical Mole: These are called dysplastic nevi and are usually larger than normal and have abnormal shape. They have uneven colors of tan, brown, red and pink. These moles are often hereditary, but can be developed in anyone.

Acquired Mole: These moles are acquired after birth and are generally not a cause for concern. If you have more than 50 acquired moles, however, it is generally advised to see a doctor to make sure none of them are dangerous.

Check Yourself: Skin Self-Exam

Stick to this motto when checking yourself for questionable moles: the ABCDE’s of Moles.

  • Asymmetry: is one half of the mole unlike the other half.
  • Border: is the border irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
  • Color: does it vary in color from tan, brown and black or white, red or blue.
  • Diameter: is it bigger than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser).
  • Evolving: is it changing in size, shape or color.

If a mole displays one or more of the ABCDE’s, make an appointment immediately to see a dermatologist. Routine exams ntialfor moles are really important because early detection and prevention are essential to treat skin cancer. Other preventive measures include wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, avoiding tanning beds, and get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

Here is a useful body mole map from the American Association of Dermatology.

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Skin Features, Skin Health Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mommy, It Itches!! Kids and Skin

July 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
girl_with_scrape

The most common skin problems in children are things we already recognize: bug bites, scrapes, and bruises. However, eczema and infections are also up there with the rest. Here is a quick summary of what each condition is and how to treat them:

Bug bites: Children are more likely to get bigger reactions to bug bites. Typically children will get much bigger bumps from a bite than an adult would.  For mild mosquito and ant bites, you can generally apply anti-itch hydrocortisone cream, which can be found at any drug store. For more severe bites such as spider bites and bee stings, apply an ice pack right away to prevent swelling (make sure to alternate on and off to prevent tissue damage) and apply antibiotic ointment and hydrocortisone cream. If the bite doesn’t seem to be getting better, consult a doctor right away. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Children's Skin, Skin Care, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: , , , ,

Freckles: To Like or Not To Like?

July 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
2944702-2-redheaded-blue-eyed-freckled-face-boy

Freckles are clusters of concentrated melanin that are most often visible on fair skinned people. They can be found on anyone regardless of genetic background, however, having freckles is genetic. The formation of freckles is triggered by exposure to sunlight. UVB radiation activates melanocytes to increase melanin production, which causes freckles to become darker.

Though predominantly found on the face, freckles can appear all over the body. Freckles are not a skin disorder and are not cancerous in any way. They can be a nuisance to some, yet normal to most, and even cute to a few people. For many of us, freckles are just our skin’s way of telling us that we are getting too much sun and should use sun protection.

Freckles Be Gone!

The most immediate way to “get rid” of your freckles is to use concealer or foundation that you can purchase over the counter. Although this is just to cover the freckles, it is by far the most cost-efficient way to hide them.

There are also bleaching creams that slowly fade the freckles by inhibiting melanin. Dermatologists can also prescribe chemical peels to peel off your freckled skin. Lastly, you can get laser treatment, a fast and long-lasting technique performed by dermatologists. The downside is that it can be a bit heavy on your wallet.

There are also home remedies such as sour milk and lemon juice. Washing your face with sour milk will make the lactic acid peel away your skin gently without too much irritation. Applying lemon juice to your skin is also another remedy, but requires that you avoid the sun for risk of burning your face.

Last Food (or Freckle) for Thought

Even a couple minutes of sun exposure every day can build up freckles over a longer time period. This makes it very important to protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, avoid peak sun hours, and wearing hats to keep the sun from directly hitting your face. Believe me, this will save you so much time and money in the long run!

Filed Under: Birthmarks, Consumer Education Tagged With: , ,

All Grown Up: Dealing with Adult Acne

July 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
adult_acne_treatment

Adult acne affects 25% of men and 50% of women at some point in their adult lives. People can develop unpleasant acne and continue to have recurrences in their 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond. Nowadays, dermatologists are treating more adult acne patients than in previous decades. The International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2004 stated, “Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties.” Regardless of age, dealing with acne can be a struggle and may possibly lead to depression and social anxiety. However, the more you know about it, the better.

What’s the Cause?

Causes of adult acne are attributed to, but not limited to: hormones, cosmetics, stress, and an increase of resistant bacteria. Hormones can cause the sebaceous glands in your body to overact and is most likely related to birth control pills. Careless use of cosmetics can lead to bacteria-laden pores. Stress causes your oil glands to overcompensate.

Good news for all the chocolate and junk food lovers out there: skin care experts say that acne is not caused by any specific food, including French fries, chocolate candy, soda or potato chips. The other myth you’ve probably heard is that eating greasy food causes your skin to produce more oil. Other than it being unhealthy, greasy food will not cause oily skin.

How To Treat It

The key in treating adult acne is to know that it is not like teen acne. Most acne medications are geared to teenagers’ oily skin, which is a bad choice for drier adult skin. The best recommendation is to have a trial-and-error approach and experiment with cleansers, creams and lotions, prescription medications, or high-tech solutions.

You’re Not Alone… Consult Your Doctor

Most people wait it out before seeking professional help, when in reality, your doctor or dermatologist can help you treat adult acne faster than you’d think. Of course, there are over-the-counter remedies you can try at home, but don’t feel hesitant to see your dermatologist who can prescribe just what you need.

Professionals can also help remind you to keep a healthy diet. A natural diet consists of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean protein. This will help create a healthy body, in turn creating healthy, clear skin. Like we said, eating junk foods won’t cause acne, but at the same time, eating healthy foods will help prevent your chance with adult acne.

Filed Under: acne, Consumer Education, Skin Disease Tagged With:
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »