The hypothesis is that children gain natural immunotherapy from exposure to the dog and becomes more tolerant of allergies. The study was done using newborns in Cincinnati whose parents had allergies and/or eczema, which makes it more likely for the children to develop the condition.

The study and tests show the children who tested positive for a dog allergy and did not live with a dog had 4 times the risk of getting eczema than those who tested positive and did own a dog by age 4. Humans can test positive for an allergy but not have any symptoms. The higher the dog allergen levels were in the home, the lower the risk was for the children to develop eczema by age 4.

The study also looked at eggs, milk and nuts for more information on its link to eczema. It is recommended to delay such common allergic foods with young children. It is also good to keep in mind aeroallergens for children, as well as food allergies.

There is no definitive answer as to whether or not dogs will prevent the onset of eczema or that cats will increase the risks. The research was done to encourage deeper analyses and better intervention strategies.

Liver spots usually appear on the hands, arms, neck and face, but may also grow on other parts of the body. Here are the 6 best tips to remove and prevent them.

• Sunscreen – Regularly use sun block or sun screen with an appropriate SPF level Even if you are indoors, ultraviolet rays are still present in your surroundings, so it is important that you use sunscreen regularly as precaution.
• Attire – In choosing your wardrobe, be practical and pick attire that cover your skin in areas that can be exposed to UV rays. Hats are available and umbrellas are easily accessible to cover your skin.
• Avoid Chemicals – Perfumes and aftershave lotions are manufactured with chemicals that increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Use these products sparingly when you absolutely have to be under the heat of the sun.
• Medications – Do not attempt to medicate yourself especially when you plan to ingest foreign ingredients in your body. Consult your physician before undergoing medical treatment.
• Popular Methods – Chemical peels, bleaching products and laser procedures have been used to effectively counteract liver spots on the outer layers of the skin. Skin whitening creams and active ingredients such as hydroquinone, Cynergy TK, Nano-Lipobelle H EQ10 and Extrapone Nutgrass have also been applied as other forms of treatment. These methods require time and financial resources and the results of these treatments differ, depending on the severity and quantity of liver spots.
• Go Natural – Antioxidant vitamins have shown relative success when used as skin tone agents. Vitamins A and C are also great nutrients for eliminating skin discolorations after continuous usage. These natural remedies are undergoing additional tests, but have definitely revealed wonderful potentials in erasing liver spots. Acidic fruit juices have also been used as traditional treatment for skin discolorations when applied on the affected areas.

How does it work? Fraxel touches up small fractions of your facial tissue, spending close detail and attention to the smallest one-tenth of a diameter of a hair follicle. The laser columns stimulate a natural healing process that works from the inside out, which replaces damaged tissue with younger, smoother, healthier skin.

Fraxel is for everyone, regardless of age, sex or skin color. The cost of Fraxel ranges from $800 to $1500 depending on the kind of treatment and frequency of procedures. It also depends on geographic location of your dermatologist. For a complete information consultation, please visit your local dermatologist today.

A 12-year-old boy recently developed a sponge-patterned discoloration on his left thigh after playing computer games for few hours per day for several months. Lesions are typically found on only one leg because the drives of laptops are located on one side. A computer places on a lap may completely obstruct the ventilation fan exhaust, making it heat up faster. The popularity of laptops will likely increase and so will this diagnosis. Especially for children, they have very sensitive skin which is more susceptible to heat. Parents should factor heat effect when purchasing computers for their children.

How does Latisse work? It lengthens, thickens and darkens eyelashes. It is manufactured by Allergan, the same company that markets Botox. Latisse contains the active ingredient that is also found in Lumigan. However, Lumigan is an eyedrop while Latisse is dabbed along the lashes on the upper eyelids once a day. It is applied with its own applicator that isn’t reusable. The package comes with 60 applicators.

After your lashes have grown for 3 to 4 months, you can slow down the application by using the drug every other day. Anyone who is unhappy with their lash length and thickness is a candidate for Latisse. According to recent studies, people who’ve used Latisse have experience a booster in: 25% increase in eyelash length, 106% increase in thickness and fullness, 18% increase in darkness of eyelashes.

The side effects include transient darkening of the skin around the eyelids and brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye. Other symptoms include red eyes, itchy eyes, and skin hyperpigmentation. The cost for a one-month supply of Latisse is approximately $120, and is not covered by insurance.

1. Soap – excessive washing with soap can leave the skin dry and bare of its natural oils. At first, it could look like a case of chapped or dry skin, but if prolonged, it can crack and bleed. Soaps include dishwashing soap, bubble bath soap and body washes.

2. Household cleaners – anything from all-purpose cleaners to laundry detergents to toilet disinfectants, these are not intended to touch skin and the chemicals in them are very brash. Remember to wear gloves before handling cleaners just to be safe.

3. Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets – these sheets can cause itchiness or worse. The best suggestion is to stick with fragrance-free liquid fabric softeners to fight the static cling.

4. Certain Clothing – some materials such as wool can cause a lot of irritation and itching. If you believe that your clothes are causing itching or even a rash, experts suggests wearing cotton and cotton poly fabrics instead.

5. Heat – hot weather can also irritate skin in terms of sweating. You might notice redness or chaffing in dark areas such as underarms, belly folds, and groin.

6. Latex – some people are sensitive to latex, which can cause welts. Latex is a natural rubber found in a lot of every items such as gloves and condoms.

7. Fragrances/perfumes – allergies and sensitivity to fragrances are norma. Some people might develop a rash or hives from the musk, while others might react to the vanilla scent.

8. Facial Cream – you might experience stinging or burning with certain creams. Some common irritants in facial creams include ascorbic acid, paraban preservatives, and alpha hydroxy acids.

9. Plants – obviously plants such as poison ivy, oak and sumac are three very common causes of contact dermatitis. They all have an ingredient called urushiol oil. This can cause itchiness and redness.

10. Food – handling food can cause skin irritations, especially if you have cuts or cracks on your hands. One example is the ascorbic acid in citrus fruits which causes severe burns.

It is good to know what common irritants are lying around the house so that you can avoid skin irritation if possible.

After researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted a study in nearly 82 thousand women, the findings indicated signs of beer increasing risk of psoriasis. The findings showed that:

• Light beer, red and white wine, and liquor were not associated with risk of psoriasis
• Risk of psoriasis was 72% greater among women who had 2 drinks per week or more, compared to those who abstained from alcohol
• Risk of psoriasis was 2.3 times higher in women who drank 5+ beers per week than those who didn’t drink beer.

Why Beer Of All Alcohol?

The research suggests that there are certain non-alcoholic elements of beer that contribute to the onset of psoriasis. One of the writers in the study said, “One of these components may be the starch source used in making beer.”

Barley could also be a culprit. It is a starch that is only used in beer and other non-distilled alcoholic drinks. It is a substance that people with psoriasis can be very sensitive to. Women with a high risk of psoriasis are recommended to avoid in-take of non-light beer since association between alcohol consumption and increased risk of psoriasis in patients have been suspected for a while now. Further investigation would have to take place in order to analyze the full potential effects of non-light beer on new-onset psoriasis.

Having licensed aestheticians on staff is a good sign that the spa qualified to perform microdermabrasion, facials, and other procedures and treatments. Some chemical peels are appropriate to have at a day spa. However, if you are looking for a more advanced peel, please revert back to a dermatologist’s office.

Also, if you are seeking Botox treatment, find a licensed physician or trained medical personnel that can properly administer the treatment. If you have skin disorders like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, please reconsider spa treatments for there are certain treatments that will exacerbate our condition, rather than improve it.

However, a facial can be a wonderful pampering experience. You may also wish to avoid hot towel treatments to the face, steam baths and saunas if you have rosacea, since it will increase blood flow and potential risks of flare-ups.

Most of all, avoid spas that have fat-dissolving treatments. The FDA does not approve unproven injection treatments that do not dissolve fat. Also, avoid the tanning beds. It will harm your skin in the long run. There are plenty of other treatments and methods to bring out the best in your skin, without exposing it to UV radiation.

Pampering yourself is important, just remember to choose the spa carefully.

Body Odor and Sweating Can Be Embarrassing

So what’s with the body odor? Body odor comes from the bacteria that breeds and multiplies quickly when it’s exposed to a moise environment. In essence, the sweat itself is odorless. However, the sweat combined with bacteria in a moist environment, like an armpit, causes the bacteria to smell. Men usually smell worse than women because of armpit hair, which gives bacteria more surface area to live on. But the funny thing is that women are more sensitive to B.O. than men; they can detect the foul smell from a mile away.

The best way to fight and prevent body odor is to wash the body well with soap or body wash, followed with an application of antiperspirant and deodorant. Antiperspirant prevents excessive sweating in the armpits and deodorant helps fight the body odor. If you apply deodorant and antiperspirant on an unwashed body, it will not do a whole lot of good.

Excessive sweating is a condition called hyperhidrosis. There are antiperspirant prescription medications used to treat this  condition. There are other procedures and treatments for excessive sweating if the medication is not effective. See your dermatologist if you think you might have hyperhidrosis.

Remember that sweating is normal for everyone; it just takes proper hygiene and care to live with it.

What causes poison ivy? The ivy contains an oil called urushiol, which is found in all parts of the plant (the leaves, stems, flowers, berries, and roots). Urushiol is an allergen, so the rash is a reaction to the allergen. Indirect contact with urushiol can also cause a rash. So if you touch clothes, pet fur, sports equipments or other objects that have come in contact with the ivy, you will also get the allergic reaction. However, the urushiol does not cause a rash on everyone.

Symptoms of the rash typically are:

• Itchiness
• Red streaks or general redness
• Small bumps or raised areas
• Blisters filled with fluid

The rash usually appears 8 to 48 hours after initial contact and will continue to spread in new areas of the body. The rash is not contagious; you cannot spread it or catch it after it appears. More serious symptoms of poison ivy include: swelling of the face, mouth, neck, genitals, or eyelids.

Treatment for poison ivy can be done at home. Initially, you must wash off the infected area with copious amounts of water. To relieve symptoms, use wet compresses and take cool bats. Calamine lotion can also help relieve symptoms. More moderate cases of the rash may require doctor treatment and medications such as corticosteroid pills, creams, ointments, or shots.

The best way to avoid getting a poison ivy allergic reaction is to learn to identity the plants and avoid them. Also, heavy clothing and barrier lotions may help for protection as well.