Tanning and Melanoma

People Who Use Tanning Beds More Likely To Develop Melanoma.

The Chicago Sun-Times (5/31, Szabo) reported that "since 1992, rates of melanoma -- once considered an old person's disease -- have risen three percent a year in white women 15 to 39, the American Cancer Society says." Unfortunately, "people who have used tanning beds are 74 percent more likely than others to develop melanoma, a 2010 study shows." For that reason, among others, "the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Dermatology and World Health Organization all have called on states to ban children under 18 from tanning salons."

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Zombies and Emergency Preparedness

CDC Blog Uses Zombies To Generate Interest In Disaster Preparedness.

The New York Times (5/20, A13, McNeil, Harris, Subscription Publication) reports that a CDC public health blog was recently updated with "instructions on coping with a zombie apocalypse." The agency recommends preparing for zombies invasions, hurricanes or pandemics by having an emergency kit, which "includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp." This "idea, said David Daigle, a CDC spokesman whose portfolio includes disaster response, came up as they were discussing how to make the agency's annual 'It's Hurricane Season Again' press release a little sexier."

        The Los Angeles Times (5/20, Khan) "Booster Shots" blog reports, "Preparing for disasters has always been part of the mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from hurricanes to flu pandemics." In order to attract public attention to disaster preparedness advice, Dr. Ali S. Khan, an assistant surgeon general with the CDC and head of its office of Public Health Preparedness, along with other agency staff, decided to include recommendations for surviving a "zombie apocalypse."

        The Washington Post (5/20, Bell) says in a blog posting, "The CDC has decided that if you're prepared for a Zombie Apocalypse, you're prepared for any emergency." The agency's blog posting on the subject "includes a series of badges and recommendations on what to do in case flesh-eating zombies take over the world. The steps are pretty simple: prepare an emergency kit, make a plan for evacuation routes and family meeting spots, and be prepared by following CDC alerts on Twitter."

        The USA Today (5/20) "Science Fair" blog quips, "Never let it be said that the doctors at the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention lack a sense of humor -- or the sense to find a fun way to teach Americans about emergency preparedness. Hence today's most excellent CDC offering: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse."

        Also covering the story are Reuters (5/20, Marsh), the Chicago Tribune (5/20, Dizikes), NPR (5/20, Hensley) "Shots" blog, CBS (5/20, Freeman) on its website, the Forbes (5/20, Gibbs) "Technobabble" blog, New York Daily News (5/20, Mandell), Chicago Sun-Times (5/20, Thomas), and Deseret Morning News (UT) (5/20, Collins).

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Vitamin D and Obesity

Low Levels Of Vitamin D May Be Common In Obese Adolescents.

HealthDay (5/4, Preidt) reported, "Low levels of vitamin D are common in obese adolescents," according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health. For the study, "researchers screened 68 obese adolescents and found low vitamin D levels in all of the girls (72 percent were deemed deficient and 28 percent insufficient) and in 91 percent of the boys (69 percent deficient and 22 percent insufficient)." The study authors "called for closer monitoring of vitamin D levels in obese adolescents and for more research to determine if restoring normal vitamin D levels could help reduce the health risks associated with obesity."

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Botanical Trouble

Supplements Given During First Year Of Life May Spur Allergies.

In "Vital Signs," the New York Times (5/10, D6, Rabin, Subscription Publication) reports, "Nearly one in 10 babies are given supplements or plant-based teas to soothe colic or help with teething during the first year of life, even though the products are unproven and may contain contaminants or spur allergies," according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. To reach these conclusions, "the researchers drew data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a survey of women in late pregnancy and through their babies' first year of life. Conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2005 to 2007, the study included a nationwide sample of 2,653 healthy mothers and newborns."

        Rhinitis, Eczema In Childhood Associated With Adult Asthma. MedWire (5/9, Cowen) reports that, according to a study published online in the Journal of Allergy and Immunology, "a combination of eczema and rhinitis in childhood is associated with a significantly increased risk for new-onset atopic asthma in middle age and persistence of childhood asthma to adult atopic asthma." After examining "data on 1,383 individuals who were recruited at the age of 6-7 years in 1968 as part of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study, and who were followed up at the age of 44 years," researchers estimated that "29.7% of persistent atopic asthma cases and 18.1% of new-onset atopic asthma cases in their study could be attributed to childhood eczema and rhinitis."

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Experts Provide Caveat To Sunscreen-Melanoma Study Findings.

Medscape (5/4, Mulcahy) reported, "In the past year, sunscreen was shown -- for the first time -- to prevent melanoma in one of the only randomized controlled trials ever conducted on this subject." However, "there is a caveat about the results that has important public health implications and was not highlighted in the original study, according to a letter published online April 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology." People who participated in the trial were middle-aged Australians whose sun exposure occurred during the course of their daily activities. In other words, their sun exposure was incidental, not intentional, as would be the sun exposure of dedicated beachgoers. Therefore, the authors of the letter say that "white people in other parts of the world should not interpret the study results as a 'green light' to tan on the beach."

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Tan Ban for Minors

New York Legislators Considering First Indoor Tanning Ban For All Minors.

The AP (5/5) reports that New York state is trying to "become the first to ban indoor tanning for all minors." Russell Sciandra, of the American Cancer Society in New York, "said the current effort is bolstered by a February report by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 'Rates of skin cancer -- including melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer -- continue to rise, even in young people,' the academy found." Therefore, "along with the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology, the AAP supports legislation prohibiting access to tanning salons or use of artificial tanning devices by children under the age of 18."

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Routine Use Of Antibiotics On Animal Farms Leading To Antibiotic Resistance In Humans.

Routine Use Of Antibiotics On Animal Farms Leading To Antibiotic Resistance In Humans.

The Los Angeles Times (4/25, Adams) reports that, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was found "on 47% of 136 samples of beef, chicken, pork and turkey from 26 grocery stores in five US cities" and that "of those bacteria, 96% were resistant to at least one type of antibiotic and more than half were resistant to at least three." Lance Price at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Arizona, and colleagues, "concluded that the resistant staph on meat was probably coming from the animals - and not, say, a worker's unclean hands. This seems to point the finger at antibiotic use in agriculture." The Los Angeles Times notes, "calls for restrictions, particularly on antibiotics used to combat human infectious disease, have come from a slew of organizations, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Assn and the Union of Concerned Scientists. Yet the practice remains."

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High Priced Branded Meds

Physician: Americans Should Stop Purchasing High-Priced Drugs.

In a letter to editor in USA Today (4/14), Dr. Nick Benton of Corvallis, Oregon, writes that if Americans "still spent only 10% of our gross domestic product on healthcare, the price would be sustainable long term. The problem is that our healthcare spending is now up to about 17% of GDP." Dr. Benton writes, "Here is a simple solution. Let's just say no to the ridiculous price of new drugs and technology. If we do, companies will lower the price."

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Scraped Knees Should be Kept Hydrated!

Keeping Wound Covered, Moist May Help Prevent Scarring.

The Los Angeles Times (4/17, Delude) discussed the efficacy of various creams sold over the counter to reduce the appearance of scars. Unfortunately, "there's little evidence that they work any better than inexpensive petroleum jelly." In fact, "a 2009 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology...found a huge gap between the advertised benefits of over-the-counter scar products and the clinical evidence that they actually work." What's more, "several articles in a March supplement of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology show that antibiotic ointments do not aid in healing or reduce the risk of infection -- but they do raise the risk of antibiotic resistance." Dermatologists recommend that a good way to minimize scars from forming is to keep a wound covered and moist, the article explained.

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Foo Fighters at Ed Sullivan Theater

Thank you, Dave, for brilliant passes to the show tonight. Definitely Foo Fighters at their best.

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/liveonletterman/foo_fighters/video/

The tight Beatles ties were worth the extra sweat. Safe flight home and wear your new FAB 5-1 Sunscreen in LA.

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Linear Epidermal Nevus



Linear Epidermal Nevus - Left Leg



Linear Epidermal Nevus (LEN) - This benign lesion is typically present at birth or shortly thereafter. It is said to resemble the ruggous surface of a wart. Although usually asymptomatic, surgical options, like excision or carbon dioxide laser, may be employed to remove the bulk of these lesions safely.

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You, Better! Show

Dr. Bobby Buka gives the “skinny” on skin health during the You, Better! Show, hosted by Ceslie Armstrong. Click n' see!

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Acanthosis Nigricans



Acanthosis Nigricans - Right Axilla



Acanthosis Nigricans - This condition (in great need of a renaming) appears most commonly in skin of color and usually effects flexural areas like the armpits, groin, and neck. Affected areas are described in velvety in appearance. There is some link to families with a history of diabetes. Very benign and very refractory to treatment, although exfoliants are sometimes helpful to lighten the skin in the area.

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Epidermal Inclusion Cyst (EIC)

Epidermal Inclusion Cyst (EIC) - These benign cysts can be found anywhere on the body where there are hair follicles. If the base of a hair follicle weakens, it can become dilated. Dead skin, instead of making a clean eggress to the surface, moves retrograde and enlarges the cyst. Sometimes a cheesy white material that smells musty can exude from a central pore overlying the cyst. They are benign, but can sometimes become infected. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.
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Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis (CARP)



CARP - upper back

 Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis (CARP) - Ok, last obscure one for a while. CARP is a condition of unknown cause. It's more common in skin of color and is characterized by a thickening of the epidermis. Treatments range from creams that exfoliate to minocycline. Can be cosmetically unsettling but is always benign.

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Macular Amyloidosis

Upper Back - Macular Amylodosis

Macular Amyloidosis. Here's an obscure one. See the brown discoloration between the purple pen marks? A condition brought about by vigrous scratching or rubbing, leaves behind this obscure protein called amyloid. Typically found on the upper back. Totally benign, but cosmetically undesireable. A real challenge to treat, but should subside with decreased scratching.


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SPIDER ANGIOMA

Spider angioma. These vascular lesions are dilations of small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface. They are never dangerous and tend to be more prominent in sun-exposed areas. One or 2 zaps with the  pulsed-dye laser does a nice job of getting rid of these without a scar.

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Acne Scarring

Acne Scarring - What the inflammation of acne leaves behind in its path (even acne that hasn't been picked!) can be just as emotionally impactful as acne itself. Deep or rolling scars such as these are commonly treated with a mix of technologies ranging from subcision (wherein a needle is introduced underneath the skin to break up fibrous bands), to pulsed-dye laser therapy, to deep dermal chemical peels like trichloracetic acid.

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Freckles

Ephelids or Freckles. We sometimes use glycolic acid or hydroquinone for these benign lesions, but nothing works quite like the Pulsed Dye Laser. 1 or 2 sessions usually does the trick and takes years off!

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Common Warts

Back to basics with warts. Hands and feet are usually the most recalcitrant to therapy. Usual therapies begin with liquid nitrogen or excision. 2nd line therapies include candida antigen and the pulsed dye laser. Always benign, always annoying with potential for self-esteem impact.

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