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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Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease May Spur Certain Cognitive, Psychiatric Symptoms In Some Patients.

The AP (5/5) reported that Lyme disease "can affect different organ systems, including those of the heart or brain, but is usually associated with symptoms such as arthritis and the expanding red rash said to resemble a bull's-eye." Some physicians say the disease "might also spur certain cognitive and psychiatric symptoms in some patients, but others say there's no hard scientific evidence a link between Lyme disease and some of these problems." Dr. Brian Fallon, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center at Columbia University, said the illness has "been linked to certain psychiatric reactions, including depression, obsession compulsive disorder and anxiety." There were "29,959 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2009," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

        Lyme Disease Cases Increased 35% In Wisconsin Last Year. The Capital Times (5/5, Doherty) "Vital Signs" blog reported, "The number of people infected with Lyme disease in Wisconsin increased by 35 percent last year, more alarming evidence that this nasty tick-borne illness is on the march here and across the US." According to a statement released by Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer, "Lyme disease cases in the state totaled 3,495 in 2010 compared with 2,587 in 2009." The blog listed tips from Wisconsin officials to avoid tick bites, including: "Use effective tick repellants. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults use repellants with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing."

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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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Fear Of Skin Atrophy From Topical Corticosteroids Unfounded.

Fear Of Skin Atrophy From Topical Corticosteroids Unfounded.

WebMD (4/21, Goodman) reported, "Proper use of corticosteroid ointments to treat childhood eczema does not appear to damage or thin skin over time," according to a study in Pediatric Dermatology.

        MedPage Today (4/21, Smith) reported that investigators "studied 70 children with atopic dermatitis or eczema-psoriasis overlap who had used topical corticosteroids for at least three months and whose condition was under 'excellent control.'" In the dermatitis group, investigators rated skin atrophy at three sites treated with topical corticosteroids and an untreated self-control site. The control group was made up of 20 children who had never used corticosteroid ointments but had been referred to the dermatology facility for noninflammatory conditions. The investigators looked at same sites in the control group as in the dermatitis group. "The researchers found: neither investigator observed any atrophy in any of 280 sites from the dermatitis group or 88 sites from the control group; Grade 1 telangiectasia was observed in several patients, all located on the inside of the elbows; but there was no significant difference between the groups;" and "no patient had evidence of striae, atrophic scars, or purpura."

        HealthDay (4/21, Preidt) reported the Pediatric Dermatology study shows "long-term use of topical corticosteroids to treat children with the skin condition known as eczema doesn't cause any major negative side effects." During the study, "all of the children were assessed for signs of corticosteroid-related side effects" and the researchers found that "there were no differences between the children receiving the medication and those in the control group."

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More Americans Move Toward High Deductible Plans

Analysis Finds High-Deductible Plans Do Not Deter People From Medical Care.

Modern Healthcare (4/18, Vesely, Subscription Publication) reported that the RAND group and Towers Watson concluded from examining the first year of high-deductible health plans used by 59 big companies that low-income or chronically ill people are no more likely to skip getting medical treatments than wealthier and healthier patients in such plans. The study focused on claims data from some 360,000 families nationally between 2003 and 2007. The study appeared in the online journal Forum for Health Economics & Policy.

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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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Passing Genital Herpes without Symptoms infection 10% of the Time!

It's like Russian Roulette! Be safe please.

Asymptomatic HSV-2 Carriers May Transmit Genital Herpes, Study Finds.

The NPR (4/12, Hensley) "Shots" blog reported, "Researchers at the University of Washington have found just how easily people infected with herpes simplex type 2 virus, which causes genital herpes, can unknowingly pass it on to other people." According to a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, participants who tested positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 used a swab to collect 'genital secretions' each for 30 consecutive days and kept symptom diaries. The researchers found that "410 people with symptomatic genital herpes and 88 participants who tested positive for infection," showed no symptoms.

        The Time (4/12, Melnick) "Healthland" blog noted that on average, the researchers found those "who had had past herpes outbreaks were infectious 20.1% of the time, while the asymptomatic group was found to be able to transmit the virus 10.2% of time."

        According to the Los Angeles Times (4/12, Roan) "Booster Shots" blog, the analysis, "one of the largest studies to date" of people tested positive for herpes simplex virus type 2, also found that virus presence was detected "at least once in 83.4% of the people with symptomatic infection and in 68.2% of people with asymptomatic herpes." The authors say the study shows that even people with asymptomatic herpes type 2 "can transmit it to a sexual partner."

        CNN Health (4/13, Harding) notes Richard D. Whitley, MD, the University of Alabama and a past president of the Infectious Disease Society of America, who said everyone should determine whether they have HSV-2. In addition to the risk of "unwittingly infecting sexual partners," Dr. Whitley emphasized that "pregnant women with no symptoms can pass on the virus to their babies with devastating consequences for the newborn, including death." Moreover, HSV-2 infection can cause "complications in people who have weakened immune systems due to chronic disease, and it can increase a person's likelihood of contracting HIV."

        The Baltimore Sun (4/12) "Picture of Health" blog reported that the study authors "said condom use, drug therapy and disclosure of the disease to partners can help curb the spread of herpes." HealthDay (4/12, Gardner) pointed out that blood tests to "detect HSV-2 became widely available in 1999, making it easier for people to find out if they have genital herpes even if the infection isn't active." The study was also covered by AFP (4/12), WebMD (4/12, DeNoon), and MedPage Today (4/12, Neale).

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What are the best foods for healthy skin?

From the Mayo Clinic, Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.

Research on the best foods for healthy skin is limited. Still, antioxidant-rich foods seem to have a protective effect for the skin. Consider these skin-friendly foods:

• Carrots, apricots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
• Blueberries
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Beans, peas and lentils
• Fish, especially salmon
• Nuts

On the flip side, some foods seem to be associated with skin damage. For example, some research suggests that a diet high in fat and carbohydrates promotes skin aging. Remember, many of the best foods for healthy skin also promote good health overall. Rather than focusing on specific foods for healthy skin, concentrate on a healthy diet in general. Drink plenty of water. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Trade red meat for fish. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Include nuts, seeds and beans in your favorite meals. Opt for whole-grain breads and pasta. Limit sweets. Strive for variety as you're making healthy choices.

Click here to get your skintastic diet started in time for summer with my favorite, affordable personal chef, SakaraLife.

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E! News

Giuliana Rancic from E! News talks to us about cutting-edge lasers we use to prime your skin for summer.

http://fabfitfun.com/luxurious-lasers

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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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Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Winter Symposium December 2010

At the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Winter Symposium December 2010, Dr. Robert Buka leads a dermatology seminar on cutting-edge eczema research and therapy.

See it here!

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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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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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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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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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Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Acne Keloidalis Nuchae. A chronic and sometimes very painful condition, this severe follicular inflammation can lead to permanent scarring. We use antibiotics like doxycycline to keep this condition at bay. Intralesional injections of steroids can hep with excess inflammation. For very severe cases, isotretinoin and even surgical intervention has been shown to have remarkable, long-term clearence results.

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Henoch Schonlein Purpura

Henoch Schonlein Purpura - a small vessel "vasculitis" (inflammation of small blood vessels) more common in children, but seen at all ages. These bruise-like lesions are clasically located on the legs and are associated with abdominal and joint pain.  

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Melanoma in situ

This mole is as irregular as they come - note the lack of distinct edges and the variegate color. A biopsy of this lesion revealed a Melanoma in situ.



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