Posted by admin on December 29, 2008 under Skin Cancer, Skin Care General, sun protection | 
What’s all the Hype with Vitamin D and Sun Exposure?
A simple blood test can be performed to detect the levels of vitamin D in the blood. Even an apparently healthy athlete can have a blood test that reveals a deficiency in vitamin D.
Aside from the psychological benefits it is believed many derive from sunlight, the Vitamin D also produced by sun exposure is today seen as a critical vitamin for bone and muscle health. It is also considered a deterrent to many other harmful diseases plaguing today’s society.
A deficiency in Vitamin D can cause Rickets in children and has been associated with diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers and arthritis in adults as well.
While dietary requirements for Vitamin D has traditionally been 200 IU for children and adults, 400 IU for adults over the age of 50 and 800 IU for elderly adults, some physicians believe that doses of even 800 IU are not enough to prevent fractures associated with osteopenia. Some doctors are now recommending 1000 IU per day of Vitamin D3 supplementation for those patients who are avoiding or protecting themselves from the harmful rays of the sun – or those living in regions with long seasons of diminished sunlight.
Societies today are receiving less natural sun exposure than generations past – as a result of sun –related health concerns and changing work and school environments with less outdoor exposure.
The new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all children receive 400 IU of vitamin D every day, either through their diet or vitamin supplements. These guidelines come in response to the increasing reports of rickets in infants and children in the United States. It is important to note that 400 IU of vitamin D is seen in the vitamin supplements of most children.
Vitamin D derived from the diet is found in such things as orange juice, milk and other dairy products, as well as oily fish and cod liver oil. Vitamin D is also produced in the skin after approximately five minutes of sun exposure. Additional exposure does not increase production of vitamin D.
Ultraviolet light B (UVB) converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to pre-vitamin D3 in the skin, which is then converted to vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is transported to the kidneys and liver and becomes biologically active.
For years dermatologists have recommended the avoidance of excessive sun exposure at peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), along with the use of sun protective clothing. In contrast, some endocrinologists have recommended exposure to this UV radiation so that people ensure that they achieve the adequate Vitamin D levels in the body.
So, what are readers of such conflicting information to think? Too much sun causes skin cancer, too little sun causes a deficiency in vitamin D…
Too little vitamin D can cause rickets or osteoporosis. There are approximately 10-12 million Americans with osteoporosis. What is the best thing to do? All individual factors should be considered.
Who is at risk for developing a Vitamin D deficiency?
- Breast fed infants may require supplementation after the first few days of life, as mother’s milk does not contain enough vitamin D.
- Children who consume less than one quart of milk a day require supplementation.
- Other children at risk for vitamin D deficiency and in need of supplementation include African American children. The darker skin of an African American child interferes with ultraviolet light penetration and vitamin D production. African American children and adults alike, as well as other cultures with particularly dark skin, require six times more UVB to produce vitamin D.
- Obesity suppresses the production of vitamin D, as vitamin D is kept in adipose tissue.
- Skin of the elderly is also vulnerable as it is thin and does not have enough vitamin D precursor – establishing a deficient environment.
A simple blood test can be performed to detect the levels of vitamin D in the blood. Even an apparently healthy athlete can have a blood test that reveals a deficiency in vitamin D.
Parents should ensure that children are eating a healthy diet with vitamin D-rich foods and achieve a healthy balance in diet, sun exposure and supplementation – assuring healthy vitamin D levels.
As with any new recommendation, it is best to discuss the issues of vitamin D, sun exposure, blood tests and supplementations with a qualified physician.
Tags: 7 -dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), arthritis, breast-fed infants and vitamin D, cancer, diabetes, elderly and vitamin D, healthy vitamin D levels, hypertension, kidney and liver health, obesity and vitamin D deficiency, pre-vitamin D3, rickets, sun exposure, sun light benefits, Ultraviolet light B (UVB), Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D supplements, vitamin D-rich foods, vitamin D3
Posted by admin on December 22, 2008 under eczema |
New Infections Make Eczema Care More Critical
Eczema in children, special concerns in winter months
Winter is a tough time for parents and children with eczema. The weather is colder, the heater in on, and people like to warm up with a hot bath or shower. These are all ingredients for dry skin and the worsening of eczema.
The skin acts as a barrier to the outside to prevent things like infections and to keep the skin moisturized. With eczema and atopic dermatitis (childhood eczema), the skin is broken down. This broken barrier allows more transepidermal water loss and leads to more irritation from the environment.
Patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis are more susceptible to skin infections - infections with Staphylococcus aureus, herpes simplex virus, and molluscum contagiosum. With the recent emergence of infections caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), patients with atopic dermatitis need to work especially hard at prevention by reducing the colonization of the bacteria (MRSA) on the skin. An individual can be a carrier of the bacteria, through their nose or anus.
Since colonization of the skin leads to re-infection and the worsening of eczema, sufferers need to reduce the amount of MRSA bacteria on the skin.
Diluted bleach baths have been recommended to reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in patients with atopic dermatitis. Such a bath is made with ½ C of 0.005% sodium hypochlorite added to a full tub of water, twice a week. In addition, mupirocin (Bactroban) can be applied with a Q-tip to the nose twice a day for five to 10 days. If you think your child has a staph infection, talk to your doctor about treating the infection as well as seeing if your child is a carrier of the bacteria through their nose.
Those with atopic dermatitis are easily irritated by allergens such as detergents and perfumes. They are also at risk for developing allergic rashes from things that they come in contact with (allergic contact dermatitis). This can happen when an individual becomes sensitized to a product that they have used for a long time. For example, someone has atopic dermatitis and has developed an allergic rash to the moisturizer that they have used for a long time. The most common contact allergens (products that produce a rash) are emollients, chlorhexidene, hexamidine, tixocortol pivalate, and bufexamac. If someone suffering from atopic dermatitis develops a rash, the cause might be something they have been using for a long time.
The treatment for eczema is aimed at eliminating the irritation (redness, scaling and inflammation), as well as repairing the barrier function of the skin. Topical over the counter hydrocortisone or prescription corticosteroids work to treat the inflammation of the skin. The barrier of the skin is repaired with moisturizers or emollients. An emollient gives a smoothing effect on the skin and a moisturizer affects the hydration. Moisturizers work in three vehicles; ointments, creams, or lotions.
Petrolatum is an ointment that is also very effective in repairing the barrier of the skin. It is available as Vaseline, Eucerin ointment, Aquaphor, and others. Cera-Ve is a relatively new product that is available as a cleanser, lotion or cream. It is product that helps to repair the ceramide deficiency found in atopic dermatitis.
There are many products in the market designed to help the skin. Ointments are better than creams. Creams are better than lotions. Make sure that the moisturizers don’t have fragrances. If the moisturizer irritates you or your child’s skin, DON’T USE IT. Limit the bathing, use a mild soap and moisturize.
Tags: allergens, allergic rashes, atopic dermatitis, Cera-Ve, ceramide deficiency, childhood eczema, dry skin, eczema, emollient, herpes simplex virus, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, molluscum contagiosum, MRSA, MRSA bacteria, Rashes, skin infections, skin inflammation, skin irritation, skin redness
Posted by admin on December 15, 2008 under Skin Cancer, Skin Care General, sun protection |
Why Sunscreen Shouldn’t be Packed Away with the Swimsuits
Sunscreen is important all year round.
Winter is here and winter vacation plans are made. The bathing suits have been packed away, and the sweaters and ski clothes are out.
Stop!
Don’t put the sunscreen in the back of the medicine cabinet. Wintertime is still a time to protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
The rays of the sun reflect off the snow. It is still possible to get a sunburn – even while bundled and skiing on sunny slopes. The same rules for applying sunscreen in the summer apply to winter time as well. A broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB coverage should be used and reapplied every two to three hours on sun exposed areas.
It is recommended that 2mg of sunscreen is used per square centimeter of skin. That means that approximately 2/3 teaspoon is needed for the face and neck. And sunglasses and a hat should be worn to protect the eyes and scalp. Enjoy the slopes!
Posted by admin on December 5, 2008 under Skin Cancer |
After exposure to summer sun, fall is a good time to get a body scan.
The fall is an excellent time to have the effects of summer sun on the skin and scalp carefully assessed. Slight discolorations, moles that have changed and scaly patches on frequently exposed areas of the body are all worth a look, as precancerous conditions can be nipped in the bud if identified early and melanoma caught early can be more easily treated.
While a full-body dermatological scan is a wise annual commitment for those who spend lots of time in the sun over the summer, there are the ABCDE rules of melanoma detection that individuals can use any time of year.
The ABCDE rules of melanoma detection include: A (asymmetry) - does the right side look like a mirror image of the left? B (border) - is the border irregular? C-does the mole have different colors? D- Is the diameter larger than 6 mm, the size of a pencil head eraser? E (evolution) -has the mole evolved over time? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it is important to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Early detection means better survival.
A study published in the Archives of Dermatology revealed that patients with melanomas detected by a dermatologist had better outcomes than when detected by non-dermatologists. The study was a retrospective study of over 2000 patients.
According to the study, melanomas detected by a certified dermatologist were detected at an earlier stage, were thinner and had better survival rates. When the melanomas were detected by dermatologists, the six months, two years, and five years survival rates were 98 percent, 87 percent and 74 percent respectively. Conversely, when detected by a non dermatologist, the rates were 95 percent, 79 percent and 69 percent respectively.
While there may be many explanations for these results, such as a patient choosing to see to a specialist and more insistent on getting a mole evaluated, or the primary care physician addressing other serious medical issues at that same visit.
The universal truth is that the key to survival of melanoma is… early detection. The sooner a patient detects and appropriately has the cancer removed, the better the chances of survival.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that individuals have their skin carefully examined each year, with careful assessment of new spots or changes in the size, color, shape, or texture of existing spots and moles.
