Posted by dermcareonline on December 21, 2009 under osteoporosis, sun protection, vitamin D | 
Vitamin D: Are We Getting Enough?
Vitamin D is a very important vitamin because it controls normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. This helps to make and keep the bones strong. It also protects against osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer, and other autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D is easily obtained from your diet by eating fish, eggs, cod liver oil, and dairy products. When your skin is exposed to the sun, vitamin D is also produced in the skin. However, for years dermatologists have been recommending avoidance of excessive sun exposure at peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and recommending sun protective clothing. In contrast, some endocrinologists have recommended exposure to UV radiation so that people get adequate Vitamin D levels in the body.
The new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all children should receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily, either through the diet or with vitamin supplements. The recommended doses for vitamin D for adults up to age 70 is 400 IU, and 600 IU for adults older than 70. 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.
These guidelines are coming in response to the reports of rickets in infants and children in the United States. Rickets and osteoporosis are diseases caused by a lack of vitamin D intake. There are about 10-12 million Americans with osteoporosis.
The controversy lies in whether in addition to your dietary intake of vitamin D, do you expose yourself to more harmful sun rays, to get more vitamin D? You ask yourself, “But I thought my dermatologist told me not to go out in the sun, and if I do go out in the sun, I need to cover up and wear sunscreen?!” What do we do? Too much sun causes skin cancer, too little sun causes a deficiency in vitamin D. According to a recent study, exposure of the arms and legs for 5-30 minutes, twice is week is probably sufficient for most people. It is also important to know the current recommended daily doses of Vitamin D.
Know if you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency and get the necessary supplements.
Children at risk:
-Breast fed babies (mother’s milk does not contain enough vitamin D)
-Children that consume less than 1 quart of milk a day need supplementation
Adults are at risk:
- People with dark skin (they need 6 times more UVB to make vitamin D)
-Obesity (since vitamin D is kept in adipose tissue)
-Elderly (thin skin of the elderly does not have enough vitamin D precursor)
Follow the recommended daily dietary intake and limit your sun exposure. If you are getting pink or a sun burn, you’ve probably had too much.
A healthy diet is also recommended. A blood test can be done to detect the levels of vitamin D in the blood.
As with any new recommendation, it is best to discuss the issues of vitamin D, the sun, blood tests, and supplementation with your physician.
Be sun smart.
Posted by dermcareonline on under sun protection |
Why should I use sunscreen in the winter?
Winter is here and your winter vacation plans are made. Ski clothes and sweaters are out. The bikinis have been packed and put away. Stop, don’t put your sunscreen in the back of the medicine cabinet. Wintertime is still a time to protect your skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
The rays of the sun strongly reflects off the snow. You can get a sunburn while skiing. The same rules for applying sunscreen in the summer apply to winter time.
Guide for sunscreen use on sun exposed areas:
Face and neck: 2/3 teaspoon
Arms: 1 1/3 teaspoon
Back: 1 1/3 teaspoon
Front: 1 1/3 teaspoon
Legs: 2 2/3 teaspoon
You need 2mg of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin.
Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours on sun exposed areas.
Posted by dermcareonline on under allergies |
Allergen of the Year 2009
Every year, the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) names a substance that causes allergic rashes. This is determined based upon results from a patch test. A patch test is a simple test done in a doctor’s office where products are placed on the skin, and after waiting some time, the doctor looks at the skin to see if an allergic reaction has occurred because of a specific substance. In 2009, the NACDG has named mixed dialkyl thioureas as the allergen of the year. Mixed dialkyl thioureas are also known as diethylthiourea and dibutylthiourea.
Mixed dialkyl thioureas are accelerants used to make rubber, and antioxidants in the making of neoprene. Commonly, people have rashes on their hands from rubber gloves, or on their feet from athletic shoes or foot supporters. It can also be seen with rubber orthopedic braces, swimming masks or goggles, wet suits, and sleep apnea masks.
If you have a rash that won’t go away, a doctor can perform a patch test to determine if you are allergic to these accelerators. Barrier creams like zinc oxide paste can be used to prevent the chemical from touching with your skin. After that, avoidance if the irritant substance is key. Klogs USA and Medimex make shoes without the accelerators.
Posted by dermcareonline on December 16, 2009 under nails |
Many women talk to their manicurist about problems with their nails. One of the most common complaints is brittle nails. That means that the nails have ridges, break easily, and sometimes the nails are hard or soft.
Brittle nails are commonly seen in the elderly, dry climates, or in people who excessively use nail polish remover more than 4 times a month. Rarely, brittle nails is seen in thyroid dissease or associated with the use of a medication.
Follow these simple suggestions to improve your nails if you have hard brittle nails:
- use soaps for sensitive skin like Dove, Oil of Olay, Prurpose, or Neutrogena for sensitive skin.
- minimize excessive hand washing or exposure to water
- wear vinyl gloves with cotton lining when cleaning or doing the dishes
- avoid excessive contact with raw foods, citrus products, detergents or chemicals
- minimize the use of nail polish remover
- keep nails short
- moisturize the nails especially the cuticles
- morning: use 10% Urea (Carmol) or Lac Hydrin, evening: apply a heavy creamy moisturizer or petroleum jelly to nails and cover with cotton gloves at bedtime.
- humidify the house if possible
- take a vitamin called Biotin Forte 3mg once a day with meals
If the nails are still a problem, you might want to speak to a dermatologist to see if there is another reason for the problem with your nails.
