DSC Newsletter September 2009
Sep 03, 2009
August is Psoriasis Awareness Month
Sponsored by the National Psoriasis Foundation every August, Psoriasis Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness, educating the public and dispelling myths about psoriasis.
Over 7.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with psoriasis. This condition can be hard for children and teens to deal with daily as well as for adults. Each year, 1 in 5 people with psoriasis report being discriminated against at a public pool. This month is your chance to increase awareness about the disease and educate the public that psoriasis is not contagious. Help spread the word that pools are for recreation, not discrimination.
Tanning Beds Classified as Carcinogenic
A new report issued in July places tanning beds in the “highest cancer risk” category. The agency also reclassified all UV radiation as carcinogenic to humans, including UVA, UVB and UVC.
A review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that the risk of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, increases by 75 percent when use of tanning beds and sunlamps begins before 30 years of age. This high-risk tanning behavior, seen primarily in females, could explain the increasing melanoma rates for females 15-29 years old.
"Indoor tanning is particularly troubling because it is unnecessary and is practiced mainly for cosmetic reasons. Individuals, particularly young people, who utilize tanning beds are intentionally putting their health at risk,” stated Dr. Pariser, President of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). “We hope that this new classification will persuade individuals to stop using or avoid indoor tanning all together."
This year, more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, exceeding the incidence of all other cancers combined. It is estimated that there will be about 121,840 new cases of melanoma in 2009. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old. Read the full report about tanning beds and cancer.
Vitamin D Intake & Sun Exposure – Revised AAD Recommendations
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recently issued a revised recommendations regarding vitamin D intake after reviewing recent scientific literature. Recent reports have shown the importance of having sufficient levels of this vitamin for optimal health.
The AAD continues to recommend that the public obtain vitamin D from nutritional sources and dietary supplements, and not from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning devices, as UV radiation is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer.
The recommendations also now state that individuals who regularly and properly practice sun protection, such as the daily use of sunscreen on exposed skin or the wearing of sun protective clothing, may be at risk for vitamin D insufficiency. A higher dose of vitamin D may be necessary for these individuals and others with known risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency, such as those with dark skin, the elderly, photosensitive individuals, people with limited sun exposure, obese individuals or those with fat malabsorption. Therefore, the Academy encourages those with concerns about their levels of vitamin D to discuss options for obtaining sufficient dietary or supplementary sources of vitamin D with their physician. Read the full report about vitamin D.
Hormonal Therapy Option for Adult Women with Acne
Acne isn’t just for teenagers. Many adult women experience outbreaks of acne, particularly on the lower 1/3 of the face and when premenstrual.
Studies show that acne affects more than 50 percent of women between the ages of 20-29 and more than 25 percent of women between the ages of 40-49.
For these women, hormonal therapy in the form of combination oral contraceptives (YAZ, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep) and/or anti-androgen medications (spironolactone, flutamide) may help by reducing the activity of the male hormone testosterone.
The benefits of hormonal therapy may not be visible for several weeks. Several months of use are required to determine whether the medication is helpful for a particular individual. Most patients may need to continue using oral contraceptives or a topical retinoid (Differin, Retin A Mirco, Tazorac, tretinoin) to maintain clearance. Read the full report about hormonal treatments for acne.
Research suggests patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis may often have joint, nail symptoms
MedWire (5/15, Piper) reports that, according to a study published online May 3 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, "patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis often have joint and nail symptoms."
Researchers identify lifestyle, stress factors possibly contributing to onset of psoriasis.
MedWire (5/22, Piper) reports that, according to a study published online Apr. 28 in the Journal of Dermatology, researchers from Serbia's Belgrade University "have identified key lifestyle and stress factors that could contribute to the onset of psoriasis." For the study, the team examined "the association between psoriasis and smoking habits, alcohol consumption, family history of psoriasis, and stressful life events in 110 psoriasis patients compared with 200 controls without the skin disease." They found that "psoriasis mainly affects urban residents and those who have been divorced." Next, after adjusting for "potential confounding factors, such as age, body mass index, and duration of disease," the group found that "risk factors independently associated with psoriasis were exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at home...alcohol consumption," a "family history of psoriasis," and a "change in work conditions," such as a "major reorganization."
Patients with psoriasis may face increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes. MedWire (5/22, Piper) reports that, according to a study presented at an investigative dermatology meeting, "psoriasis patients may face an increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes." For the study, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania "used the General Practice Research Database to compare cardiovascular mortality in 3,603 psoriasis patients and 14,330 individuals without the skin disease. The psoriasis patients all had severe disease." Next, the team "reviewed the medical records for causes of death." Then, "after taking into account traditional risk factors such as stroke, transient ischemic attack, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, age, gender, body mass index and smoking," the investigators discovered that "patients with psoriasis were 1.55 times more likely than controls to die from cardiovascular causes." The authors concluded that "patients with psoriasis, especially if disease is severe, should be counseled about managing traditional cardiovascular risk factors as part of their routine care."
People with psoriasis may face higher-than-expected risk of developing certain cancers, researchers say.
MedWire (5/29, Lyford) reports that, according to a study published online May 14 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, "people with psoriasis may face a higher-than-expected risk of developing certain cancers," particularly lymphohematopoietic and pancreatic tumors. Over the course of "4.6 years...1,703 patients were diagnosed with cancer" at an "incidence rate" of "5.83 per 1,000 person-years in patients with psoriasis and 5.18 per 1,000 person-years in those without psoriasis." Data "analysis revealed that the risk of developing lymphohematopoietic malignancies...and pancreatic cancer was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis," and also found "positive associations between the severity of psoriasis (as indicated by use of systemic therapy) and the duration of psoriasis and increased cancer risk."
Article details cosmetic procedures short of facelifts.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (5/23, Bertrand) detailed procedures that "can help lift, tighten, and smooth your face, and are easier on your wallet" than facelifts. "The most popular laser treatment, the profractional erbium laser, is used to permanently minimize the appearance of wrinkles," and can be performed "in one day, with three to five days of downtime, or in three treatments, each with one day of downtime," with patients seeing "results in a week." Botox [botulinum toxin type A] injections deliver "a small amount of botulism toxin into the facial muscles. ... When the muscle relaxes, the skin over it smoothes out and softens, so wrinkles don't look as deep." But, "while Botox works for the upper part of the face, fillers are used for the lower part. Two of the most popular are Juvéderm [hyaluronic acid] and Radiesse [calcium hydroxylapatite]." These gels are "injected into the face, usually the smile line area." Finally, in microdermabrasion, "a small device is used to remove layers of dead skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines."
Column examines claims made by supplement promising sun protection in a pill.
In the Los Angeles Times (6/1, Woolston) The Healthy Skeptic column, Chris Woolston examines claims made by "Heliocare, a supplement that promises sun protection in a pill. Each Heliocare capsule contains 240 milligrams of an extract of Polypodium leucotomos, a tropical fern rich in antioxidant compounds." People using the supplement "are instructed to take one capsule every day," and "two capsules are recommended before heavy exposure to the sun." According to its manufacturer's website, "Heliocare is an 'all natural oral antioxidant which helps protect against UV ray damage and aging.'" Still, "the fine print clarifies that 'it is not a sunscreen and should be used in addition to topical skin protection.'" Pointing out that "no supplement could ever replace the need for sunscreen," dermatologist John Murray, MD, explained that "antioxidants are likely to be more effective if they are applied directly to the skin." Last year, Dr. Murray "published a study showing that a topical ointment containing antioxidant vitamins C and E helped prevent both visible sunburn and the type of DNA damage that can raise the risk of skin cancer."
Treatments for hyperhidrosis.
In the USA Today (6/22) Your Health column, Kim Painter discusses hyperhidrosis, which "can affect the underarms, hands, feet and face. Nearly three percent of Americans say they sweat too much, according to a study published in 2004 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology." Dermatologist David Pariser, MD, the president of the American Academy of Dermatology, pointed out that "sweaty hands can be especially vexing." Not only can sweating "be socially crippling," it can also "have medical consequences: People with hyperhidrosis are at increased risk for skin infections, ranging from warts to athlete's foot to invasive bacteria," a recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported. Treatments for hyperhidrosis include antiperspirants, iontophroresis, and Botox [botulinum toxin type A] injections. "The toxins affect the nerves that trigger sweating and work for four to eight months at a time," Dr. Pariser explained.
Review suggests link between acne and consumption of dairy, sugary foods.
Missouri's News-Leader (7/13, Goodwin) reported that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, "acne affects 40 to 50 million Americans, making it the most common skin disorder in the country." Now, a review published "in April's International Journal of Dermatology suggests a link between pimples and consuming dairy and sugary foods." Researchers from the Washington Center for Clinical Research "reviewed 27 previously published scientific studies and found that the more milk young people drank and sugary foods they consumed, the more likely they were to have skin blemishes." The team theorized that "hormones in milk stimulate oil production," and said that "cutting out milk and sugary junk food could help prevent acne." Dermatologist Amy Derick, MD, stated, "It's not standard care to suggest avoiding milk, but it's a consideration for people who have severe acne to see if it makes a difference." Even so, "those with moderate to severe acne should consult a dermatologist," Dr. Derick advised.
Dermatologist discusses injuries caused by home IPL treatments.
The UK's Daily Mail (7/20, Smellie) reports that some dermatologists and "many beauty professionals are reporting a new trend -- correcting mistakes made by women who wrongly imagine they can effectively de-wrinkle their face or laser-remove hair in their own bathrooms" by using "hair removal gadgets based around IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), laser treatments, and countless chemical peels that are available online." According to cosmetic dermatologist Mervyn Patterson, MD, "people assume that if products are deemed by the manufacturer to be safe to use at home, they will be very straightforward. But that's not always the case." Dr. Patterson explained that some people, "especially those with tanned or dark skin, may find that problems develop between 12 and 24 hours after a treatment -- when the top layer of skin can become scorched and blistered." The Daily Mail points out that in 2008, "up to £900 million worth of damage was caused by home beauty treatments."
Tan signal sun damage, dermatologist says.
Canada's Calgary Herald (7/30, Beun-Chown) reports, "Once a thick, gloppy mess that attracted sand, lint, and bugs to your skin, sunscreens have evolved into multi-tasking super-cosmetics that do more than just protect you from harmful UVA and UVB sunrays." Products containing moisturizers, "anti-aging formulas," and "antioxidants" are currently on the market, and more products are under development. The important thing is that people choose a sunscreen and use it daily. Dermatologist Beatrice Wang, MD, director of McGill University's Melanoma Clinic, often "sees patients looking for help with skin cancer, sun damage, premature wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation." Dr. Wang said, "You just can't beat it into the public mind that a tan is a sign of sun damage" or "a sign your DNA has been affected, and that your skin is reacting to protect you by getting thicker and browner." She explained that "a tan means wrinkling, brown spots, leathery skin, and dilated blood vessels," which make people "look a lot older than" they "really are."
Dermatologist sees a tan as "precancerous glow."
In an op-ed in the Tennessean (8/13), in response to the recent declaration by the World Health Organization that "rays from tanning beds" are carcinogenic, dermatologist John A. Zic, MD, of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, asked, "Why did it take so long?" For at least the past 20 years, "substantial published evidence implicates ultraviolet B" and "ultraviolet A...rays as primary causes of skin cancers," and "both exposure to the sun and tanning bulbs shower the skin with cancer-causing forms of ultraviolet radiation." Melanoma, which "has doubled in frequency over the past several decades," is now "the most common cancer in women ages 25-29." Notably, "melanoma risk rises by 75 percent when tanning-bed use begins before age 30." A paper "summarizing multiple studies calculated the increased risk of melanoma in young tanning-bed users to lie somewhere between 30 and 200 percent." Pointing out "there is no safe way to expose...skin to ultraviolet rays," Dr. Zic advised readers to "think of a tan as a 'precancerous glow.'" _____________________________________________________________
© 2009 Vivacare, provider of the From Your Doctor service
Last updated August 6 2009
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