High Doses Of Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Reduce Risk Of Comorbidities

CNN /Health.com (5/1, Mann) reported that, according to research presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting, "pregnant women could -- and probably should -- consume 10 times more vitamin D than experts currently recommend." While "current guidelines for daily vitamin D intake during pregnancy range from 200 international units (IU) per day to 400 IU, the amount found in most prenatal vitamins," researchers now suggest that "women who took 4,000 IU were least likely to go into labor early, give birth prematurely, or develop infections."

Researchers "enrolled 494 pregnant women in a randomized trial of three daily doses of the vitamin -- 400, 2,000, and 4,000 IU a day until delivery," MedPage Today (5/1, Smith) reported. The investigators found that those "getting the highest of three daily doses of vitamin D had half the risk of co-morbidities as those in the control group." As a result, "the take-home message is that pregnant women should take 4,000 International Units a day, according to Carol Wagner, MD, of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston." The UK's Telegraph (5/1, Smith) also covered the story.

Supplements, Not Sunbathing, Is How To Get Enough Vitamin D

Too much exposure to sunshine has been shown to cause wrinkles and, potentially, skin cancer." However, a lack of vitamin D and sunshine may "be a contributing factor in a number of illnesses, from multiple sclerosis and obesity to depression and osteoporosis." We advise patients, "As a dermatologist...I would recommend you take a supplement and protect yourself with sunscreen" in order to get enough vitamin D while avoiding UV damage. "I wouldn't recommend that you sunbathe."

High Phosphate Levels May Accelerate Aging Process.

The UK's Telegraph (4/28, Alleyne) reported that, according to a study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, "high levels of phosphate in sodas and processed foods accelerate the ageing process in mice and contribute to age-associated complications." Specifically, "high phosphate levels may...increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification, and can also induce severe muscle and skin atrophy." Harvard researchers came to these conclusions after conducting a series of experiments in mice, some of which were "missing a gene (klotho), which when absent, causes mice to have toxic levels of phosphate in their bodies."

Too Few Middle-Aged, Older White Americans Being Screened For Skin Cancer.

HealthDay (4/21, Preidt) reported that "too few middle-aged and older white Americans are being screened for skin cancer, a particular problem among those who did not finish high school or receive other common cancer screenings," according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine. Just "16 percent of men and 13 percent of women reported having a skin examination in the past year." Researchers found that "the lowest rates of skin cancer screenings were among men and women aged 50 to 64, people with some high school education or less, those without a history of skin cancer, and those who hadn't had a recent screening for breast cancer, prostate cancer or colorectal cancer."

Severe Psoriasis May Increase Risk For Mortality Due To Cardiovascular Disease.

MedWire (4/16, Piper) reported that, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal, "patients with severe psoriasis have an increased risk for mortality due to cardiovascular (CV) disease." After comparing CV mortality in 3,603 patients with severe psoriasis with that in 14,330 people without psoriasis, researchers found that "patients with severe psoriasis have a clinically significant 57% increased risk of CV death." An accompanying editorial "suggested that otherwise healthy individuals with moderate-to-severe psoriasis should be 'encouraged to follow lifestyle recommendations to include increased exercise frequency, dietary discretion, and smoking cessation.'"

Melanoma Survivors May Have Nine-Fold Increased Risk For Developing Subsequent Melanoma.

MedWire (4/16, Albert) reported that, according to a study published in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology, "melanoma survivors have a nine-fold increased risk for developing subsequent melanoma compared with the general population." After nine years of follow-up on 89,515 patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma, researchers "found that 10,857 (12.1%) of the participants developed one or more subsequent primary cancers," most often "subsequent primary melanoma, which accounted for 25% of the subsequent cancers recorded," a risk that remained higher even after 20 years.

Tanning Beds Risky Acne Treatment

Trying to clear your acne by getting a tan may not be as safe as you think. The latest research shows that people who use tanning beds and sunlamps before 35 years of age increase their risk of getting melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, by 75%. Yes, that is 75%. Melanoma is even showing up in teenagers.

Safer, effective acne treatment exists. Today, it is possible to successfully treat virtually every case of acne. For most people with mild acne, good skin care and acne products available without a prescription can lead to clearer skin. Stubborn acne may require a dermatologist’s help.

Are fever blisters and canker sores the same thing?

No. Canker sores occur only inside the mouth and are not contagious. They sometimes occur as a result of trauma (biting the inside of the lip, burning the mouth with hot food), but may also occur without any known reason.

Fever blisters or cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 and are very contagious. Fever blisters often come back in the same location.

Is laser hair removal safe and effective?

Laser hair removal is very safe and extremely effective in achieving permanent hair reduction. The laser passes through the skin and hits the base of the hair called the hair follicle. It destroys the hair root without injuring the skin, preventing the hair from regrowing. Both men and women can have the procedure done. The best candidates are people who have dark hair and light skin. However, the technology has become so good that we can treat any color skin. The only hair that does not work well with laser hair removal is grey or blonde. Most people need approximately 6-8 treatment sessions. Almost any area of the body can be treated, but the most common areas are underarms, bikini area, upper lips and legs. Do to the speed and safety of the laser; it has become much more affordable.

My eyes look tired and old, what can be done?

The most common cause of tired eyes is sagging or baggy eyelid skin. This is usually caused by aging, genetics, and sun exposure. The best treatment for this condition is Blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to remove the excessive skin on the upper eyelid or bags from the lower eyelid. It is extremely safe and effective.

The surgery can usually be preformed right in the office under local anesthesia. Most people experience some mild bruising and swelling, which last about two weeks. The resulting hairline scare which follows the natural contour of the eyelids tends to fade in about two months. To remove the fatty deposit which causes lower eyelid puffiness, incisions are placed just inside the lower eyelid which prevent any visible scars. If done properly the results are natural and dramatic.

What is Skin Cancer?

There are many types of skin cancer, but the most common are basal cell carcinoma, sqamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

Basal Cell is the most common type of skin cancer and often found on the face. It usually presents as a small flesh colored bump that bleeds easily.

Squamous Cell carcinoma is often found on the hands and arms. This cancer has the ability to spread to other organs in the body (metastasize) if not treated. It can look like a crusty sore that will not heal.

Malignant Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. If not detected early this cancer may metastasize and lead to death. This cancer usually appears as a black mole or a mole that is changing in size and color.

Most cancers are treatable if caught early; regular skin exams with a dermatologist and sunscreen are the best prevention.

Can tattoos be removed?

Even though tattoos are meant to be permanent, they can be removed leaving little to no scar. Lasers can now be used to destroy the ink particles in your skin and make the tattoo disappear. All colors of ink can be removed; however, some colors are easier to treat than others. Not all lasers can do this, only special lasers developed for tattoo removal can be used. There is minimal discomfort which is helped by the use of topical numbing creams applied before each treatment.

The laser treatment only takes about 5-10 minutes to perform. The treated areas take approximately one week to heal and the tattoo is noticeably lighter. It usually takes several treatments, each performed 4-6 weeks apart. We can now erase a bad choice made years ago, that many people thought would be with them forever.

Does eating chocolate or drinking soda cause me to get more acne?

For many years it was believed that what we eat or drink has no bearing on our acne. However recent medical studies have shown that there may be a link to the food we consume and our complexion. Although the results of these studies are far from conclusive, the evidence is making us rethink the issue. A recent medical study has demonstrated that eating lots of sugar increases our “glycemic idex” which then increases the hormones in our bodies that cause us to break out. While the jury is still out on this issue, it still makes sense to eat a well balanced diet, and not eat excessive amounts of sugar which could still lead to diseases like diabetes.

Dry, Split Lips in the Morning?

This is the time of year when many of us wake up with dry, tight lips that with one smile will split. Ouch!

And your kids and spouse aren't immune to this, either. The best way to ensure that you can give your spouse a wakeup smile without splitting your lips is to apply a thick moisturizer before bed. My household uses simple Vaseline, because love it or not, it works.

Have everyone in your family put a little dab on their lips before bed and notice the difference the first morning after.

What Is SPF on a Sunscreen mean?

Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB. SPF — or Sun Protection Factor — is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Here's how it works: If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer — about five hours.

Another way to look at it is in terms of percentages: SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. They may seem like negligible differences, but if you are light-sensitive, or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will make a difference. And as you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays.

But there are problems with the SPF model: First, no sunscreen, regardless of strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Second, "reddening" of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.

What should I look for in a mole?

One of the most common and important questions we are asked is, what should I be looking for in my moles. Below are some of the warning signs in moles. If you have any moles that have these features, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist right away.

A	Asymmetry: One half is unlike the other half.

B Border Irregular: Scalloped or poorly circumscriber border.

C	Color Varied: Color varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown; sometimes white, red or blue.

D	Diameter 6mm or More: Diameter larger than 6mm as a rule (diameter of pencil eraser).