From the monthly archives: September 2011
Ringworm is neither a ring nor a worm. It’s the common name used for a rash called tinea corporis (yes, another fancy name). This is a rash caused by an infection of your skin by fungus. The reason it’s called ringworm is that it characteristically causes a rash that can look like a red (scaly) ring. [...]
Neosporin and bacitracin can cause a rash after contacting with your skin — this rash is suitably called allergic contact dermatitis. In fact, neomycin (found in Neosporin) was named the contact allergen of the year in 2010 and bacitracin was the contact allergen of the year in 2003 (named by the American Contact Dermatitis Society). [...]
Now that the weather is slightly more chilly, you may feel inclined to relax in the warmth of your (or your friend’s) hot tub. Some folks might have second thoughts of spending time in the hot tub though because of a rash called hot tub folliculitis (aka Pseudomonas folliculitis). This rash is not limited [...]
Years ago, people noted redness and then thinning of cheek fat on young children who sucked on popsicles. This entity became known as “popsicle panniculitis.” Panniculitis is a fancy word meaning inflammation of fat. The observation that cold temperatures could lead to destruction of fat was also made with scrotal panniculitis in pre-pubertal boys as [...]
Botox is the brand name for onabotulinum toxin A (yes, it’s a mouthful!). There’s a product called Dysport (abobotulinum toxin A) which acts very similarly. And now, there’s another one on the market called Xeomin (incobotulinum toxin A).
How do these toxins work? These toxins prevent nerves from releasing a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. [...]
Many of us have hair in unwanted areas and some of us spend a lot of effort getting rid of this hair. Women often want hair removed from armpits, bikini area, face and neck region or legs. Men often want hair removed from the chest, back or buttocks. Shaving, waxing, or tweezing can be painful [...]
It’s a good idea to look over your skin about once a month. This allows you to get to know your skin and what your skin looks at baseline. Anything new or changing on top of your first exam would be of concern. Secondly, anything that looks suspicious, especially via the ABCDE criteria [...]
