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"Patient Education"
In dermatology, we have many conditions that are caused by defects in a specific gene. In the case of Neurofibromatosis 1 (we’ll go over other Neurofibromatoses later), the defect is in Neurofibromin. The transmission is autosomal dominant, meaning that to have the condition, you only need one of the mutated genes to be passed on [...]
Genital warts are growths that occur on the genitals and anus. They may appear skin colored, pinkish, tan, or brown and are often raised and soft. In the medical field, we often refer to them as condyloma or condyloma acuminata. These condyloma (although colloquially referred to as genital warts), can occur on other areas as [...]
Recently published research shows that diligent use of daily sunscreen helps keep the skin young. Researchers in Australia followed patients for 4 and a half years. At the end of that time, they looked at the back of the patients’ hands, assessing for evidence of skin aging by making molds of [...]
Brown recluse spider. In this third post on spiders (previous ones on the tarantula and black widow spider here), we’ll talk about the brown recluse spider. Like the black widow spider, the brown recluse spider also has a unique marking on its body. It’s a tan spider with a violin-shaped marking on its [...]
With a bold bright red hourglass on its belly against a shiny black background, the black widow spider is all business. Thus, when the black widow spider attacks… well, you better hope it doesn’t!
As a quick aside, how did the black widow spider get its name? The female black widow spider was reported to [...]
People often come into the clinic worried about spider bites. While the majority of these concerns turn out not to be spider bites, it does raise the question of what sorts of medical conditions spiders can cause. In the United States, tarantulas (shown on the left) are one type of spider that may be found [...]
In a continuation on the theme of ultraviolet (UV) light, we answer the question of how UV light causes tanning or darkening of our skin. The answer is that there are multiple methods by which tanning occurs.
Depending on your baseline skin type, you may have noticed that after being out [...]
What is ultraviolet (UV) light? Ultraviolet light is made of up light waves of a certain wavelength. What does that mean? Well, I think back to grade school where we learned about different wavelengths of light. Certain wavelengths would form certain colors of light. e.g. in a rainbow, each color reflects a [...]
Athlete’s foot is a common skin complaint and is also commonly known as “foot fungus” and ringworm of the foot (although it’s not caused by a worm!) It is more formally known as tinea pedis. The name “Athlete’s Foot,” however, gives us a sense of conditions that predispose to getting this condition. In athlete’s foot, [...]
Growing up, my mom had told me the story of a kid whose parents practiced cupping on him. Turns out that bruises which were left behind from the cuping and these bruises were noticed at school. The parents were called in to investigate potential child abuse!
So what is this practice of cupping? (Does it [...]
