About Skin & Beauty

Toilet Seat Dermatitis on the Rise

2010-02-07T22:52:27Z

If your child gets a rash on the backs of the thighs or sides of the buttocks would you think about your toilet seat as the culprit? In a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, investigators discovered the factors most likely to cause skin irritation from a toilet seat.

It appears using harsh chemicals to clean the toilet seat or having toilet seats made of exotic woods, especially if they are covered with varnish or paint, are to blame for causing skin irritation in children. This irritation is easily treated if diagnosed early, but bacteria can get into the skin if it's cracked and chafing, causing cellulitis.

Toilet Seat Dermatitis on the Rise originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 22:52:27.

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Using Candy to Treat Resistant Infections

2010-01-27T07:20:20Z

A new study recently published showed that glycyrrhizin, a compound that comes from licorice root, Glycyrrhiza glabra, helped burned skin fight off infections. Glycyrrhizin works by helping the skin create proteins called antimicrobial peptides which attack the covering of the bacteria and poke holes in it.

Using Candy to Treat Resistant Infections originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 07:20:20.

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Non-Functioning Checkpoint Gene May Cause Skin Cancer

2010-01-18T05:51:12Z

In a new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers describe the possibility that turning on a certain gene could prevent skin cancer.

One type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, starts on the top layer of the skin. Exposure to UV radiation can damage the DNA of a skin cell. A protein called protein kinase C (PKC) repairs the DNA damage and if there is too much damage, PKC tells the cell to die.

One part of cell division involves splitting DNA in half and copying the other side. There are checkpoints along the way where the cell repairs any damage to the DNA before going on. This study found that the PKC gene is responsible for stopping at these checkpoints, but in squamous cell carcinoma, the PKC gene is turned off.

Non-Functioning Checkpoint Gene May Cause Skin Cancer originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 05:51:12.

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New MRSA Treatment Based on Nanotechnology

2010-01-04T06:51:37Z

Scientists have developed a novel treatment for MRSA, a bacteria that causes abscesses and is resistant to the usual antibiotics. This treatment involves applying a cream that contains tiny nanoparticles carrying nitric oxide to the infection. When these nanoparticles released the nitric oxide, resistant infections in mice cleared up even without surgical drainage.

New MRSA Treatment Based on Nanotechnology originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 06:51:37.

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Higher Risk of Shingles With Later Chicken Pox Vaccination

2009-12-27T21:03:18Z

There is a risk of developing shingles after getting the chicken pox vaccination but that risk is very low. A recent study showed that children who received the vaccination later were at a higher risk of developing shingles.

The first chicken pox vaccine is normally given after a child's first birthday, and the second vaccination is given between 4 and 6 years old. The second vaccination can actually be given 3 months after the first.

The study also showed that children with asthma and developmental disorders were also at a higher risk of developing shingles.

Higher Risk of Shingles With Later Chicken Pox Vaccination originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 21:03:18.

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Possible Sunburn Pill on the Horizon?

2009-12-17T22:41:18Z

Researchers found that taking N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, before being exposed to UV radiation protected against UV-induced oxidative stress. This reduction was measured by glutathione levels in the tissue. The implication is reducing free-radical damage to the skin will reduce the risk of melanoma.

Possible Sunburn Pill on the Horizon? originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 22:41:18.

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Bacteria Good for Your Skin?

2009-12-09T23:54:48Z

In a recent study scientists have been able to identify the mechanism that the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, uses to reduce inflammation on the skin.

The conventional thinking on wound healing has been that chemicals causing inflammation in a wound are necessary for wound healing. Lately, studies have been showing that good wound healing occurs when there are low levels of these inflammatory chemicals.

The skin always has bacteria on it, the same bacteria that cause infections if they get into the body. This study showed that one of those skin bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, produces a molecule that blocks a certain receptor on the skin from making inflammatory chemicals in response to a wound.

But it doesn't block all of the inflammation. This bacteria is able to keep the receptor from making too many inflammatory chemicals. It allows just enough required for good wound healing.

Bacteria Good for Your Skin? originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 23:54:48.

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MRSA Infections Still on the Rise

2009-12-02T00:12:46Z

In a study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, investigators found that the number of infections with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increased more than 90% between 1999 and 2006. The study also found that over time more MRSA infections are community acquired (CA-MRSA) compared to hospital acquired (HA-MRSA).

MRSA Infections Still on the Rise originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 00:12:46.

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New Patch Approved by FDA for Postherpetic Neuralgia

2009-11-24T21:06:09Z

The FDA recently approved a new non-narcotic patch for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, a very painful complication of a shingles infection. The name of the new patch is Qutenza and it contains 8% capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers that causes a burning sensation when applied.

The interesting thing about this treatment is application of the patch to the affected skin for just 1 hour can actually give up to 12 weeks of pain relief.

New Patch Approved by FDA for Postherpetic Neuralgia originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 21:06:09.

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Skin Color Important for Looking Healthy

2009-11-17T05:53:39Z

In a study that will be published in December in the International Journal of Primatology, investigators have found that the color of a person's skin determines how healthy they appear. They also surmise that diet is a major factor that gives the skin that healthy appearance.

In the study Caucasian participants, using special software, were asked to change the skin color of male and female Caucasian faces to make them look the most healthy. The participants chose to turn up the redness, yellowness, and brightness of the skin.

If the skin is a little flushed with blood, this suggests the person has a strong heart and lungs. The investigators believe that slightly yellow skin comes from eating fruits and vegetables which have antioxidants that help fight off disease and soak up toxins.

The part of the study that warms my heart is the fact that the study participants didn't make the skin tanner to make it look healthy, they actually lightened it.

I think this study reinforces what we already knew about "living right" -- exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, and use sunscreen to protect your skin.

Skin Color Important for Looking Healthy originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 05:53:39.

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