Monthly Archives: August 2012

Could you be allergic to your sunscreen?

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Sunblock

Sunblock

After applying your sunscreen, do you find your skin red, blistery, or scaley?  This could be a sign that you have an allergic contact dermatitis, aka skin allergy, to Isoamyl-p-methoxycinnamate.  You can find out by getting patch testing done by a dermatologist.  If you suspect this may be the case or have a confirmation of this skin allergy from your dermatologist, it is important that you familiarize yourself with this chemical and take steps to avoid coming in contact with it.

What is Isoamyl-p-methoxycinnamate and where is it found?
This chemical is an UV‐B adsorbing agent commonly used in sunscreen cosmetics such as creams, lotions, lipsticks and sun oils. Further research may identify additional product or industrial usages of this chemical.

What else is Isoamyl-p-methoxycinnamate called?
This chemical can be identified by different names, including:
4-Methoxycinnamic acid, isoamyl ester
AI3-05552
Amiloxate
Isopentyl p-methoxycinnamate
Neo Heliopan E1000
This may not be a complete list as manufacturers introduce and delete chemicals from their product lines.

 Here are some steps you can take to help manage your contact allergy:

  • Be vigilant / read the product label. Always take the time to read the ingredient listing on product packages. This should be your first step each time you purchase a product as manufacturers sometimes change product ingredients. If you have any concerns ask your pharmacist or your doctor.
  • Test the product first. If you have purchased a new product you should test it on a small skin area to see if you get a reaction before using the product on larger skin areas.
  • Advise people you obtain services from of your contact allergy. This should include people like your pharmacist, doctor, hairdresser, florist, veterinarian, etc.
  • Inform your employer if the source of your contact allergy is work related. You should identify the specific source of the chemical and take the necessary steps to avoid further exposure. Protective wear may be adequate or you may need to make a change in your work activities. Both you and your employer benefit when the cause of your occupational dermatitis is eliminated.
  • “Google” it. The internet is an excellent source of ingredient information that can be searched by product, by company and by specific chemical. Some helpful independent internet links include:

Other Helpful Resources: 

www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsheets.html (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; alphabetic list)

www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsubj.html (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; subject list)

www.cosmeticsinfo.org (Cosmetic Industry Category Ingredient Database)

www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com (information on all S.C. Johnson product ingredients)

If you have any future contact dermatitis concerns or questions and would like to schedule and appointment at a location nearest to you, click here.

 Click here for more information on allergic contact dermatitis.

New Clinic Opening in Waupaca, WI

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We are pleased to announce the opening of our new clinic in Waupaca, WI, where we are able to provide patients timely access to the latest technology and treatment protocols for optimal surgical and treatment outcomes for diseases of the skin, hair, and nails.  The new Waupaca clinic will begin seeing patients at 900 Riverside Drive, Suite 5, Waupaca, WI 54981, starting November 6th, 2012.

Dermatologist, Dr. Kurt Grelck, who has recently joined our medical team, will be onsite to see patients beginning November 6th, 2012.  Call for an appointment with Dr. Grelck in Waupaca at 715-258-3041.

“We are pleased to be able to expand our services into Waupaca to help meet this community’s growing need for dermatological care,” said Kenneth Katz, MD, President and Founder of Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C.  “We strive to provide our patients with convenient locations and high-quality care using the most advanced dermatological procedures.”

Click here for more information on our Waupaca clinic
To request an appointment, please click here

Welcoming Dr. Jordan Moore to our Medical Team

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Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C. is pleased to announce the addition of Jordan Moore, MD to their medical team on September 1, 2012.  This addition will allow Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C. to build an even stronger practice through a collaboration that will produce even better outcomes and more convenient locations for their patients in Wisconsin.

Dr. Jordan Moore, who has recently joined Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C. is located at 121 East Silver Spring Drive, Ste 202, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217.  Call 414-964-9030 to schedule an appointment.

“Dr. Moore is a skilled local dermatologist who will bring experience and knowledge to our medical team,” said Kenneth Katz, MD, president and founder of Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin.  “We continue to strive to provide our patients with convenient locations and high-quality care using the most advanced dermatology procedures; Dr. Moore will be an excellent addition to our growing practice.”

Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C. is Wisconsin’s best independent dermatology practice with currently 30 convenient locations throughout Wisconsin.  Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C. medical team currently consists of 38 Board Certified Dermatologists, 6 Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgeons, 4 Dermatopathologists, 2 Pediatric Dermatologists, 8 Physician Assistants and 2 Nurse Practitioners, which allows them to easily collaborate and ensure that their patients have timely access to the broadest scope of dermatology expertise available in Wisconsin.  Visit http://www.dermwisconsin.com/index.php to learn more about Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C.

Click here to request an appointment

What is atopic dermatitis and how is it treated?

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Susan Keiler

Susan Keiler

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)  is a chronic relapsing itchy skin rash that occurs primarily in children.  It often starts in infancy between 2 to 6 months of age but can be delayed until childhood, or rarely, adulthood.

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown, however, there is a genetic component.  Frequently, there is a family history of atopic dermatitis, hay fever or asthma.  Rarely, it may be related to food allergies.  Scratching plays an important role in making the rash worse.  As a result, atopic dermatitis is often referred to as “the itch that rashes.”

The rash of atopic dermatitis ranges from mild to generalized and severe.  The skin is red, dry and itchy.  In a baby, restlessness and rubbing of the body against bedding are signs of itchiness.  During infancy, the rash is usually located on the face, scalp, back, chest, and/or back of the arms.  The diaper area is usually spared.  As a child gets older, the distribution changes to involve the bends of the elbows, knees, hands, feet and/or face.  Frequent scratching can lead to skin that is thickened, leathery and darker in coloration.

Many things may affect the severity of the rash.  Individuals with atopic dermatitis have sensitive skin that is susceptible to irritants such as saliva, harsh soaps, detergents, wool clothing.  To minimize irritation, the use of fragrance-free soaps and detergents and the avoidance of harsh fabrics are recommended.  For babies, a thick lubricant can be applied to the cheeks and mouth prior to feeding as a barrier to prevent saliva from directly contacting the skin.  Sudden changes in temperature as well as extremes in temperature can also lead to increased itching and worsening of the rash.  For many patients, the rash worsens during winter when humidity is low.  For others, the rash worsens in summer with increased sweating.  Lastly, the rash can worsen when an individual becomes sick or the skin becomes infected.

Atopic dermatitis may become infected by bacteria, yeast or viruses.  When this occurs it is called “secondary infection.”  Bacterial secondary infection is most common and is characterized by redness, pus filled bumps and/or yellow crusting.  If this occurs, antibiotics are often needed.  A more serious complication can be caused by certain viruses including the “cold sore” virus (herpes simplex).  If secondary infection is suspected, you should contact your doctor.

Unfortunately, there is no “magic cure” for atopic dermatitis, however, many children do eventually outgrow the condition.  The main objectives in treating atopic dermatitis is to improve the rash through good skin care and use of anti-inflammatory medications, relieve itching, and treat signs of infection.

Daily bathing is a useful way to get water into the skin, but bathing should be brief (5 to 10 minutes) and followed immediately by the use of prescribed medications and lubricants to trap moisture within the skin.  Because the skin is dry, thick lubricants are necessary.  Ointments and creams are preferred over lotions.  Often topical medications are also used to decrease the associated inflammation.  Rarely, oral anti-inflammatory medications are needed.  To help control itching and help with sleeping, a medication containing antihistamines is often prescribed.  Lastly, an antibiotic may be required to control secondary infections, if present.  Your doctor will suggest a treatment regimen appropriate for the severity and location of the dermatitis.

What kind of sunscreen should you use?

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There are so many types of sunscreen that selecting the right one can be quite confusing.

Sunscreens are available in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and wax sticks. The type of sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal choice. Creams are best for individuals with dry skin, but gels are preferable in hairy areas, such as the scalp or male chest. Sticks are good around the eyes. Creams typically yield a thicker application than lotions and are best for the face. There also are sunscreens made for specific purposes, such as sensitive skin and for use on babies.

Ideally, sunscreens should be water-resistant, so they cannot be easily removed by sweating or swimming, and should have an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light. Ingredients to look for on the sunscreen label to ensure broad-spectrum UV coverage include: avobenzone, cinoxate, ecamsule, menthyl anthranilate, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.  All of the above ingredients, except for the last two, are referred to as chemical blockers, meaning that they are chemical compounds that soak into your skin (instead of sitting on the surface) and help prevent damage by breaking down harmful ultraviolet rays.  The other two ingredients, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are actual physical blockers, compounds which sit on top of your skin and reflect the rays of the sun, shielding what’s underneath.  Physical blockers provide the most comprehensive coverage, however, a good sunscreen will contain both physical and chemical blockers.

Sunscreens are rated or classified by the strength of their SPF.  SPF stands for sun protection factor.  The SPF numbers on the packaging can range from as low as 2 to greater than 50. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to deflect the sun’s burning rays (UVB).

The sunscreen SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. For example, if a sunscreen is rated SPF 2 and a person who would normally turn red after 10 minutes of exposure in the sun uses it, it would take 20 minutes of exposure for the skin to turn red. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 would allow that person to multiply that initial burning time by 15, which means it would take 15 times longer to burn, or 150 minutes. Even with this protection, sunscreen photo degrades (breaks down) and rubs off with normal wear, so it needs to be reapplied approximately every two hours.

It is important to note that UVB protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. For example, an SPF of 30 screens 97 percent of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 15 screens 93 percent of UVB rays, and an SPF of 2 screens 50 percent of UVB rays. However, inadequate application of sunscreen may result in a lower SPF than the product contains.

Whichever SPF you choose, wearing sunscreen should not provide a false sense of security about protection from UVB exposure. No sunscreen can provide 100 percent UVB protection. Using a higher SPF provides greater UVB protection than a lower SPF, but it does not mean that you should stay out in the sun longer.

Dermatologists strongly recommend using a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater year-round for all skin types. This will help protect against sunburn, premature aging (e.g., age spots and wrinkles) and skin cancer.

(reference:  AAD.org)

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Hand Dermatitis: What is it and how to prevent it

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Hand dermatitis (eczema) is caused by a combination of sensitive skin and irritation or allergy from materials touched. Everyone’s hands touch irritating soaps and detergents several times every day. Raw foods, solvents, paints, oils, grease, acids, and glues are also frequently encountered irritants. Hand dermatitis can be treated effectively, but there is no fast, “magic” treatment. People who develop hand dermatitis will often continue to have hand dermatitis for many years. In many cases, it must be continually treated to keep the hands comfortable and itch free.

Prevention:

  • Minimize hand washing as much as possible
  • Use a mild soap such as Dove, Oil of Olay, or Neutrogena
  • Apply moisturizer cream such as Eucerin, SBR-Lipocream, Aquaphor, DML,or Lubriderm several times per day.
  • For dishwashing or any handling or irritating materials, protect hands with vinyl gloves. It is best if a thin cotton liner glove is worn underneath the vinyl gloves. Try not to keep the gloves on for more than 15 minutes at a time. Wash the cotton gloves often. (Allerderm Laboratories has several vinyl and cotton gloves available at a reasonable price, 1-800-365-6868).
  • If gloves cannot be worn for a task requiring contact with irritating materials, Pro Q skin protectant may be used. (This is less effective than gloves, but better than nothing.)

Treatment:

  • If directed, soak hands in water or tar solution for 10 minutes and pat dry prior to applying prescribed cream or ointment.
  • Apply prescribed cream or ointment 1 to 2 times a day as directed.
  • Strictly follow all of the prevention steps.
  • In severe cases, an antihistamine pills such as hydroxizine, doxepin, or benadryl may be prescribed. These pills can help reduce the symptoms of itching, but do not help to treat the hand rash. They frequently make people sleepy and are usually used at bedtime. Sometimes lower doses may be taken during the day.

Click here to request an appointment

 

Risks of pedicures: More than just a great set of nails

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Pedicures are great to keep your toes and feet looking and feeling beautiful though many are unaware of the risks associated with pedicures.  The hygiene practices at salons pose a threat to coming in contact with more than a just a great set of nails.  These include infection and nail fungus.

The most common affliction that is caused by unsanitary pedicure conditions is nail fungus. Nail fungus is an unsightly and potentially painful problem. Toenail fungus happens when an organism called onychomycosis attacks one or more nails.  According to the Mayo Clinic, initially you may notice a spot, and your toenail will get dull, distorted and thick over time.  It will get brittle and crumble easily, and you will notice dark discoloration as material builds up underneath the nail.

Another risk people face at a salon when getting a pedicure is in the small foot spa that bubbles and massages your feet. Salon workers are supposed to sanitize and clean the spas after every use but a majority of them do not. Have you ever gone to a salon to find that a foot spa is clogged and you need to be moved to another one? The dead skin from other customer’s feet are causing the clogging.  All of that skin goes back into the water and when drained, the particles become trapped in different areas of the spa. When a foot spa is not cleaned, a client runs the risk of infections getting into cracked heels or an open cut on the foot or leg. The most common infection is mycobacterial furunculosis. After becoming infected a patient can expect to see small bumps that resemble a spider bite that will begin to grow in size. After a few days the bump will begin to leak puss and become open sores.

Click here to find available treatments for nail fungus that are not cured by over-the-counter ointments.

To make an appointment with a dermatologist, click here