It was all fun and games and food at our annual Associates in Dermatology Christmas Party. Staff and their families are invited to an evening of celebrating the season together.
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
Hampton Roads Virginia Dermatologist since 1970
It was all fun and games and food at our annual Associates in Dermatology Christmas Party. Staff and their families are invited to an evening of celebrating the season together.
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
Associates in Dermatology walked to support breast cancer awareness in the Annual Peninsula Making Strides Walk. This is a noncompetitive 3-Mile walk to honor breast cancer survivors and raise awareness about how to stay well. The money raised from the event goes to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with breast cancer research, information/ services, and access to mammograms for women who need them.
While supporting a good cause, our team and their families have a great time walking together.
Now that school is back in session, a common pediatric concern is lice. Lice are those pesky parasites that prefer to hang out in the hairy areas of the body including the scalp, pubic area and less commonly, underarms, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard areas, as well as on clothing. The location depends on the types of lice. They survive by feeding on human blood like bedbugs (which are relatives of lice) and mosquitoes. A dermatologist or other doctor can diagnose the condition and give you treatment options.
There are 3 types of lice: Head lice, Body lice and Pubic lice. You cannot pick them up from pets or toilet seats; and they do not jump or fly.
Head Lice
Head lice are the most common of the lice infestations and can occur in children between 3-10 years of age. They are spread by close head-to-head contact (while playing or sleeping in the same bed, sharing pillows or hats, combs/brushes.). The average louse (singular of lice), are 2-3mm long and lay eggs which attach firmly to the hair shaft close to the scalp or body. These hatch after about 10 days. Even after the infestation has been taken care of, it can be difficult to remove the nits/nit shells (hence, the use of the nit comb). Girls are infected more than boys and it is unclear exactly why but most likely because of girls typically having longer hair. Personal hygiene is not a factor.
Body lice
Body lice are a little larger and live on clothing (usually in the seams). They can live 30 days away from the human, which is longer than the head lice can (which dies of dehydration after 2 days of not being able to feed). Overcrowding, personal hygiene and the reuse of mattresses, linens and clothing can contribute to the spread. Itching is also a symptom and they are identified by finding them on the clothing or affected items.
Pubic lice
These are sometimes called “crab” lice as they look similar to a crab. They live for approximately 3 weeks and the eggs attach to the base of the pubic hair and generally hatch in 6-8 days. They are transmitted by sexual contact and sometimes non-sexual contact by parents to children. They are not as easily transmitted via clothing or linens as body lice. Symptoms include itching in the pubic area, usually more intensely than with the other lice, and more so at night.
After seeing your Dermatologist and initiating treatment, here are some steps you can take to avoid lice re-infestation:
There are also services that can take care of some of these steps for you.
If you suspect you or your family member has this condition, make an appointment with us and let us help you rid yourself of these “louse-y” pests!
The staff of Associates in Dermatology accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today from Dr. Leslie Coker. Dr. Coker and her daughter, Ellie, accepted the challenge on Wednesday from our Office Manager, Magan Katz. They all got icy cold for a good cause. We are so proud that they are all support ALS. What an awesome and caring staff we have on our team!!
According to the ALS Association website:
“ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.”
Research: Our research entails involves funding for global studies to find the causes of and treatments – and ultimately a cure – for ALS. These activities encompass grants and funding for ALS research and associated costs related to our research program. This program takes a collaborative approach by interacting with scientists around the world and academia, government agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Patient and Community Services: Our Care Services program provides compassionate care and support for people living with ALS and their families. Our 38 chapters assist those living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease by offering them access to loan closets, support groups and information about local resources to help them better cope with the demands of this disease. In addition, our Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence deliver the best of multidisciplinary care to individuals with ALS, and our Recognized Treatment Centers serve the medical needs of those living with the disease.
Public and Professional Education: Through public and professional education, The Association educates healthcare professionals, scientific communities and the general public about Lou Gehrig’s Disease and the work we do in assisting those battling ALS. Our Public Policy Department works with national and local legislators as well as government agencies to advance legislative policies that benefit ALS families. Each year, The Association’s Public Policy Department hosts National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference, whereby members of the ALS community travel to the nation’s capital to educate Congressional members about ALS and to share their stories about how this disease has impacted their lives with these national legislators. (Courtesy of the ALS website)
If you’d like to donate to this worthy cause yourself or do your own ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, please go to their website.
Watch this video to really see the importance of your daily antioxidant (prevention) + sunscreen (protection)!
Dermaplaning is a technique for controlled exfoliation of the skin and removal of fine hair. The term comes for combining two words, epidermis and planing. The epidermis is the top layer of skin. It provides the skin with protection, and it is waterproof. Planing is a term that comes from woodworking. It is a technique that removes the top layer of wood making it smooth by shaving it. It prepares the wood to be primed with chemicals to enhance its look. Dermaplaning shaves the top layer of skin in order remove impurities and “peach fuzz” type hair on the body.
Some people use dermaplaning to remove excess hair on the body such an unwanted beard or mustache. For example, if you are a woman with dense hair on the upper lip or extra long sideburns you are tired of wearing, dermaplaning will safely and painlessly remove the hair. The hair will grow back eventually, and the treatment usually lasts about 60 to 90 days. Once the hair has returned, the treatment can be performed again.
It is a simple treatment and it takes about 30 minutes to complete a whole face. The procedure is performed with special blades, unlike the over-the-counter types that you can pick up at the store. These are sterilized surgical blades that are used to exfoliate the skin. This totally eliminates the need for typical razors and harsh, abrasive creams on the face or body.
In addition to the obvious benefit of hair removal, dermaplaning leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft. The primed skin is then ready for treatment by skin creams to prolong the effect of the procedure. Combining dermaplaning with a gentle chemical peel may provide more even skin, and acne scar relief, while also reducing premature wrinkling and pore size.
Dermaplaning is ideal for people with unwanted hair and sensitive skin. It is also a good alternative to microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion uses fine crystals to achieve the same effect, but the crystals can get into the eye and cause irritation. Microdermabrasion can also be performed by a person that is not certified skin professional, and the tools must be sterilized, or there could be a risk of infection.
People want to look and feel their best. Investing in the health of your skin is smart medicine and helps boost self esteem. We may be self conscious and believe others are staring at our imperfections. Or maybe you are simply tired of looking at certain inherited aspects of yourself and want to make a change.
Dermaplaning can safely remove dead, flaky skin as well as unsightly hair that is constantly a problem. It is much better than using a razor and has a longer effect so you don’t have to shave every other day to maintain your desired look.
If you are considering dermaplaning, you should consult a dermatologist or a licensed Aesthetician to make sure this process is right for you and your skin.
It’s an awful feeling. You go to change your baby’s diaper, and you notice her skin is bright red in the genital area. It looks extremely painful, and you are sure your baby is uncomfortable. You believe it is diaper rash. Not sure of what to do, you head to the emergency room. Finally, you get to see the doctor, and after waiting almost three hours, he confirms it is diaper rash and kindly informs you it could have been treated at home.
How could you have avoided this unnecessary trip to the emergency room? First of all, do not panic. Begin to educate yourself about diaper rash, its causes and its cures.
Most babies will get diaper rash at least once by the age of 3-years old. Typically children between 4-15 months will develop it because of the change of eating habits from liquid to solid food. Babies are usually doing more sitting during this time as well. There are several causes of diaper rash including diapers being too tight or wet diapers staying on too long.
1. Wet Diapers Rubbing the Skin
This is the most common cause, and it comes from wet diapers continually rubbing the baby’s sensitive skin. You will notice a bright, red rash in the affected area.
2. External Irritants
Sometimes exposure to feces, urine or soaps can irritate the baby’s skin under the diaper. The acid in the baby’s bowel movements or urine can trigger the irritation.
3. Candida
Diaper rash caused by Candida usually happens after the baby has been given antibiotics. Candida is a fungus or yeast that thrives is warm, moist places.
4. Allergic Episode
A baby’s sensitive skin can have an allergic reaction to soaps, lotions or detergents. Some babies may even be allergic to diaper wipes.
5. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis can affect the diaper area but is sometimes difficult to diagnose. This form of dermatitis appears as cradle cap or dandruff on the scalp but can also affect the chest and body folds. Within the body folds it is red with few if any scales.
Once you have diagnosed the problem as diaper rash, there are simple things you can do to treat it.
These are all cause for extra concern, and you should definitely have the baby examined by your doctor.
Seeing red under your baby’s diaper may be uncomfortable for the baby and disturb for you as a parent. Fortunately, most cases of diaper rash can easily be treated at home and even prevented.