American Academy of Dermatology introduces new "E" tool for detecting melanoma
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Treating moms and dads to brunch or backyard barbeques is a great way to honor them on Mother's Day and Father's Day, but the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) hopes more families will start another annual tradition -- screening their loved ones for skin cancer. To help detect the warning signs of skin cancer, especially melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer), the Academy is adopting the revised ABCDs of Melanoma Detection by adding an "E" for evolving.
Based on current estimates, more than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2009. When detected early, most skin cancers can be successfully treated. Performing regular skin self-examinations is an easy way to detect suspicious moles that could be cancerous, and research shows that involving a partner in the self-examination process can improve the early detection of skin cancer.
"People who check their skin regularly for any changes in existing moles or new moles are taking an important first step in detecting the early warning signs of skin cancer," said dermatologist David M. Pariser, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. "Asking a partner to help monitor your skin for any changes or to assist in examining hard-to-reach areas can be very beneficial in spotting skin cancer."
To enhance a patient's ability to detect skin cancer, the Academy has adopted the revised ABCDs of Melanoma Detection, which include an "E" for Evolving. A mole or skin lesion that is "Evolving" or changing in size, shape or color should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist. This is in addition to other characteristics of moles for which individuals should check their skin -- Asymmetry (one half unlike the other half), Border (irregular, scalloped or poorly defined), Color (varies from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue), and Diameter (the size of a pencil eraser or larger). A mole with any of these characteristics, or one that is an "ugly duckling", meaning it looks different from the rest, should be brought to a dermatologist's attention.
A new study published in Cancer (December 15, 2008) examining changes in melanomas diagnosed over 35 years found that melanomas were frequently described by patients as evolving lesions. In this collaborative study conducted at the NYU Langone Medical Center, dermatologist David Polsky, MD, PhD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology and pathology and director of the Pigmented Lesion Clinic in the Ronald O. Perlman Department of Dermatology, and colleagues studied 1,684 prospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with 1,734 melanomas. They observed important differences in the clinical behavior of nodular melanomas (very rapidly growing melanomas) compared to superficial spreading melanomas (the most common type of melanoma).
Among the key findings, Dr. Polsky reported that more than 90 percent of patients with nodular melanoma reported a history of change in the lesion and these patients were more likely to be diagnosed with thicker, more dangerous tumors. By comparison, 80 percent of patients with superficial spreading melanoma indicated a slower pace of change in the lesion, and over time these lesions were diagnosed earlier in their evolution, as thinner, less problematic, tumors.
"Nodular melanomas typically do not have the classic ABCD features that one might expect to find when doing a skin self-exam, as they can be one color and have smooth borders," said Dr. Polsky. "But what's important to note is that nodular melanomas do change over a few months time, especially in color or height, such as a bump on the skin. So, I think by modifying our detection criteria to include 'evolving,' the ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection will better encompass the characteristics of aggressive nodular melanomas and help patients better assess a dangerous mole."
In addition, the Academy offers a Body Mole Map, a tool individuals can use to track their moles. The map provides information on how to perform a skin exam, images of the ABCDEs of melanoma and space for people to track their moles to determine any changes over time. Popular holidays, such as Mother's Day (May 10), Father's Day (June 21) and Grandparents Day (September 13) are reminders for people to check their loved ones' skin for suspicious moles using the Academy's Body Mole Map. The mole map is available at www.melanomamonday.org.
To minimize your risk of skin cancer, the Academy recommends that everyone Be Sun Smart(SM):
Generously apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 to all exposed skin. "Broad-spectrum" provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION(R) on products that meet these criteria.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible.
Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.
Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn. Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it. Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
For more information about skin cancer, please visit the SkinCancerNet section of www.SkinCarePhysicians.com, a Web site developed by dermatologists that provides patients with up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair and nails.
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
Showing posts with label desert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label desert. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Itching for Arizona Allergy Relief?
Pollen grains from trees, grasses and weeds can float through the air in spring, summer or fall. But on their way to fertilize plants and tree flowers, pollen particles often end up in our noses, eyes, ears and mouths. The result can be sneezing spells, watery eyes, congestion and an itchy throat.
For more information about Laser Skin treatments at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
The collection of symptoms that affect the nose when you breathe in something you are allergic to is called allergic rhinitis; when the symptoms affect the eyes, it's called allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic rhinitis caused by plant pollen is commonly called hay fever—although it's not a reaction to hay and it doesn't cause fever.
Pollen allergy affects about 1 out of 10 Americans, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). For some, symptoms can be controlled by using over-the-counter (OTC) medicine occasionally. Others have reactions that may more seriously disrupt the quality of their lives. Allergies can trigger or worsen asthma and lead to other health problems such as sinus infection (sinusitis) and ear infections in children.
"You can distinguish allergy symptoms from a cold because a cold tends to be short-lived, results in thicker nasal secretions, and is usually associated with sore throat, hoarseness, malaise, and fever," says Badrul Chowdhury, M.D., Ph.D., an allergist and immunologist in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Many people with allergic rhinitis notice a seasonal pattern with their symptoms, but others may need a health care professional's help to find out for sure if pollen is the source of their misery. If symptoms crop up year-round, dust mites, pet dander or another indoor allergy trigger (allergen) could be the culprit. This year-round condition is known as perennial allergic rhinitis.
When to Get TreatmentChowdhury suggests seeing a health care professional if you experience allergies for the first time, your symptoms interfere with your ability to function, you don't find relief from OTC drugs, or you experience allergy symptoms over a long period.
You may need an allergy test, the most common of which is a skin test that shows how you react to different allergens, including specific pollen allergens like ragweed and grass pollen.
Avoid PollenOnce you know you have seasonal allergies, try to avoid pollen as much as possible, says Chowdhury. Pay attention to pollen counts and try to stay indoors when pollen levels are highest. Pollen counts measure how much pollen is in the air (pollen level) and are expressed in grains of pollen per square meter of air collected during a 24-hour period.
In the late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, pollen levels are highest in the morning. In the spring and summer, during the grass pollen season, pollen levels are highest in the evening. Some molds, another allergy trigger, may also be seasonal. For example, leaf mold is more common in the fall. Sunny, windy days can be especially troublesome for pollen allergy sufferers. It may also help to keep windows closed in your house and car and run the air conditioner avoid mowing grass and doing other yard work, if possible wear a face mask designed to filter pollen out of the air and keep it from reaching nasal passages, if you must work outdoors MedicationsFDA regulates medications that offer allergy relief. Here's a rundown of drug options that can help you survive the sneezing season:
Nasal corticosteroids: These are typically sprayed into the nose once or twice a day to treat inflammation. Drugs in this category include Nasonex (mometasone furoate) and Flonase (fluticasone propionate). Side effects may include stinging in the nose.
Oral and nasal antihistamines: These drugs, whether OTC or prescription, counteract the action of histamine, a substance released in the body during an allergic reaction. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) are examples of OTC antihistamines. Drowsiness is a common side effect, so don't take these types of drugs when you have to drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that require you to be alert.
Non-sedating OTC antihistamines include Claritin and Alavert (both loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine). Zyrtec may cause mild drowsiness. Some non-sedating antihistamines, such as Clarinex (desloratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine), are available by prescription. Many oral antihistamines are available OTC and in generic form.
The prescription drugs Astelin (azelastine) and Patanase (olopatadine) are antihistamine nasal sprays approved to treat allergy symptoms. They can be used several times a day. Side effects include drowsiness, a bitter taste in the mouth, headache, and stinging in the nose.
Decongestants: These drugs, available both by prescription and OTC, come in oral and nasal spray forms. They are sometimes recommended in combination with antihistamines, which used alone do not have an effect on nasal congestion. Allegra D is an example of a drug that contains both an antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine).
Drugs that contain pseudoephedrine are available without a prescription but are kept behind the pharmacy counter as a safeguard because of their use in making methamphetamine—a powerful, highly addictive stimulant often produced illegally in home laboratories. You will need to ask your pharmacist and show identification to purchase drugs that contain pseudoephedrine.
Using nose sprays and drops more than a few days may give you a "rebound" effect—your nasal congestion will get worse. These drugs are more useful for short-term use to relieve nasal congestion.
Non-steroidal nasal sprays: NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium), an OTC nasal spray, can help prevent symptoms of allergic rhinitis if used before symptoms start. This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) needs to be used three to four times a day to be effective.
Leukotriene receptor antagonist: The prescription drug Singulair (montelukast sodium) is approved to treat asthma and to help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It works by blocking substances in the body called leukotrienes. Side effects may include headache, ear infection, sore throat, and upper respiratory infection.
If you have any other health conditions, check with your health care professional first to determine which OTC medicine to take. For example, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or serious heart disease shouldn't take decongestants unless directed by a health care professional.
And always read the label before buying an OTC product for you or your children, says Chowdhury. "Some products can be used in children as young as 2 years, but others are not appropriate for children of any age."
Allergy ShotsPeople who don't respond to either OTC or prescription medications, or who suffer from frequent complications of allergic rhinitis, may be candidates for immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots.
According to NIAID, about 80 percent of people with hay fever will experience a significant reduction in their symptoms and their need for medication within a year of starting allergy shots.
"Discuss the option of immunotherapy with your doctor thoroughly because immunotherapy is not for everybody, and there is a significant time commitment involved," Chowdhury says.
The process involves receiving injections of small amounts of allergens that are considered to be responsible for your symptoms. The doses are gradually increased so that the body builds up immunity to the allergens. The injections are given over at least three to five years. Discontinuation is based on having minimal symptoms over two consecutive seasons of exposure to allergens.
For more information about Laser Skin treatments at Derma Health Institute, go to:http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.
For More InformationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseaseswww3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunologywww.aaaai.org/
For more information about Laser Skin treatments at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
The collection of symptoms that affect the nose when you breathe in something you are allergic to is called allergic rhinitis; when the symptoms affect the eyes, it's called allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic rhinitis caused by plant pollen is commonly called hay fever—although it's not a reaction to hay and it doesn't cause fever.
Pollen allergy affects about 1 out of 10 Americans, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). For some, symptoms can be controlled by using over-the-counter (OTC) medicine occasionally. Others have reactions that may more seriously disrupt the quality of their lives. Allergies can trigger or worsen asthma and lead to other health problems such as sinus infection (sinusitis) and ear infections in children.
"You can distinguish allergy symptoms from a cold because a cold tends to be short-lived, results in thicker nasal secretions, and is usually associated with sore throat, hoarseness, malaise, and fever," says Badrul Chowdhury, M.D., Ph.D., an allergist and immunologist in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Many people with allergic rhinitis notice a seasonal pattern with their symptoms, but others may need a health care professional's help to find out for sure if pollen is the source of their misery. If symptoms crop up year-round, dust mites, pet dander or another indoor allergy trigger (allergen) could be the culprit. This year-round condition is known as perennial allergic rhinitis.
When to Get TreatmentChowdhury suggests seeing a health care professional if you experience allergies for the first time, your symptoms interfere with your ability to function, you don't find relief from OTC drugs, or you experience allergy symptoms over a long period.
You may need an allergy test, the most common of which is a skin test that shows how you react to different allergens, including specific pollen allergens like ragweed and grass pollen.
Avoid PollenOnce you know you have seasonal allergies, try to avoid pollen as much as possible, says Chowdhury. Pay attention to pollen counts and try to stay indoors when pollen levels are highest. Pollen counts measure how much pollen is in the air (pollen level) and are expressed in grains of pollen per square meter of air collected during a 24-hour period.
In the late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, pollen levels are highest in the morning. In the spring and summer, during the grass pollen season, pollen levels are highest in the evening. Some molds, another allergy trigger, may also be seasonal. For example, leaf mold is more common in the fall. Sunny, windy days can be especially troublesome for pollen allergy sufferers. It may also help to keep windows closed in your house and car and run the air conditioner avoid mowing grass and doing other yard work, if possible wear a face mask designed to filter pollen out of the air and keep it from reaching nasal passages, if you must work outdoors MedicationsFDA regulates medications that offer allergy relief. Here's a rundown of drug options that can help you survive the sneezing season:
Nasal corticosteroids: These are typically sprayed into the nose once or twice a day to treat inflammation. Drugs in this category include Nasonex (mometasone furoate) and Flonase (fluticasone propionate). Side effects may include stinging in the nose.
Oral and nasal antihistamines: These drugs, whether OTC or prescription, counteract the action of histamine, a substance released in the body during an allergic reaction. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) are examples of OTC antihistamines. Drowsiness is a common side effect, so don't take these types of drugs when you have to drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that require you to be alert.
Non-sedating OTC antihistamines include Claritin and Alavert (both loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine). Zyrtec may cause mild drowsiness. Some non-sedating antihistamines, such as Clarinex (desloratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine), are available by prescription. Many oral antihistamines are available OTC and in generic form.
The prescription drugs Astelin (azelastine) and Patanase (olopatadine) are antihistamine nasal sprays approved to treat allergy symptoms. They can be used several times a day. Side effects include drowsiness, a bitter taste in the mouth, headache, and stinging in the nose.
Decongestants: These drugs, available both by prescription and OTC, come in oral and nasal spray forms. They are sometimes recommended in combination with antihistamines, which used alone do not have an effect on nasal congestion. Allegra D is an example of a drug that contains both an antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine).
Drugs that contain pseudoephedrine are available without a prescription but are kept behind the pharmacy counter as a safeguard because of their use in making methamphetamine—a powerful, highly addictive stimulant often produced illegally in home laboratories. You will need to ask your pharmacist and show identification to purchase drugs that contain pseudoephedrine.
Using nose sprays and drops more than a few days may give you a "rebound" effect—your nasal congestion will get worse. These drugs are more useful for short-term use to relieve nasal congestion.
Non-steroidal nasal sprays: NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium), an OTC nasal spray, can help prevent symptoms of allergic rhinitis if used before symptoms start. This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) needs to be used three to four times a day to be effective.
Leukotriene receptor antagonist: The prescription drug Singulair (montelukast sodium) is approved to treat asthma and to help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It works by blocking substances in the body called leukotrienes. Side effects may include headache, ear infection, sore throat, and upper respiratory infection.
If you have any other health conditions, check with your health care professional first to determine which OTC medicine to take. For example, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or serious heart disease shouldn't take decongestants unless directed by a health care professional.
And always read the label before buying an OTC product for you or your children, says Chowdhury. "Some products can be used in children as young as 2 years, but others are not appropriate for children of any age."
Allergy ShotsPeople who don't respond to either OTC or prescription medications, or who suffer from frequent complications of allergic rhinitis, may be candidates for immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots.
According to NIAID, about 80 percent of people with hay fever will experience a significant reduction in their symptoms and their need for medication within a year of starting allergy shots.
"Discuss the option of immunotherapy with your doctor thoroughly because immunotherapy is not for everybody, and there is a significant time commitment involved," Chowdhury says.
The process involves receiving injections of small amounts of allergens that are considered to be responsible for your symptoms. The doses are gradually increased so that the body builds up immunity to the allergens. The injections are given over at least three to five years. Discontinuation is based on having minimal symptoms over two consecutive seasons of exposure to allergens.
For more information about Laser Skin treatments at Derma Health Institute, go to:http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.
For More InformationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseaseswww3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunologywww.aaaai.org/
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