Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Common Illness, Dermatology, Health Tips, Safety
For many of us pet owners, our animal friends provide comfort and companionship. It is often said that we begin to resemble our pets and share common features. This may or may not be true; however, one thing that is becoming evident is that pet owners and their pets can share diseases. Such shared diseases are called zoonoses.
Over the last 10 years, there has been an increase in skin problems in both pets and their owners attributed to what the media has hyped as the “flesh eating bacteria/super bug,” or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a form of bacteria that is resistant to traditional antibiotics. MRSA infection and colonization have been reported in horses, dogs, cats, birds and cows, just to name a few. Still, it is important to note that humans are more likely to acquire MRSA from other humans.
Are You at Risk?
While MRSA may be common and harmless in healthy people and their pets, there is a subset of the population that is more susceptible to these infections: the very young, who still have an immature immune system; the elderly, with declining immune function; and people who have open wounds or sores. Patients on various treatments like chemotherapy or antibiotic therapy also may have decreased immune activity.
The human hands are the most common area for exposure to MRSA because they are the most likely sites to be bitten by an animal. Cats typically pose more of a risk for bite infections because of their very sharp, pointed teeth, which could puncture the joints of the hands. Dogs tend to cause more traumatic destruction of tissue.
Pets usually acquire a MRSA infection from someone who has brought the bacteria home. Once a pet is infected, it could easily transfer the bacteria to additional human beings, such as an individual returning from the hospital or child with a chronic medical problem.
An Ounce of Prevention
The best way to prevent this kind of transmission to and from your pet is hand washing. It is also important to cover all wounds with bandages. If you develop a wound about the size of a quarter or bigger, prompt medical attention is important, especially if you also have a fever.
A few other things to keep in mind:
• Cat bites typically cause deep tissue wounds that should be washed immediately, covered in antibiotic ointment, bandaged and watched for infection.
• With a dog bite, medical attention may be necessary to evaluate the risk of rabies.
• With pet bites, if the patient is a carrier of Staph. aureus, his or her own bacteria may be lodged deeper, causing an infection. Similarly, a staph infection from one’s own bacteria could occur if it is introduced into a vulnerable location due to a bite or scratch wound, even if the pet is not infected.
• In households where people suffer from serial MRSA infections, pets should be swabbed (tested) and treated when necessary by their vets. Pets may shed the bacteria on their own, but can be treated with a simple nasal antibacterial cream.
So, next time, think twice before kissing your pet!
To find an excellent dermatologist who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Allergy, Dermatology, Ear Nose Throat, Primary Care, Pulmonary Disease
Nasal allergy symptoms (rhinitis) and asthma caused by allergens that are inhaled usually have seasonal patterns. While symptoms from various pollens occur in the spring, summer or late summer/fall, nasal allergy symptoms in fall and winter are due mainly to indoor inhalants and also usually seasonal. But in the case of indoor allergens, this seasonal pattern is the result of spending more time indoors in these months, with the windows closed and heat on, leading to both increased exposure times and increased levels of indoor allergens.
Dust mites—microscopic insect critters that live in our bedding—are the most important culprit among the indoor allergens causing allergic disease. Our pillows and mattresses are loaded with them. When you buy a new mattress that weighs, say, 100 pounds, it will weigh 102 pounds within a couple of years. That extra 2 pounds are from the accumulation of living and dead dust mites and their droppings. Fortunately, dust mites do not bite, though in addition to their role in causing nasal allergy and asthma, they probably also contribute to flares of eczema in certain patients.
Why Dust Mites Love Us
The diet of a mite consists mainly of human skin scales, of which we shed a lot in the course of a day. This is why they love our bedding.
The life cycle of dust mites is related to humidity. They love the humid days of summer and proliferate wildly. Then, when the heat goes on indoors in autumn, the humidity falls and they die off, leaving additional particulate matter to breath in.
If you want to read some of the scientific research on dust mites, Google the name “Thomas Platts-Mills,” who is a world expert on mites and gives very entertaining lectures on the subject.
Diagnosis
There is no way to know if one is allergic to dust mites without being tested. If you tested positive to “house dust” years ago (a test most allergists don’t do anymore), you should be tested again. Since house dust is a mixture of dust mites, animal dander, insect material and other dusts, allergy to any of these components would have resulted in a positive house dust test. Today, we test for the individual components of house dust.
Treatment
1. The treatment for dust mite allergy is, first and foremost, avoidance.
Bedding – Various companies market breathable covers that seal the bedding. Mite covers have even been shown to reduce the risk of developing asthma for children born into families with a history of allergic disease.
Humidity – The use of humidifiers in most houses in winter is not recommended, as it encourages mite growth. Optimal humidity in the home of someone with respiratory illness is in the 30% to 40% range; most homes are within that range or higher in winter. If you are not sure, you can measure it with a hygrometer.
2. The second line of treatment is medication for the symptoms of rhinitis, asthma or eczema. These include various combinations of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including pills, nasal sprays, eye drops and, in the case of eczema, creams and ointments. Antihistamines (ocular and oral) are the only medications for rhinitis that are available over the counter without a prescription. Any over-the-counter medications for asthma should be avoided, particularly Primatene, which is not very safe.
3. For patients who do not respond sufficiently to the above measures, or those wishing to reduce their use of medications, immunotherapy (allergy injections) might be in order.
I hope your holiday season is happy, and that you can avoid the sneezin’ and wheezin’!
To find an allergist who is right for you, please call the Physician Referral Service at 1 (866) 804-1007 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Nov 22, 2012 | Dermatology, Diet and Nutrition, Holistic Health
What we are putting into our bodies is a product of what we will get on the outside. It is important to keep nourishing your body with healthy foods and healthy fats like avocados, almonds, pineapples, green veggies and berries. These foods have healthy fats, oils, natural enzymes and antioxidants and are loaded with vitamins and minerals that your skin and body need in order to stay healthy.
Not only do you want to nourish your body from the inside, but lots of food products, when used on the outside of your body, can actually help you get that glowing, healthy skin! Homemade beauty products are simple and quick to make. Most remedies can be made with products that you probably already have in your home. When you are making your own skin care products, you know exactly what you are putting on your face.
The Skin Care Pantry
Here are four ingredients to have in your cabinets to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. Keep these items in your kitchen and you won’t have to worry about buying another skin care product again!
* Honey: A natural humectant, made to hold in moisture.
* Sugar: Helps with dull skin as a natural scrub.
* Olive Oil: The vitamin E and antioxidants in this oil make it a great moisturizing option.
* Milk/Yogurt: Can help improve your skin’s elasticity and reduce wrinkles.
Quick Recipes for Food for Your Face
Sugar Honey Scrub
1. To 3 tablespoons of honey, add 1 tablespoon of coarse brown sugar.
2. Mix with a spoon to a thick consistency.
3. Apply to cleansed face in a circular motion for 2 minutes
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Moisturize.
Olive Oil Moisturizer
1. Mix 1 cup filtered water and ¾ cup olive oil and 3 tbsp grated beeswax in a Pyrex cup.
2. Place the cup in a pan with water measuring halfway up the cup.
3. Bring water to a boil and heat until the beeswax melts into the oil.
4. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 2 minutes.
5. Transfer mixture to a blender and then add boiled water slowly as you are blending.
6. Scoop mixture into glass jars, cover with cheesecloth, then allow to cool completely.
7. Place lid on glass jar after cooling. The jars keep longer in refrigerator, but can be left out for up to 2 months or more.
Facial Mask
1. Whip one egg with plain organic yogurt.
2. Apply mixture to face and let dry for 5 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water, then a splash of cold water.
Julie Winslow is the Director of the Karpas Health Information Center at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Sep 3, 2012 | Cancer, Dermatology
Summer may be drawing to an end, but protecting yourself sun damage is important all year round. Now is the perfect time to brush up on your sun protection knowledge. Before you learn how to protect yourself, you need to know what you’re up against.
How does the sun damage skin?
UV radiation is responsible for skin damage. Short wavelength radiation (UVB rays) and long wavelength radiation (UVA rays) both stimulate the body to produce melanin, giving skin that bronzed glow. The fact is, a suntan is really the body’s attempt to protect itself from further damage. “Remember: There is no such thing as a safe tan,” says Vincent A. DeLeo, MD, Chairman, Department of Dermatology, St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals and Beth Israel Medical Center.
UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and damage connective tissue and blood vessels. “UVA and UVB rays damage the DNA of our skin’s cells, leading to premature aging and an increased risk for skin cancer,” Dr. DeLeo says.
The good news is, there are several ways you can protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Dr. DeLeo offers these tips:
1. Avoid peak sun hours.
Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are most intense – even when it’s overcast. The sun can be just as damaging, even if you can’t see it through the clouds. “People with a family history of skin cancer or fair skin should take extra precaution since they’re more prone to skin damage,” Dr. DeLeo says.
2. Apply (and reapply) sunscreen.
Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will protect against UVA and UVB rays. Apply one to two ounces of sunscreen over your entire body, including areas you might overlook like your ears, nose and neck, at least 30 minutes prior to exposure.
3. Review your medications.
Certain medications and over-the-counter drugs cause skin hypersensitivity to sunlight, including antibiotics; diuretics; certain cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes medications; and immune suppressing medications. Take extra precaution in the sun if you take these.
4. Go faux.
If you can’t give up that bronzed look, get a sunless tan. “Spray tans are wonderful; they make you look tan and they cause no damage like tanning beds do,” Dr. DeLeo says. Bronzers and self-tanners can provide head-to-toe color without harming the skin. Today’s formulas include sprays, lotions, foams and creams, and can be found in your local drug store. Whatever method you choose, stay away from tanning beds – they can triple the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
5. Know the signs of skin cancer.
Examine your skin each month for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, or bumps. Knowing the ABCDEs of skin cancer will help you recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease in its early stages, when it’s most treatable. Learn how to perform a self-skin exam here. If you notice anything abnormal, call your physician or dermatologist to schedule a thorough screening.
Get more advice on preventing sun damage and skin cancer when you make an appointment with a dermatologist. Find one near you by visiting chpnyc.org or calling 1-855-411-LWNY (5969).
Vincent A. DeLeo, MD is the Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Founding Director of the Skin of Color Center
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Dermatology
Do you sweat too much? Do you sweat even when it’s cold outside or when you are resting? Sweating helps your body regulate temperature by cooling you off when necessary. Sweating in warm temperatures, after exercise or even under emotional stress is normal. However, if you sweat even without the normal triggers, you may have a condition called hyperhidrosis. (more…)
