Taking Fish Oil During Pregnancy May Prevent Eczema In Babies

A study published in the British Medical Journal reported that, "taking fish oils during pregnancy could protect your unborn baby from eczema." After studying 706 expectant mothers whose family histories include allergies, scientists found that children whose mothers took omega 3 supplements were a third less likely to develop dry skin conditions.

Look Who's Closing The Market On Jan 31

Play Sun Smart(TM), an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of skin cancer, will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City's Times Square. To promote early detection, Play Sun Smart(TM) has teamed up with the American Academy of Dermatology and Major League Baseball for the 14th year to conduct skin cancer screenings of players and employees.

Play Sun Smart is a program sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology, Major League Baseball, and the Major League Baseball Players Association, to promote early skin cancer detection and to educate the public on skin cancer.

New Drug Coming For Actinic Keratosis

The FDA has approved a new gel called ingenol mebutate in a treatment course that can be as short as 2 or 3 days for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). AK are commonly thought of as pre-cancers on the skin. Approximately 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer, and approximately 65% of squamous carcinoid cancers begin as untreated AK.

Only 25% Of Kids Use Sunscreen Regularly

A new study published in Pediatrics demonstrated that only 1 in 4 children regularly use sunscreen. These numbers are down from 2004 when 50% of all children reportedly used sunscreen on a regular basis. Researchers also pointed out that the time between ages 11 and 14 is a critical time in developing attitudes about tanning, wearing sunscreen and avoiding sunburns, especially among girls.

Umbrellas Are Also Called Parasols: "To Stop The Sun"

The word "umbrella" is derived from the Latin "umbra," meaning to shade. Another term for the umbrella is a parasol, derived from "para" meaning to stop or to shield and "sol" meaning sun. In fact, the use of parasols to protect oneself from the harmful UV rays of the sun dates back to ancient civilizations, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, Aztec, Indian and others. The risks of sun damage have been recognized for ages. It is only in recent centuries that our attitudes towards sun protection have faltered.

Kids Apply Sunscreen Most From Pump Dispensers

An Australian study published in the Archives of Dermatology found that pump dispensers lead children to use the most sunscreen compared to other types of dispensers. Additionally, kids tended to use more sunscreen when it came from squeeze bottles than roll-on dispensers. In their report, the researchers suggested that education, availability, easy dispensing and uniform coverage of sunscreen give children the best protection.

Melanoma Drug May Speed Growth Of Other Skin Cancers

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the melanoma drug Zelboraf (A.K.A. vemurafenib) can lead to the growth of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer in roughly one-quarter of patients who take the medication. While vemurafenib blocks the mutation that makes the melanoma grow, many patients have skin cells with other mutation that's probably induced from sun exposure. In these cells, the drug has the exact opposite effect and causes squamous cell cancers to grow. Researchers are now examining ways to combine vemurafenib with another drug, not only prevent this side effect but potentially allow for an even more effective melanoma treatment. If you have a history of melanoma and/or have been treated with vemurafenib, it is important to see your dermatologist regularly for skin exams and cancer surveillance.

Cancer Treatment With An Over 99% Cure Rate!

Mohs surgery is the most precise and accurate treatment for treating skin cancer today. The technique is typically used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cancers, but can be used for some melanomas as well. The technique uses a microscope to guide the surgery. It is to remove a tumor, or cancerous tissue, layer by layer, down to its root, while sparing the surrounding healthy skin. This minimizes the chance of scarring, leading to the best possible cosmetic result. The procedure is quick and can be performed under local anesthetic while the patient is awake. Patients go home the same day knowing with over 99% certainty their cancer is gone and will not come back!

Acne More Common In Overweight Teen Girls

Teenage girls who were overweight or obese were significantly more likely to develop acne than their normal-weight peers, according to an article published in the Archives of Dermatology. A survey conducted in Norway involving roughly 3,600 individuals of ages 18 and 19, found that approximately 13% of all the girls had acne. This figure rose to almost 19% in girls who were overweight or obese. This difference was not seen among boys in the survey.

Know Your UV Index

The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. The Index predicts UV intensity levels on a scale of 1 to 11+, where 1 indicates a low risk of overexposure and 11+ signifies an extreme risk. The UV Index takes into account clouds and other local conditions that affect the amount of UV radiation reaching the ground in different parts of the country. If the UV Index for your area is greater than 4, a UV Alert is issued encouraging people to take extra precautions in avoiding overexposure to sun.

Psoriasis Increases Risk of Heart Diseaae

According to a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, individuals with psoriasis may face a higher risk of coronary artery disease. Investigators looked at data on approximately 9,500 patients who had undergone coronary angiography. The researchers found that 84% of those with psoriasis had CAD, compared to about three-fourths of those who did not have psoriasis. The investigators reported that, among psoriasis patients, the risk was higher for those who had had the skin condition for the longest amount of time.

New Radioactive "Paint" To Treat Skin Cancer

The UK's Daily Mail reported, "a radioactive 'paint' could cure up to 3,000 people with skin cancer every year." The therapy has been used on 700 patients in Italy with a success rate of 95 percent. Ideally, this therapy would be used to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.

Skin Type and Body Fat Linked to Seborrheic Dermatitis in Young Men

A new study published in the International Journal of Dermatology reported, "having white skin and a high body fat content increased the risk for developing scalp seborrheic dermatitis in young men." The study examined 2,201 18-year men. Those individuals with white skin and a triceps skin fold greater than 19.5 mm had a significantly increased the risk for scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis by 42% and 56%, respectively, compared with individuals that had darker skin and a smaller triceps skin fold.

Death Rates From Certain Cancers Declining; Melanoma On The Rise!

The American Cancer Society's annual report demonstrated that death rates for the biggest cancer killers - lung, colon and rectum, breast, and prostate - are down over the past two decades; 23% for men, 16% for women. This equals about a million lives saved since researchers started counting in the early 1990s. The CBS News reported that "experts caution these declines aren't scratching the surface of what Americans could do to reduce their cancer risk." As well some cancers, including melanoma, continue to the rise. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults. Reports also indicate that cancer mortality rates among adolescents and young adults is not improving.

Banning Indoor Tanning May Prevent Skin Cancer in Patients Under 40

The UK's Daily Mail reported, "A quarter of cases of the most common form of skin cancer in the under-40s could be prevented if sunbeds were banned, research suggests." Researchers found that "indoor tanning significantly increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma." The Yale University study was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and is the latest to show the damaging effects of sunbeds on the skin.