All Skin, hair & nails Articles

Mary Ellen Slape had a spot on her leg that wouldn't heal. "It just kept coming back," said Slape, who recently had her leg checked. Dr. Joey Manduano did a biopsy recently because it looked like basal cell carcinoma, Slape said, adding she was told it was the least serious. Manduano may have to go back and remove tissue around it -- all the treatment that's required, Read more...

After parties in high heels and months of hiding under socks and big boots, Spring is the perfect time to treat your feet and prepare them for the first rays of sun. An indulgent home pedicure can work wonders for the soul -- not to mention the soles. No celebrity worth her salt goes without perfect tootsies and well-manicured toenails. It's as important to most of the leading ladies as Read more...

NEW YORK -- Scratch an itch and you get ... aaaaaah. Now scientists have watched spinal nerves transmit that relief signal to the brain in monkeys, a possible step toward finding new treatments for persistent itching in people. More than 50 conditions can cause serious itching, including AIDS, Hodgkin's disease and the side effects of chronic pain treatment, said Glenn J. Giesler, Jr., a Read more...

Here comes the sun, and the Beatles say it's all right. Your dermatologist might have said just the opposite up until a few years ago, but now is likely to be a little more equivocal. At least Dr. Laura King, who owns Patient Preferred Dermatology in Los Alamitos, Calif., isn't as strongly against the sun as she used to be. What changed? There is recent research on vitamin D that Read more...

Step up your looks with these 30 simple tips that make a big difference -- and get noticed: Clever cover-up. If you get stranded without your concealer, check the cap of your foundation -- the makeup that has collected there will be thick and perfect for covering up flaws. DIY dye. If you've dyed your hair at home and the result is too tame, take a second box and dilute it in equal parts Read more...

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- The use of oral Vitamin D supplements bolsters production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin, and may help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, a new study shows. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California in San Diego, suggests that the use of oral Read more...

QUESTION: Someone told me that prenatal vitamins are beneficial for women with hair loss. Have you, or perhaps your readers, heard of this? ANSWER: While no formal studies have been conducted, there are reports of pregnant women who have taken prenatal vitamins and have noticed an increase in hair thickness and growth. Prenatal vitamins contain elevated amounts of calcium, iron and Read more...

(Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer) by Madeline Vann, MPHDefinitionBasal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It is named for basal cells, which lie at the base of the outer layer of skin. This cancer grows slowly and usually does not spread to other tissues in the body. It is rarely fatal, but can be locally destructive and requires treatment or removal.Basal Cell Carcinoma© 2008 Read more...

(Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer) by Madeline Vann, MPHDefinitionSquamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form. However, squamous cell carcinoma is more common in African Americans.The name “squamous” comes from the cells where the cancer grows. These cells are in the uppermost layer of skin cells. Squamous cell Read more...

(Skin Growths)Pronounced: Zan-tha-las-ma; zan-tho-muh by Diana KohnleDefinitionXanthoma is a condition in which fatty deposits form beneath the skin. They can be more than three inches in size or very small. Xanthomas are not painful or dangerous, but can be cosmetically disfiguring. Xanthomas may appear anywhere on the body, but are most frequently found on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, Read more...

(Nevus flammeus) by Diana KohnleDefinitionA port-wine stain is a birthmark that causes a reddish-purple patch of skin. The birthmark is composed of enlarged capillaries, which give it the distinctive color.Port-wine stains usually occur at birth and are typically initially flat, and may become darker and raised as the child ages. The birthmarks are typically found on the head and neck, but may Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionPyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon form of skin ulcers. It usually occurs on the lower legs, but can occur anywhere on the skin. Side View of Skin Ulcer© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.CausesPyoderma gangrenosum is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, which means it occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Risk FactorsPyoderma gangrenosum is Read more...

Pronounced: AAY-can-THO-sis NIG-ruh-cans by Diana KohnleDefinitionAcanthosis nigricans is a skin condition in which brown or black velvet-like markings appear under the arms, in the groin, or on the back of the neck, but any skin fold, including that of the lower lip and chin, can be involved.CausesThis condition is most often caused by being overweight, but can also, very rarely, be caused by Read more...

(Skin Tags, Fibroepithelial Polyps) by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionAcrochordons are harmless skin growths that appear to hang off the skin. Acrochordons can be mistaken for a more serious condition, so if you think you have one, see your healthcare provider.Acrochordons© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.CausesAcrochordons consist of collagen fibers and blood vessels that are surrounded by a thin Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionInsect bites and stings cause skin reactions, such as itching, rashes, and sometimes swelling. While most bites and stings can be safely treated at home, those that cause allergic reactions may require prompt medical attention. If you think that you are having a severe allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately.CausesInsect bites and stings are caused by biting Read more...

by Jacquelyn Rudis Have you heard rumors that your favorite snacks may be causing your face to break out? Should you cut out chocolate, pizza, or nuts from your diet? If your reasons for considering such sacrifices are to prevent acne , then the answer is no! No foods have been scientifically proven to cause acne. Acne has a genetic basis, and is caused by factors such as hormonal changes, Read more...

Pronounced: Tee-nee-uh Ni-gra by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MDDefinitionTinea nigra is a type of dermatomycosis. A dermatomycosis is a fungal infection of the skin. Tinea nigra affects the outermost layer of skin, called the stratum corneum. Tinea nigra causes a black or brown patch on the skin. Although a patch of tinea nigra may be mistaken for the more serious skin discolorations of melanoma, Read more...

(Botulinum Toxin Type A)Pronounced: Bow-tox by Shara Aaron, MS, RDDefinitionInjection of the bacteria, botulinum toxin Type A, into the skin or muscle blocks the signal from nerves to muscles. As a result, the muscles stop contracting.There are several types of Botox (Botox Medical, Botox Cosmetic, Dysport Myobloc) that can be used for various conditions. While it is most commonly used to Read more...

by Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS In September 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a light therapy device for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne . The ClearLight Acne PhotoClearing System emits high-intensity blue (415nm) light that kills the bacteria that cause this particular form of acne. ClearLight is only one of several similar commercial products released for this Read more...

by Editorial Staff and ContributorsDefinitionA diaper rash is a skin irritation in your baby’s diaper area. The rash can be on the abdomen and genitals and in the folds of the buttocks and thighs. Most babies develop a diaper rash at some time during infancy.Thigh Folds on Baby© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.Causes A diaper rash develops when your baby’s skin is irritated. Irritation can be Read more...