Acne: The Myths

There are so many myths surrounding acne that it is time to dispel them.  The first being that acne is a teen disease, when in fact a fifth of men and a third of all women, will be struck with the disease after the age of 20 due to hormones, cosmetic/medication reaction or hypersensitivity.  So what other mistruths are there surrounding acne? First it’s not true that food is necessarily connected to outbreaks. While good nutrition is important, it doesn’t necessarily mean that cutting out greasy foods will get rid of the acne.  Second, sex doesn’t cause breakouts (although parents of teens would love to convince their offspring that it does), although it might be true that sex hormones have something to do with it (but not the act itself).  There are many different reasons for acne and sometimes, even qualified dermatologists can’t identify any specific explanation. But if you are suffering from acne, a trained dermatologist should be able to offer a course of treatment and if this doesn’t work, you could return for a further consultation.  For those in the New York area, check out Dr. Lawrence Jaeger who has been working successfully in the field for many years.

Sun Block Advice for Children: Dr. Lawrence Jaeger

This statistic may seem surprising – but in most situations, 80% of a person’s sun exposure comes during childhood.  Certainly, this makes it essential to limit sun exposure for your children, and to offer them the best sun blocks possible when they are in the sun.

Children should be exposed to the sun as little as possible from 10-2, should use clothing and hats to block out the sun, and should have a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher on all exposed areas.  Sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours if the person will be remaining in the sun.

Keep in mind that children who are swimming will need a sunscreen that is water repellent.  For more information about sun exposure and skin cancer, consult a dermatologist like Dr. Lawrence Jaeger of Larchmont, New York.

Skin Protection Through the Summer

Skin always needs protection, but in the hot summer months this need becomes even greater.  It’s very much not just a case of finding the right soap; fitness and nutrition play a large role too as well as mental health (stress can really affect skin).  In the hot summer months, here are some tips:
a)    Keep very hydrated: we all know the importance of drinking in hot months but few understand how dehydration can affect the skin.  The recommended amount is around 3 liters a day now in this weather.
b)    Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables:  these are all water based and anyway very healthy.  As well, the more saturated fats you consume (as well as high sugar foods/beverages), the more likely you are to suffer from skin wrinkling.
c)    Wear sunscreen: the sun’s ultraviolet rays can be very detrimental to skin.  The higher the SPF, the better.
d)    Avoid (or deal with) stress: if you are facing a lot of stress then try relaxation techniques to get it under control as stress will affect the skin negatively.
e)    Exercise:  even if it is hot, you will feel better and it will flush out any skin impurities while aiding in the production of sebum (the skin’s natural moisturizer).
f)    Don’t try to tan:  either in the sun or on a machine; both are dangerous and have very negative impacts on the skin.
g)    Stop smoking:  terrible for the skin.

Psoriasis & Depression: Dr. Lawrence Jaeger

Depression is a common reaction to many lifelong diseases like psoriasis.  Many people feel sad, angry and frustrated because they can’t figure out how to make their psoriasis go away.  Certainly, there are many recommendations that a dermatologist like Dr. Lawrence Jaeger can make to help you. There are also a number of alternative suggestions and ideas to help you with your psoriasis.

Stress can play a part in making your psoriasis flare up, so try to keep your stress down.  Try to share your frustration with others, as well, including other people with psoriasis.  Get educated about your treatment choices and actively pursue those avenues that will most benefit you physically and emotionally.

Understanding Eczema

Eczema is a very common skin complaint and can affect individuals at any age.  In fact, it can begin very soon after birth.  If you suspect you have eczema you are probably suffering from redness, oozing, crustiness, inflammation, etc.  One of the worst elements of it is the itching (which can then lead to bleeding as the itching can become so severe) so it’s always a good idea to try and get treatment sooner rather than later.  There are many very good creams on the market today so consult your dermatologist as soon as possible.  While it is true that many children grow out of eczema by about 5 years old, there is still no reason to suffer if a cream can be helpful.   As well, since the severe itching can actually cause even more trouble (like a bacterial infection) which can be potentially serious if not treated, a good dermatologist on your case is the best way forward.  Dr. Lawrence Jaeger is the medical director of Advanced Dermatology Associates which are clinics in the New York area specializing in dermatological issues.

Nail Care Tips from Dermatologists

Dermatologists care for more than just the skin of the patient; they also focus on hair and nail.  Lawrence Jaeger MD practices as a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology in New York.  A simple case of developing good nail habits can be very helpful for nail care; it doesn’t have to take too much time or effort.  Some recommendations from dermatologists include: keeping nails dry and clean to prevent bacteria from forming; file nails with a fine textured file to keep them in good shape; regularly trim toenails; deal properly with ingrown toenails (don’t try picking them out yourself); cut nails straight and round them a little at the tip for maximum strength; don’t bite fingernails nor remove cuticles; wear well-fitting shoes; soak feet in warm salt water when toenails are difficult to cut.   And remember, any irregularities or changes in the finger- or toe-nails should be reported immediately to the dermatologist.  As well, those with diabetes or circulation problems need to be especially aware of any changes in their nails.

Dr. Lawrence Jaeger: Getting the Facts on Ringworm

If you’ve been diagnosed with ringworm, or you think you might have ringworm, you should definitely get all of the facts.  Learn all you can about ringworm, and speak with your medical professional such as Dr. Lawrence Jaeger to find out more about your condition.

Ringworm is characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly patches.  You have an increased risk for contracting ringworm if you are malnourished, have poor hygiene, live in a warm climate, have contact with others who have ringworm, or are immune-compromised.

The most common types of ringworm include: athlete’s foot, jock itch, scalp ringworm, nail ringworm, and body ringworm.

The symptoms that are associated with ringworm often resemble other skin conditions, and it’s vital that you seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis.  Whether you go to your general physician or to one like Dr. Larry Jaeger of Larchmont, New York who sees many dermatological issues, you’ll need a proper diagnosis.

City Harvest: Meeting Their Goals to Feed The Hungry

City Harvest is based on an incredibly logical and simple idea.  Every day there are restaurants, grocery stores and other locations that through away perfectly good food that they can no longer sell to customers.  At the same time, every day, 1.5 million New Yorkers go hungry.  Combining these two ideas, City Harvest has, for over 25 years, been delivering discarded food to New York’s most needy communities.

So far, they have collected more than 269 million pounds of food.  75% of their intake is nutrient-rich foods including meat and protein items like chicken, salmon, beans, dairy and more.  This year, City Harvest projects that it will rescue 28 million pounds of food using a fleet of trucks, bikes and volunteers on foot.  Their many volunteers and donors, like Dr. Lawrence Jaeger, certainly make their task possible and their goals closer to being met.

More on Sun Defense from Dr. Lawrence Jaeger

As the Medical Director of Advanced Dermatology Associates, Dr. Larry Jaeger is concerned that people take the appropriate precautions in the summer months when not only are the rays of the sun stronger than at other times of the year, but people also spend more time outdoors with more of their skin exposed to those powerful rays.

There are several interesting things that it is worthwhile to know so that you can best protect the skin from the sun’s offending rays. Make sure that the sunscreen used offers protection against both types of damaging UV radiation: both the UVA and UVB types of radiation. The label on the sunscreen should either say “broad spectrum protection” or specify that it offers UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or higher.

It is good to know that some medications can increase the skin’s sun sensitivity. Medicines for acne and birth control pills can have this effect, so be aware that taking these types of medicines will require increased protection from the sun.

Dr. Jaeger: Use Sunscreen this Summer

Dr. Larry Jaeger, Medical Director of Advanced Dermatology Associates, is Board Certified in Dermatology and dedicates himself to advancing the health and well-being of the largest organ in the body, the skin. Residing in Larchmont, New York, his clinics are located in the Bronx and in Manhattan.

Now that summer is here it is crucial for the public to be aware of the dangers and symptoms of skin cancer. UV radiation is implicated as a cause of skin cancer. People should be cautious when exposing their skin to the damaging rays of the sun. It is crucial to always use sun blocks which prevent the UV rays from reaching the skin. The three different common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma each have a characteristic appearance. Any suspected skin problems should be seen by a dermatologist such as Dr. Jaeger or his associates.