What is Eczema and Do you have it?
Do you have a red scaly crusty rash on your skin? It could be eczema. The word eczema can be scary to most people, but it is just a term used to describe the skin condition. There are different types of eczema that can cause you to itch and feel uncomfortable. The visible red rash is also difficult to deal with since most people choose to hide it when in public. The sudden appearance of the rash has many people asking “What is eczema?”
Common Types of Eczema
Allergic Contact Dermatitis – This type of eczema forms due to contact with allergens such as nickel, fragrances, and poison oak.
Hereditary Eczema – This type of eczema is inherited from ancestors. It is also referred to as atopic dermatitis.
Dandruff and Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis – Visible signs of dandruff on the scalp and face are considered symptoms of this type of eczema.
Dry Skin Eczema – This type of eczema is also referred to as nummular and asteatotic eczema. Itchy skin and dry patches are the first sign of this type of eczema.
Irritant Dermatitis – This type of eczema is caused by frequent exposure to irritants such as dish soap.
Who can get eczema?
Anyone ranging from babies to the elderly can develop eczema at any time in their life. It is wise to inspect your children’s skin on a regular basis to detect the skin ailment early. Anyone that suspects they have eczema should see a dermatologist immediately.
Environmental Causes
Dry Air – Living in a climate that has dry air year-round
Prolonged Water Exposure – Taking long baths or showers that have water that is too hot
Low Humidity – The winter season is the most common time of year people develop eczema due to exposure to low humidity.
Common Skin Irritants
Perfume
Makeup
Soap
Cleansers
Solvents
Dust
Cigarette smoke
Chlorine
Sand
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of eczema. If you are exposed to a skin irritant you should immediately stop using it or avoid exposure. You will also need to heal your skin by treating eczema. A dermatologist will determine the best treatment for your specific type of eczema.
Many people self-diagnose and treat their skin ailments. This can cause the condition to become worse. Always seek the assistance of a professional before treating skin conditions. Sometimes you might think it’s one type of issue and it’s something completely different. If you think you have eczema, make an appointment with a dermatologist immediately.
Georgette Rodriguez-Vazquez, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.D.
Dr. Georgette Rodriguez-Vazquez is a board certified dermatologist who provides her patients with only the most advanced and up to date dermatologic care available. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University. She then received her medical degree from the University of Florida. After completing her internship in Surgery at the University of Florida/Shands Hospital, Dr. Rodriguez-Vazquez completed her dermatology training at the University of Miami where she currently is voluntary Assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Dr. Rodriguez-Vazquez has published numerous chapters and papers in well-respected textbooks and peer reviewed journals. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Society for Mohs Surgery. She specializes in complete dermatology services including medical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. She is fluent in Spanish. For furher information please contact Dr. G at 305.667.5480
What are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are narrow, short stalks that stick out above the skin surface. This common skin ailment affects more than 3 million people per year within the United States. The National Institute of Health conducted research that revealed approximately 46% of the population in the United States has skin tags. This painless and harmless skin ailment has people rushing to the doctor in fear a serious growth is forming on their skin. The following information will help you learn more about skin tags.
Who gets skin tags?
Anyone ranging from infancy to the elderly can develop a skin tag. Almost everyone will develop a skin tag at some point in their life. Skin tags often start out small and gradually grow larger. Some patients have reported small skin tags while others are quite large. Some skin tags range from 1cm to 5cm and resemble a flattened, small pinhead. The elderly is more prone to developing skin tags than others. According to the National Institute of Health around 59% of people will develop skin tags by the time they are 70 years old.
Symptoms
Skin tag growths often appear on the upper chest, shoulders, neck, eyelids and underarms. The location of the skin tag can be bothersome if you are not able to hide it under clothing. Some people might also experience darkening of the skin surrounding the skin tag or discoloration of the skin tag.
Causes
Skin tags are known to be caused by skin rubbing against skin. They often appear in folds and creases of the skin. The development of skin tags is created due to blood vessels and collagen trapped inside thicker bits of skin.
Risk Factors for Developing Skin Tags
Pregnancy due to hormonal changes
Diabetes
Obesity
Changes in levels of progesterone and estrogen
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 6 and 11)
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol Levels
Skin tags are harmless and benign growths that can be removed by a professional. Some skin tags are small and can fall off by themselves. However, larger skin tags can be removed using electrolysis, cryosurgery, ligation or excision. Remember blood vessels are involved so treatment and removal need to be done by a professional.
If you have skin tags that are bothering you, becoming irritated or in a visible place you can choose to have it removed. Take action today by making an appointment with a dermatologist.
Georgette Rodriguez-Vazquez, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.D.
Dr. Georgette Rodriguez-Vazquez is a board certified dermatologist who provides her patients with only the most advanced and up to date dermatologic care available. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University. She then received her medical degree from the University of Florida. After completing her internship in Surgery at the University of Florida/Shands Hospital, Dr. Rodriguez-Vazquez completed her dermatology training at the University of Miami where she currently is voluntary Assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Dr. Rodriguez-Vazquez has published numerous chapters and papers in well-respected textbooks and peer reviewed journals. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Society for Mohs Surgery. She specializes in complete dermatology services including medical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. She is fluent in Spanish. For furher information please contact Dr. G at 305.667.5480
Water Saving Tips
Why is the water bill so high? Most homeowners get an unpleasant surprise when they receive their water bill. Suddenly there is a spike and nobody knows where it came from. Increases in water bills are usually due to excessive use of water by residents who live in the home. This is easy to do since a four-minute shower uses 20 to 40 gallons of water. Water conservation can save money! Consider implementing the tips below into your water conservation efforts.
Check for Leaks – The first thing you should do is check your home for leaks. This includes all faucets, shower heads, sprinkler systems and any other place water flows. Once you find a leak, get it fixed immediately. Avoiding fixing a leak can lead to expensive water bills and repair costs.
Invest in Floaters – You can find an affordable float booster at your local home repair store or online. Install it in the toilet tank. This simple trick can save more than ten gallons of water per day.
Don’t Leave the Water Running – Many homeowners are guilty of allowing the water to run while they do tasks such as dishwashing, brushing teeth, shaving and allowing the water to warm up. If a four-minute shower uses almost 40 gallons of water, how many gallons do you think it takes to wash dishes? Try your best to turn the faucet off while doing certain tasks.
Keep Drinking Water in a Bottle – Most people enjoy drinking cold water, especially on a hot day in South Florida. Did you know running your tap water while you wait for it to cool off wastes water? Instead, keep a bottle of drinking water on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator or use ice cubes to cool your drinking water in a glass.
Install Low-Flow Faucets – Invest in low-flow faucet aerators and install them on all the faucets in your home. It reduces the amount of water that flows through the faucet and saves you money without having to worry.
If you live alone, you have full control of water use. However, if you live with your family it is difficult to control how others use the water. It’s important to discuss water conservation with your family. Everyone in the household needs to be aware of the issue and do their best to take part in controlling the amount of water they use. If you do all the tips listed above and your water bill is still high, you should contact a plumber immediately for a thorough inspection.
Trucking Accidents and Lawsuits
There are about 15.5 million trucks operating within the United States. Tractor trailer trucks are most often involved in accidents. This means that 2 million tractor trailers that travel the roads have the potential to be involved in a serious accident. These trucks are often hauling necessary food and products to different cities and towns.
Research reveals that 80% out of 45,000 traffic deaths per year are the fault of truck drivers. The accidents are handled on an individual basis, common causes include fatigue and issues with other drivers on the road. Many drivers of cars and SUVs often cut off truck drivers or speed up to go around the truck. Some car drivers try to sneak by as a truck is turning and become pinned between the truck and objects on the edge of the street such as bus benches, poles and fences.
If you are involved in an accident with a truck you need to report it immediately. Contact the police, insurance company and call for emergency medical care if needed. Use your cell phone to take pictures and videos of the accident. Explain your side of the situation in detail with the police officer. Do not speak to anyone else, not even the other driver about the details.
Since trucks are often hauling a heavy load and traveling at high speeds on expressways, they are more likely to lose control during extreme weather conditions. High winds and rain that causes slippery conditions is a bad combination for tractor trailer trucks. All commercial truck drivers are educated on dealing with harsh conditions. However, even the most experienced truck driver can become involved in a serious accident.
Due to the fast travel speed and heavy weight of the truck, accidents often result in serious injury or death of victims in nearby cars. In the case of victims being seriously injured or dying due to an accident, there is a possibility of a lawsuit.
The cause of the accident involving a truck needs to be determined. Police reports, medical documents, pictures, videos and witness statements are helpful during this process. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck and sustained injuries or if a family member passed away due to a truck accident, you should contact an attorney immediately for further assistance.
Acting as quickly as possible by contacting an attorney will help confirm if you have a case or not against the truck driver or company. Don’t hesitate, make the call today!
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Tips for Caring for Your Dishwasher
Homeowners that have a dishwasher understand just how important this appliance is to their family. It saves time and energy, and sometimes it even saves money. Dishwashers have become a must-have appliance for most homeowners. But, some wonder how to care for their dishwasher to assure it lasts many years. Consider the valuable tips below when taking care of your dishwasher.
Avoid Overloading – Homeowner’s with a large family or those that use a lot of dishes and cookware often overload their dishwasher. Stuffing your dishwasher with too many dishes, pots, pans and silverware will prevent the dishes from becoming clean. The overcrowding prevents proper placement and causes restricted spray patterns. Meaning the water doesn’t reach all the dishes. The main sign that you are overloading the dishwasher is the appearance of food particles still stuck to the dish.
Clean the Filter – Most dishwasher models have the filter located under the lower spray arm or near the bottom of the machine. The owner’s manual will explain exactly where the filter is located on your specific dishwasher model. It is essential to follow the directions of the owner’s manual when cleaning the filter.
Repair Dish Racks – Since most dishwashers are used daily they begin to ware quite quickly. It is important to repair dish racks as soon as possible. Avoiding repair can cause the damaged area to corrode and rust. Small rust particles can break lose during the wash cycle and spread all over your dishes, pots, pans and silverware. This is especially dangerous because some particles can be so tiny you can barely see them. This allows them to mix in with your food and expose the entire family to consuming metal fragments without realizing it.
Repair Broken Components – Hidden components of the dishwasher can become damaged or have problems. It is essential that you refer to the owner’s manual to learn more about troubleshooting your dishwasher model. If you find that the issue is serious, contact a professional plumber immediately for further assistance.
Avoiding dishwasher repair can cause serious issues that can lead to an expensive bill or total replacement of the appliance. Conducting regular maintenance such as a quick cleaning of the inside of the washer as well as the filter can help prolong the lifetime of the dishwasher. Never touch or repair electrical components on your own. Always contact a plumber for further assistance.