STORY BYYour next sinful bite of chocolate can be guilt-free – at least where acne is concerned.
That sweet delicacy is no longer blamed as the culprit responsible for acne or unsightly pimples.
And there’s more good news: acne can be successfully treated with new dermatological products and technology. Patients of all ages do not need to suffer from embarrassment, or worse, acne scarring.
Treatment choices have come a long way since the Middle Ages when acne sufferers sought skin improvements by standing under a full moon.
Dr. Adelaide A. Hebert, professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, dispels some myths about skin care and explains new treatment options that are highly effective for acne. A specialist in skin care, she describes herself as “a pediatric dermatologist for patients who are young and who want to look young.”
While there are many popular misconceptions about this skin condition, acne still refers to plugged pores and pimples that appear on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.
Just 15 years ago, treatment options for acne were limited and mostly focused on the antibiotic tetracycline. Although acne is not an infection, it often is still treated with antibiotics to reduce inflammation and control scarring.
“Prescription medicines are more effective in treating acne than over-the-counter drugs,” explains Hebert. Ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, which is contained in both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, work better in a prescription medicine because they penetrate deeper and reduce bacteria.
Options include:
Rosacea, sometimes called adult acne, is a common but often undiagnosed disorder that has a flushed acne-like appearance. Unfortunately, many people don’t know they have it.
While the cause is unknown and there is no cure, current medical options can control the symptoms. A combination of new treatments can be tailored to each patient: gels, creams, oral antibiotics, lasers and intense pulsed light.
Hebert cautions about infomercials and mail order products. “Some of these products are very expensive for what you receive,” she explains, “and they may contain a lower dose of effective ingredients. Patients are better served with prescription medicines.”
Facials and spa treatments often don’t help. While a facial will clean pores, the clinician may use un-sterile instruments that can lead to infections.
“We do not recommend tanning salons because the ultraviolet light can damage skin,” she says. “The tanning industry is unregulated and there is little question skin damage will occur. There are places that offer a ‘spray on’ tan that is not harmful.”
Hebert recommends that an individual with acne symptoms should see a dermatologist. Depending on skin type, the dermatologist will recommend the appropriate treatment that may include topical cream, lotion or gel, in addition to an oral medicine or another new option.
Dr. Adelaide Hebert is a professor in the Department of Dermatology at the UT Medical School.
See Dr. Hebert also at:
Packing Bag Lunches Safely
If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.
Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:
Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.