Skin and Hair Archive

News coverage of a case of leprosy in central Florida may have made it seem like there is an increased threat the disease would spread. Misconceptions about this disease have persisted for a long time, but the facts are reassuring.

There's no time to lose when someone suffers a burn. For a minor burn on a small area of skin, run cool water over it for 20 minutes to help limit damage, and then apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic cream and cover the burn with a bandage. If a blister develops, dab antibacterial cream on it, cover it with a bandage, and get to a doctor as soon as possible. Second-degree burns that are large or involve the face, hands, feet, or genitals, and all third-degree burns, warrant a call to 911.

An array of "menopause skin care" products joined the beauty market in recent years. Some contain virtually the same active ingredients as "anti-aging" skin products. Falling estrogen levels during the menopause transition can lead to dryness and sagging. Broad-spectrum sunscreen, moisturizers, and other products can help offset these skin changes, but not prevent or cure them. Women should examine a product's ingredients to determine if a "menopause" version is truly different from a standard "anti-aging" version.

Ringworm is a common, contagious skin infection caused by a fungus. Children can get it from other people who have it or from an infected animal. While it can be itchy and unpleasant, ringworm is usually harmless.

Sun-protective clothes are made of materials that shield your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The most effective fabrics for the job have high thread counts, are tightly woven, and are dark or bright colors (which absorb light). Examples include polyester, nylon, lightweight wool, or canvas. Many clothing manufacturers now use high-tech fabrics for sun-protective garments. Some wick away moisture and dry quickly. Some are embedded with chemicals used in sunscreens (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). High-tech fabrics offer at least as much protection as regular densely woven fabrics, and maybe more.

Swimming is a great activity for children, but for children with the allergic skin condition known as eczema, swimming can be complicated. Taking steps to protect skin before and after a swim can help.

As people age, earlier sun damage to the skin, especially on the face and neck, shows up as dry skin, wrinkles, and age spots. While much of this sun damage occurred in the past, people can take steps later to reverse some of it. Adopting a three-step daily skin care routine—washing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen—is the best way to treat existing skin problems, maintain healthy skin, and protect against future harm.

Nail-biting can introduce germs into people's mouths that can cause a range of illnesses, including colds or salmonella. The habit also creates tiny fissures in skin that can become infected. People who bite their nails should occupy their mouth and hands with other tasks.

Celebrities and influencers claim that consuming collagen could have miraculous benefits for skin, hair, and nails. But what does the science say?

The most common non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. They aren’t usually life-threatening, but they can be quite dangerous. They can bleed, hurt, and eat away at skin. If left untreated, they can erode through important structures like the nose, eyes, bones, or muscles. If they become very large, they can spread, and in rare cases cause death. Treatment ranges from scraping out skin cancers with surgical tools to Mohs surgery, a procedure that spares as much healthy skin as possible.