DermHelpCentral

Scabies

Jane Brody wrote an important introduction to scabies in the September 23, 2008 NY Times.

"Scabies is frequently misdiagnosed and mistreated, partly because most physicians are unfamiliar with it and partly because its symptoms mimic so many other skin diseases.

A correct diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that symptoms can often appear six to eight weeks after a person becomes infested with the microscopic arthropod, making it seem as if the problem came from nowhere. But unlike other skin diseases, scabies is usually accompanied by a tell-tale sign: one or more burrows in the skin where female mites lay their eggs.

Scabies is easily cured, but only if patients and their close contacts conscientiously follow directions for medical treatment and environmental cleanup. However, even after a person is rid of the mites and their eggs, itching can persist for up to four weeks."

To read the full article click on "An Itchy Torment, Frequently Misdiagnosed."

Picture of mite taken from Stanford Medical School's article on Scabies.

Scleroderma

The New York Times Health section featured Scleroderma in September 2008.
The Unfolding Mystery of Scleroderma is an ecxellent place to start if you are interested in reading about this subject.

"Like many autoimmune ailments, scleroderma remains a great unknown. Despite decades of research, the cause of this rare and complicated disease has yet to be discovered. But the good news is that doctors have a pretty clear understanding of how scleroderma progresses — a natural history, they call it — and are better than ever at extending and easing their patients’ lives." 

The full article can be accessed at Permalink.

Factor V Leiden

Factor V Leiden (pronounced factor five) is the most common hereditary clotting disorder in the United States, present in 2 percent to 7 percent of Caucasians, less often in Hispanics and rarely in Asians and African-Americans.

The disorder accounts for  20 percent and  to 40 percent of cases of deep vein thrombosis, or D.V.T.

For a good description of Factor V Leiden go to:  Permalink