DermHelpCentral

Defeating the Lice Without Emptying Your Wallet

 by Walencia Konrad

"Except for the ick factor, there’s no real reason to plunk down a hundred dollars or more to treat a case of lice, says Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, an entomologist at Cornell University.

Between six million and 12 million children a year become infected with lice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The tiny bugs, no bigger than a sesame seed, spread easily among children ages 3 to 11, who are likely to come into close head-to-head contact with one another or share hats, headbands and the like."

This is a helpful, patient-centered piece. Full Article, NY Times, May 28, 2010..

Melanoma and Oral Contraceptives

Women with melanoma (MM) are often advised to refrain from using oral contraceptives (OCPs).  The literature is difficult to interpret.  It appears that OCPs are not a risk factor for MM.  Here is a reference from reputable source:

A pooled analysis of 10 case–control studies of melanoma and oral contraceptive use  This is available free full text from the British Journal of Cancer.

A pooled analysis of 10 case-control studies of melanoma & oral contraceptive use.  Br J Cancer. 2002 Apr 8;86(7):1085-92.
Karagas MR, et. al.
Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine Dartmouth Medical School, 7927 Rubin 462M-3, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, New Hampshire, NH 03756-0001, USA. margaret.karagas@dartmouth.edu
Abstract
Data regarding the effects of oral contraceptive use on women's risk of melanoma have been difficult to resolve. We undertook a pooled analysis of all case-control studies of melanoma in women completed as of July 1994 for which electronic data were available on oral contraceptive use along with other melanoma risk factors such as hair colour, sun sensitivity, family history of melanoma and sun exposure. Using the original data from each investigation (a total of 2391 cases and 3199 controls), we combined the study-specific odds ratios and standard errors to obtain a pooled estimate that incorporates inter-study heterogeneity. Overall, we observed no excess risk associated with oral contraceptive use for 1 year or longer compared to never use or use for less than 1 year (pooled odds ratio (pOR)=0.86; 95% CI=0.74-1.01), and there was no evidence of heterogeneity between studies. We found no relation between melanoma incidence and duration of oral contraceptive use, age began, year of use, years since first use or last use, or specifically current oral contraceptive use. In aggregate, our findings do not suggest a major role of oral contraceptive use on women's risk of melanoma..

Food Allergies Take a Toll on Families and Finances

Yet another article on Food Allergies in the NY Times.  The focus is different from the previous article which dealt with overdiagnosis of the problem.  This one has helpful information for people who have kids with documented food allergies.  See: Food Allergies Toll on Families and Finances.

Sclerotherapy -- 2010

Sclerotherapy, an alternative to surgery for varicose veins, entails injecting a solution to irritate and collapse vein walls, so the vein eventually disappears. A series of sessions is usually required for a large area.

There are plenty of minimally invasive treatments to tackle varicose veins, including a new injectable solution that the Food and Drug Administration approved in March. Come June, the drug — called Asclera, widely used in Europe — will be available in the United States, giving American doctors another option for injecting the unsightly veins with fluid that makes them collapse.

This article in the May 13, 2010 NY Times is a good review of the "state of the art."  See: New Help to Free Legs From a Web.

Food Allergies Overdiagnosed

"Many who think they have food allergies actually do not.

A new report, commissioned by the federal government, finds the field is rife with poorly done studies, misdiagnoses and tests that can give misleading results."

Gina Kolata's article in the May 12th NY Times summarizes this topic well. See:  Doubt is Cast on Reports of Many Food Allergies.

Pill Swallowing

Kathleen Floyd, a nurse practitioner from Great Barrington, MA, alerted us to this useful product: the Oralflo Pill Swallowing Cup - A Cup to Help Swallow Pills & Medications

Start Taking the Medication You Need Today!  The Oralflo Pill Swallowing cup was designed to help you swallow pills without stress. Don't let a pill-swallowing problem keep you from taking the medication that you need. Try the Oralflo Pill Swallowing Cup today! Helps all ages - children, adults and seniors. See OraFlo Web Site.