Dermatology

How To Treat Strawberry Legs, According To Dermatologists – Women’s Health

If youre someone who suffers from

Read ahead to learn more.

Meet the experts: Sapna Palep, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City. Leonard Bernstein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center in New York City.

"Strawberry legs" are dark spots that resemble small black dots. The term comes from the dotted or pitted appearance that resembles the skin and seeds of a strawberry, says Sapna Palep, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.

The open comedones that cause the appearance of strawberry legs are hair follicles or enlarged pores that contain a trapped mixture of oil, bacteria, and dead skin. When the follicle or pore is exposed to air after shaving, it may darken, explains Dr. Palep.

You can see the spots caused by keratosis, a.k.a. "strawberry legs," on this womans skin.

For starters, you can treat strawberry legs by first swapping out your razor more regularly. Always use shaving cream or bar soap when shaving to ensure the area is moisturized before it comes into contact with a razor. Dr. Bernstein suggests using an antibacterial soap such as Dial or Lever 2000 to decrease bacteria on the surface of the skin. After shaving, make sure to always moisturize your skin. Dr. Palep suggests using moisturizers with lactic acid or urea that will exfoliate the skin as well to help prevent ingrown hairs.

Body Wash

Body Wash

Lotion

Lotion

To prevent strawberry legs, experts suggest that you:

If at-home remedies aren't working, Dr. Engelman recommends talking to your doctor about getting an in-office chemical peel to exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of bumps. You can also consider laser hair removal to reduce the potential of shaving-related skin issues, such as ingrown hairs. Anything that kills the hair at the root like laser hair removal (which is a permanent solution) or an epilator (which can be painful)" would help prevent strawberry legs, says Dr. Palep.

Daley Quinn is a Connecticut-born, Texas-bred beauty and wellness writer living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Family Circle magazine, WWD.com, TheCut.com, TheFinancialDiet.com, and San Antonio magazine. In her off hours, you can find Daley stalking her queen, Vanessa Carlton. You canfind more of her work on herwebsiteor check outher blog,The Daley Dose.

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How To Treat Strawberry Legs, According To Dermatologists - Women's Health

Dermatology

Empowering Patients: Effective Dermatologic Treatment Selection for Hand and Feet AD – Dermatology Times

This is a video synopsis of a discussion involving Alexandra Golant, MD, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, focusing on treatment options for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), particularly those with hand and foot involvement.

Dr. Golant advocates for providing patients with a comprehensive overview of treatment options and discourages reliance solely on topical therapies without considering alternative approaches. She emphasizes early discussions about transitioning to systemic treatments if topical therapies fail to provide adequate control, offering patients a backup plan and instilling hope for improved outcomes.

In assessing patients for systemic therapy, Dr. Golant considers factors such as disease control, treatment burden, and quality of life. She discusses various systemic options, including biologics like dupilumab and tralokinumab, as well as oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Each option is tailored based on patient preferences, comorbidities, and safety considerations.

Dupilumab, in particular, has shown consistent efficacy in hand and foot AD, with recent studies supporting its use in these areas. Dr. Golant recommends regular follow-up visits to monitor treatment response and adjust therapy as needed, with closer monitoring for patients on oral JAK inhibitors due to safety concerns.

Overall, Dr. Golant highlights the array of effective treatment options available for AD in 2024, emphasizing the importance of individualized care and shared decision-making to optimize outcomes for patients with this chronic condition.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by Dermatology Timeseditorial staff.

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Empowering Patients: Effective Dermatologic Treatment Selection for Hand and Feet AD - Dermatology Times

Dermatology

QUIZ: Test Your Knowledge of Rosacea Etiology, Types, and Triggers – Dermatology Times

April is Rosacea Awareness Month, a period of time dedicated to raising awareness about the chronic skin condition that affects millions worldwide.

Through initiatives like Rosacea Awareness Month, the medical community aims to shed light on the condition's complexities, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to seek appropriate care.

As we delve into this awareness month, Dermatology Times remains committed to educating and engaging our audience with weekly quizzes aimed at increasing understanding and promoting proactive management strategies. Throughout the month of April, we will be sharing 5-question quizzes each Monday designed to test knowledge on rosacea symptoms, triggers, treatment options, and lifestyle management strategies.

Each quiz will cover different aspects of rosacea, drawing from the latest research and expert insights. In addition to the weekly quizzes, Dermatology Times will recap the answers later in the week, providing detailed explanations and additional resources for further learning.

Dermatology Times invites you to join us in advancing understanding, promoting dialogue, and ultimately improving outcomes for individuals living with rosacea. Stay tuned for our weekly quizzes, and let's work together to make a difference this Rosacea Awareness Month.

Which of the following is not considered a trigger of rosacea?

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QUIZ: Test Your Knowledge of Rosacea Etiology, Types, and Triggers - Dermatology Times

Dermatology

Understanding Drug Interactions in Systemic Treatment: Impact on Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms – Dermatology Times

This is a video synopsis of a discussion involving Alexandra Golant, MD, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, focusing on a case study of a 17-year-old African-American female with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), particularly affecting her hands and feet.

The patient, a student and waitress, has struggled with AD since childhood, experiencing persistent severe involvement despite various topical treatments, including topical calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids. Her occupation exacerbates her condition, with long periods of standing aggravating her foot symptoms, and visible hand lesions causing embarrassment in her customer service role.

Dr. Golant underscores the impact of AD on the patient's quality of life, especially during adolescence when self-confidence is developing. Given the failure of numerous topical treatments, Dr. Golant opts for a systemic approach, initiating dupilumab therapy due to its efficacy and favorable safety profile, even in combination with oral contraceptive pills and oral isotretinoin for acne.

Dupilumab's compatibility with other medications makes it a preferred choice, providing comprehensive disease control without significant drug interactions or adverse effects. Dr. Golant discusses the option of combining dupilumab with topical steroids for localized flare-ups, highlighting its safety and efficacy based on clinical trial data.

In summary, Dr. Golant's approach emphasizes tailoring treatment to the patient's individual needs, addressing both disease severity and psychosocial factors to improve overall well-being and treatment outcomes.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by Dermatology Timeseditorial staff.

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Immunology

Fellow Focus in Four: Marat Kribis, MD, Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology – Yale School of Medicine

Why did you choose medicine?

I have liked both natural sciences and humanities since childhood. Choosing medicine was gradual, partly influenced by my mom, who enrolled me in premedical classes at age 15, when I hardly knew anything about medicine. I did not know any doctors, but I was influenced by reading the collective image of a doctor from Russian literature, an ironically or tragically described intellectual, strivingand often strugglingto help people in the face of the merciless nature of biology and societal problems. Once in medical school, my interest solidified as I became fascinated by the logic of pathophysiology and met real patients.

I liked the people I interviewed with; even through Zoom, I sensed a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at Yale offers outstanding research opportunities, incredible mentors who are experts in their fields, and a wide range of clinical cases. The Department of Immunobiology is among the worlds best, providing a unique chance to learn from people who have made discoveries in the field. For me, the decision was obvious.

I did my internal medicine residency at a Bridgeport Hospital program affiliated with Yale and stayed there as an academic hospitalist for a few years. Rheumatology has fascinated me since medical school, and when I decided to pursue a fellowship, the opportunity to train at Yale presented itself.

I have a cat named after Leo Tolstoy.

Yale School of Medicines Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology is dedicated to providing care for patients with rheumatic, allergic, and immunologic disorders; educating future generations of thought leaders in the field; and conducting research into fundamental questions of autoimmunity and immunology. To learn more, visit Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology.

Submitted by Serena Crawford on April 10, 2024

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Fellow Focus in Four: Marat Kribis, MD, Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology - Yale School of Medicine

Immunology

Long COVID Can Now Be Detected in the Blood – Technology Networks

People with long COVID have distinct patterns of inflammation detectable in the blood, which could potentially be targeted with immune therapies.

Findings from the largest UK study of patients hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection show that long COVID leads to ongoing inflammation which can be detected in the blood.

In an analysis of more than 650 people who had been hospitalised with severe COVID-19, patients with prolonged symptoms showed evidence of immune system activation.

The exact pattern of this activation varied depending on the sort of symptoms that they predominantly had for example, mainly fatigue or cognitive impairment.

The research, led by Imperial College London, suggests that existing drugs which modulate the bodys immune system could be helpful in treating long COVID and should be investigated in future clinical trials.

The study, published in the journalNature Immunology, is the latest research from two collaborative UK-wide consortia, PHOSP-COVID and ISARIC-4C.

These involve scientists and clinicians from Imperial alongside collaborators from the Universities of Leicester, Edinburgh and Liverpool among others and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

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Professor Peter Openshaw, from Imperials National Heart & Lung Institute and an ISARIC-4C lead investigator, said: With one in ten SARS-CoV-2 infections leading to long COVID and an estimated 65 million people around the world suffering from ongoing symptoms, we urgently need more research to understand this condition. At the moment, its very hard to diagnose and treat.

This study, which includes detailed clinical data on symptoms and a raft of inflammatory blood plasma markers, is an important step forward and provides crucial insights into what causes long COVID.

In the latest study, researchers included a total of 426 people who were experiencing symptoms consistent with long COVID having been admitted to hospital with COVID-19 infection at least six months prior to the study.

They were compared with 233 people who were also hospitalised for COVID-19 but who had fully recovered. The researchers took samples of blood plasma and measured a total of 368 proteins known to be involved in inflammation and immune system modulation.

They found that, relative to patients who had fully recovered, those with long COVID showed a pattern of immune system activation indicating inflammation of myeloid cells and activation of a family of immune system proteins called the complement system.

Myeloid cells are formed in the bone marrow and produce various types of white blood cells that circulate in the blood and migrate into organs and tissues where they respond to damage and infection.

The complement system consists of a cascade of linked proteins that are activated in response to infection or tissue damage. Notably, overactivation of the complement system is known to be associated with many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Dr Felicity Liew, from Imperials National Heart & Lung Institute, said: Our findings indicate that complement activation and myeloid inflammation could be a common feature of long COVID after hospitalisation, regardless of symptom type.

It is unusual to find evidence of ongoing complement activation several months after acute infection has resolved, suggesting that long COVID symptoms are a result of active inflammation.

"However, we cant be sure that this is applicable to all types of long COVID, especially if symptoms occur after non-hospitalised infection.

The researchers were also able to obtain comprehensive information about the range of symptoms that patients were experiencing, and which ones were most common.

They found that certain groups of symptoms appeared to be associated with specific proteins. For example, people with gastrointestinal symptoms had increased levels of a marker called SCG3, which has previously been linked to impaired communication between the gut and the brain.

Overall, there were five overlapping subtypes of long COVID with different immune signatures, despite some commonalities, namely: fatigue; cognitive impairment; anxiety and depression; cardiorespiratory; and gastrointestinal.

The researchers stress, however, that these groups are not mutually exclusive, and people can fall between groups depending on their symptoms.

Nevertheless, these long COVID subtypes seem to represent clear biological mechanisms of disease and highlight that different symptoms may have different underlying causes. The researchers suggest this could be useful in designing clinical trials, especially for treatments that target immune responses and inflammation.

One such treatment could include drugs called IL-1 antagonists, such as anakinra, which is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as another drug class called JAK inhibitors, used to treat some types of cancers and severe forms of rheumatoid arthritis. Both drug types work by targeting components of the immune system that might be activated in long COVID.

The researchers highlight that one limitation of their study was that it only included people who had severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and who were hospitalised as a result. Yet a sizeable proportion of people who develop long COVID in the wider population only report mild initial SARS-CoV-2 infection and its unclear if the same immune mechanisms are at work.

Professor Openshaw concludes: This work provides strong evidence that long COVID is caused by post-viral inflammation but shows layers of complexity.

"We hope that our work opens the way to the development of specific tests and treatments for the various types of long COVID and believe that a one size fits all approach to treatment may not work.

COVID-19 will continue to have far reaching effects long after the initial infection has passed, impacting many lives. Understanding whats happening in the body, and how the immune system responds, is key to helping those affected.

Reference:Liew F, Efstathiou C, Fontanella S, et al. Large-scale phenotyping of patients with long COVID post-hospitalization reveals mechanistic subtypes of disease. Nat Immunol. 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41590-024-01778-0

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Cardiology

Heart health: Cardiologist shares impact of advanced wearable technology on patient monitoring – News9 LIVE

Women are more damaged mentally and should be targeted for more assistance. (Photo credit: Pexels)

New Delhi: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in India. Heart disease remains a significant health burden across the globe. The risk factors of heart disease include poor lifestyle habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and more. The rising incidences in cases have led to the development and advancement of technology for cardiac treatments. Among these is the advanced wearable technology for patient monitoring but do they really create an impact?

Dr Keshava R, Senior Director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru told News9, In recent years, the integration of cutting-edge wearable technology into the field of cardiology has ushered in a new era of patient monitoring and care. Among the array of innovative devices, a groundbreaking wearable medical device has emerged as a beacon of progress, offering continuous, non-invasive monitoring of heart arrhythmias.

Continuous Monitoring of Heart Arrhythmias

Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and sophisticated algorithms, the wearable medical device excels in detecting various heart arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF), bradycardia, tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), pause, and long QT syndrome. Dr R said, Unlike conventional ECG devices, this device provides continuous monitoring, enabling the timely identification and intervention of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. Clinical studies highlight its exceptional sensitivity and specificity in detecting AF, outperforming traditional ECG methods.

Comprehensive Health Monitoring

The watch goes beyond arrhythmia detection, offering a comprehensive suite of features catering to diverse cardiology patient needs. It continuously monitors heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and core temperature, providing valuable insights into overall health and well-being. This holistic approach allows healthcare providers to obtain a more nuanced understanding of patients cardiovascular health.

User-Friendly Interface and Data Integration

According to Dr R, The user-friendly interface of the wearable medical device, coupled with seamless data integration with healthcare providers, empowers patients to actively participate in managing their cardiovascular health. Real-time and historical data are easily accessible, enabling patients to identify patterns, monitor trends, and share progress with their healthcare team. This collaborative approach fosters a more engaged and informed patient population.

Future Prospects and Ongoing Research

As technology evolves, the potential of this groundbreaking wearable medical device is set to expand further. Ongoing research and development may lead to the incorporation of advanced features such as blood pressure monitoring, sleep apnea detection, and stress assessment. The device has the potential to transform into a comprehensive cardiovascular health monitoring system, providing a holistic view of an individuals well-being.

Various devices like wearable watches and other devices are available with different sensitivity and specificity for various arrhythmias. The devices are improving in leaps and bounds with the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning every year.

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Cardiology

Watchdog group calls out risks associated with private equity in cardiology, other specialties – Cardiovascular Business

Lets call out private equitys abuse for what it is: legal looting, she said. The Private Equity Stakeholder Projects new state risk index is a razor-sharp tool in the fight to hold private equity accountable. Together, were taking on this trillion-dollar, behemoth industry thats hurting working people and sucking money out of the rest of the economy.

By providing transparent data on the risks associated with private equity investments, we empower communities, working families, and policymakers to advocate for change and protect their states from the threats posed by unchecked private equity firms, added Chris Noble, PESP policy director. This is an important step toward mitigating the risk and tangible harms wrought by private equity across the county.

The rise of PE continues to be one of the biggest trends in all of healthcare, and its presence in cardiology seems to be growing by the day. Cardiovascular Associates of America, Cardiovascular Logistics and other PE-backed cardiology management groups are acquiring more and more practices, and the trend has shown no signs of slowing down.

A recent survey found that a majority of physicians have a negative opinion about the rise of PE in cardiology, radiology and other healthcare specialties. Just last month, thousands of U.S. physicians united to launch a new Coalition for Patient-Centered Care.

In addition, the increasing influence of PE was one of the biggest topics at ACC.24, the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). ACC.24 focused on the business of cardiology much more than previous ACC meetings, in part as a response to ongoing trends cardiologists are witnessing throughout the country.

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Cardiology

Tri-City Cardiology’s Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Leads the Way in Revolutionizing Heart Failure Management – PR Newswire

MESA, Ariz., April 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --In the ongoing battle against heart failure, continuous monitoring stands as a beacon of hope. Among the array of innovative solutions, the CardioMEMS HF System shines brightly, offering a groundbreaking approach to managing this debilitating condition. Imagine a world where patients can receive crucial heart failure management in the comfort of an outpatient setting, such as an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC). This vision is now a reality, with Tri-City Cardiology's ASC at the forefront of this medical revolution. Access to cutting-edge technology is key in reshaping the landscape of heart failure management. The CardioMEMS HF System embodies this shift, offering a minimally invasive procedure that provides real-time monitoring of pulmonary artery pressurea vital metric in tracking heart failure progression.

Notably, while this technology has been available in hospital settings, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognition to perform these procedures at our ASC marks a significant advancement in accessibility and convenience for patients.At Tri-City Cardiology's ASC, patients can now undergo this procedure with ease, thanks to its streamlined approach and expertise in outpatient care. Being one of the first ASCs selected to perform this procedure, Tri-City Cardiology demonstrates its commitment to innovation and patient-centered care. Once implanted, the CardioMEMS sensor seamlessly transmits data to healthcare providers, empowering them to monitor patients remotely and make timely interventions. This proactive monitoring enables early detection of changes in pulmonary artery pressure, allowing for personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. The benefits of CardioMEMS extend beyond early detection; they encompass a clinically proven improvement in quality of life. By preventing heart failure exacerbations and reducing hospitalizations, patients can experience fewer symptoms and regain a sense of independence and mobility. Moreover, the integration of CardioMEMS into mainstream healthcare practices holds the promise of significant cost savings by minimizing the need for emergency interventions and hospitalizations.

Tri-City Cardiology's ASC serves as a pioneer in advancing cardiac care, integrating innovative technologies like CardioMEMS into outpatient settings. As technology continues to advance, such initiatives herald a brighter and healthier future for individuals battling heart failure. In the journey towards better heart failure management, the CardioMEMS HF System represents not just a milestone, but a paradigm shift. With Tri-City Cardiology, patients can rest assured knowing that they are receiving the most advanced and personalized care available, right in their own community.

About Tri-City Surgical Centers and Tri-City Cardiology

In 2022, the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) opened, offering a wide range of services, including the latest innovations in heart failure management. Tri-City Surgical Centers is a modern, free-standing, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center designed to help patients receive quality care outside of the traditional hospital setting, allowing Tri-City Cardiologists to complete the continuum of care for our patients while offering a multitude of additional benefits.

Tri-City Surgical Centers allows patients to be seen quicker with a more predictable schedule and in some cases lower cost. The center offers many out-patient surgical procedures including pacemaker and defibrillator insertion, replacement, loop recorder insertion, heart catheterizations, cardiac angioplasty, cardiac stenting, and peripheral angiograms and interventions.

Established in 1979, Tri-City Cardiology is widely known for its progressive and innovative approach to heart and vascular services. Tri-City Cardiology consists of 27 board-certified physicians coming from some of the top medical universities and fellowship programs in the country. We provide comprehensive services, including medical cardiology, diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, peripheral vascular testing, medical imaging, vein center, and disease management clinics (heart failure, anticoagulation, and device). Tri-City Cardiology has multiple office locations in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and has affiliations with both Banner and Dignity Hospital Facilities for inpatient services.

For more information, visit: Tri-City Surgical Centers - Tri City Cardiology Consultants Heart & Vascular Care in Phoenix, AZ | Tri City Cardiology CardioMEMS HF System Procedure Overview | Abbott (cardiovascular.abbott) CardioMEMS HF System Animated Implant Procedure Overview (youtube.com)

Contact: Mark Chkeiban Phone: 480-505-5279 [emailprotected]

SOURCE Tri-City Cardiology

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Tri-City Cardiology's Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Leads the Way in Revolutionizing Heart Failure Management - PR Newswire