Contact Dermatitis

Eyelid dermatitis in women is fairly common.  In many cases, the initial cause is irritation incurred during the removal of make-up. Mechanical friction, often with a wash cloth or other cleaning product, removes some critical components of the outer layer of the skin that protects the skin. After this occurs, things that normally would not…

Without question, it is ALWAYS best to see a well-trained, board-certified Dermatologist if one has any skin problems (rashes or growths).  Although many PCPs and Urgent care centers can handle COMMON problems (i.e. Shingles, poison ivy and minor burns), what happens when both you and the doctor does not know what the diagnosis is? In many of these cases, patients…

A study published in JAMA looked at the 100 “best-selling” moisturizes that claim to be “hypoallergenic” found that 83% had a potentially allergenic chemical. Additionally, the study found that 45% of the products marketed as “fragrance-free” contained a botanical ingredient or one that reacts to a fragrance that can cause reactions.

Topical allergies are common in both children and adults. If one suspects a topical allergy in children, this top 10 list contains the most likely culprits. One can start by avoiding these 10 compounds. Tixocortol pivalate (a corticosteroid). Propylene glycol (found in many creams, lotions, and solutions). Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI) (a preservative used in anti-fungal…

Most people think of Henna tattoos as a harmless ink that is applied to the skin. That is not always the case. Some Henna dyes contain paraphenayline diamine (PPD), which is the dye used in permanent hair dyes. This ingredient can result in severe allergic reactions. In a case reported in BMJ Case, a 10-year old…