Healthy U - June 2017 edition by Times Record

A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE TIMES RECORD

VOLUME 1, EDITION 5, JUNE 2017

Healthy Skin Skin cancer survivor talks tanning | Local doctor urges sun safety | Keep kids protected year round | Aging gracefully

HEALTHYU Contents VOLUME 1, EDITION 5 | JUNE 2017

12-13 Doctors: There’s no such thing as a ‘healthy tan’ Poteau woman shares skin cancer story

14-15 medical directory

16-17

Access to the area’s leading medical providers by category so readers can easily ﬁnd contacts for their areas of need.

Keep your skin protected Local doctor offers tips for avoiding long-term damage

about HEALTHYU

Protect children from sun damage Sunburns can sneak up on kids, local doctor says

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Healthy U is a monthly publication of the Times Record, focusing on issues of health and wellness for the River Valley area. It publishes the third Saturday of every month. For more information: ccosta@swtimes.com

Publisher Crystal Costa Editor Mardi Taylor Photographers Brian Sanderford, Jamie Mitchell Production Manager Christy Morrison

ADVERTISING Sales Manager Julie Newman

Take care of your eyes this summer More Content Now

When the sky is blue and the sun is shining, you’re not one to stay indoors. Instead, you plan on fully enjoying the beautiful weather by planning backyard barbecues, hitting the beach and simply relaxing out on the patio. As you apply sunscreen to prepare for a few hours outdoors, remember your eyes require protection as well. These five summer eye safety tips protect your vision so you can keep the fun going all summer long. Wear a hat as extra UV protection

You already have UV-protected sunglasses to prevent cataracts and eye cancer, so double up on both eye and skin protection by wearing a hat, as well. Any type of hat that has a wide brim, whether it be a baseball cap or floppy hat, can help block UV rays and enhance your overall sun protection. Put on goggles when swimming in the pool

Chlorine and saline, which are used to disinfect pools, can irritate the eye, causing dryness, redness and itching. To protect your eyes from chemicals, wear quality goggles every time you visit the local pool or swim laps at the fitness center. If you are unable to wear goggles or if the goggles you have start leaking, be sure to rinse your eyes with fresh water after swimming.

Know the difference between allergies and dry eye — and when to visit the eye doctor

It’s easy to mistake dry eyes for allergies, especially during the summer. If you are experiencing burning, redness, itching and tearing, make an appointment with your eye doctor to get the relief you need. A yearly eye exam ensures your eyes are treated properly, and it helps you stay on top of any vision changes that may have occurred over the past 12 months. Even on a tight budget, you can get affordable access to highquality eye care by enrolling in a vision plan through a provider like VSP, that offers individual and family plans online. Avoid rubbing your eyes

Your hands are covered in bacteria

that can cause eye infections, such as conjunctivitis. Rubbing your eyes can also worsen eye allergies if your fingers have touched any object covered in dust or pollen. When your eyes are irritated and you’re tempted to rub them, try other forms of relief, such as eye drops, to reduce dryness instead. Wash your face to remove makeup each night

Similar to swimming in pools without goggles, going to bed with makeup can cause eye infections and irritation. Always wash off eye makeup before going to bed, and use a clean towel each time to prevent transferring the bacteria you removed the night before. It’s also a good idea to check expiration dates on beauty products such as mascara, eye liner and eye shadow, so you can replace old makeup that has expired. When our eyes feel dry or are infected, it’s difficult to enjoy the summer season no matter how gorgeous the weather is outside. Follow these tips to keep your eyes healthy and feeling great, and if you need an eye exam or glasses, explore VSP Direct to find plans that will lower your out-of-pocket costs.

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Many things can cause dry skin Condition often will depend on age, health By Mayo Clinic News Network Tribune News Service

Dry skin is often a temporary or seasonal problem — one that you experience only in winter or summer, for example — but the problem may remain a lifelong concern. Although your skin is often driest on your hands, arms, lower legs and sides of your abdomen, the locations where these dry patches form can vary considerably from one person to the next. Signs and symptoms of the condition will depend on your age, health status, living environment, the amount of time you spend outdoors and the specific cause of your problem. With dry skin, you may have one or more of the following: • Sensation of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming. • Skin that appears shrunken or dehydrated • Skin that feels and loos rough rather than smooth • Itching that sometimes may be intense • Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling

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skin • Fine lines or cracks in the skin • Redness Dry skin (xerosis) often has an environmental cause. Certain diseases also can significantly affect your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include: • Weather. Skin tends to be driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. But the season may not matter as much if you live in desert regions. • Heat. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin. • Hot baths and showers. Taking long, hot showers or baths can dry your skin. So can frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools. • Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin as they are formulated to remove oil. • Other skin conditions. People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are prone to dry skin. These steps can help keep your skin moist and healthy: • Moisturize. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping. Apply moisturizer several times a day and after bathing. Thicker moisturizers HEALTHYU

work best, such as overthe-counter brands Eucerin and Cetaphil. You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturizers. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to apply an oil, such as baby oil, while your skin is still moist. Oil has more staying power than moisturizers do and prevents the evaporation of water from the surface of your skin. Another possibility is ointments that contain petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor). These may feel greasy, so you might want to use them only at night. • Use warm water and limit bath time. Long showers or baths and hot

water remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower to five to 10 minutes and use warm, not hot, water. • Avoid harsh, drying soaps. It’s best to use cleansing creams or gentle skin cleansers and bath or shower gels with added moisturizers. Choose mild soaps that have added oils and fats. Avoid deodorant and antibacterial detergents, fragrance, and alcohol. • Wear rubber gloves. If you have to immerse your hands in water or are using harsh cleansers, wearing gloves can help protect your skin. • Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. Gently pat your skin dry with a towel

so that some moisture remains. Immediately moisturize your skin with an oil or cream to help trap water in the surface cells. • Use a humidifier. Hot, dry, indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Be sure to keep your humidifier clean to ward off bacteria and fungi. • Cover as much skin as possible in cold weather. Winter can be especially drying to skin, so be sure to wear a scarf, hat and gloves when you go out. • Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin.

Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, allow your skin to breathe. But wool, although natural, can irritate even normal skin. Wash your clothes with detergents without dyes or perfumes, both of which can irritate your skin. These products may be labeled as “free.” If dry skin causes itching, apply cool compresses to the area. To reduce inflammation, use a nonprescription hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone. If these measures don’t relieve your symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, see your doctor or consult a dermatologist.

Itchy skin can be a sign of liver disorder

What to do — and not to do — when your child has a bloody nose

More Content Now

Imagine having itchy skin and fatigue with no explanation or diagnosis for your symptoms. This is what happened to Minnesota native Nishele, 44, who received a primary biliary cholangtis (PBC) diagnosis after years without any answers. Her journey, unfortunately, is like many others who have PBC. “By the time I was diagnosed, I had actually had elevated liver enzymes for about four years that they just ignored,” Nishele says. Her frustration grew steadily until she was sent to a gastrointestinal (GI) doctor who ran liver tests and made the PBC diagnosis. PBC, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the bile ducts in the liver, can sometimes take years to present symptoms. In fact, many symptoms are common to other diseases, so misdiagnosis — or no diagnosis, as in Nishele’s case — is common. “I was relieved that I finally knew what was going on,” Nishele says. It is important to be evaluated by a doctor with experience in liver diseases to make an accurate diagnosis of PBC in a timely fashion. Patient empowerment is key to maintaining health. It’s important to ask your health care professional questions and advocate for important evaluations, such

By Vicky Hallett Special to the Washington Post

as routine liver function tests, whether you’re experiencing symptoms or not. “I know it sounds kind of cliché, but you have to be your own patient advocate,” says Nishele. “You know when there’s something wrong. You can’t just take their word for it and not push the issue. You have to insist things are followed up on.” Advocacy is particularly important for females. Women are nine times more likely than men to develop PBC, meaning that women make up about 90 percent of PBC cases. The disease most often develops during middle age and is usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 35 and 60 years. There appears to be a genetic predisposition to developing PBC, because it’s more common among siblings and in families where PBC or other autoimmune disease has affected one or more members. Genetics may have played a role in Nishele’s

PBC. About a year after she was diagnosed, her mother received the same diagnosis. She now assists her mom by sharing important information and encouraging her to work closely with her health care professionals to manage the condition. If you think you or someone you love may have PBC, it’s important to talk with your health care professional about testing and treatment. The most common initial symptoms are fatigue and itching of the skin (pruritis). Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, darkening of the skin, dry mouth and eyes, and bone, muscle and joint pain. Learn more about the liver and PBC by visiting healthywomen.org/ liverhealth. “I think you just have to be determined and just be proactive about it,” says Nishele. “I consistently research as much information as I can and try to find the answers. I think knowledge is power.”

Your little one has blood gushing from her nose. So you should tell her to tilt her head back, right? Nope, explains Washington-area pediatrician Steve Silvestro in a new installment of his podcast, “The Child Repair Guide.” Leaning back might prevent some stains on the carpet, but swallowing the blood might lead to an upset tummy. In addition, your child might inhale the blood. Silvestro’s suggestion: Sit her upright and “pinch the soft, spongy part of the nose that’s below the upper bony part.” Then, using a tissue or washcloth to sop up the mess, just wait for the flow to stop, which usually happens within 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll want to make a doctor’s appointment if the blood is still coming 20 minutes later or if you suspect your child has stuck something up a nostril that needs to be removed. And take note of what ends up in the toilet over the next few days. One dark and sticky stool is no big deal — just a sign that a lot of blood was swallowed. But if there’s a second one, you’ll want to check in with your doctor. It’s the kind of calm, no-nonsense

[SHUTTERSTOCK]

information listeners can expect from Silvestro, who launched the podcast last year. Every few weeks, he covers a different topic, such as fever, pinkeye or sleeping through the night, sometimes with the help of a guest expert. On his blog, Silvestro also makes each episode available as an article to read. Silvestro’s approach to medical advice involves cracking jokes when appropriate. For instance, he notes that

one common cause of a bloody nose is “catching a baseball with your nose instead of your glove.” Then he adds, “It also gives you a nose that looks a lot like mine.” Another risk factor? Having long fingernails and an interest in the “childhood hobby of picking the nose.” So, it’s an entertaining thing to listen to for a while — a while that you might have, especially if you’re sitting around holding a washcloth up to a kid’s bloody nose.

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Bite back against mosquitoes More Content Now

From annoying itchy welts to serious conditions like Malaria and West Nile virus, mosquitoes have been making humans miserable and sick for thousands of years. And now, there’s Zika — a mosquito-spread virus that may be linked to serious birth defects. In fact, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the diseases mosquitoes spread make them the deadliest animal on the planet. The arrival of warm weather means it’s time to step up your mosquito prevention and protection efforts in order to help protect your family. The National Pest Management Association offers some information that can help: • The type of mosquito that transmits Zika bites during the daytime hours. Most other types of mosquitoes bite during dusk and dawn. • Within the U.S., mosquitoes have been known to spread West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and encephalitis-causing viruses in humans, and heartworms in dogs. • Mosquitoes spread disease when they bite one person, fly to another and bite again, spreading the infection. What many people don’t realize is that the saliva from the mosquito’s bite causes the red, itchy irritation that we all know so well. The NPMA recommends some ways you can help reduce your exposure to mosquitoes: • Eliminate breeding areas — Mosquitoes need only about a half-inch of standing water in which to lay their eggs. Get rid of any stagnant water around your home, such as flower pots, bird baths, kiddie pools and standing

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water in low areas of your yard. • Use repellent — Whenever you spend time outside, protect your skin from mosquito bites by applying an insect repellent that contains at least 20 percent DEET, picaridin or oil of lemoneucalyptus. Also, consider wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes. • Be aware of the time of day — Mosquitoes are most active around dawn and dusk, although the variety that transmits Zika prefers to bite during the day. Minimize outside activity during peak biting hours, or, if you must be outside, wear long sleeves, pants and repellent to thwart mosquitoes. • Watch what you wear — Dark colors, floral prints and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes can attract mosquitoes to you. Wear light colors and forego perfume when spending time outside. • Protect your house — Screens help keep mosquitoes out of your house. Be sure all windows and doors are outfitted with screens, and that all are in good shape. Repair tears to keep mosquitoes from getting inside. • Travel wisely — Mosquitoborne diseases that may be rare in the U.S. are common in many foreign countries, so if your summer vacation will take you outside the country, check what travel advisories may be in effect in your destination. If someone gets sick upon returning home, seek medical care immediately. Sometimes, despite your best efforts at control, mosquitoes on your property can still be a problem. A licensed pest control professional can help you manage mosquitoes. To find a professional near you, visit the NPMA’s website at pestworld. org.

Trying to go DEET-free can come back to bite you Jill U. Adams The Washington Post

Every spring it starts. The Facebook posts and the conversations overheard at the coffee shop. A solution of equal parts vinegar and water was just the thing to keep mosquitoes from biting. And rose geranium oil is magic against ticks. Concoctions are offered up as natural alternatives to traditional insect repellents, nearly all of which contain the chemical DEET. Some perceive that DEET, shorthand for a synthetic chemical with an unpronounceable name, is a dangerous substance to be avoided. In addition to home brews, there are commercial versions of DEET-free bug sprays, labeled with words like natural, organic

and botanical. Side-byside tests show a range of effectiveness. Some are good, some are shortlasting and others are practically useless. “There are lots of promises out there that don’t deliver and people end up going back to DEET,” says Brooke Bissinger, who specializes in plant-based repellents and is director of entomology at AgBiome, a North Carolina biotech company. “There are some people who refuse to use DEET and some who are reluctant users — especially parents who want to put something safe on their kids.” Here’s the thing — DEET is not what many people perceive. The Environmental Protection Agency considers DEET safe when applied according to

package instructions. This includes children of all ages. The American Academy of Pediatrics says no insect repellents should be used on babies under 2 months old. And DEET is very effective. A study from 2002, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found the DEETcontaining bug sprays to be superior in protection and duration against mosquitoes when compared with most botanical formulations. The overall winner was Off! Deep Woods insect repellent, made by SC Johnson, which protected study volunteers for five hours. The volunteers put their arms into a cage of mosquitoes intermittently and the time to the first bite

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was recorded. (In the study, Off! Deep Woods was reported to contain 23.8 percent DEET; today’s product is labeled as containing 25 percent DEET.) What else worked? Three other DEET repellents with concentration ranging from 2.75 percent to 20 percent offered complete protection for more than one hour. One DEET-free product did as well; called Bite Blocker and made by HOMS, the tested spray contained 2 percent soybean oil. Products containing citronella or citronella with a mix of plant oils (peppermint, cedar, lemon grass and geranium) offered less than 30 minutes of protection. Also in this group was Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus, containing 7.5 percent of a synthetic repellent known as IR3535. (Avon’s Skin-So-Soft bath oil, long rumored to offer insect repellent properties, came in at less than 10 minutes.) Plant oils do have repellent properties, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good choices. “Depending on the formulation, the botanicals — citronella, cedar and eucalyptus oil — are typically shortlasting,” says Jonathan Day, a medical entomologist at the University of Florida in Vero Beach who co-authored the 2002 study in the New England Journal of Medicine. “So, you could reapply every 20 minutes. More realistically, we look for protection times of at least an hour.” It depends on your needs: how long will you spend weeding the garden or out on the deck at a neighbor’s barbecue? The DEET-free insect repellents exist because there

is a market for them — people who worry about the risks of spraying DEET on their skin. Day reminds people to weigh the potential risks of DEET against the risk of being bitten by a West Nile Viruscarrying mosquito or a Lyme disease-loaded tick. Plant repellents are not completely risk-free either. “Oil of eucalyptus tends to be irritating to some people,” Day says, adding that a couple of the volunteers in his study developed skin reactions. That’s one reason the concentrations of plant oils tend to be low, in the 2 to 10 percent range, he says. Likewise, some people are sensitive to DEET, again with rashes or other skin reactions.

Reports of adverse events related to DEET are relatively rare, health officials say, and improper use — such as ingestion, inhalation, eye exposure, or heavy, repeated application of DEETcontaining products — is often to blame. “The number of adverse events is very small,” Bissinger says, especially when you consider the millions of people who use DEET repellents every year. Far less information is available on the hazards of plant-based insect repellents. Those are typically skin reactions — irritations or allergies. Product labels carry application instructions

to keep the product from getting beyond the skin. That means taking care to stay away from cuts or wounds, the eyes and mouth, and to avoid breathing in the sprayed mist. For kids, we’re told to not apply DEETcontaining repellents near the eyes or mouth or on hands, so that fidgety kids don’t rub the stuff someplace it shouldn’t be. Day says other protective measures can help you limit DEET exposure, such as wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts and a hat. “I put repellent on my neck, my forehead and my hands,” he says. For tick protection, tuck your long pants into your socks and spray DEET

repellent on your boots and pants up to your knees. Companies focusing on the market for natural products are trying to develop more robust products. Two recent studies showed that a plant-based repellent called TT-4302, was comparable to DEET in terms of protecting against mosquitoes and ticks. (The studies were conducted by scientists at TyraTech, the company that makes TT-4302, but were peer-reviewed.) The repellent contains 5 percent geraniol — a naturally occurring compound that’s found in rose oil, citronella oil and geranium oil. TyraTech markets its product under the name Guardian Wilderness.

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Clean up your beauty routine More Content Now

Whether you are heading to a backyard barbeque or a summer soiree, a healthy, glowing complexion is the best accessory this summer. Everyone knows the drill about proper skin cleansing and moisturizing regimens, however, many women are interfering with their skin health by not taking the same care when it comes to their beauty products. “Keeping skin looking radiant is no small feat,” says Stacey Ramstedt, senior director of marketing at Paris Presents Incorporated, a global leader in beauty products and personal care accessories. “Women are careful about the makeup and products they use on their skin, but overlook the importance of maintaining those products for optimal use and skin health.” Are you guilty of these dirty secrets?

Mistake 1: Never washing makeup brushes

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A whopping 43 percent of makeup brush users report they never wash their makeup brushes,

Brushes not only collect makeup residue, but they also hold dirt, oil and other impurities. A regular maintenance routine ensures brushes are clean when they touch your skin, plus it boosts brush performance and integrity so they last longer. according to a 2014 quantitative online survey among 212 makeup brush users. Brushes not only collect makeup residue, but they also hold dirt, oil and other impurities. A regular maintenance routine ensures brushes are clean when they touch your skin, plus it boosts brush performance and integrity so they last longer. Cleaning makeup brushes does not have to be a time-consuming chore. For daily cleaning and quick color changes, try EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths. They help keep your brushes fresh and conditioned. For a

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weekly deeper clean, use EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo to get your brushes back to new. Both are made from plant-based ingredients and are dermatologist tested so they are safe for sensitive skin.

Mistake 2: Using expired makeup

Similar to the kale salad you had for lunch, your makeup comes with an expiration date. While it may not give a specific “use by” date, the general rule is to replace mascara and eyeliners every three months, liquid foundation every six months and powder eyeshadow every two years. We all struggle with letting go, with 89 percent of women hanging on to makeup just in case they need it later, according to a Stowaway Cosmetics survey. Which means at best makeup will be poor-performing, and at worst, it can bring bacteria to the skin and eyes, causing irritation. Keep in mind, the more often you use the product, especially with your fingers, the more often you should replace it.

Mistake 3: Relying on products to include your sun protection It is no secret that sunscreen helps maintain skin health. By blocking dangerous ultraviolet rays,

While it may not give a speciﬁc “use by” date, the general rule is to replace mascara and eyeliners every three months, liquid foundation every six months and powder eyeshadow every two years.

sunscreen is a key tool to protect the skin against cancer and premature aging. Recognizing the benefits, most face lotions and products on the market today include a sunscreen ingredient. But be

cautious, similar to the products in your makeup bag, sunscreens do not last forever and should be replenished. While sunscreens are designed to remain at original strength for up to three years,

according to the Mayo Clinic, the sunscreen ingredients in your favorite face products may not last as long. In fact, facial moisturizers and serums should be tossed after six

months to a year. Be on the lookout for PAO (Period After Opening) notations on new products or look for a number followed by an M to tell you how many months after opening

the product should be tossed. To be safe, be sure to use an oil-free high SPF face sunscreen after your moisturizer to provide any extra level of protection all summer long.

HEALTHYU

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Dealing with dandruff

Simple steps usually take care of problem

By Mayo Clinic News Network

Dandruff is a common chronic scalp condition marked by flaking of the skin on your scalp. It isn’t contagious or serious, but it can be embarrassing and sometimes difficult to treat. The good news is dandruff usually can be controlled. Mild cases of dandruff may need nothing more than daily shampooing with a gentle cleanser. More stubborn cases of dandruff often respond to medicated shampoos.

Lifestyle and home remedies

dandruff. But because exposure to ultraviolet In addition to regular light damages your skin shampooing, you can and increases your risk take steps to reduce of skin cancer, don’t your risk of developing sunbathe. Instead, dandruff: just spend a little time • Learn to manage outdoors. And be sure to stress. Stress affects your wear sunscreen on your overall health, making face and body. you susceptible to a • Alternative medicine. number of conditions Small studies have and diseases. It can even found that tea tree oil help trigger dandruff can reduce dandruff, or worsen existing but more study is symptoms. needed. Tea tree oil, • Shampoo often. If which comes from the you tend to have an oily leaves of the Australian scalp, daily shampooing tea tree (Melaleuca may help prevent alternifolia), has been dandruff. used for centuries as an • Get a little sun. antiseptic, antibiotic Sunlight may be good for and antifungal agent. 10

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It’s now included in a number of shampoos found in natural foods stores. The oil may cause allergic reactions in some people. When regular shampoos fail, dandruff shampoos you can buy at a drugstore may succeed. But dandruff shampoos aren’t all alike, and you may need to experiment until you find one that works for you. If you develop itching, stinging, redness or burning from any product, stop using it. If you develop an allergic reaction — such as a rash, hives or difficulty breathing — seek

immediate medical attention. Dandruff shampoos are classified according to the medication they contain: • Pyrithione zinc shampoos (such as Head & Shoulders, Jason Dandruff Relief 2 in 1). These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione. This type of shampoo can reduce the fungus on your scalp that can cause dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. • Tar-based shampoos (such as Neutrogena T/Gel). Coal tar, a byproduct of the coal

manufacturing process, helps conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. It slows how quickly skin cells on your scalp die and flake off. If you have light-colored hair, this type of shampoo may cause discoloration. • Shampoos containing salicylic acid (such as Neutrogena T/Sal). These “scalp scrubs” help eliminate scale, but they may leave your scalp dry, leading to more flaking. Using a conditioner after shampooing can help relieve dryness. • Selenium sulfide shampoos (such as

Selsun Blue). These shampoos slow your skin cells from dying and may also reduce malassezia. Because they can discolor blond, gray or chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only as directed, and rinse well after shampooing. • Ketoconazole shampoos (such as Nizoral). Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail. It’s available over-thecounter as well as by prescription. Try using one of these shampoos daily or every other day until your dandruff is controlled; then cut back to two or three times a week, as needed. If one type of shampoo works for a time and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos. Read and follow the directions on each bottle of shampoo you try. Some need to be left on for a few minutes, while others should be immediately rinsed off. If you’ve shampooed faithfully for several weeks and there’s still a dusting of dandruff on your shoulders, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. You may need a prescriptionstrength shampoo or treatment with a steroid lotion. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

Your nails can tell a story By Amberlee Lovel Deseret News Service

We don’t think too much about our nails unless we’re coating them with a fresh layer of paint, but this small part of our body is actually pretty fascinating. Paying attention to changes or abnormalities in your nails can warn you of a number of health problems. Here are 11 messages your nails are trying to tell you about your health: 1. White nails

Fingernails naturally have white on the tips, but if the whole nail except a narrow band at the top is white, this could be a sign of liver disease, kidney failure, diabetes or congestive heart failure, according to Mayo Clinic. 2. Yellow nails

Yellow nail syndrome happens when nails thicken and become discolored. It can be a sign of chronic bronchitis, but is also related to hand swelling, according to Mayo Clinic. 3. Peeling nails

There’s not much to worry about with this one. If your nails are peeling, it’s likely they’ve either had too much exposure to moisture or have been covered in nail polish too long, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. 4. Red streaks in the nail

Infections in your heart valve may cause red streaks to appear in your nail bed, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. 5. Split or cracked

If your nails are extra brittle or keep splitting, this could be a sign of thyroid disease or psoriasis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

6. Clubbed nails

Lung problems,

cancer, infection, or diseases that affect how much oxygen you are getting to your heart can create nail clubbing. This is when your fingertips enlarge and your nails curve around the tips. 7. Blue nails

If the nail itself is blue (not your whole hand altogether), your body could be trying to tell you you’re not getting enough oxygen. It also could be a sign of certain poisons in your body.

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8. Ridges on your nails

It all depends on the direction of the ridge. Many people have vertical ridges that become more pronounced as they age. Dr. Phoebe Rich, M.D., FAAD, clinical adjunct professor of dermatology at Oregon Health Science University said to consider these like wrinkles in your nails. Occasionally vertical ridges do indicate lack of vitamins or nutrition, but more often than not, they are not worth worrying about. Horizontal ridges can be more of a cause for concern, which is described below.

How does hearing loss occur? Damage to the inner ear. Aging and exposure to loud noise may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. When these hairs or nerve cells are damaged or missing, electrical signals aren’t transmitted I[ M‫ٻ‬ KQMV\Ta IVL PMIZQVO TW[[ WKK]Z[

9. Indentations across the nail (horizontal ridges)

Indentations are caused by disrupted growth which can happen for several reasons. Diseases such as diabetes or high fever diseases can create these indentations as well as severe injury or zinc deficiency, according to Mayo Clinic. 10. Dark lines beneath the nail

Dark lines that appear underneath the nail are not a good sign. If you regularly have these, visit a doctor as it could be a sign of aggressive melanoma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. 11. White spots on your nails

Don’t worry about these, dermatologist Jessica Krant told Huffington Post. “Most likely they are signs of previous trauma to the nail plate (the hard part of the nail) or the matrix (the source of the nail plate, which is located underneath the cuticle under the skin),” Krant said. “Just like folding or denting a piece of clear plastic leaves a white spot, so does pressure or trauma to the nail.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sam Solomon Beltone Hearing Aid Center 1100 Lexington Ave. Fort Smith 479-782-5858 beltoneAR.com

What causes temporary hearing loss in one ear? Conductive hearing loss happens because of a problem in the ear canal, eardrum, or the middle ear that prevents sound from carrying well to the inner ear. )V MIZ QVNMK\QWV \ZI]UI I \]UWZ WZ Æ ]QL WZ IV WJ ject in the ear (such as wax buildup) can cause it.

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HEALTHYU

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Keep your skin protected Local doctor offers tips for avoiding long-term damage

Times Record Staff

This time of year, more people are spending time outdoors, so it’s especially important to be protected from too much sun exposure. But “Both ultraviolet it’s also vital year round, A rays (UVA) even on cloudy and the days, because ultraviolet B damage from rays (UVB) the sun can occur at any reach the time of the Earth. UVA year, says rays reach the Dr. Nedil Earth with the AldarondoAntonini, same intensity boardthroughout certified dermatologist the year and at Cooper penetrate clouds Clinic, P.A., and glass. UVB Fort Smith. rays, on the Antonini other hand, suggests using a broad reach the earth spectrum with variable (UVA/UVB) intensity sunscreen, depending applying one ounce to the on the time entire body 20 of the day to 30 minutes (more intense before sun exposure and between 10 a.m. re-applying and 4 p.m.), every hour geographic if sweating, location and every two hours if not season. sweating. Dr. Aldarondo“Keep Antonini in mind that UV radiation is the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancers (Basal cell carcinoma,

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Dr. Nedil Aldarondo-Antonini, board-certified dermatologist at Cooper Clinic, P.A., Fort Smith. [PHOTO COURTESY COOPER CLINIC]

Cancer awareness Dr. Nedil Aldarondo-Antonini, board-certiﬁed dermatologist at Cooper Clinic, P.A., Fort Smith, says monthly self skin examinations are essential to being aware of potential skin cancer. He also says to keep an eye on the ABCDE’s: A: look for Asymmetry (if you drew a line through a mole, if the two halves don’t match, that’s a warning sign) B: Border (A benign mole has smooth, even borders, unlike melanomas. The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.) C: Color (Most benign moles are all one color — often a single shade of brown. Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, white or blue.) D: Diameter (Benign moles usually have a smaller diameter than malignant ones. Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the eraser on a pencil (¼ inch or 6mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when ﬁrst detected.) E: Evolving (Common, benign moles look the same over time. Be on the alert when a mole starts to evolve or change in any way. When a mole is evolving, see a doctor. Any change — in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting — points to danger.)

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squamous cell carcinoma) and it contributes to the development of melanoma, a potentially life-threatening skin cancer,” Antonini said. “Both ultraviolet A rays (UVA) and the ultraviolet B rays (UVB) reach the Earth. UVA rays reach the Earth with the same intensity throughout the year and penetrate clouds and glass. UVB rays, on the other hand, reach the earth with variable intensity depending on the time of the day (more intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), geographic location and season. Although the intensity of UVB rays is less in the northern hemisphere during winter months, high altitudes and reflection from ice and snow will increase it, potentially resulting in serious sunburns to the skin, he added. There are a variety of ways to protect skin besides just using sunscreen, Antonini said, including wearing sun-protective clothes with ultraviolet protecting factor. He also suggests using laundry additives that increase UPF, wearing goodquality sunglasses with UV protection, wearing dark colors, tightly woven fabrics and loose fitting clothes, using broad-brimmed hats and umbrellas and installing tinted UV-protective glass film for car windows. He also suggests seeking shade. If you do burn, Antonini says the burned skin must be covered up to protect it. “Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma,” he says. “Experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20

“Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma. Experiencing ﬁve or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increases one’s melanoma risk by 80 percent and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by nearly 70 percent. If you have a sunburn, get out of the sun.” Dr. Aldarondo-Antonini

Dr. Nedil Aldarondo-Antonini

increases one’s melanoma risk by 80 percent and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by nearly 70 percent. If you have a sunburn, get out of the sun.” Antonini also suggests when protecting skin from the sun, you should take Vitamin D3 supplements. “If you are 70 years old or younger, you will need 600 IU per day; if you are

71 years old or older, 800 IU per day,” he said. “It is important to take Vitamins A, E and K when taking vitamin D3. Sweet potatoes, carrots, avocados, nuts and green leafy vegetables are good sources of these vitamins. Patients on Coumadin or blood thinners need to talk to their physician prior to taking vitamin K supplements.”

Sunburn can be painful, so Antonini suggests taking cool baths or showers, applying moisturizers with soy or aloe vera, using hydrocortisone 1 percent cream twice a day and consider taking ibuprofen. Drinking water is also important, and he says to avoid popping blisters. According to Antonini, people at the highest risk for

skin cancer are those who have a personal or family history of skin cancer, those who burn easily or have had past severe sunburns, people with lots of moles or freckles and people with burn scars or who have received radiation treatments. He also says those with an occupational exposure to UV radiation (including pilots, farmers or construction workers) are at a higher risk, as are those with a history of indoor tanning or with a suppressed immune system. “Keep in mind that the skin is a living organ,” Antonini said. “Just as we try to make good food choices and exercise to minimize damage to our heart and vascular system, we need to make every effort to minimize damage to our skin. We can’t always overcome genetic predisposition to skin disorders, but there are many choices we can make to keep our skin healthy and cancer free.”

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Local woman shares skin cancer story

Doctors: There’s no such thing as a ‘healthy tan’ By Mardi Taylor Staff Writer

Karen says she doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t obsessed with having a “perfect tan.” The Poteau woman, who asked that her last name not be used, spent years “baking in the sun,” as she puts it, and today is Dr. Kris Gast a recovering victim of skin cancer. “I never gave it a thought,” Karen said about the long-term damage that was taking place while she was tanning during her teens and 20s. “My friends were all tan, and I wanted to be, too. No one ever said, ‘Hey, that’s not healthy.’” With skin that didn’t tan easily, Karen says she had to work hard to develop her darker skin over the years, including using “tons” of suntan lotion and spending hours at a time outdoors. She tried tanning beds a few times, but most often just laid out in the sun with friends. That was their way of hanging out, she says. Fast forward a few years, and Karen found herself in a doctor’s office after finding an unusual spot on her stomach. It came back as a basal cell carcinoma. At age 31, Karen was diagnosed with cancer. There’s no such thing as a “healthy tan,” according to Dr. Nedil Aldarondo-Antonini, board-certified dermatologist at Cooper Clinic, P.A., Fort Smith. Tanning is skin’s way of

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“No skin type is safe for tanning. Tanning is an injury response of the skin in an effort to protect cells from damage to the DNA.” — Dr. Nedil Aldarondo-Antonini board-certiﬁed dermatologist at Cooper Clinic, P.A.

reacting to damage. “No skin type is safe for tanning,” Antonini said. “Tanning is an injury response of the skin in an effort to protect cells from damage to the DNA.” Tanning beds are also dangerous, Antonini said, and indoor tanning may cause more than 400,000 cases of skin cancer

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in the U.S. every year. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more people develop skin cancer because of tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking. And while Karen had a different type of cancer, melanoma is the second most common cancer in girls between ages 15

and 29, according to Dr. Kris Gast, board certified radiation oncologist with Fort Smith Radiation Oncology. “Skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun and also from tanning beds,” Gast said. “The ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds causes over 400,000 cases of skin cancer every year. People who use tanning beds are now placed in the highest risk category for developing skin cancer.” While Gast says melanoma is the “scary” skin cancer that arises from a mole and can spread, resulting in death, basal cell and squamous cell cancers

are more common and actually are the most common of all cancers, with 5.4 million cases in 3.3 million patients every year. The annual cost of treating all those skin cancers is $8.1 billion. Treatment options for skin cancers depend on the size of the cancer, type, location and health of patient, Gast said. “Generally, biopsy is done first followed by surgery,” she said. “Lesions can be frozen off. There is a chemotherapeutic cream that can be used. Radiation is a good option for most lesions that may be close to critical structures or for cancers that keep recurring.”

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In addition to ultraviolet radiation’s link to skin cancer, it is estimated that 90 percent of skin aging is caused by UV rays, Gast says. Several countries have banned indoor tanning altogether, while other

countries and states have banned indoor tanning for anyone under 18, according to Gast. People who use a tanning bed before the age of 35 increase their risk of melanoma by 75 percent, she added. Today, Karen says she is much more mindful of the sun and the type of damage it can do. As a new grandmother, she

is eager to “be around for a long time” to see her grandson grow up. She also hopes her story serves as a lesson for her family members as well as others. “Protecting your skin from the sun is the No. 1 thing you can do to keep your skin healthy,” Gast wrote in a recent Cancer Demystified column.

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[JAMIE MITCHELL/TIMES RECORD]

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM

sun damage JUNE 2017

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Dangers run more than skin deep

Times Record Staff

A local primary care doctor urges a “common sense” approach when it comes to children and the sun. Dr. Sarah Duda with Sparks Clinic Family Medicine, 6100 Massard Road in Fort Smith, says although there’s no exact time limit on the amount of sun exposure, wearing protective clothing such as hats and sunglasses and using sunscreen is the best way to avoid getting “too much” sun.Dr. Sarah Duda “The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn,” Duda said. “But the sun is not only damaging to the skin, but also to the eyes. Too much exposure can also suppress the immune system.” Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. “If your child’s skin looks ‘a little pink’ today, it could turn into a burn by tomorrow,” Duda says. She recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. “The higher the SPF number, the greater the amount of protection,” she said. “Don’t skimp on the sunscreen. Be generous and apply about 30 minutes before going outside and then reapply every two hours while you are outdoors. If you get wet or perspire heavily, reapply more often. Don’t forget areas like ears, the back of your neck, chest, face and lips.” Suffering one or more blistering

[JAMIE MITCHELL/TIMES RECORD]

sunburns in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing potentially deadly melanoma later in life, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Duda says to avoid spending long periods of time outside during peak hours (usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) when the sun is the hottest. “A sunburn can sneak up on kids, especially after a long day outside,” Duda says. “Applying a cool, wet compress and pure aloe vera gel, along with taking antiinflammatory medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may relieve the pain. But if the sunburn is severe and blisters develop, call your doctor. Tell your child not to scratch or pop the blisters, which can lead to infection and scarring.” Some parents may think sun exposure is necessary for children to get enough vitamin D, but Duda says this isn’t as true as it once was. “Today, many foods are fortified with vitamin D, making sun exposure less important for the body’s vitamin D supply,” she said. “If you are concerned, talk to your child’s physician and consider foods such as vitamin D milk, cereal, cheese, tuna, salmon or eggs.” Duda also urges parents to talk to teens about the dangers of tanning. “There’s no such thing as a ‘safe tan,’” she said. “Tan skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child’s skin after time outside — whether sunburn or suntan — indicates damage from UV rays. Talk to her about the dangers of sun damage and the wrinkles and splotchy pigments that come with it. She’ll thank you when she’s older.”