Health and Beauty

As the sun-splashed days of summer surround us, Missouri health officials are urging residents to protect their skin and their eyesight from the damaging effects of the sun.

Bright sunshine provides great opportunities for outdoor fun and work. But the sun’s ultraviolet light also increases the risk of cataracts and fosters about 20,000 new cases of skin cancer every year in Missouri,

Not all people are allergic to poison ivy or oak, but for those of us who are here are some tips.

The intensely itchy rash is an allergic reaction to the oil urishiol found on poison ivy, oak and sumac plants. This oil can be washed off with simple soap and water, but needs to be done quickly as the oil will quickly absorb into your skin. Once that happens, prevention of the rash is no longer possible.

* You can wash off 50% of the oil within 10 minutes
* You can wash off 10% of the oil within in 30 minutes

People with the excessive sweating condition known as hyperhidrosis already have to deal with a number of life-inhibiting social issues. Sweaty palms or unsightly underarm stains can make simple tasks such as shaking hands or raising an arm extremely embarrassing. According to a new study, people with primary hyperhidrosis also have a higher risk of developing skin infections. Fortunately for those with the condition, appropriate treatment by a dermatologist can control these issues.

Being teased based on appearance may end up in cosmetic surgeons' room. People go for cosmetic surgery because of the sensitivity in regard to appearance based rejection.

Researchers have found that men and women who feel sensitive to rejection based on their physical appearance are more likely to express interest in having cosmetic surgery than those who are less sensitive to appearance-based rejection. This effect is particularly true when people recall negative comments about their physical appearance.

June is the first-ever National Acne Awareness Month! Acne is the most common skin disease in the U.S., affecting over 60 million adults and teens each year. Acne for Dummies, by Dr. Herbert Goodheart, gives you all the answers you need for optimal skin care.

Today Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a bill into law that will prohibit the use of indoor tanning devices for all Texans under the age of 16.5 and will require in-person parental consent for those between the ages of 16.5 and 18.

Even on cloudy days, 40% of the sun's UV rays still make their way down to your skin, so check-off these tips rain or shine.

1) Pick a bottle that boasts SPF 15 or higher

2) All sunscreens shield you from UVB rays, but look for a "Broad Spectrum" sunscreen and you'll avoid wrinkle-inducing UVA rays, also.

3) Check the expiration date--Toss sunscreen that's more than 3 years old.

4) No sunscreen for kids under 6 months.

5) Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply at least every 2 hours, even if it's water resistant.

Skin cancer and premature skin aging from the sun are preventable with sunscreen and by eating the right foods. A focus on the right foods offers protection from sunburn and skin cancer, from the inside out. Foods that attack free radicals in the body and reduce inflammation can keep us looking younger and protect from sunburn that leads to skin cancer, pre-cancerous skin changes.

The chemotherapy medication fluorouracil appears to reduce potentially precancerous skin patches and improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, according to a report by U-M associate professor of dermatology Dana L. Sachs, M.D., in the June issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the Journal of the American Medical Association/Archives journals.

Fluorouracil stops the body from synthesizing thymine, a building block of DNA. This drug is used to treat cancers of the colon, head and neck, pancreas and other organs.

Disappearing wrinkles have been found to be a side effect of the inexpensive skin cancer cream Efudex. Not only does the skin cancer cream erase wrinkles, but also it does a good job getting rid of pre-cancerous sun spots, uneven skin tone, and lack luster skin.

The skin cancer cream, fluorouracil, marketed as Efudex is applied as an ointment. It is also used intravenously for chemotherapy for treating patients with head, neck, liver and bowel cancer, and now is found to erase wrinkles and more, in a small study.