Sarasota Dermatology Blog

Cell Phones Can Cause a Rash

Posted on 17. Dec, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

Could your cell phone be causing that facial skin rash? The answer may be yes– and the culprit may be the nickel content in the fashionable design of many cell phones.

Nickel is a familiar allergen that afflicts anywhere from 17% to 33% of the population with a red itchy rash doctors call Contact Dermatitis.

People with a nickel allergy may take steps to avoid skin contact with products that contain nickel, which is found in some jewelry.

But whether you know you have an allergy to nickel or not, you may not suspect the design on the front of your cell phone. Studies have shown many cell phones use nickel for their metallic highlights such as the brand logos, decorative accents, and even the buttons on the front of the phone.

As a result there has been an increase in the prevalence of facial skin rashes associated with these cell phones.

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Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

Bed Bugs are most frequently located on the mattress of the person being bitten. Any movement alerts the bugs to burrow into the mattress making them difficult to spot with a visual inspection. You may see dark spots on the mattress, which are feces, or red blood spots.

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Tanning Beds and Melanoma

Posted on 27. Oct, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

Melanoma is the 2nd most common cancer in women ages 20-29 and can cause death. The risk for cutaneous melanoma increases by 75% when a tanning device is used before the age of 30. Also, skin cancers are being found on the abdomen which is also related to tanning bed use.

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Doctor Help – I have this red scaling on my face . . . what is it?

Posted on 29. Sep, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

Patients suffering from red skin and scaling in the area around the eyebrows, on or around the nose, or on the scalp may be suffering from a common inflammatory skin disorder known as Seborrhoeic dermatitis.

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Whoops – I shouldn’t have gotten that tattoo – Now what?

Posted on 09. Sep, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

These days more and more people are inquiring about removing their tattoos. The good news is the technology of tattoo removal has improved and the patient can consult their dermatologist to determine which method is best for them and what results to expect.

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Excessive Sweating|Hyperhidrosis

Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term used for excessive sweating. It affects about 3% of the population. It is not only an inconvenience but has a significant impact on an individual’s life and function. Individuals suffering from this condition can have perfuse sweating from underarms, feet, forehead and hands.

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Acne: Another Pimple – Why?

Posted on 22. Jul, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

What is acne and why do we get it? Acne or Acne Vulgaris is an inflammation of our sebaceous glands caused by several factors including hormones, stress, and family history. Bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes can also play a role in acne production. There have not been any proven studies linking food and acne, but eating [...]

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Pluck 1 Gray Hair and 10 will Appear

Posted on 05. May, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

The ability to grow ten hairs due to you plucking one is not true. It may be easy for some to believe since you can find more gray hair later. It’s not that more have grown due to the plucking, it’s just part of the aging process. Think about it. There would be a lot less bald men if all you had to do was pluck one hair to have 10 more grow in its place.

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How long does sunscreen last?

Posted on 13. Apr, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

My first response is fairly simple, your sunscreen should not last very long if you are using the appropriate amount of sunscreen and have incorporated it into your daily routine. Generally, you need about an ounce of sunscreen to cover the areas of the body that will be exposed to the sun. You’ll need more on days that you’ll be wearing less clothing, like going to the beach. Based on an ounce a day, you should run out of sunscreen before it expires.

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Make Sunblock a Habit

Posted on 01. Apr, 2009 by Bradley J. Abrams, D.O..

I encourage all my patients to make putting on sunscreen a daily habit. It’s no different than combing your hair or brushing your teeth. Just incorporate sunscreen in to your morning routine.

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