The Derm Blog

Regular Check Ups For Actinic Keratoses

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:12:00 GMT

The most common skin disease is actinic keratosis.

This is a small spot in a previously sun-exposed area that pricks the skin when felt. One out of 5 actinic keratoses will eventually become Squamous Cell Cancer, which requires surgery and in 10% of cases can spread to other organs.

Regular visits allow the doctor to successfully treat the actinic keratoses with liquid nitrogen spray, which takes a few minutes and usually avoids any scar. If untreated, the spot could become a Squamous Cell Cancer requiring surgery.

Does Sugar Make Acne Worse?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:02:00 GMT

The short answer is yes.

Sugar, or high-glycemic-index carbohydrates, makes acne worse and makes treatments for acne less effective.

But that's not the only negative thing that sugar can do to your health. That's a problem, because the aisles in most grocery stores are filled with foods that are high in sugar and carbs per serving.

Studies conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School indicate that foods with lots of sugar and food with a high-glycemic index, if eaten regularly over many years, does increase one's chance of developing cancer. Low-glycemic-index carbs also have adverse effects if eaten in large quantities. In general, we need to eat more servings of vegetables than servings of fruit and keep the volume of starches that we consume to no more than the volume of our fists.

If you're interested in finding out more, check out The South Beach Diet Supercharged: Faster Weight Loss and Better Health for Life. It's easy to read and will give you an excellent concept of how to permanently change eating habits and exercise to prevent disease. Following the guidance of this book will not only help your acne but improve your overall resistance to disease.

Written By: Dr. Keith B. Danckaert, MD

Save Money With Generics

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:40:00 GMT

One of the many ways we strive to save you money is by prescribing high-quality generics.

Several phamacies in the Fort Wayne area offer 300 different kinds of generic drugs for only $4.00 - for an entire month's supply! Generics are as effective as "trade" (i.e. non-generic) drugs, as long as the pharmacist purchases them from a reputable producer.

If a generic version of the prescription you need is not available and you have prescription insurance, we try to use trade prescriptions that offer some rebates for your copay.

New Psoriasis Treatment

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:19:00 GMT

As those dealing with psoriasis know, the disease can be difficult to manage.

Thankfully, there are a couple of new approaches to treatment that we are now using at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Associates of Fort Wayne.

A new topical treatment, which we place directly on the affected area.
A new injection.

Both have produced noticeable results. Please contact us for more information, or to schedule an appointment.