Los Angeles dermatologist, Dr. Jessica Wu reports that there is a hot new reason for aging of the skin, heat. Here is her report:

"Beware of your heater and fireplace!

We’ve all heard that the sun’s UV rays can damage the skin, leading to wrinkles, sun spots, and premature aging. But recent research shows that heat can also damage your skin in much the same way. Chronic heat exposure (like from sitting too close to a fireplace, or using a hot water bottle continually) can cause a condition called “erythema ab igne,” which produces mottled, red-brown patches on the exposed skin. At first, the blotchy discoloration can fade when the skin is protected from the heat; however, it can eventually become permanent if the skin is repeatedly exposed to high temperatures.

New studies show that heat can damage your skin even before you see this type of discoloration. Exposure to heat has been shown to destroy collagen and elastic fibers in the skin, so over time, high temperatures can lead to thinning of the skin and eventually premature wrinkling. Heat, just like UV rays, has also been shown to stimulate angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth), which can lead to “broken” capillary veins, red blotches, and uneven pigmentation. Lastly, heat has been shown to generate “free radicals,” which are particles that damage collagen and DNA in your skin.

Based on this new information, scientists are now suggesting that heat may cause aging in human skin. Therefore, in addition to sunscreen to block the effects of UV rays, it may also be important to protect your skin from heat. So what should you do?
Avoid sitting directly in front of the heater or fireplace for prolonged periods of time. If you notice your skin becoming red, turn down the heat or walk away to cool down. If you use a small space heater near your desk or chair, change its position so it doesn’t continually hit the same part of your skin."

Or if you are like me, enjoy the fireplace with a little hot chocholate, just don't sit too close. Be well. Dr. P

Lauren Johnson, a 12 year old girl, appeared with her mother this morning on NBC's Today Show, "sneezing" every few seconds. She has been "sneezing" every few seconds for the past two weeks after returning from a sleep over. According to estimates she is "sneezing" about 10,000 times per day.

Nancy Synderman, MD was doing all she could to hide her disbelief of an actual medical condition, "peeling back the layers of the onion", suggesting a tic, Munchausen’s Syndrome, or a psychogenic poor imitation of a sneeze. Dr. Synderman pointed out that unlike a normal sneeze that comes through the nose and coincides with involuntary eye closing, Lauren's "sneeze" is through her mouth with her eyes open. Additionally, Lauren only "sneezes" when awake. The politically correct Dr. Synderman stopped short of suggesting that the "sneezing" was a much better idea to get those 15 minutes of fame than Balloon Boy's recent publicity stunt.

In the old days, the antipsychotic medication Thorazine was used to break cycles of tics, hiccoughs, or other "mysterious" medical conditions. Hopefully Lauren will have stopped her "sneezing" before she appears in People Magazine, The Jay Leno Show, and David Letterman. Otherwise, start the IV and get the Thorazine ready. G-d Bless You times a million.

To see the Today Show segment go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/11/the-girl-who-cant-stop-sn_n_353744.html.

Car Air conditioning-- MUST READ (See Snopes Below)

Good to know.....
Please do not turn on A/C immediately as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows after you enter your car, and then turn ON the air-conditioning after a couple of minutes.

Here's why: According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa and air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car). In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. May also cause miscarriage.

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft.. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level... People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff. So friends, please open the windows and door of your car - give time for interior to air out - dispel the deadly stuff before you enter.

Thought: 'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.'

University of Michigan
Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology/Oncology

Snopes: - Mixture - http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/benzene.asp

15 questions for patients to ask before going to a doctor, which can help you identify an ill-prepared doctor or a cosmetic procedure that’s not right for you:

1. How long have you been performing the treatment I am interested in?

2. Do you have hospital privileges to perform the treatment I desire?

3. How often do you perform the treatment I am interested in?

4. How many treatments are needed?

5. If considering a new product or device: How long has it been used?

6. Can I see before and after photos?

7. Can I speak with individuals who have had this treatment done?

8. What are the possible complications?

9. Have you see any complications?

10. If you have seen complications how were they treated?

11. Will you perform the treatment or will it be delegated to someone else?

12. How available are you after the treatment?

13. Are you affiliated with any academic institutions?

14. Are you board certified?

15. What does it mean to be board certified?

We all need to be aware of preventing the spread of Swine Flu. This includes frequent hand washing, avoiding body fluid exchanges with those who have sore throats, cough, and fever greater than 100 F. Encourage those with the above symptoms to see their physician or visit an emergency room where throat cultures and medication can be admisitered. As of April 23, 2009, five California residents (three children and two adults) have been diagnosed with swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Three are residents of San Diego County and two are residents of Imperial County. There are no known links between these patients, no known common exposures and no known pig exposure. Four patients had self-limited influenza-like illness; one was patient with underlying autoimmune disease was hospitalized. All have recovered. The viruses from the five cases are closely related genetically and contain a unique combination of gene segments that have not previously been reported in the United States or elsewhere. The viruses in the first two patients are susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir, but resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. Antiviral susceptibility on viruses from the additional three cases is pending, but is anticipated to be the same. Swine influenza (swine flu) is an endemic respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus, typically H1N1 and H3N2 strains. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu do occur. Since 2005, 12 human cases of swine flu have been detected in other parts of the United States; all patients recovered. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g., workers in the swine industry). Although it has been documented, human-to-human transmission of swine flu is rare. However, the current situation in California suggests that human-to-human transmission may be occurring. Seasonal human influenza vaccine usually does not protect against swine influenza A H1N1 viruses, which are very different in their antigens from human H1N1 viruses. For additional information about swine flu, please see: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/SwineInfluenza.aspx