Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Merkel Cell Carcinoma - a skin cancer that you need to know about!

Psoriasis

MRSA on the rise

Post Inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation

 Melasma or Other Pigment Problems

Need Help With Rosacea?

   Joy-Marie has over 35 years professional experience.   She is a licensed esthetician practicing in Portland, and Beaverton, Oregon.  Her focus has been natural healthcare and educating people about the effects of sunlight on human bodies, diet and premature aging of the skin, hormones and skin discolorations, and detecting possible skin cancer or infectious lesions.  If you need medical intervention, she will do her best to refer you to a specialist for further investigation and therapeutic treatment. 

Practicing holistic, naturopathic and complementary healthcare for over 23 years, she can guide you into some alternatives that complement the conventional medical therapies you use.  The term "integrated medicine" refers to the growing interest in combining therapeutic modes of treatments and standards in order to best suit each individual.

Free shipping on orders over $50.00, site-wide!

A dangerous,  fast acting form of skin cancer has newly been identified as Merkel Cell Carcinoma.  A virus leading to the cancer is known as merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV or MCPyV) and is in early stages of research.  Merkel cells are found in the skin. Although the exact function of Merkel cells is unknown, they are thought to be touch receptors.  MCC, sometimes referred to as a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, arises from the uncontrolled growth of Merkel cells in the skin. It is a rare skin cancer with roughly 1000 cases per year in the United States, making it about 40 times less common than melanoma. MCC has the potential to be extremely  lethal, perhaps 3 times as fast to develop as melanoma, and thus prompt aggressive treatment is warranted.  

   Characterized as a blueish, reddish, purplish lump (which can quickly grow very large and disfiguring) under the skin that has no tenderness, grows rapidly, occurs in fair skin, tanned adults over 50 years old.  Frequently, patients seek advice from their doctor because the bump is growing rapidly or the overlying skin is breaking down. Most MCCs are diagnosed when a skin biopsy is performed to rule out another sun-induced skin cancer or a cyst. In the vast majority of cases, both the doctor and the patient are surprised by the diagnosis of MCC.  

The lumps are very distinct and you need to see a dermatologist immediately for diagnosis and treatment.  Dermatology images are online by googling merkel cell.

  For more precise information, go to the research center:  

Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Skin Oncology Clinic
825 Eastlake Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98195-8050
Telephone: (206) 288-1024
www.merkelcell.org

Click here to read more about skin cancers, early detection, sun protection and products to try.

  Psoriasis is linked to systemic inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s response to stress from diet, lifestyle, allergies, injury, disease and/or environment. It causes many diseases like arthritis and cancer, as well as psoriasis and general aging.

Looking to nature for answers, we teach that one of the main causes of inflammation is low-grade bacterial, viral or fungal infections in our blood, tissues and cells. 
To learn more about the causes of inflammation, read Inflammation: The Real Cause of All Disease & How to Reduce and Prevent It.

Look through your home or office and read labels - many common household cleaners, upholstery fabrics, room deodorizers and pet care products are actually triggers for immune respond disorders.  Contact the Federal Center for Disease Control or NIOSH for a list.

Common treatment of psoriasis includes anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, but these just temporarily ease the symptoms.  A more effective approach to whole body health provides a road map to wellness for those who suffer from psoriasis by: addressing your internal health, reducing inflammation by conquering infections (especially candidaisis), and healing your body from the inside out.  Check out some ideas regarding your nutrition...

October is World MRSA Awareness Month

The ongoing MRSA epidemic continues to be a major global threat and MRSA emerged into the world over fifty years ago. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterium spread and mutated for decades throughout Europe and other continents, which has had a devastating and fatal effect on patients in healthcare facilities worldwide and now in the community. World MRSA Awareness Month, October and World MRSA Day, October 2 are annual observances to raise awareness and the United States Senate passed a senate resolution in 2009 designating these dates.

MRSA is on the increase, with children now the Center For Disease Control's main concern as pediatricians report more cases than ever.  Go to their web site for updates and preventative information.  June 23, 2009: today's news features a report that links MRSA transmission between pets and humans, spread through bites and scratches.  Boys between 5 and 9 years old at higher risk because of teasing behaviors with dogs, males between 15 and 30 the next largest group of cases because of aggressive behavior towards dogs and unsupervised toddlers of both sexes #3.  Women tend to get MRSA from cats, men from dogs the report shows.  Don't ignore wounds received from your pet - clean immediately and see a doctor if symptoms arise.

October 2011: A six-fold increase in pediatric MRSA infections, prompted Alexis C Mccullough, of the the University of Toledo College of Medicine, and colleagues, to examine the clinical profile of children with MRSA infections seen at Mercy Children's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, and to characterize the responsible strains.

Records were reviewed of pediatric patients who cultured positive for MRSA from June 1 to Dec. 31, 2007. Strain typing by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFT) and DiversiLab, SCCmec typing, and PCR-based lukSF-PV gene (encodes Panton-Valentine leukocidin), arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) and cap5 gene detection was performed.

Chart review of 63 patients with MRSA infections revealed that 58 (92 percent) were community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). All CA-MRSA were skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Twenty five (43 percent) patients were aged < 3 yrs, 19 (33 percent) aged 4-12 and 14 (24 percent) aged 13-18. Nineteen (76 percent) of those aged < 3yrs had higher incidence of perineal infections compared to only 2 (11 percent) of the 4-12 yrs and none of the 13-18 yrs of age. Infections in the extremities were more common in the older youth compared to the youngest children. Overall, there was a significant association between site of the infection and age group (Fisher's Exact p-value < 0.001). All CA-MRSA were USA300 PFT, clindamycin susceptible, SCCmec type IVa and lukSF-PV gene positive. Nearly all contained ACME and about 80 percent were cap5 positive. Of the 58 USA300 strains by PFT, 55 (95 percent) were also identified as USA300 via the automated repetitive sequence-based PCR method from DiversiLab.

The researchers concluded that CA-MRSA SSTI of the perineum was significantly more common among toddlers and that of the extremities in older children. The infecting strains were all USA300 PFT. Further studies are needed to identify the unique virulence and colonization characteristics of USA300 strains in these infections. Their research was published in BMC Pediatrics.

Reference: Mccullough AC , Seifried M, Zhao X , et al. Higher incidence of perineal community acquired MRSA infections among toddlers. BMC Pediatrics 2011, 11:96doi:10.1186/1471-2431-11-96

www.cdc.gov

Anti-Bac Gel

 Lip Drink - a clear, natural balm to give your dry lips some TLC without artificial ingredients.  This colorless lip balm really is a drink for the lips. It contains no petroleum-derived products which dry out the lips. People who are regular users of petroleum-based lip balms are on a continual drying cycle – the more they use, the drier their lips become.  This formula is a healing treatment for chapped, sore or cracked lips.  No artificial ingredients!
In a base of macadamia nut oil to which is added the active sunscreen ingredient of edible zinc oxide for UVB protection. Edible zinc oxide provides an SPF 15 and broad spectrum sunscreen.  Lip Drink also contains the anti-oxidants: green tea extract, Vitamin E and C. The flavor is a mixture of lemon and orange oils. It feels more moist on the lips than a traditional lip balm.
Never share lip products!!!

Also contains: water,caprylic/capric triglyceride, isodecyl neopentanoate, ethyl macadamiate, aleurites moluccana seed oil, witch hazel water, glycerin, citric acid, hydrogenated palm glycerides, candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, potassium cetyl phosphate, ergothioneine (L), porphyra umbilicalis (red algae) extract, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, hordeum distichon (barley) extract, phellodendrom amurense bark extract, malic acid (L), tocopherol (D-alpha), tocopheryl acetate (D-alpha), lecithin, santalum album (sandalwood)extract, honeysuckle flower extracts, glyceryl isostearate, glyceryl stearate, hydroxide, sodium chloride, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, sodium lactate, behenyl alcohol, alcohol denat.,phenoxyethanol.

Dermatologist tested.  Formulated with natural preservatives and scents.   Intelligent use of organic, sustainable options.  Chirally correct to help prevent allergic reaction.  Sulfate free.  Paraben free.  Gluten free. No animal testing. 

$33.00

Formulation: water, caprylic/capric triglyceride, behenyl alcohol, glycerin*, rose hip fruit oil*, dicaprylyl ether, Pau D'Arco Taheebo Bark extract, honeysuckle flower extracts (preservative), witch hazel water, citric acid, alcohol denat.,sucrose stearate, potassium sorbate, phytic acid, sodium cocoyl glutamate.  *=organic

$28.00

Aqua (Water), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin*, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycol Distearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Bark Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract**, Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid

*ORGANIC

$35.00

 New  ingredients:  Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol (natural derivative of Vitamin A/ retinoid acid), Honey, Saponaria Officinalis (Soapwort) Leaf/Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Oil, Echinacea Angustifolia )Coneflower) Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Black Tundra Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water.

$25.00

Clear Bar - a refreshing, soap free cleansing bar for the treatment of acne, seborrhea, acne rosacea and oily skin. Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. For face and body.

 

 Formula: coconut oil, palm kernel oil, glycerin, water, sorbitol, sorbitan oleate, soybeen oil, sulfur, olive leaf extract, canadian willowherb extract, phenoxyethanol, salicylic acid, passionflower blossom extract, denatured alcohol, passion flower fruit extract.

Ingredients: water, witch hazel water, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, zizphus jujuba fruit extract, passiflora incarnata fruit extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, giant knotweed extract, honey, French Rose flower extract, litchee extract, pearl powder, maris sal, glycerin (organic), gluconolactone, sodium benzoate, alcohol denat., fragrance (natural)

$38.95

Exfoliating the skin on a regular basis, which differs from person to person, is crucial to reduce the build up of dead skin cells, flakes of fungal tissue, blackheads, keratosis, bacteria and environmental debris that is attracted to oils and moisture on the surface of your skin.  Some facial products provide great benefit elsewhere on the body in achieving this.  Do not use these types of cleansers for open sores or abrasions.  For advice, email an aesthetician at epidermexperts@yahoo.com

Formulation: water, caprylic/capric triglyceride, behenyl alcohol, glycerin*, Jojoba esters (beads), rose hip fruit oil*, dicaprylyl ether, Pau D'Arco Taheebo Bark extract, honeysuckle flower extracts (preservative), witch hazel water, citric acid, alcohol denat.,sucrose stearate, potassium sorbate, phytic acid, sodium cocoyl glutamate.  *=organic

$27.00

Ingredients: water, decyl glucoside, saccharum officinarum (sugar cane) extract, citrus medica limonum (lemon) fruit extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, xanthan gum, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) see oil, fragrance, iodopryoynyl butylcarbamate.

Ingredients: water,  Lactobacillus/kelp ferment filtrate, Porphyridium extract, Laminaria japonica extract, Arthrospira extract, glutathione, meadowfoam extract, magnesium, absorbic acid, fucoidans, ashwaganda extract, turmeric root extract.

EGF Serum3- epidermal growth factor for wound related damage to the complexion.  Lesions, cuts, contusions and abrasions heal much quicker with this oil free solution.  With chirally correct  restoring properties, this is a healing liquid that stimulates cell development.  The spin trap complex acts as a catalyst to boost function of other ingredients in your skin care products and calms inflamed skin. Moisturizing and antioxidant action. 

Contains EGF, L-chrondroitin sulfate, squalane, marine serum, L-glutamine,green tea extract, glutathione and pbn (spin trap).

Formulation: water, glyerin (organic), hydrolized rice (peptide) protein, figwort extract, birch bark extract, squalene (from olive), soybean oil, tocopheryl acetate (D-alpha), broccoli extract, witch hazel water, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, sodium benzoate, gluconolactone, alcohol Denat.,xanthan gum.

$38.00

 Also contains: water, sunflower oil, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, cetearth-20, glycerine, cetearyl glycoside, grapeseed oil, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, shea butter, jojoba oil, xanthan gum, tocopherol, caprylic acid, glycine, lecithin, rosemary oil, lavender oil.. For daily use on face and body.

Formulation: water, asparagine (L),theobroma grandiflorum seed butter*, astrocaryum murumuru seed butter*, beeswax, glutamine (L),glycerin*,sodium lactate, proline (L),candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, sunflower extract, alanine (L),ceramide 3, lecithin, sodium hyaluronate (L), rosemary extract, guar gum, leucine (L), valine (L),hydrogenated coco-glycerides, octyldodecanol, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, xanthan gum, Hawaiian ginger extract, behenyl alcohol, sodium stearoyl lactylate, caprylyl glycol,phenethyl alcohol.  

* = organic.

$33.00