Inflammatory Skin Disorders

MRSA Is On the Rise

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

Psoriasis

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, 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. House calls available in the Portland Metro Region for anyone who prefers not to travel. 

Practicing holistic, naturopathic and complementary wellness and skin care 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.

If you have symptoms of inflammation on your skin, stop consuming sugar and artificial substitutes.  These substances support inflammation and disease.

March 25, 2013: International Health Alert 

(NBC News:  "Brazilian Hair Removal Procedures May Increase Risk of Viral Infection!")

Attention Men and Women that Wax:

A dermatologist in Nice, France, observed more and more patients coming to his office with virus outbreaks around their genitals.  These lesions are due to a skin disease known as Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV) and can be spread to other parts of the body and to other people later, through shared towels, sheets, clothing and skin-to-skin contact.  About 93% of his patients with this (both men and women) shave, wax or clip pubic hairs.  Pubic hair removal may be a risk factor for sexually transmitted MCV or other STD's.  MCV is a pox virus, mostly spread by sexual contact but clients in gyms, spas and locker rooms pick the virus up by using unsanitized towels or sharing razors or clothes.  The symptom to look for is a pearly raised lesion with a dimple in the center.  It can come and go but must be treated to actually be terminated and the skin safe from spreading it to other parts of the body as well as clothes and linens.  Some patients have finally come to a doctor, embarrassed, with dozens or hundreds of these.  They are also referred to as Genital Warts.   

If you go to a professional for any type of waxing, make sure they are practicing safety standards - primarily not using a waxing utensil on you that has been used previously!  Not double dipping into the wax!  Look around and make sure the workspace looks clean.  If not, tell the employee what you have just learned here and that you must seek another salon that follows state board regulations for client safety!  Joy-Marie

A dangerous,  fast acting form of skin cancer was recently 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 2 is World MRSA Awareness Day

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.

MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals, prisons, schools, and nursing homes, where patients with open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public.  School athletic departments also traditionally pose high risk for MRSA contagion - poor sanitation practices and shared clothing, sports equipment and towels the big culprits. Of course, high end fitness clubs are not without incidence - for over 20 years I have had to break the news to clients and friends that they have a skin disease they probably picked up at the "club".

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.worldmrsaday.org

www.cdc.gov

Zero Optic SPF 28 - formulated with certified organic ingredients, this combo of Zinc Oxide (11.6%) and Titanium Dioxide (0.67%) blends onto your skin without that chalky film so many sun protection products impart!   You must reapply 15 minutes before going outdoors.  Then every 2 hours of exposure, however, because no product has ever tested out to be protective any longer than that - no matter what brand or how much they cost!  Not water resistant.  Allow to "set" before applying make up, too!

ingredients: water, caprylic-capric triglyceride, coco-caprylate/caprate, glycerin, squalene, cetearyl glucoside, cetearyl alcohol, dicaprylyl ether, gluconolactone, polyglyceryl-6, polyricinoleate, isononyl isononanoate, alumina, simethicone, xanthan gum, glyceryl isostearate, allantoin, frucotooligosaccharides (D-beta), tocopheryl acetate (D-alpha), glycine soja (soybean oil), aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, sodium benzoate, polysorbate 60, magnesium aluminum silicate, potassium sorbate, polyhydroxystearic acid.

Active Ingredients: Benzophenone-3 1.0%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%, Titanium Dioxide 2.0%

Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Propylene Glycol, DEA Cetyl Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Green Floral Fragrance (Parfum), Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin

$48.00

 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!!!

Watch "abchealthreport.com" online, then call me! jmp

Protandim - reversing cell aging inside every cell!  For men and women concerned with inflammation of the skin, wrinkles, rosacea, age spots and blemishes.  With 4 US patents to protect the formula integrity, developed by a scientist nominated 4 times for the Nobel Prize, this daily pill is unlike anything I have seen on the market.  A proprietary blend of 5 plant extracts common to Ayurvedic Medicine in India and SE Asia, Protandim targets Oxidative Stress - the very definition of aging.  View study publications at www.pubmed.gov and see for yourself - then call me for free shipping of your new antioxidant, 1 a day supplement: 503-310-4649  Want to sign up for auto-ship and get discounts and bonuses?  I'll help you!  Joy-Marie

joymariep@yahoo.com

Ingredients: ashwagandha root powder, milk thistle extract, green tea extract, tumeric extract and bacopa extract.

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

Ingredients: Sulphur 10%, water, kaoline, talc, bentonite, glycerin, propylene glycol, grapefruit peel oil, imdazolidinyl urea, tetrasodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, capryly glycol.

$43.00

Active Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%

Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyethylene, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol

Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid 2%

Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Polyethylene, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol

 $34.50

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.

$90.00

DNA Reset Face and Neck Cream for men and women with sun damaged, dry, pre-maturally aging skin.    Enjoy our March discount (reg. $130.50)and free shipping in USA!  We'll confirm this for you at time we receive your online order form.

Skin aging has to do with the ends of our DNA, known as telomeres, becoming shorter or even disappearing and causing the cells to misfire and resulting in genetic damage. Cell Science DNA Reset Face & Neck Cream with Epidermal Growth Factors contains the most advanced ingredients available to help restore skin to a youthful state and battle the aging clock brought on by DNA damage.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, RH-Oligopeptide-1, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Plankton Extract, Lecithin, Glycosphingolipids, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Milk Protein, Lactose, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, SD Alcohol 40-B, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sodium Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA.

No Parabens, Phthalates, Fragrances.  All ingredients fall within 0-4 on the EWG scale of environmental and health concerns - "no or low"

$125.00

Cell  Protection Balm - An all purpose barrier repair balm, skin shield and healing salve.  Soothes extra-dry skin and chapped lips, calms irritation, and is excellent for post peel and laser procedures.  This natural product contains moisture magnet humectants to draw water into the skin, occlusives to prevent water from escaping, and emollients to soothe and replace lipids. Enriched with shea butter and anti-inflammatory live yeast cell derivatives to help promote cell renewal while calming extremely dry skin.  Essential oils of Rosemary and Geranium are widely recognized as wound healers.  Studies have shown that the essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis was the most active in healing diabetic wounds and provide a scientific evidence for the traditional use of this herb in wound treatment.Can also be used on infantile eczema.

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Squalane, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Panthenol. Bisabolil, Yeast Beta Glucan, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, Phenoxyethanol

Ingredients: water, dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprate, tridecyl trimelitate, tridecyl stearate, neopintyl glcol dicapate/dicaprylae, glceryl stearate, PEG-100, ceteareth-20, cetearyl clcohol, clycerin USP, magnesium aluminum silicate, dimethicone, lanolin, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, DMDM Hydratioin, grapefruit oil, grape seed extract, soapbark extract, vitamin E, calciumchloride, retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ribonucleic acid, yeast extract, super oxide dismutase, annato.

Keratosis Wash - for face, arms and legs, to use in bath or shower every day.  This formula contains no harsh chemicals.  One of the problems with treating Keratosis Pilaris, and Faceii Rubra,  is that everything on the market is very drying and chemical.  We use plant based enzymes and antioxidants to treat the epidermis, not torture it!  The daily use softens and returns the skin to normal pH, helping to not become inflamed - a natural reaction to stressful ingredients and harsh scrubbing.  Not only do the hard bumps dissolve with regular use, but the red dots fade, too!

Ingredients: water, Salicylic Acid, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Polypodium Leucotomos Extract*, Glutathione, Ferulic Acid, Coconut Endosperm*, Zinc PCA, Brown Alga Fucoidan*, Lactobacillus Kelp ferment filtrate*, Natural Almond Fragrance, Citric Acid, Tocopherol (vitamin E).
* CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS
** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin

Keratosis Wash - economy size

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).

 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.