LisaS opened our meeting with a discussion of outings since our March meeting.  SandyO followed LisaS with a listing of our upcoming outings.  Lead an outing!  It’s fun; you meet more members; and the group really appreciates you!  We need hiking leaders.

Twenty TOWNies gathered Tuesday evening to visit, eat, look at snake skins, and hear Dr. Dale Schaefer talk about skin issues.  Dr. Schaefer, an Austin dermatologist, has been named by his peers to Texas Monthly’s Super Docs for 11 consecutive years.  This places him in the Texas Monthly Hall of Fame for Super Docs.  Dr. Schaefer is an Assistant Professor of Medicine for UTMB and the Texas A&M Medical School.

Below is the list of questions we submitted to Dr. Schaefer as well as all the answers I could record.  He shared samples of skin products with us.  And his photos were pretty amazing and quite colorful!

We agreed that Dr. Dale Schaefer is an excellent teacher and physician.  He thoroughly answered the questions we submitted as well as many more asked during his presentation.

The Masked MarshA

 

  1.  What about Shingles and the rash that accompanies it? Should everyone get the vaccine?  Is it contagious?

The virus (Varicella Zoster) is in your system if you have had Chicken Pox.  The virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near the spine and brain.  Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles.  The infection can occur anywhere on your body, but it often appears as a single strip of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso.  Damage to the nerves causes the severe pain.  It is only contagious with an open wound.

  1.  If you have had Shingles, does it help to get the vaccine afterwards?  Should a person who is immuno-compromised get the vaccine earlier than age 60?

If you are immuno-compromised, check with your physician to determine whether or not to get the shingles vaccine.  You can get the vaccine anytime, but insurance is more likely to pay if you are >60 years old.  If you have Shingles, ask your physician if you should get the vaccine.

  1.  What is the best sunscreen to use? What about a sunscreen for lips?  What do the SPF numbers on sunscreen mean?

There are lots of sunscreens available.  His personal choice is EltaMD.  Sport50 does not bother your eyes.  46Clear does not bother acne.  No sun screen will cause cancer.

UVA rays – tan, are not blocked by glass; UVB rays – are blocked by glass.

SPF – measures ability of sunscreen to reflect UVB rays; apply soon enough to allow it to dry before going outside.

Vitamin D – you need 8 minutes of sun for daily requirement, twice a week.

  1.  Skin cancer – how will it look when I first see it on my skin? How fast will it progress?  How soon should I see a doctor?  Show some photos?  How do I know what is cancer and what is not?

Basal Cell – clear, shiny, won’t heal, remains red; Squamous Cell – Keratosis and needs to be removed; and Melanoma – multiple shapes, various colors, 85% grows out with 15% growing down.  Better to have surgery earlier rather than later for Melanoma.

  1.  What is Rosacea and how does someone get it?

It is a common skin disease that begins with a tendency to blush or flush easily.  It is an inherited disease which can be controlled, but not eliminated.

  1.  I get a red discoloration on my lower legs after wearing socks when it’s warm or hot. It’s not a rash/bumpy.

That is referred to as Progressive Pigmented Purpura; dark discoloration; hard to avoid.

  1.  What product does he suggest for poison ivy?

First avoid poison ivy.  Rinse the oil from skin within 5 minutes and you are less likely to develop blisters.  After 20 minutes, the blisters can last from 1-6 weeks.  Take an oral antihistamine.  If the blisters are oozing, dry your skin.  If the blisters are dry, add moisture.  Can get poison ivy from the oil on the fur of dogs.  Avoid cashews and the rind of mangoes if you are sensitive to poison ivy.

  1.  What spiders should concern us and how to treat bites?

Brown Recluse (there are western and eastern varieties) – has a fiddle-shaped color on the back; Black Widow – has a red hour glass shape on stomach; Yellow Sac – night hunters, found in houses in corners; Tarantulas – won’t bite unless aggravated.  Clean bite site with cool water and soap; apply topical cortisone; take Benadryl-type drug to reduce itching and swelling.

  1.  How to treat burns and blisters when out camping?

Treat the area with cool soapy water.

  1.  What type of moisturizing lotion does he suggest?

Look for lotions with ceramides – CeraVe, Aveno, Cetaphil.  Use the following soaps in the winter:  Dove, Aveno, Tone.  Use these soaps in the summer:  Ivory, Irish Spring.

  1.  What about eliminating black heads and white heads on teenagers?

Need a prescription for retinoid-containing creams.

  1.  What about dry, cracked skin?

Try Vaseline or Aquaphor.

  1.  What is the difference between Psoriasis and Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, dry, cracked and itchy skin.  May also develop crusty sores, thick skin and pimple-like eruptions.  Psoriasis appears as red, itchy, scaly patches of dry skin. The slightly elevated, red patches of skin associated with Psoriasis are known as plaques.  May start out as small bumps which worsen and may later be covered in white scales.

  1.  How to avoid getting those small bumps on your face/skin called Keratosis?

Reduce your sun exposure; use sunscreen!

  1.  What about brown spots on face and circle under the eyes. What is the best way and products (by name) to use for skin on face and rest of body?

Circles result as we age and lose subcutaneous fat.  Circles under the eyes cannot be helped with creams although we all want to think so.  Face sculpting with fillers can make wrinkles, circles, and jaw sagging improve in appearance.

  1.  What is the best mosquito repellent available and what is the best way to treat a mosquito bite?

Need an OTC cortisone.  Brands are:  Sawyer, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, Repel Scent Fan, Natrapel, and Deep Woods Off.  All five brands works for 8 hours.

  1.  How to prevent/treat chigger bites?

Chiggers and mites eat skin; they do not suck blood.  Symptoms are due to enzymes released by bite.   Treat your feet, socks, and shoes with DEET.  If you get bites, clean skin with soapy water; apply clear nail polish to bite sites.