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30 Tishrei 5766 - November 2, 2005 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Home and Family

Your Medical Questions Answered!
by Joseph B. Leibman, MD

Director, Emergency Services, Bikur Cholim Hospital

A recent article in an obscure journal echoed the feeling that megadose Vitamin C does little to prevent the common cold. I must say I am against all dietary changes that use megadoses of anything — that includes high fat diets of Atkins, vitamin supplementation in regular people and taking large amounts of B complex.

I was asked about protecting your skin. We have myriads of skin and hair products, which is a wonder since both skin and hair are essentially lifeless. There is a little evidence — very little — that Dead Sea mud is helpful for some conditions, most specifically psoriasis.

In our Middle Eastern dry climate, the winter is tough on hands, and a moisturizer is often necessary. In our hot summers, we sweat copiously, and this is a perfect environment for fungi to grow, as well as dandruff. Athlete's foot, nail fungus and skin fungus — such as "ringworm" — are very common. Bathing and drying off well are imperative, as well as keeping an antifungal cream in the house. 1 percent chlotriamzole is available without a prescription in the USA, and some brands are also over the counter in Israel (such as Baby Agisten).

Use gloves when house cleaning. Do not take chances. Many things — such as St. Moritz — are very corrosive. Many plants have irritating fluids so careful in the garden.

Wool and polyester can be tough on the skin. Cotton is the most comfortable and least allergenic. Use soaps and laundry detergents that are hypoallergenic. Lose weight. Our climate causes outbreaks of Shoshana — erysipelas — a disease of the skin where the skin is hot, painful and infected.

If you have diabetes, cut your toenails carefully and dry your feet well — a fungus can start the pathway to amputation, lo aleinu.

Chronic skin diseases such as eczema need to be treated. Chronic sun exposure to light-skinned folks can lead to skin cancer — an ulcerating lesion on the skin needs to be biopsied. These skin tips should help.

Statins — miracle drugs that lower cholesterol — have been shown to prevent heart attacks, and may be important in treating them as well. They may have a role in the treatment of stroke. Contrary to assertion, it doesn't help in dementia yet — stay tuned. Write me in care of the Yated.

A message from GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of this column. Serevent is important for keeping asthma in check. It keeps the lung passages open for 10 hours — much longer than acute treatments — so it is great for when you may expect an attack coming. It can be safely combined with an inhaled steroid for easier asthma breathing

 

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