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July 1, 2004

Some Problems Are Skin Deep

Occasionally, skin disorders show up on clients in my practice, so I like to keep myself informed about them.

Luckily, I haven't come across a lot of skin cancer, but it is my responsibility be aware of the ABCDs of skin cancer. Because I see parts of the body that people can't get a good look at themselves, I look for irregular skin patches and will suggest folks check with their doctor if I see anything suspicious.

Plantar warts occur on the sole (plantar surface) of the foot. They can be very painful because the entire weight of the body presses against them continuously when standing or walking.

Psoriasis is a chronic but treatable autoimmune skin disease experienced by an estimated 5-6 million Americans and about 80 million people around the world. Red, raised areas of skin called plaques characterize plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disease.

Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions. Although eczema may look different from person to person, it is most often characterized by dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin.

People with photodermatosis develop skin rashes following exposure to the sun. It is most likely due to an abnormal immune system reaction to the sun. There's a whole long list of oral medications that can make skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Anything concerning abnormal skin or foot conditions raises concerns about hygiene. We have laws in place that require we wash all linens between clients with very hot water and bleach. We wipe down common surfaces such as doorknobs, bathrooms, the desk and phone with antibacterial wipes. Though we do our best to keep our work environment clean, we try to keep our clinic from having a sterile atmosphere.

Posted by linda at July 1, 2004 8:49 AM