health

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Uninsured Adults With Chronic Illnesses Use More Health Care Services When
2007-07-18 13:30:00
Uninsured adults with common chronic illnesses had greater health expenditures and more frequent physician office visits and hospitalizations after they became eligible for Medicare compared with those who had insurance before age 65, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, Reuters reports. For the study, researchers from Harvard Medical School used data from the federal Health and Retirement Study to compare Medicare expenses for 1,385 people who were uninsured before becoming eligible for the program at age 65 and 3,773 who had private coverage before becoming eligible for Medicare (Emery, Reuters, 7/11).According to the study, 2,951 beneficiaries were diagnosed with either cardiovascular disease or diabetes -- conditions for which treatment can prevent severe consequences that can require extra doctor visits and hospitalization. Health care expenses were 51% greater for previously uninsured beneficiaries who were diagnosed with chronic cond...
More About: Services , Health Care , Care , Sure

Democratic 2008 Candidates Propose Pragmatic Approaches To Universal Health
2007-07-18 13:30:00
Universal Health InsuranceA number of Democratic presidential candidates -- including Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) -- support health care reform approaches "that borrow from the Massachusetts model," a law enacted last year in that state that "took key elements of the 1993 Clinton plan and made them practical politically," the Washington Post reports. Obama and Edwards have released plans to achieve expanded coverage using elements of the Massachusetts plan. Clinton has outlined an agenda to address health care costs, and is expected to focus on quality and "insuring everyone" later this year, according to the Post.The Post reports that Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Jonathan Gruber, who helped with the Massachusetts law, has consulted with the three leading Democratic candidates and is "possibly the [Democratic] party's most influential health care expert and voice of realism in its internal debate...
More About: Candidates , Universal , Univ

Few Employees Enroll in Arkansas Limited-Benefit Health Insurance Program f
2007-07-17 15:32:00
Arkansas health insurance program that provides subsidized health coverage to low-income workers at small businesses, "has been slow to gain steam," with fewer than 700 people enrolled in the program since it launched in December 2006, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports (Manthey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/10).Under the ARHealth Net Arkansas health insurance program, established by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, employers must pay $15 monthly for participating employees with annual incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level and $100 monthly for higher-income employees. Employees in the program must pay annual deductibles of $100 and 15% of the cost of services, with maximum out-of-pocket costs of $1,000 annually.The program each year will cover six physician visits, seven days of inpatient hospital care and two outpatient hospital procedures or emergency department visits, as well as two prescriptions monthly. The program does not provide catastrophic covera...
More About: Insurance , Health Insurance , Program

Fewer California Workers Covered by Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
2007-07-17 15:30:00
Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance in CAThe percentage of workers in California with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage declined from 56.4% in 2001 to 54.3% in 2005, according to a study released Wednesday by the University of California-Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, the Los Angeles Times reports. The study found that 80% of uninsured employees either worked for employers who did not offer health coverage or were ineligible to receive health benefits. Twenty percent of uninsured workers did not enroll in available employer-sponsored health plans; most cited high costs as their reason for turning down coverage. The study also found that premiums increased by 66% for family coverage through employer-sponsored plans from 2001 to 2005. Although fewer state residents received employer-based coverage, the study found that the proportion of uninsured Californians declined from 21.9% in 2001 to 20% in 2005. The study attributes the decline to enrollment increases...
More About: Workers

Health Insurance Industry Contributions to CA Legislature and Governor
2007-07-17 15:28:00
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) released today an analysis of health insurance industry contributions to the California legislature which helps explain why the Senate Health Committee supported a proposal requiring employees to pay for private coverage but refused to pass a bill to regulate what insurers can charge for the policies.Two of the largest recipients of health insurance contributions in the Senate, Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and Gloria Negrete McLeod (D, Chino), refused to vote on the premium regulation measure though both were present at the time of the vote.CA Health Insurance Contributions Between 2001 and 2007:Yee received $58,867 from just the top five health insurers and their lobby associations, making him the second largest recipient in the Senate and fifth largest in the legislature.McLeod received $52,970, making her the fourth-largest recipient in the Senate.Among Senators voting "No" on the measure, Senator David Cox (R, Fair Oaks) was...
More About: Industry , Health Insurance , Governor

Congress Should Pay Attention To Pennsylvania Health Insurance Reform
2007-07-17 15:27:00
Pennsylvania health insurance"Beltway Republicans ought to take note" of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's efforts to push his "Prescription for Pennsylvania" health care package through the state Legislature "as the 2008 health care debate gears up," a Wall Street Journal editorial states.In opposing the package, which has been "sliced into at least 47 pieces of legislation" that will be considered in the fall, Republican state lawmakers "pointed out that Mr. Rendell's plan did nothing to address such cost increasers as medical liability or mandated insurance benefits," the editorial states, adding that Rendell's package probably would "make the problem worse with regulations like guaranteed issue (so wait until you're sick to buy insurance) and premium price controls." In addition, "the potential $1.9 billion per year that the plan would cost" small businesses and self-employed individuals "drained away much of its Democratic support," the editorial states.The Journal writes, Ren...
More About: Congress , Health , Insurance , Reform , Health Insurance

Insurance Company In India To Provide HIV-Positive People With Health Cover
2007-07-17 15:26:00
Chennai, India -based insurance company Star Health and Allied Insurance next week is scheduled to launch the country's first insurance policy that covers people living with HIV/AIDS, the Times of India reports.Under this health insurance policy, an HIV-positive person with a CD4+ T cell count of 500 copies per cubic millimeter of blood or more will pay an annual premium of 3,000 rupees, or about $74, the Times reports. If an HIV-positive person progresses to AIDS, the company will pay a one-time compensation of 50,000 rupees, or about $1,200, to the individual. The company has partnered with 1,800 hospitals and laboratories to administer tests to measure the CD4 counts of those seeking coverage. According to India's National AIDS Control Organization , of the 2.5 million people living with HIV in the country, about 300,000 people have progressed to AIDS. Coverage for HIV/AIDS treatment is not offered in India, and insurers have said that a lack of representative data has limited t...
More About: People , Company

Children's Health Insurance A 'Must Pass' Bill
2007-07-17 15:20:00
As Congress begins debate over the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), governors are calling on Congressional leaders to ensure that legislation allowing states to continue to make progress in covering children is enacted into law as soon as possible.A letter signed by 22 Democratic governors and additional statements from bipartisan groups of governors all call on Congressional leaders to enact legislation allowing states to continue to make progress in covering children as soon as possible. The nation's governors have indicated that a successful SCHIP reauthorization is the top health priority for states this year.In the letter last month to Congressional leaders, Democratic governors offered Congress five principles that must be included in any SCHIP reauthorization:1. Provide $50 billion in new funding to make progress covering additional children.2. Improve the flawed SCHIP funding formula, which has caused some states to experience fed...
More About: Health Insurance , Pass , Bill

FDA Approved Novation Ceramic Articulation Hip System
2007-07-16 11:38:00
Novation Ceramic Artic ulation Hip System Exactech has received premarket approval from FDA for the Novation Ceramic Articulation Hip System thereby granting Exactech permission to market the system.The new system adds a high demand, hard bearing option to Exactech offerings for total joint replacement. Featuring alumina ceramic, the system is designed to improve implant longevity and has demonstrated up to 2,000 times less wear debris generation than traditional metal and polyethylene bearings. Exactech's sizing scheme allows the use of larger femoral heads in the majority of patients which provides a competitive advantage compared to other ceramic systems. The system also features femoral stems designed to increase range of motion for patients(1,2).Exactech also said it is increasing its full-year sales targets from the $112 to $118 million range to an updated estimate of $115 to $120 million.Chief Financial Officer Joel Phillips said, "The company has performed exceptionally well ...
More About: Rove , Stem , Prove

Teen Birth Rate At Record Low, Condom Use Increases In 2005
2007-07-16 11:37:00
Teen Birth Rate The teen birth rate in the U.S. reached a record low in 2005, and condom use among high school students increased, according to a report released on Friday by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, the Washington Post reports (Kaufman, Washington Post, 7/13). The report, titled "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2007," was compiled from data and studies at 22 federal agencies and addressed 38 key indicators, the AP/USA Today reports. According to the report, the birth rate among girls ages 15 to 17 declined from 39 births per 1,000 girls in 1991 to 21 births per 1,000 girls in 2005 (Kerr, AP/USA Today, 7/13). In 2005, the birth rate per 1,000 girls in this age group was 12 for non-Hispanic whites, 35 for non-Hispanic blacks, and 48 for Hispanics (Federal Interagency Forum release, 7/13).According to the report, 47% of high school students, or 6.7 million, reported having had sexual intercourse in 2005, compared with 54%...
More About: Condom , Record , Ease

New Guidelines To Decrease Population Growth In UK
2007-07-16 11:37:00
The United Kingdom should introduce a "stop at two children" or "have one child less" guideline and review incentives that lead many teen girls to become pregnant to decrease the population growth in the country, according to a report released Thursday by the group Optimum Population Trust, London's Guardian reports. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, 669,531 infants were born in the country in 2006, and the United Kingdom had the highest teen pregnancy rate in Western Europe. According to John Guillebaud, professor of family planning and reproductive health at the University College London and author of the report, women living in England and Wales have an average of 1.87 children. He added that the "disastrous trend" of "primary care trusts to shut down community family planning clinics" has contributed to the population growth by subsequently increasing unplanned teen pregnancies.Guillebaud said that voluntary family planning programs in countries such...
More About: Growth , Guidelines , Ease , Guideline , Grow

Efforts Seek To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness
2007-07-16 11:36:00
HIV/AIDS Awareness Efforts seek to raise HIV/AIDS, health awareness, and other issues among minorities.Akron, Ohio: Akron's Minority Health Roundtable on Monday discussed its purpose and role in the community, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Since its inception in 2005, the group's focus has been mostly to organize health fairs. Now, it is seeking to "make itself a go-to clearinghouse for minority health information" and form a speaker's bureau to raise awareness about minority health issues, the Beacon Journal reports (Wheeler, Akron Beacon Journal, 7/10).Albuquerque, N.M.: The University of New Mexico's Cancer Center this summer began its Hispanic and American Indian summer internship program, which encourages minorities to obtain degrees in biomedical sciences, the AP/Las Cruces Sun-News reports. The Asthma and Leukemia Research Internship Program accepted 11 out of 45 applicants, who until Aug. 10 will perform "complicated, cutting-edge experiments" in the university labs a...
More About: Fort , Seek , Aids , Waren

Women Using Latex Diaphragm With Condoms Had Same HIV Incidence
2007-07-16 11:33:00
Women who used latex diaphragms and condoms as an HIV prevention method had the same HIV incidence as those who only used condoms, according to a study published online on Thursday in advance of the July 14 issue of the journal Lancet, the Wall Street Journal reports (Chase, Wall Street Journal, 7/13).For the study -- funded by a $37 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation -- Nancy Padian of the University of California-San Francisco and colleagues enrolled nearly 5,000 women ages 18 to 49 in Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa, and in Harare, Zimbabwe. The researchers followed the study participants for an average of 18 months, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Half the participants were given diaphragms, gel lubricant and condoms, while the other half were provided with condoms only. Both groups also received extensive counseling on condom use, the Chronicle reports.The study found that HIV incidence between the two groups was almost identical, with about 4% of...
More About: Women , Condoms , Same , Cide , Latex

Church Leaders Pledge To Fight Spread Of HIV
2007-07-16 11:32:00
Fourteen church leaders in Lesotho have signed a declaration pledging to fight the spread of HIV in the country, UNAIDS said on Wednesday in Maseru, Lesotho, AFP/Yahoo! News reports. According to UNAIDS and the National AIDS Commission, an estimated 29,000 new HIV cases occurred in Lesotho in 2007, bringing the total number of cases to more than 270,000. Of the total cases, 16,000 occur among children younger than age 14, according to the agencies. Under the declaration, church leaders pledged to promote the equality, dignity and rights of all people, especially those living with HIV/AIDS. They also pledged to discuss openly HIV/AIDS and prevention methods, as well as to reject statements that associate the disease with a form of "divine punishment." The Rev. Daniel Rantle of the Methodist Church of Africa said, "This is the first time that the ecumenical society has spoken out with one powerful voice, and we are strategically placed to reach people from all walks of life and be cat...
More About: Fight , Leaders , Lead , Spread

Men's Facial Hair Styling
2007-07-13 11:37:00
Moustaches and beards have seen an increase in popularity in the last several years. While there are lots of goatees these days, you will see a great number of soul spots, small patches of hair in the center of the chin. Oh, and the ZZ Top beard is definitely out - though you have to wonder why it was ever "in" in the first place.Men's facial hair styles come in a wide variety. Choosing the best facial hair style is actually more than just letting the hair on your upper lip grow out. And there are several things to consider before deciding on a facial hair style. Some things to consider are:Length of your mouthSize of your noseFullness and size of your upper lip areaThickness of facial hairTexture of facial hairColor of facial hairShape of jaw and chin linesThese things are important because, for example, you can grow a moustache to help balance a large, round face. You can disguise a soft jawline with a beard. You can also round out a square face or pointy chin with a beard. Facia...
More About: Facial Hair , Hair , Facial

Getting The Ink From Under Your Skin
2007-07-13 11:33:00
Tattoo RemovalIf you didn't believe your mom when she said that you would regret getting your beloved's name tattooed on your arm - you are not alone.Tattoos are an ancient tradition. In some cultures, tattooing was done for prestige and was very sacred. Today, people get tattoos in memory of loved ones, as a sign of rebellion or just to be cool.However, tattoos can carry a number of health risks."If not done properly, the most common health risks are scarring, allergic reactions, and Hepatitis C," said Dr. Ramsey Markus, an assistant professor of dermatology and director of the dermatology laser center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "Allergic reactions are particularly bothersome as they are often chronic, itchy and difficult to treat. Red inks are the most likely to cause allergic reactions."There's no cure for Hepatitis C, which is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Infections can occur in new tattoos, especially without appropriate after care.A tattoo...
More About: Skin , Under

How Young is Too Young for Ear Piercing?
2007-07-13 11:31:00
Ear Piercing and InfectionMy daughter is 4-months-old and I would like to have her ears pierced, but I want to make sure she is not too young for that. Are there any risks associated with piercing at this age?Women, children and even men have worn earrings dating back to Biblical times and while ear piercing used to be considered a "rite of passage" into adulthood, we now see young children and even babies with pierced ears. Even if it is quite common to see infants with earrings, there are some health issues parents should consider before proceeding with the piercing.The major concern is infection. Piercing should be done by a reputable expert who follows aseptic technique (wears gloves, sterilizes equipment and uses alcohol or other antiseptic on the skin). Earring posts should be hypo-allergenic stainless steel or gold to reduce the chances of an allergic reaction which also can lead to infection. The initial posts should stay in place for six weeks. The pierced area of the ...
More About: Young

Botulinum Toxin Helps Facial Scars Heal Better
2007-07-13 11:30:00
BOTOX and Scar TreatmentMayo Clinic researchers have found that treating a facial wound in the early healing phase with botulinum toxin (BOTOX) improves the appearance of a scar later. The findings are published in the August issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings."Our findings show that botulinum toxin offers an additional tool in preventing the formation of bad scars," says Holger Gassner, M.D., lead study researcher and former Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat surgical resident who is now a fellow in Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. "It will give us the option to optimize healing of forehead wounds in the first place and possibly allow us to avoid later surgeries to improve the scar's appearance."Adds David Sherris, M.D., study investigator and former Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialist who is now professor and chair of Otolaryngology at the University of New York at Buffalo, "This is the first medication found to minimize scarring. This is of ...
More About: Scars , Al B , Heal

Beauty for Busy Moms
2007-07-13 11:30:00
Beauty TipsYou have traded in your high heels for sneakers. Who says you can't still look and feel beautiful. After all, if anyone deserves to feel gorgeous, it's the mothers among us. Still skeptical? Read on for easy, affordable beauty tips from Suave (www.homebasics.ca) designed for time-starved women just like you.Switch channelsIf it's been years since you have listened to music that doesn't feature wheels-on-the-bus or broken teenage hearts, it's time to take your turn at the radio dial. The next time you're running an errand in the car, be sure to have your favourite station programmed or a CD loaded that makes you pump your hands in the air and open the sunroof. You'll be surprised at how liberating 10 minutes of your favourite music can be.Update your maneIf there's just one thing you do for yourself this month, be sure to get a good haircut. Choose a stylist whose expertise you trust. Bring pictures of hairstyles you love to the salon, but also bring an open mind. ...
More About: Beauty , Moms , Busy

10 Natural Ways of Acne Treatment
2007-07-13 11:28:00
Natural Acne Treatment Many are looking for acne treatments that really work? Whether you are a teenager or an adult suffering from acne, you don't have to live with it. Here you can find 10 easy and effective ways to treat acne.1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soup. It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldn't, however, over-wash your face because it will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.3. Check if it is because of the food. For many people, food allergy can cau...
More About: Natural , Natur , Natura

Choosing The Right Sunscreen
2007-07-13 11:27:00
SunscreenBefore you head outdoors to enjoy summer activities, slather on the sunscreen. The average adult requires 1 ounce of sunscreen - 2 tablespoons' worth - for full body coverage. Apply 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every one to two hours while outdoors.The July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers tips to select the right sunscreen. Look for one that offers:Broad-spectrum protection. Find one that protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) sun rays. Both can damage the skin.SPF of 15 or higher. A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 deflects about 93 percent of the UVB rays and allows you to remain in the sun 15 times longer than you normally would before getting burned. Higher SPFs deflect about 97 percent of the UVB rays.Water-resistant or waterproof qualities. This is especially important if you will be swimming or perspiring heavily. Water-resistant sunscreen protects for 40 minutes; waterproof sunscreen for up to 80 minutes....
More About: Sunscreen , Cree

Hormones and the Skin
2007-07-13 11:26:00
Skin Treatment and Hormones Throughout her life, a woman may blame many things on her hormones: unpredictable emotions, weight gain and even changes in her skin, hair and nails. These changes occur as the levels of hormones in the body increase and decrease, or if any abnormalities in hormone levels occur. A dermatologist can provide skin treatment options which can address the changes that occur during a woman's lifetime.Speaking at ACADEMY 06, the American Academy of Dermatology's summer scientific meeting, dermatologist Margaret E. Parsons, M.D., F.A.A.D., assistant clinical professor at the University of California at Davis in Sacramento, Calif.,discussed how the fluctuations in hormones can affect the skin, hair and nails.Puberty and HormonesAcne typically first appears during adolescence and can persist well into adulthood. The cause of acne is most often linked to androgens, which are the hormones that stimulate the sebaceous â?? or oil â?? glands in the skin. When the s...
More About: Skin

Skin Care Tips: Twenties and Beyond
2007-07-13 11:25:00
Skin Care (NC) - The skin care routine you relied on in your twenties may no longer suit your skin care needs in your thirties or forties. To help keep you on track, Dr. Francesco DioGuardi, M.D. and skin care expert, offers the following tips:Skin Care - TwentiesYour fast-paced lifestyle requires your routine to be simple and effective. To make the most of your skin care routine, remember the following tips:Rain or shine, never leave the house without sunblock. Look for SPF 15 or higher with UVA and UVB protection.No matter how tired you are, be sure to remove all of your makeup before going to bed. Makeup can clog pores and interfere with your skin's rejuvenation process that occurs while you sleep.Choose an oil-free moisturizer to help prevent breakouts.Skin Care - ThirtiesMoving into your thirties, your skin needs a bit more attention. Here are some tips that will keep your skin glowing:Along with daily sunblock, your skin may also need an extra moisture boost as it tends to get...
More About: Skin , Skin Care , Tips , Went

Summer Skin Care
2007-07-13 11:25:00
Just as winter weather makes us pay special attention to our skin, summer with its sun and heat has its requirements too. SPF. SPF and more SPF. I know you heard a lot about it - but talking about summer skin care, I just have to remind you again. However, SPF is only a small part of what you can do for your smooth complexion and healthy glow.People with dry sensitive skin may notice that sun causes more dryness and irritation. In this case try to use herbal infusions instead of tap water when cleansing your skin. The best herbs are chamomile and sage - alone or in combination with linden blossoms. They will calm and soothe your skin. Having antibacterial properties, they will also prevent infections. If you spend a lot of time outside and feel that your skin is dry, soak cheesecloth in herbal infusion and leave it on clean face for a few minutes. To make the infusion, you will need: 3 parts of linden blossoms 2 parts of chamomile 1 part rose petals 1/2 part peppermint l...
More About: Skin , Skin Care , Summer , Care

Facial Exercise 101
2007-07-13 11:24:00
(NC)-According to Statistics Canada, over 41 per cent of Canadian women regularly seek out moderate and active physical activity. However, with all the focus centered around the body's muscles, facial muscles are often forgotten. Facial exercises boost blood circulation to the head, and increase oxygen to the face, which can assist in eliminating toxins. The technique can be done anywhere and simply requires the use of your hands to massage your face, unfurrow your brow and relax your jaw. Face exercises can reduce stress, relieve tension and improve the overall appearance of the skin. With this in mind, RoC, the leading anti-aging skin care brand has developed Hydra+ Déstressant Day and Night, formulated to address the needs of women concerned with tired, stressed skin that lacks radiance. Both moisturizers contain a patented formulation featuring Gluco-cell®, an exclusive cocktail of natural anti-oxidant and energizing actives Ginkgo biloba and lactose. These products combined w...
More About: Exercise

Don't Let Your Skin Go Dry
2007-07-13 11:23:00
Water makes up 60% of the human body. Not only blood and other body fluids have water as their main ingredient, water is stored in all body tissues. Cytoplasm, cells and cell walls contain lots of water. Skin is a large water storage, yet it gets dry, itchy and flaky.Every day 4-8 oz. of water evaporates through the skin, and we don't even notice how it happens. Replenishing water by drinking more fluids is helpful, but does not guarantee smooth and resilient skin. Moisture balance is regulated by chemical reactions in tissues, and is not directly related to the amount of water you drink.If we could apply water topically, it would not help much either. Skin does feel soft and moisturized right after a bath: it happens because the horny layer (the outermost skin layer), which is formed by dead skin cells, absorbs water. During a bath up to 2 oz. of water can be absorbed by the skin. But this water is not allowed any deeper than the surface cells. Later, within 10 minutes, all this w...

Sun Protection
2007-07-13 11:23:00
The skin has a defence mechanism against sun-damage, in the form of melanin. The production of melanin is accelerated on sun-exposure. However, we have seen that this defence is not enough. That is why protection of the skin, with ingredients that block the sun's radiation damage, is so essential. These sun-block agents are incorporated into "sunscreens". Avoidance of the sun, specially at midday and in the afternoon, when ultraviolet radiation is at its height, can help to reduce the harmful effects. It is also essential to know that ultraviolet radiation is greater near water bodies, like the seaside and where there is snow. Snow, water and even sand reflect the ultraviolet reays and thus increase their rffect. Exposure to the sun also causes moisture depletion and dries out the skin. Therefore, it is essential to step-up moisturisation, when you have been out of doors for a long time. The use of rehydrant cleansers, which contains aloe vera, can also help to control moisture los...
More About: Sun Protection , Prot

Temporary Tattoos and Henna - Mehndi
2007-07-13 11:22:00
FDA has received reports of adverse reactions to some temporary skin-staining products. The following information is intended to respond to questions about the safety and legality of such products.What about "decal"-type temporary tattoos?Temp o rary tattoos, such as those applied to the skin with a moistened wad of cotton, fade several days after application. Many contain color additives approved for cosmetic use on the skin. However, FDA has received reports of allergic reactions to some temporary tattoos.An import alert is in effect for several foreign-made temporary tattoos. According to Consumer Safety Officer Allen Halper of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, the temporary tattoos subject to the import alert are not allowed into the United States because they don't have the required ingredient declaration on the label or they contain colors not permitted for use in cosmetics applied to the skin.What about henna, or mehndi?Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved onl...
More About: Atto , Tattoos

Hair Implants
2007-07-13 11:12:00
The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is genetic. In fact, heredity accounts for 95% of all the cases of alopecia (baldness) in this country. The remaining 5% of the cases can be due to a number of things including diet, stress, illness, and/or medications.Specific factors that can cause hair loss:Medications, vitamins, or minerals: medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, depression or gout; chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer patients; and in some cases, unusually high levels of vitamin A or low levels of iron or protein. For women, birth control pills can cause hair loss. Illness, including thyroid disease, severe infection or flu; fungus infections, such as ringworm of the scalp.For women, childbirth may cause temporary hair loss as well due to the changes that take place in the body. In some cases, adults or children may have a condition known as trichotillomania, where there is a compulsion to pull out hair on the scalp; eyeb...
More About: Hair , Plant , Implant , Implants

Use of Lotions and Moisturizers in Skin Care
2007-07-13 11:12:00
Moisturizing is beneficial for skin health and reducing microbial dispersion from skin, regardless of whether the product used contains an antibacterial ingredient. Because of differences in the content and formulations of lotions and creams, products vary greatly in their effectiveness. Lotions used with products containing chlorhexidine gluconate must be carefully selected to avoid neutralization by anionic surfactants. The role of emollients and moisturizers in improving skin health and reducing microbial spread is an area for additional research.To improve the skin condition of health-care professionals and reduce their chances of harboring and shedding microorganisms from the skin, the following measures are recommended:For damaged skin, mild, nonantimicrobial skin cleansing products may be used to remove dirt and debris. If antimicrobial action is needed (e.g., before invasive procedures or handling of highly susceptible patients) a waterless, alcohol-based product may be used...
More About: Skin , Skin Care , Care