In this month’s issue of the Archives of Dermatology researchers noted that common skin diseases can lead to poor morale and combat ineffectiveness of troops on the front line. Poor control and misdiagnosis of common, benign conditions such as itchy rashes, eczema, psoriasis, non-cancerous moles can often lead to evacuation of troops for evaluation and treatment. The study authors say that measures such as identification of individuals with chronic skin diseases during medical screening before they are deployed and emphasizing preventive measures to clinicians in the field can reduce the number of evacuations. Teledermatolgy may someday play a role as well, allowing physicians with dermatological expertise to visually examine soldiers remotely.
Posts Tagged ‘Dermatology’
Common Skin Conditions Take Toll On US Troops »
Mobile Phone Dermatitis »
Yes, really. Cell phones can cause rashes. According to the British Association of Dermatologists doctors have began to see what they are calling “mobile phone dermatitis” – rashes on the ears and cheeks of prolonged cell phone users caused by an allergic reaction to nickel. Nickel is a metal commonly used in consumer products, especially jewelery and belt buckles, and is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. The rash is purely due to the nickel coming into contact with the skin. Earlier this year a Brown University study tested 22 popular handsets from eight different manufacturers and found nickel in 10 of the devices. The British group is urging physicians to think about the possibility of mobile phone dermatitis in any patient with a ear/cheek rash that cannot otherwise be explained.
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.