Burn Injuries, Skin Cancers & Disease

Burn Injuries: Some Electric Ranges Recalled

2009-09-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 126 reports were received for Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite smooth-top electric ranges that these appliances spontaneously turned on or failed to shut off leading to a handful of minor burn injuries and minor property damage. In some cases the ranges also heated to a different temperature than selected.

Frigidaire voluntarily recalled about 200,000 units. The recall involves multiple models of Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery and Frigidaire Professional styles, and one Kenmore Elite model. The U.S. made appliances were sold at Sears and other retailers from June 2001 through August 2009 priced from $1,000 to $2,500.

Consumers should stop using the recalled appliances immediately and contact Frigidaire to schedule a free repair.

Children Die from Burn Injuries in Home Fire

2009-09-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

The vapors from a gas can left in a utility room of a home most likely started a fire that killed two toddlers.

The explosion killed a 1-year-old and 3-year-old. The 3-year-old underwent skin grafts and blood transfusions but in the end succumbed to death.

The mother was also injured while trying to save her children.

Tanning Beds and Cancer

2009-08-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Tanning Beds and Cancer

What is it about our society that places such a high regard on being tan?

Maybe it's the allure of the ocean, the Beach Boys tunes in our heads, the desire to look good in a bikini, and the myth that somehow perpetuates that tanning and health go together like Pilates and a flat stomach.

So what that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) now classifies tanning beds and other UV-emitting tanning devices as Group 1 carcinogens. What that means is sufficient evidence exists now to conclude that these tanning devices cause cancer in humans.

Use of tanning beds has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer.

Will this convince millions of mostly women and teenage girls to stop? Probably not.
Somehow our society is programmed to pursue reckless behavoir at the cost of beauty.

Maybe daddy won't want to pay for the tanning bed visits but if he's still smoking a pack of cigarettes day, he won't place much importance on it either.

Get Fit-5 and Save Lives from Burn Injuries

2009-01-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

The FIT-5 can easily put out a fire and prevent burn injuries.

Burns can come from many different sources including electricity and chemicals. Yet, many burns occur in the way that we often think of them occurring, namely from fires. The best way to prevent burns is to prevent fires and other causes of burns. However, that is not always possible. Sometimes, fires and other accidents occur and the next best line of defense is state of the art equipment with which to fight the fire or limit the damage from other burn sources.

What Kind of New Equipment is Available to Fight Fires?
In late 2007, a new kind of firefighting equipment entered the market. ARA Safety introduced the FIT-5, a handheld fire interruption device that firefighters can carry in their first response kits.

As of September 2008, only 37 fire departments in the entire country were equipped with the FIT-5 including the Neshannock Pennsylvania Fire Department. The Neshannock Fire Department successfully used the FIT-5 to combat a residential basement fire. The FIT-5 was used and two minutes later the flames were smothered and the temperature in the basement was brought down to below 130 degrees. Typical fires burn at around 600 degrees. The fire department was then able to extinguish one small remaining fire in a closet with just one gallon of water. The Captain of the Neshannock Fire Department found the FIT-5 to be a great success.

Why Fight Fires with a FIT-5?
The FIT-5 not only prevents further property damage but it can also save lives. While firefighters have protective gear and are trained to safely deal with fires, many die in the line of duty each year and many others suffer fire related injuries, including burns.

A device that can control a difficult fire in two minutes is likely to save many lives and prevent many people from experiencing the pain of burn wounds.

Pennsylvania State of the Art Burn Center

2009-01-10T05:54:00.000-08:00

The Lehigh Valley Hospital Regional Burn Center handles emergency burns, burn recovery and burn prevention education.

The American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons have verified 44 burn centers in the United States. One of those burn centers is the regional burn center found at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Regional Burn Center cares for more than 600 burn patients annually. That is more than three times the average for burn centers in this country. They accept transfers from over 100 hospitals in Eastern Pennsylvania that lack the expertise or the staff to handle severe burns. They also admit people directly through their own emergency room. The hospital treats children and adults with severe and life threatening burns.

The Regional Burn Center also provides burn prevention education, burn recovery services and burn support services. The facility has 18 private rooms and a full time medical staff. It has state of the art infection control in its rooms to help prevent the painful and often deadly infections to which burn patients are susceptible. Scar management and psychosocial services are available as are state of the art treatment. Efforts are made to control burns before they become severe enough to require skin grafts.

Lehigh Valley Hospital also has an outpatient burn recovery center. This center performs many procedures and supports that used to require hospitalization and allows patients the freedom to recover in their own homes with the necessary support and treatment from the outpatient center.

Burn wounds can very serious and life threatening. They are always painful and sometimes they are severely painful. They can lead to permanent disabilities and scarring. However, the quality of medical treatment that is received can make a big difference in how a person recovers from a burn injury.

A burn injury is usually preventable and often makes a huge negative impact in the victim’s life regardless of the medical treatment received. That said, good medical treatment is essential for the best recovery possible and the people of Eastern Pennsylvania are lucky to have a state of the art resource like that found at Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Regional Burn Center.

College Fire Safety and Prevention

2009-01-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Fire safety plans can help college students stay safe from dorm fires.

Parents worry when they send their children off to college. For many students, it is the first time that they are living on their own and their families worry about their safety.

One of the primary areas of concern is fire safety. Dormitory fires can be fast spreading and serious. Students can suffer from severe third degree burns or even die as a result of these fires.
Therefore, many colleges and universities including Penn State have detailed plans to help prevent serious tragedies from occurring. The primary elements of Penn State’s fire safety plan include:

· Prohibiting Certain Things From Dorms: anything that is known to cause fires in dorms and burns on students is prohibited from Penn State dormitories. Those things include candles, incense, potpourri or anything else with an open flame. Other things such as halogen lamps and space heaters are also not permitted in the dorms.

· Fire Drills: fire drills are infamous on many college campuses. Penn State requires fire drills at least once a month. However, many colleges have a problem with the fire alarm being pulled too frequently and sometimes more than once a night. This can occur because of student pranks or a malfunctioning of the system. Whatever the cause, the result is students who decide to sleep through the alarm and not leave the dorms. This can be very dangerous when a real fire occurs. So, residential life staff is required to check dorm rooms for compliance with fire drill protocols every single time the alarm goes off.

· Fire Protection Equipment in Dorms: Dorms are required to have fire alarms and fire extinguishers on every floor. Smoke detectors are required in very dorm room.
Fires are universally tragic. However, they are especially tragic when young people are badly hurt or killed. Therefore, it is important to follow all fire safety guidelines required by your school.

At Risk: Laptops May Cause Serious Burns

2009-01-02T05:40:00.000-08:00

Serious electrical burns can result from defective appliances or machines.

The fire danger associated with things such as cigarettes, candles and other sources of open flames may be well known. However, did you know that an electric appliance or machine that is defective can also put people at risk of burns?

Consider, for example, your laptop computer. Few people would think that they could be physically burned by their laptop. However, in September 2008, Sony recalled more than 430,000 VAIO laptop computers because of the potential for burns.

Sony issued this specific recall because they claimed that there was a danger of the machines overheating and causing burns to users. Specifically Sony said that, "Irregularly positioned wires near the computer's hinge and/or a dislodged screw inside the hinge can cause a short circuit and overheating… This poses a burn hazard to consumers."

As of the date of the recall, Sony had received information about 15 reports of VAIO laptops overheating and one report of a user getting burned.

While it might seem that Sony acted out of an abundance of caution, their move was well warranted. Electrical burns can look like minor injuries and in fact be very serious. They can result in a person going into shock which is a serious, life threatening event.

While many causes of burns are not preventable, those caused by known manufacture defects are preventable and each company has a responsibility to warn customers of the potential risk once they are aware of it.

In order to find out about potential risks, a consumer should take the following steps. First, many purchases come with a postcard that you can mail back to the company to register yourself as the owner of the product. Then, if any recalls occur, the company should notify you directly. Second, regularly review the government’s published recall list for any items that you might own. Third, if you notice a problem with your machine, notify the company and ask for help.

Burns can be very serious injuries. Therefore, it is best to take all necessary precautions to avoid them.

Upholstered Furniture Dangers

2008-12-30T05:26:00.000-08:00

Upholstered furniture can cause serious fires and fire related injuries.

Although medical improvements are allowing more and more burn victims to survive, fire injuries are still a very real problem in the United States. The United States Fire Administration reports that the death rate from fires in the United States is among the highest in the industrialized world.

To get a sense of the problems caused by fires, one only needs to look at the federal government’s statistics for 2007, the most recent year for which data is available. In 2007, fires killed more Americans then all of the hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards and other natural disasters combined. More than 3,400 people lost their lives. Another 17,675 people were injured.

The vast majority of deaths, 84%, occurred in residences. This may be because upholstered furniture is made with highly flammable polyurethane foam in most areas of the country. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that approximately 800 of the 3,400 people who die in fires annually, die because of a fire that first started with a piece of upholstered furniture igniting.

California has prohibited polyurethane foam in furniture since the 1970s and has seen a significant reduction in fire injuries as a result. U.S. institutions such as hospitals and prisons also prohibit the use of this foam as do other countries such as the United Kingdom and all have seen a reduction in fire and burn related fatalities.

Polyurethane foam burns at temperatures around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit once it is ignited. This leads to the expulsion of toxic gases and to quick spreading fires which make it very difficult and often impossible to escape the burning building.

Many people may be unaware of the fire danger lurking in their home furniture. However, the furniture industry and the government are well aware of the dangers. Since fire retardant furniture is not yet required in any state but California, people should be extra vigilant about keeping heat sources and open flames away from upholstered furniture.

Second Degree Burns

2008-12-27T17:21:00.000-08:00

Some second degree burns can be cared for at home and some require medical treatment. It is important to understand the symptoms that require you to get medical treatment.

Most first degree burns can be treated at home and most third degree burns require prompt medical attention.

However, second degree burns can be a little tricky. Sometimes they can be adequately cared for at home and sometimes they need professional medical assistance in order to heal correctly.

What is a Second Degree Burn?
A second degree burn damages the tissues of the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and the deeper layer of skin, the dermis. While a lay person may not be able to determine the degree of his or her own burn, there are some symptoms and characteristics of a second degree burn of which you should be aware.

Second degree burns are often red and blistery. They may appear to be wet because the burn has damaged the blood vessels causing plasma to appear on the surface of the skin.

How Should You Treat a Second Degree Burn?
Small burns may be able to be treated at home. Second degree burns usually heal without scarring so if you are not in significant pain and you do not suffer from a great loss of fluid then you can usually hold the burn under cool running water for 15 minutes and bandage it loosely. You should also drink water to replenish any lost fluid.

However, if the burn covers a large area then you might be at risk for shock. Your blood pressure could become dangerously low due to loss of plasma. Therefore, if the burn is larger than a couple of inches, is on a delicate place such as your face or you feel faint, weak or nauseous then you should seek medical care.

Remember, if there is any doubt in your mind that the burn cannot be adequately cared for at home or if you are in a significant amount of pain then you should not hesitate to seek professional medical care.

Do not try to be a hero and treat yourself at home as that could lead to serious and often unnecessary complications.

Virus Causes Deadly Skin Cancer Tumors

2008-12-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

Researchers in Pennsylvania recently discovered that a virus causes Merkel cell carcinoma.

Tumors occur when a mutation removes part of a viral protein needed for the virus to reproduce and infects other healthy cells. There is no treatment for MCV infection, but understanding how it triggers disease could lead to targeted interventions.

Merkel cell cancers occur in about 1,500 Americans annually. Two-thirds of the patients with advanced disease die within two years of diagnosis.

Vitamin D: Good News or Bad News

2008-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

A new study published in November reveals that vitamin D may be associated with skin cancer.

People with certain variants in a vitamin D related BsmI gene may be at risk for developing melanoma -- that's the bad news.

On the good news scale, vitamin D can have anti cancer effects and by regulating cell growth. But because there are genetic differences in this vitamin D receptor among individuals it is suspected that different people have different levels of vitamin D activity within their bodies. Some people may naturally be able to achieve more vitamin D-related protection against cancer than others.

The results of the study are not conclusive. The researchers note that additional research is needed to validate this link, and called for well-designed, population-based, large, multi-institutional studies to test whether any vitamin D receptor variant is independently associated with melanoma risk.

Workers Comp and Skin Graft Procedures

2008-10-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

A skin graft can help repair a serious burn. Here is what to expect before, during and after the procedure.

If you suffer from a significant burn then your medical team might suggest that you have a skin graft to repair the part of your body that was hurt by the burn. A skin graft is a useful and fairly common procedure. However, like any medical procedure it is important that you know exactly what will happen so that you can make informed medical decisions.

Before the skin graft procedure
Before the skin graft operation begins, your doctor will review the benefits and risks of the procedure with you. Then the medical team will get started by thoroughly cleaning the burned area and hooking you up to machines so that your blood pressure and body temperature can be monitored throughout the procedure. Finally, you will be given anesthesia. The anesthesia may be local or general depending on the size and location of the area that needs a skin graft.

During the skin graft procedure
First, the exact size and shape of the skin needed will be traced on the part of your body from which you will be donating healthy skin. Then the doctors will remove the healthy skin from that area and close the area with stitches.
Next, the skin graft will be placed over the burned area and stapled or stitched into place. Some doctors prefer to have the graft meshed onto the skin for larger burns. A pressure bandage will be applied to help with healing.

After the skin graft procedure
After the skin graft is complete and you are back in your hospital room, the nursing staff will regularly check and change your bandages. Both the host site from which the healthy skin was taken and the burn site will be kept clean and will be checked for infection. The length of the hospital stay will vary depending on the size of the skin graft and other factors related to the burn as well as consulting a workers compensation lawyer.

Pediatric Burn Victims Adjust to Home Life

2008-10-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

Pediatric burn victims can benefit from psychological counseling and other post discharge services after being discharged from the hospital.

A burn injury can be traumatic, especially if the burn victim is a child. Many patients and their families are dealing with the emergency of the pain and immediate treatment while they are in the hospital. Patients and their families look forward to everything returning to normal when they get to go home.

However, many highly reputable hospitals, such as Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, warn that a homecoming can be emotionally and psychologically difficult for patients and their parents. Parents may be concerned about their children’s safety and be fearful about leaving their children alone. Children might be uneasy about being back at the scene of the accident or about any scarring which occurred as a result of the burn.

For these reasons, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh encourages parents to take advantage of post discharge services. Post discharge services include:

· Psychological counseling: The hospital’s social worker can help put parents in touch with a good counselor to deal with the parent’s or the child’s understandable emotions about returning home after a child suffers a burn. This type of counseling can be an important support so that understandable fears do not turn into phobias and so that children with scars can grow up with a high level of self esteem.

· Scar care: Hospital staff will advise parents about how to care for wounds and how to minimize scarring. Children may need to wear pressure garments and work with a physical therapist in order to reduce scarring and recover mobility in the affected areas.

The child’s physician will remain a resource person for the family, especially if the child has any medical or psychological problems associated with the burn after the child has been released. This can be reassuring to many families as they begin to navigate their way back to a normal life after a scary and painful ordeal and consider the services of a product liability lawyer.

What is Systemic Idiopathic Fibrosing?

2008-09-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

What causes systemic idiopathic fibrosing? That is a question even doctors struggle to answer.

Systemic idiopathic fibrosing is a chronic internal disease that that can be, if left untreated, fatal. “Systemic” refers to an internal body system, like the digestive system or respiratory system. “Idiopathic” means that doctors do not know what causes the medical condition. Lastly, “fibrosing” is a term used to describe extra tissue or cells in the body. Doctors can, in some cases, control systemic idiopathic fibrosing well, so if you are plagued by such as chronic internal disease, talk to a medical professional today to learn about your treatment options.

There are a number of kinds of systemic idiopathic fibrosing disorders. One of the most common and, recently, most highly studied is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. This chronic internal disease was part of a scientific breakthrough a few years ago when researchers discovered that gaolinium (used for MRIs) in renal failure patients might be the cause of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued the following statement: “Whether the GBCAs are the only agents or conditions that may be associated with NSF in patients with renal disease is unknown. The conclusions that can be drawn from the NSF reports are limited. However, the reports FDA has received, the published report of gadolinium deposits in the skin of patients with NSF/NFD, and other published reports suggest that GBCAs play a role in the development of NSF in patients with acute or chronic severe kidney insufficiency or kidney dysfunction due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.” Currently, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is still considered a systemic idiopathic fibrosing disorder, as the cause cannot be definitely pinpointed.

Another type of systemic idiopathic fibrosing is scleroderma. Scleroderma can affect just the skin in some cases, but it can also develop into a chronic internal disease if left untreated. In some cases, it develops internally initially, usually attacking the lungs and digestive system. The most serious kind of scleroderma is diffuse scleroderma, which kills thousands of people ever year. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Researchers haven't established a definitive cause for scleroderma. It's more common in women than in men and more common in adults than in children. Scleroderma can run in families, but in most cases it occurs without any known family tendency for the disease.”

Any internal disease that causes the overproduction of tissues or other agents in the body is considered a fibrosing disease. Doctors often do not know what causes systemic idiopathic fibrosing, although they know of related diseases, such as NSF, being caused by exposure to Gadolinium. Until they know more, these chronic internal diseases will be difficult to effectively treat and impossible to cure. Talk to a medical professional today to learn more about systemic idiopathic fibrosing.

Researchers discover protein to halt skin cancer

2008-09-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center recently reported that the protein IKKalpha (IKKα) regulates the cell cycle of keratinocytes and plays a key role in keeping these specialized skin cells from becoming malignant.

The IKKα acted as a guard halting proliferation of cancer cells. In the first mouse model of its kind, when they deleted the IKKα spontaneously induced squamous cell carcinomas were activated.

Cells lose their ability to reproduce by dividing in two; they eventually die.

The discovery of this protein may provide new avenues for treating cancer.

The complex article can be found here.

Skin Cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma

2008-09-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Basal cell carcinoma is a form of skin cancer caused by sun damaged skin. Basal cell carcinoma is the least dangerous skin cancer but still needs attention. It can look like a shiny lump or a sore that doesn't heal. It doesn't spread like melanoma but should be treated early as it could destroy nearby tissue.

Basal cell carcinoma is a growing concern for the elderly who may have experienced bad sunburns at an early age that eventually develop into skin cancer problems as a person gets older.

People with light colored skin and frequent sun exposure who play golf or tennis or go horseback riding or spend a lot of time outdoors may be prone to basal cell carcinoma. People who live in warm weather climates are more likely to develope basal cell carcinoma.

Visit a doctor to have a biopsy taken to know for sure if the sore is cancerous. A doctor will remove the cell in the office and send it to be diagnosed.

Protecting your skin at any age is important. Be sure to protect from the UV rays and reapply frequently especially if sweating.

What is Scleromyxedema?

2008-08-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Scleromyxedema is a rare skin disease that is still not fully understood by doctors.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “Scleromyxedema, the most severe manifestation of the spectrum of lichen myxedematosus, is characterized by cutaneous mucinosis, extracutaneous manifestations, and a monoclonal gammopathy.” What does that mean to the regular person without a medical degree? Basically, this is a very bad case of lichen myxedematosus, a skin disease in which small papules cover an area of your skin. With scleromyxedema, the skin also hardens, as you’ll find with other skin diseases like scleroderma.

Typically, scleromyxedema also covers more of the body than a regular case of lichen myxedematosus. In very serious causes, the skin disease spreads to affect other parts of the body, causing inflammation of muscles, problems with the nervous system, esophageal spasms, and fibrosing around your internal organs. If it goes untreated, this chronic skin disease, once affecting your body internally, can cause death.

Diagnosis of scleromyxedema starts with a visual assessment of the skin. In the past, this skin disease has been confused with scleroderma. In addition to the skin being tight and thick, however, it is also red and bumpy, almost like a rash that doesn’t go away. If the doctor thinks it is scleromyxedema, he or she will also test for paraprotein 7S-IgG in the blood stream, as well as ensure that it isn’t a thyroid problem. A skin sample may also be taken to look for mucin, a substance that appears in this skin disease.

Because no one completely understands why scleromyxedema occurs, it is hard to treat this condition. In fact, all types of lichen myxedematosus are difficult to treat and, as of right now, incurable. Right now, one of the most promising treatment options is being studied by a research team at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This project used a stem cell transplantation process, as well as chemotherapy with melphalan. Although this skin disease is not cancerous, seven of the eight participants in the recent study showed improvement. You can read more about it at this website.

This skin disease can be painful, as well as disfiguring. However, even though it is a rare condition, the support both online and offline is great. Many websites, such as Scleromyxedema Survivors, are available of patients and their families. In addition to emotional support, these sites provide tons of information about the condition and the research being done to understand the problem better. Talk to your doctor today if you think you might be at risk.

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Has Cancer Risk

2008-08-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

In a current study researchers found that people with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer had a two-fold increase in the risk of subsequent cancers compared with individuals with no skin cancer history.

In previous studies people who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer were at increased risk for developing melanoma, but it is less well-established whether they were also at risk for cancers that do not involve the skin.

The study compared the risk of malignancies in 769 people who had been diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer and 18,405 people with no history of the disease during a 16-year follow-up period.

Uncommon Scents: Skin Cancer Research

2008-08-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Researchers have just discovered that skin cancer has a distinctive scent or smell.

Human skin produces numerous airborne smell molecules known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. By sniffing the air above a basal cell tumor, doctors may be able to diagnose the disease in its early stages.

VOC profiles from basal cell carcinoma sites in 11 patients were compared to profiles from the same number of healthy volunteers. The scientists hope to characterize skin odor profiles associated with other forms of skin cancer, including the most serious type, melanoma.

The new findings were presented at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting in Philadelphia.

Comments were that that these cancers do not normally pose much of a problem for diagnosis when seen by a specialist. Skin cancer has a distinctive appearance and if there is any doubt, then biopsy is a simple confirmatory investigation.

All About Morphea

2008-08-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Morphea, a skin disease that causes thickening and tightening, is a type of schleroderma. Unfortunately, doctors still know little about this medical condition.

Schleroderma is a type of chronic skin disease that causes excess amounts of collagen to tighten and thicken the skin. There are three main types of schleroderma, and one of the less serious kinds is called morphea. However, although this skin disease is rarely life threatening, as it does not generally damage internal organs, it can cause severe deformities and make life hard for patients who have it. It you believe you have morphea or think you are at risk, contact a doctor today to learn about your options.

Although you may have never heard of morphea, schleroderma affects about 300,000 patients every year, according to the National Institutes of Health. What is morphea, exactly? According to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, “Scleroderma is in actual fact not a single disease, but a set of related disorders involving a similar set of symptoms. This makes a concise definition – and diagnosis – difficult.” Morphea is a type of localized scleroderma, which means that the skin is the only organ affected in the vast majority of cases. In localized morphea, there are patches of hard, thick, tight skin in one or more places on the body, usually on the chest or back (although these patches can occur anywhere). Generalized morphea, on the other hand, is a more severe form of this skin disease. The patches are larger, sometimes covering most of the body, and the patient may have trouble moving and be in great pain. Sometimes, in very severe cases, the morphea affects the muscles below the skin, making it even more painful and difficult to move.

No one is sure what causes morphea, which makes this skin disease hard to treat. It is known that the condition is not contagious or cancerous, and although having a family member with scleroderma may put you at a genetic predisposition, this alone does not causes morphea. In some cases, radiation treatments or kidney disease seem to be underlying factors, but this is not always the case.

If you have morphea, NSF, NFD, systemic fibrosis, or another form of scleroderma, only you and your doctor can decide the best course of treatment. Oral steroids and localized topical medication help some patients (though not all), and the NIH is currently pursuing a number of research leads which may help them find better treatments or even a cure. You can read more about these clinical trials and learn how to participate at their website or by talking to a medical professional.

Factors that Contribute to Scleroderma

2008-08-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

While the course of sclerodema is unknown, there are factors that might exacerbate it.

One of the greatest fears is fear of the unknown. This is most stressful when the unknown is associated with a medical condition. For example, the condition of scleroderma is shrouded in much mystery. That is because the origin of this condition is completely unknown. As John Hopkins University points out, scleroderma it is a very difficult skin condition to endure. There is no known cure for the condition and only extensive treatments can be employed to reduce the problem. While the lack of a cure is difficult enough, the fact that the origins of this serious condition are completely unknown makes it an even more difficult to advance better treatments.

Granted, while there is no concrete clear reason known for the onset of this condition, medical studies have pointed to four factors which may play a significant role in the onset of this skin condition. Thanks to the research of the NIH, four of these potential contributing factors have been revealed. These four factor are autoimmunity problems, hormones, genetics and environmental triggers.

What is unique about all four of these potential contributing factors is the fact that only one of them is an external factor. That is, with the exception of environmental factors the other three aforementioned contributing factors involve almost exclusively be afflicted person's own internal makeup. Genetics, hormones, and autoimmunity problems are all inherent with the biological makeup of the individual. As such, it would be quite unavoidable for an afflicted person to come down with this condition if it is their own body that is creating the basis for the condition. (Note: This is still a somewhat speculative assertion since the actual cause of the condition is shrouded in mystery) The environmental factors, however, could potentially be avoidable if the public was more aware of their contributing factors to the development of this condition.

Then again, most of these environmental factors such as exposure to solvents, adhesives or viruses can lead to sclerodema like diseases; however, it is completely inconclusive as to whether or not they can contribute to the actual condition itself. So, in a way, environmental factors contribute to a chameleon like the fact that impersonates the actual condition of sclerodema. Or do they actual contribute to the condition itself? Again, the answer may be somewhat inconclusive.

Once again, sclerodema remains a condition somewhat surrounded in mystery. Perhaps one day this condition will cease to be a mystery in the aftermath of a research breakthrough. For now, however, the medical community is limited by current research which makes dealing with this condition somewhat frustrating.

SOURCES:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp
http://scleroderma.jhmi.edu/

The Incurable Condition of Scleroderma

2008-08-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

Despite the prevalence of the condition, there is no known cure for scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a unique condition that involves the body's over production of collagen. According to womenshealth.gov, when a person develops this condition they will suffer the ravages of it in one of two ways. The first way is a localized development of the condition which affects areas of the skin making the skin course and hard. In some instances, that condition may go away on its own. In other cases, it may morph into a more severe form of the condition causing serious lifestyle problems for the afflicted. The second form of Scleroderma is known as systematic scleroderma and it is incredibly serious. In addition to the skin, systematic scleroderma affects the blood in the internal organs. Worst of all, there is known cure for this condition. The best that can be done is reducing the side effects in damage of the condition through affective treatment.

Are there decent treatments available to deal with this condition? According to John Hopkins University, while a cure may be unavailable there are a number of effective treatments for it. Of course, these treatments may require frequent testing and recurring visits but this is a far better option than allowing the systematic version of the condition to wreck havoc upon the body. Keep in mind when this condition is left untreated it can affect the liver, heart, and lungs. Once again, this is a very serious condition that requires expert treatment.

Developing a type of serious medical condition is a very stressful and difficult position to be in. However, when the specific conditions one that is incurable the difficulty to battle that condition can be overbearing. After all, if there is no cure and site would use that will press a person forward to continue the battle? One obvious reason would be that effective treatment can alleviate much suffering. If no treatment is provided for the illness, then the ravages of the illness can become extremely painful. This is why is important to seek treatment as soon as possible in order to alleviate the pain and discomfort the condition causes. Of course, in order to do this the proper diagnosis must be presented as soon as possible. If not, then the ability to deal with the problem is delayed and this can greatly impact the quality of one's life in a negative manner.

Unfortunately, a misdiagnosis could delay such treatment. If you have been misdiagnosed and treatment was delayed as a result, you may have a case for medical malpractice. In fact, if you have suffered severe internal organ damage due to delays in treatment from the misdiagnosis then it would be most advisable to speak to a qualified attorney about your condition.

SOURCES:
http://scleroderma.jhmi.edu/
http://www.womenshealth.gov/wwd/conditions/scleroderma.cfm?style=large
http://www.monheit.com/NSF/scleroderma-what-is-it.asp

The Risk of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

2008-08-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Many kidney dialysis patients suffer from Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis as a result of dangerous injections.

Dealing with a serious medical condition can be very tough to endure. This is why it is always important to seek the best medical care possible. Part of the process of treating the condition is recognizing what particular ailment a person is suffering. This is why a host of tests and examinations are required. If a physician is unable to ascertain what the exact problem is, then the ability to provide adequate medical care will be impeded. This is why patient will place a lot of trust in the doctor and go along with all tests and examinations even if such procedures may be uncomfortable. After all, a little discomfort in the short term is much better than having to deal with the severe pain of a progressively worsening illness. However, the patient expects that the care that they will receive will not complicate their condition. Yet, this is exactly what happens to many people who have kidney disorders who then develop nephrogenic systemic fibrosis as a result of MRI disasters while undergoing renal and kidney exams.

According to the National Institute of Health, the vast majority of patients who suffer from this condition are people who have this condition often contract it while under going kidney dialysis treatment. Specifically, when such a patient undergoes an MRI in number of injections will be necessitated to make the results clear to the doctor. Unfortunately, these injections have the harmful side effect of leading the patient to develop the aforementioned condition of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. This is a very serious condition that has a very debilitating effect on the human body.

According to a study by the Meharry Medical College, the effects of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is quite dire. Specifically, the injections used prior to the MRI have an incredibly negative effect on to skin. Specifically, the skin becomes very inflexible and coarsened. Or, more specifically, it is the tissue under the skin known as fibrosis that actually undergoes the tightening and coarsening. The end result of this is that mobility becomes very limited since the joints become very restrictive in terms of movement due to the physiological change that the fibrosis fibers undergo.

Once again, the NIH points out that the main reason this develops is because of the solution injected into body (gadodiamide) causes the adverse side effects. Sadly, this very dangerous solution has been injected into a number of patients who are completely unaware of the risks. This has led to a number of cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis that probably would not have occurred had the patients been aware of the risks to their health.

SOURCES:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1705479http://www.mmc.edu/education/medical/internal-med/presentations/Nzerue%20Nephrogenic%20Systemic%20Fibrosis%20(2).pdf
http://www.monheit.com/NSF/resources.asp

The Morphea Registry

2008-08-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

There is a national registry being established to better understand this very mysterious condition.

Per the UT Southwestern Medical Center's website, only two out of one thousand people have the condition known as morphea. This makes the ability to study the disease somewhat difficult. This is why the center is investing significant time and resources into developing a comprehensive database. That is, by compiling a database of those afflicted with morphea the ability to promote significant study into the condition can be enacted. In particular, one of the main purposes of the database is to ascertain whether or not genetics play a significant role in the onset of this condition.

Morphea is more commonly known as the localized form of scleroderma, a skin condition that involves a tightening and coarsening of the skin. Some may assume that because the condition is localized and does not affect the internal organs that is not a serious condition. Well, while it is not a life threatening condition it does have a number of complexities associated with it. In other words, the condition creates a number of problems that are difficult to endure. In terms of the physical manifestation of the condition, it causes a number of large an unsightly blotches can appear on the skin. These botches are difficult to cover up as they are unseemly dark skin spots that can cover a large area of the body.

The condition also presents a number of physical problems as well. The tightening of the skin the condition causes can restrict mobility. So, this is hardly a condition to take lightly yet many people do not realize that condition even exists. Thankfully, there are a number of effort to raise the awareness of this condition. Probably one of the most important efforts is the aforementioned development of a national registry by the UT Southwestern Medical Center.

It is critical that the database may potentially lead to inroads regarding expanding knowledge and awareness of this condition. It is important to not lose site of the fact that morphea is a very mysterious condition. According to the NIH, there is no known cure for the condition. All that exists are various treatment methods with some being more successful than others. Hopefully, through the expanded research via UT Southwestern Medical Center's database the ability to arrive at conclusions that might lead to a cure are possible. Or, at the very least, better forms of treatment may be developed as well. This would be of significant help to those who are dealing with the condition.

SOURCES:
http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept25717/files/384413.html
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp

Learning about Lipodermatosclerosis

2008-08-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Lipdermatosclerosis is a skin condition that affects thousands of people every year. If you believe you are at risk, take measures to learn about this disease.

According to the European Journal of Internal Medicine, “Lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) is a clinical condition characterized by the appearance of hardened, painful, and hyperchromic plaques on the legs.” Related to scleroderma, lipodermatosclerosis is a debilitating skin condition that can make it very hard for patients to walk or otherwise move their legs. This medical condition manifests slowly over years or even decades, but without proper treatment quickly, it can be extremely painful. Although the exact origin of this skin condition is unknown, doctors do understand how it occurs. If you’re at risk for lipodermatosclerosis, talk to your doctor today.

Lipodermatosclerosis, often shortened to LDS, occurs when there is high pressure in the veins of the lower leg. You may experience lipodermatosclerosis if you have varicose veins. Basically, lipodermatosclerosis happens when you’re standing upright and your calf muscles can’t pump blood effectively. Once the lipodermatosclerosis occurs, the damage to the skin cannot be replaced. However, it is important to treat this skin condition, because if you don’t, it will continue to progress until you develop a venous leg ulcer. A venous leg ulcer, if not treated, can become infected and continue to grow until it takes over the entire leg. They are extremely painful and can make it hard or impossible to walk.

Lipodermatosclerosis is typically treated with the use of a compression sock. These socks apply tight pressure to the leg to counteract the pressure in the veins your body feels when you stand. Using a compression sock can help you avoid the development of more serious skin conditions, but it cannot cure the lipodermatosclerosis. If you have varicose veins, surgery to remove these blood vessels may help the lipodermatosclerosis clear up or regress, but this is not true for all patients. It is possible that you’ll have to wear a compression sock for the rest of your life, but luckily, if you see a doctor regularly, this skin condition should not prove to be seriously dangerous.

Says the National Center for Biotechnology Information (a part of the National Institutes for Health), “There has been much confusion about the nature, clinical course, and treatment of lipodermatosclerosis. We believe that lipodermatosclerosis has an acute, inflammatory phase and a chronic, fibrotic stage, although a spectrum exists.” Until doctors better understand how to prevent lipodermatosclerosis, research teams will continue to work toward a cure. Talk to a medical professional today if you believe that you are at risk for developing this skin condition.

Living with Linear Scleroderma

2008-08-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

Linear scleroderma is a type of skin disease that is not fully understood, but doctors are studying this skin disease to help patients learn to live with the condition.

Scleroderma is a skin disease that causes too much collagen in the body. The excess collagen causes the skin to thicken, tighten, and harden. In some cases, this skin disease affects the body’s muscle and organs as well, which can make it hard for the patient to move. It can even cause death in serious cases. There are multiple kinds of scleroderma, one of which is known as linear scleroderma. Linear scleroderma usually isn’t fatal, but it is disfiguring and debilitating, so living with this skin disease is a challenge.

Linear scleroderma is classified as a localized form of the disease. Unlike systemic scleroderma, and unlike Gadolinium induced NSF, localized scleroderma usually only affects the skin. Morphea is another type of localized scleroderma. With linear scleroderma, the skin disease can sometimes affect the patient deeply, causing damage to the muscles and bones as well. While this usually doesn’t put the patient in a life-threatening situation, it is painful and can cause the limbs to grow disfigured. This is especially true in children with linear scleroderma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Unlike other types of scleroderma, linear scleroderma usually manifests early in life, before the age of ten. In many cases, it only affects one arm or leg. This causes the limbs to grow and develop at different rates. It also causes the joints to stiffen, rendering limbs immobile or, at the least, painful to move. Sometimes, linear scleroderma attacks the face, leaving disfiguring scar-like blotches. This condition is typically known as “en coup de saber.”

Even though linear scleroderma doesn’t usually progress to the point where you can die from it, patients often find it hard to live with this skin disease. Because doctors still don’t know the cause of scleroderma, it is impossible to cure or even effectively treat. However, you can learn to live a full, productive life with linear scleroderma. One of the most harmful problems with this form of scleroderma is the stiff joint pain. According to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, however, “Keeping joints limber and flexible can help you maintain as much of your normal activity as possible. A well-designed program of regular stretching and gentle exercise, under the direction of a physical therapist, can be helpful in maintaining range of motion in your joints, minimizing joint contractures, and improving circulation.”

The excess collagen in the skin can also cause problems with sweat and oil production, as well as scarring, ulcers, and other skin issues. Treating these skin disease problems is a daily struggle, but with topical medication and oral steroids, you can learn to cope with the skin issues caused by your scleroderma. Talk to your doctor today for more information about living with linear scleroderma.

Imperial Sugar takes first-quarter loss following deadly explosion

2008-06-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

Following a February fatal explosion at a Georgia sugar plant in which 13 employees died, Imperial Sugar has announced a first-quarter loss of more than $16 million. Revenues declined by one-third, from $212.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $145.2 million in 2008. The drop was blamed on the shutdown of the Port Wentworth, Ga., refinery.

Officials said losses from the explosion would continue to exceed insurance payment, but offered no estimates. Imperial officials said it took $28 million in charges for costs and property write-downs resulting from the refinery fire during the first quarter of 2008, offset by $15.9 million in insurance payments.

Imperial Sugar Plant Fire Prompts Lawsuits, Legislation

2008-06-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

A bill involving “combustible dust” could prevent workplace tragedies like the Imperial Sugar plant fire in Port Wentworth, Georgia.

The U.S. House has passed a bill aimed at preventing fires like the deadly Feb.
7 inferno at the Imperial Sugar Co. refinery in Port Wentworth.

After two hours of wrangling Wednesday, the measure by Reps. John Barrow, a Savannah Democrat, and George Miller, D-Calif., carried, 247-165.

The vote went mostly along party lines. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, was one of only about two dozen Republicans to vote yes.

Next, the measure faces action in the U.S. Senate and the specter of a presidential veto, threatened by the White House on Tuesday.

Barrow and Miller introduced the bill after the local disaster killed 13 people and injured scores of others.
It would force the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to crack down on industrial dusts that can build up and explode. Investigators have concluded that sugar dust helped cause the Port Wentworth disaster.

Thirteen people were killed in the blaze, which resulted from a buildup of combustible dust within the sugar refinery, which is near Savannah. Relatives of the killed and injured workers have filed suite against Imperial Sugar, the owners of the plant and others, alleging that they didn’t do enough to ensure safe working conditions that could have prevented the blaze.

One such lawsuit targets Savannah Foods & Industries:

A lawsuit filed in Chatham County State Court on Monday afternoon contends the company owned the property where the Imperial Sugar Co. refinery operates and, therefore, is liable for damages.

The suit filed for Lashunda Harvey, as widow and administratrix of the estate of Shelathia Harvey, also named Stokes Contracting Inc., a cleaning-dust control company, as a defendant.

The civil action, filed by Savannah attorney Mark Tate, also contends that Savannah Foods & Industries as well as Stokes Contracting Inc. are not entitled to protection from liability under workers' compensation claim limitations.

Shelathia Harvey, 31, of Hinesville, was operating a Bosch machine used in the refining, packing and transporting of sugar when the explosion tore through the plant, the lawsuit states. He was an employee of Imperial-Savannah LP, the suit notes.

Savannah Foods & Industries owned the building where Shelathia Harvey's employer did business. But it did not own either Imperial Sugar or Shelathia Harvey's
employer, the suit contends.

Earlier conversations have focused on Imperial Sugar, which is not named as a defendant in the Harvey lawsuit.

The suit contends Savannah Foods had a duty to maintain a "reasonably safe environment" and to maintain a "reasonably safe work place."

Instead, the suit charges, both Savannah Foods and Stokes were negligent in allowing hazardous levels of combustible industrial dust to develop and remain at the site.

Imperial Sugar Burn Victims Face Long Recovery

2008-06-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

The Imperial Sugar Fire was the deadliest industrial accident in Georgia history, killing 13 workers, eight of them immediately.

But other workers who survived suffered severe burns. In fact, the physician who treated many of them called burns the “ultimate trauma” because of the extreme pain involved in recovery for severe burns.

A story in the Savannah newspaper details the painful treatment that burn victims must go through in their recovery:

Dr. Fred Mullins had a newly unboxed cell phone on his desk last week, but he wasn't using it yet.

"They gave me a phone but didn't give me a phone number," he said with a laugh.

The medical director of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital will be wearing out that phone in the coming weeks and months. The phone will be dedicated strictly to the families of 14 patients from the Feb. 7 Imperial Sugar Co. refinery explosion who will be recovering at the center. Twelve are still listed as being in critical condition; two are listed as serious.

They face a daunting journey that goes beyond taking off the dead skin, applying a temporary covering and regrafting new skin. Large third-degree burns throw off every system in the body, affecting every organ, and doctors must work a delicate balancing act that is sometimes more art than science, said Richard Cartie, a pediatric intensivist who works at the burn center.

"Burns are the ultimate trauma," Mullins said.

"It just wreaks havoc on the body. It confuses the body, so sometimes it doesn't know which way to go."

Because of the nature of the explosion, some of the refinery patients had broken bones as well, he said.

"We found out that a lot of them were in two explosions, basically," Mullins said. "I saw one guy, when the second explosion occurred, it threw him up where he hit the ceiling and came down. Another guy said he was thrown through a wall."

In addition to getting a good airway and circulation going in the patient, the doctors have to take those other injuries into account, he said.

Fluids are an example of the contradiction severely burned patients can present. A large burn removes the protective barrier of the skin and causes immediate swelling, "sort of like a bruise," Mullins said.

That inflammation is part of the body's attempt to heal itself, but it can cause problems of its own by collapsing veins in the extremities.

"When that closes, it backs blood up, so the arteries can't pump anymore," Mullins said. "It causes it to clot and it can kill you."

Vicious circle

The burn also causes pores to open in the vessels
and proteins to leak out, taking fluid with them.

"They go out, and take the fluid, so you have to give them more fluid," Mullins said. "In turn, that makes the fluids go out more. It's just a vicious cycle."

That also adds to the swelling problem severe burn patients face.

When Mullins went down to Savannah on the night of the fire, he ended up cutting slits on the sides of patients' burned chests and arms just so they could breathe easier and to restore blood flow.

The fluid leaking out of the vessels also drops the blood pressure, and if not enough blood and oxygen reach the kidneys, they will shut down, he said.

Large burns also cause the body's metabolism to increase two to three times its normal rate, Cartie said.

"It's just like turning the thermostat up," he said. But without the skin to trap the heat, the body uses up huge stores of energy, like a furnace in a house with all of
the doors and windows open, Cartie said.

Once it has used up the easily available energy, the body begins to feed on itself, on its lean muscle mass, a process called catabolism, he said.

"The body very quickly, in a situation like that, switches over to using its own proteins to supply energy," he said.

You can read the full article online at SavannahNow and also see a graphic that details the different types of burns and explains how skin grafts are used to repair severely burned skin.