June 2009 Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource Highlights Summer Skin Problems, Low Vision...

June 2009 Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource Highlights Summer Skin Problems,
Low Vision and Pilates

ROCHESTER, Minn., July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Here are highlights from
the June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. You may cite this
publication as often as you wish. Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource attribution
is required. Reprinting is allowed for a fee. Include the following
subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Visit
www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com or call toll-free for subscription information,
1-800-876-8633, extension 9751.

Tips to Prevent (or Soothe) Summer Skin Problems

ROCHESTER, Minn.-- Summer isn't always fun in the sun. Intense sunlight, hot
and humid temperatures, poisonous plants and biting insects can cause a host
of skin problems. The June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers
ways to prevent and treat common summer skin problems.

Heat rash (miliaria rubra): Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become plugged
and trap perspiration beneath the skin. The rash appears as clusters of red
spots or small, blisterlike bumps that are extremely itchy or prickly. Heat
rash typically develops in skin folds or wherever clothing causes friction.

Prevention methods -- Dressing in soft, lightweight, loose-fitting cotton
clothing can help prevent heat rash. Avoiding powders and heavy creams can
help, too; these products can block skin pores.

Treatment -- Sweat reduction and keeping the skin cool help clear up the rash.
(Think air conditioning.) Cool-water compresses, calamine lotion or
over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching.

Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE): This rash typically appears within hours
after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or commercial
tanning beds. It appears as itchy red spots on the front of the neck, on the
chest, arms and thighs.

People with fair skin and limited sun exposure in the winter are most
susceptible. With increasing sun exposure, this type of light sensitivity
usually decreases over time. But the same rash may recur next spring after a
winter without sun exposure.

Prevention -- Using sunblock and limiting sun exposure can reduce the risk of
PMLE.

Treatment -- Cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream and anti-inflammatory
medications (Advil, Motrin, others) can help relieve symptoms. PMLE usually
clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. When symptoms don't improve,
patients should check with a doctor to consider other conditions or possible
allergies.

Poison ivy and poison oak: Contact with these plants causes red, swollen skin,
blisters and severe itching within days or weeks of exposure. These plants
produce an oily substance called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction
in most people. Urushiol can stick to almost anything, including clothes, pet
fur, and even gardening tools.

Prevention -- Avoidance is the best prevention. Since leaves from both plants
grow in groups of three, a helpful catch phrase to remember is "leaves of
three, let them be." For high-risk activities -- hiking or camping -- some
dermatologists recommend an over-the-counter skin product that contains
bentoquatam, which prevents urushiol from penetrating the skin.

Treatment -- Immediately washing with soap and water after exposure can help.
For a mild rash, cool showers, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can
relieve symptoms. For severe rashes, or rashes that involve the face, eyes or
genitals, a doctor's care is advised. Prescription medications, such as an
oral corticosteroid, may be needed to reduce itching and swelling.

Chigger and tick bites: Chiggers -- tiny red mites found in grass and weeds --
attach to the skin and feed on fluids in the skin cells. They fall off in a
few days, leaving behind itchy red welts where they were attached. Redness and
intense itching can last for weeks.

Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They
range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red
bumps or other skin reactions. And they can transmit Lyme disease,
characterized by a distinctive bull's-eye rash, flulike symptoms and aching
joints.

Prevention -- Protective clothing, long sleeves and long pants tucked into
socks or shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellants containing DEET offer
protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or
unattached ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be
pulled off carefully with tweezers.

Treatment -- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger
bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor's care is
needed. For tick bites, or when symptoms of Lyme disease are present,
consultation with a physician is advised. Antibiotics are necessary to treat
Lyme disease.

When Vision Dims, Some Tools Can Help Maintain Independence

ROCHESTER, Minn.-- Many devices can help people with low vision -- a permanent
partial loss of eyesight that makes everyday tasks difficult.

The June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource discusses low vision, what
it is, the causes and the supplementary tools available when prescription
eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery don't improve vision
sufficiently.

Low vision is not the normal difficulty reading the small print that can
accompany aging. Low vision is caused by eye diseases such as macular
degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or retinitis
pigmentosa. Vision loss can be mild to severe.

Patients should work with a low-vision specialist to determine the best tools
and how to use them. In many cases, patients will find vision aids that allow
them to maintain independence.

Some include:

-- Magnifying eyeglasses. They are stronger than prescription eyeglasses.
The lens may be included with the eyeglasses or attached to a headband
for use on close-up tasks such as reading or threading a needle.
-- Miniature telescopes. These telescopes, hand-held or mounted on
eyeglasses, help a person see at a distance, such as across a road or
a
television across the room.
-- Video magnifiers. They use a camera and a video screen to enlarge
printed material, pictures or small objects. Some are portable, and
some
can be used with a computer or monitor.
-- "Talking" tools. Alarm clocks, watches, timers, thermometers,
scales, prescription bottles and blood sugar meters that
"talk" help with daily tasks.
-- Computer software programs. Software is available that can magnify
text
on a computer screen. Speech systems include computers that read aloud
what's on the screen. Scanning devices can read printed text.
-- Closed-circuit TV systems. They project an enlarged image onto a video
screen to help with reading books, magazines and other materials.

Pilates: A Low-Impact Way to Build Core Strength, Endurance and Flexibility

ROCHESTER, Minn.-- The first instruction in a Pilates class? How to say it:
puh-LAH-teez.

The June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource addresses this increasingly
popular low-impact fitness technique. Pilates emphasizes mind-body connection
and breath control to build strength, endurance and flexibility, particularly
in the trunk muscles.

Many women opt for Pilates because it can provide a nicely toned look without
adding bulk. Practiced regularly, Pilates can assist with weight loss and help
alleviate low back pain.

Pilates isn't new. In the early 20th century, Joseph Pilates, a German
citizen, developed a system to help his fellow inmates at a World War I
internment camp stay physically conditioned. He later opened a studio in New
York where his teaching gained a following in the dance and performance arts
communities.

Today, Pilates classes are widely available at health clubs, studios,
community centers and senior centers. Pilates can be done on a floor mat or
using specialized equipment, such as stability balls, resistance bands or most
often, a Reformer. This piece of equipment consists of a sliding seat and a
series of springs and pulleys that allow progressive exercises to strengthen
all muscle groups.

A typical Pilates session includes a set of controlled stretches and
movements, with participants concentrating on breathing, precision and flowing
movements. Instead of emphasizing quantity, Pilates focuses on quality --
doing a few, extremely precise repetitions.

The best way to start is to enroll in a class taught by a qualified
instructor. Success with Pilates depends on precision of movement and effort.
Proper instruction is key to knowing how to exercise and achieve the benefits.

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy
healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to
support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call
1-800-876-8633, extension 9751, (toll-free) or visit
www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.

SOURCE Mayo Clinic

Ginger Plumbo of Mayo Clinic, +1-507-284-5005 (days), 507-284-2511
(evenings), newsbureau@mayo.edu