September 11, 2013

Introducing: Farmhouse Fresh!

McLean Dermatology is proud to announce that we now carry Farmhouse Fresh products in our office.

Each Farmhouse Fresh product is made with 90-99% natural and naturally-derived ingredients. Everything they make is Paraben and Sulfate FREE. Man
y of their products are also Vegan and Gluten FREE.

Not to mention, they smell so good you could almost eat them!


To learn more about these awesome products visit their website and stop by the office to pick up yours today!









Cleaning Pacifiers with Spit Reduces Later Risk of Eczema


Did you know that cleaning your child’s pacifier with your own saliva may reduce the likelihood that they’ll develop eczema and allergies later on? While it may sound like nasty business, researchers in Sweden reported that an infant’s immune system against eczema, allergies, and asthma is stimulated when parents introduce gut microflora onto the pacifier through their spit. This system works because of the exchange of oral bacteria from parent to child who then swallows the bacteria, which in turn helps to regulate the development of tolerance in their gut.

The study* was conducted among 136 children, all of whom used pacifiers during the first six months. Out of the 136 children, 65 of them had parents who sucked on the pacifiers to clean them. After 18 months, the researchers found that the likelihood of eczema and asthma were reduced in the children who sucked on spit-cleaned pacifiers. This effect held for eczema through the age of 3. It is important to note that spit cleaning had no effect on the transmission of respiratory illnesses from parent to child.

Children also receive these immune system-boosting gut microbes when they pass through the birth canal during a natural vaginal birth. Considering this, researchers recommend that parents who delivered through a cesarean section should at least lick their child’s pacifier because these children are more likely to develop allergies than those delivered by natural birth.

(Journal of Drugs in Dermatology – May 2013)



*http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/04/30/peds.2012-3345.abstract


September 6, 2013

Attention Tylenol Users!


Acetaminophen, brand name Tylenol (amongst others), is a common household drug used to relieve aches, pains and fevers. However, if you develop a rash, blister or any other kind of skin reaction while taking acetaminophen you should stop taking the drug and seek medical attention immediately. This past August the FDA issued a safety announcement stating that acetaminophen poses a risk for three rare but potentially fatal skin disorders; Toxic epidermal necrolysis (where the top layer of skin detaches from the lower layers of skin), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a minor form of toxic epidermal necrolysis), and Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (pustules on the skin). Typical symptoms include a burning rash, skin pain, dryness of the eyes, blistering of the lips, a cough with mucus, a headache or joint paint. If you or your child display any of these symptoms while taking acetaminophen it is important to STOP taking the medication and go to the nearest ER.