In January, 2016 I launched Vibrant Dermatology as an online platform where I could share skin tips along with health and wellness advice.  Since the launch, I have connected with thousands of people through social media and have loved making these connections and helping people with their questions about skin.  Looking back through the past twelve months, I started thinking about what subjects resonated the most with my readers and have pulled together a round-up of these posts below.  So without further adieu, my top 10 posts from 2016:

Sun Safety For The Family:

PSA – Sunscreen:  This blog was published just before summer and caught the attention of many moms on Facebook.  Selecting the best sunscreen is a touchy subject.  There is a huge range of available products on the market and so many articles that offer opinions on the best sunscreen available.  One thing that I touched on in this blog post is the amount of sunscreen one should be using on a daily basis.  Many people get this wrong and aren’t using nearly enough sunscreen (a shot glass full to cover your entire body!). 

Sun Safety For Kids:  Another post about protecting our skin from the sun, this one focused on keeping the kids safety.  Skin cancer is preventable when you take measures to protect yourself (and your children) from the sun.  Children’s skin is so vulnerable and I am always extra cautious when it comes to keeping my kids safe in the sun. 

For Kids:

Eczema in Babies and Young Children:  It turns out that this is a very common concern among parents!  Dry, itchy skin can make your baby miserable and here I’ve offered up some of my best tips for treating eczema in babies and young children.  I have had personal experience with this (my daughter has suffered from eczema) so know the struggle of treating eczema. 

Eczema Versus Food Allergy:  This was a follow up blog to address the issue of eczema versus food allergies.  Many people attribute an eczema reaction to a food allergy and in this blog post I break down the differences. 

Just for Women Like You:

Hair Loss In Women:  If you’ve ever looked at the amount of hair left in your hairbrush or shower drain and wondered if maybe you are experiencing more than a normal amount of hair shed, check out this post.  Hair loss is more common among woman than one may think! 

Taking Care Of The Skin Down There:  Women were thrilled to have some advice on skin issues that can pop up in the vaginal area.  I have plenty more to share on this topic, stay tuned for part 2 of this series in 2017!

Buying Personal Care Products On Amazon:  This was one of my favorite blogs to write because the research I’ve done gives me confidence that some of our personal care products can be purchased on Amazon.  As a working mom, Amazon Prime has helped save my sanity!  The more I can purchase online (with 2 day shipping), the less I need to do on the weekends when I want to be spending time with my kids!

Cure Your Acne Once And For All:

Making The Diagnosis:  This is the original post in my series on clearing your acne.  I personally struggled with acne for years and have done a ton of research on this subject so this one is near and dear to my heart.  One thing I have learned along the way is that many people are using the wrong ingredients to treat their acne!  Diagnosing the type of acne that you have is key and in this post I walk you through how to do this. Non-Surgical Nose Job

The Best Face Wash For Acne Prone Skin:  This is part of my series on clearing your acne and offers up information on selecting the best face wash if you struggle with acne. 

Cure Your Acne Once And For All With Over The Counter Products:  Another post in my series on clearing your acne, this one covers the best over the counter products for treating acne.  Many types of acne can be treated over the counter but choosing products with the correct ingredients in important.  If you struggle with acne, you won’t want to miss any of the posts in this series.

I hope that you have enjoyed being a part of Vibrant Dermatology in 2016 and I want to thank you so much for taking this journey with me.  I am looking forward to sharing even more in 2017! 

One of my goals for 2017 is to make this blog a bit more personal.  I spend a lot of time sharing content related to various skin concerns and health topics but today, I’m starting a transition.  There will still be plenty of health, wellness, and skin-related content, mixed in with my ‘mommydoc’ lifestyle posts.  I hope that you will find these personal posts inspirational and helpful! 

As a working mother with two small children my life operates on a pretty tight schedule that has taken some time to orchestrate.  There are drop-offs, pick-ups, grocery trips, meal prep, activities, meetings, and emergencies to balance almost every single day.  My husband is also a doctor and has a long commute on top of a long day which is all a part of our ‘schedule’.

Last week we were suddenly presented with a big challenge:  our nanny was injured.  There was no notice, no backup plan, and it felt like complete chaos on Monday morning.  Add to the mix, I was on call, meaning that I was responsible for taking care of sick patients in the hospital in addition to my normal clinic activities. Hospital calls are highly unpredictable with calls coming in as early at 4 in the morning! As somebody that likes to be in control and to live by a ‘plan’, this was a shock to the system.  I powered through and survived but not without some learned lessons.

The biggest saving grace during the week was my parents.  I’m incredibly fortunate to have them living so close, and even more fortunate that they could step in to help us when we found ourselves struggling for childcare. My parents are both elderly, and I am one of six children, as a result I try to bother them as little as possible. However, life’s curve balls provide wonderful opportunities to remind us that no one can do it all, all the time.  It is ok, and absolutely necessary for my sanity,  to lean on those closest to me and ask for help when necessary. Non-Surgical Nose Job

When I realized that the nanny would not be available, I took extra steps to plan out our meals and pack lunches in the evening so that the morning rush wasn’t quite so ‘rushed’.  I find that taking ten minutes in the evening to take care of a few easy tasks while the kids are asleep makes the mornings feel less stressful.  Self-care was also planned out more carefully.  One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when we forget to take care of ourselves, things can fall apart more quickly.  I couldn’t attend my regular physical therapy sessions but made sure that I was completing my at home exercises every day and taking time to fuel my body with healthy foods.  Stress can often trigger breakouts and I find that a healthy diet and exercise helps keep me feeling grounded.

A business meeting shifted to a play-date where my son played with his friend while I chatted with a colleague about 2017 goals.  Mommies stick together!  Our meeting may not have been as focused as it would have been without two little 2 year-old boys climbing on everything in sight, but we made progress and had fun at the same time. 

My week without childcare also brought me closer to my husband. It is so easy to run through a week without connecting with a busy spouse. My husband and I really had to work as a team to get things done, which meant that he often helped with prepping the kids breakfasts before he left for work so that there was one less thing on my morning to do list. At the end of the long days, we made sure to check in with each other.

I know that the days will not always be easy and that life will not always go according to plan.  No matter how much I schedule, plan, or orchestrate, ultimately I am not the one in control and a challenge can show up at any point in time.  My week without a nanny was hectic.  It was stressful.  But at the end of the week we all survived and my husband and I realized that we have a great support system in place that allowed us to continue to move forward without everything crashing down around us.  So when nothing goes according to plan, rely on your support network (make sure that you offer up a support network for other people too!), plan around your changing circumstances, and improvise as much as possible!  Oh, and a couple glasses of wine may be helpful too!!

We are quickly approaching the holidays and I’m planning to start my shopping soon! I love finding fun gifts that support health and wellness and thought I would put together some of my top gift picks for the 2016 holiday season to share with you.

If you are looking for products to keep your skin glowing during the holidays check out the product recommendations on my website. 

HydroPeptide Gift Sets

If you have been following me for any amount of time then you know that I have a love of HydroPeptide products.  This company uses clean technology and several organic ingredients in their product line, which is very important to me. Check out these HydroPeptide gift sets (be sure to order with code ‘Doctor-Ip’ to save 15%).  I personally have used the Active & Serious Body Care Set and it is amazing.  I have my eye on the On The Go Glow set which will be great for holiday travels! 

For The Kitchen

• My morning routine almost always includes a smoothie that is loaded with berries, greens, and protein powder.  A great blender like the Ninja Professional Blender helps mix up a great smoothie.
• Another easy way to incorporate some extra fruit and vegetables into your diet is by juicing.  I personally love my Breville Juice Fountain.
• One of my favorite cookbooks is The Healthy Mind Cookbook – Rebecca Katz.  I have a variety of cookbooks from Rebecca Katz and love her focus on health and wellness with great taste and easy preparation.  You can’t go wrong with any of her cookbooks!

Books

• One of my favorite books that incorporates lots of great advice about skin care and health is Feed Your Face:  Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days. 
• I love Louise Hay and have been using her affirmations daily in my life for the last 30 days.  Positive affirmations can give you a greater sense of inner peace and strength.  This box set is a great gift for all ages. Non-Surgical Nose Job

For the bathroom

So many people don’t clean their makeup brushes on a regular basis, and this brush cleaning mat makes it so easy.  The Sigma Beauty Express Brush Cleaning Mat will help keep makeup brushes clean which helps keep skin clear. 

At the gym

Exercise is very important to me and my fitbit helps keep me on track with my daily steps.  I’ve been eyeing a pair of Bluetooth headphones and would love to see these in my stocking.   

For your winter getaways

Sunscreen is an important product to protect against skin cancer but Coolibar UPF Clothing offers protection from harmful UV Rays in a cute, fashionable way.  Stock up on these great tops before heading to the beach! 
 

Sunglasses

The eye area tends to show signs of aging before any other area on the face and a quality pair of sunglasses will help with this.  

Nails

I know how much ladies like their gel manicures but personally I worry about the UV rays that are used to harden the polish.  Check out this nail polish from Dazzle Dry that hardens without the use of UV rays.  Or pick up a pair of gloves that are designed to protect your hands from UV rays while your nail polish hardens. 

What about you?  What is on your holiday gift list this year?

Fresh home from the hospital with your new bundle of joy and you’re focus is likely almost entirely on your new baby.  Babies show up with their own list of skin-related concerns but there are a number of skin questions for mothers that can arise post-delivery and I’m here with all of the answers for you!  In general, after delivery your body is healing.  It is important to nourish yourself with nutritional food and plenty of water in the days and weeks after having a baby.  Our bodies heal from the inside out and if you aren’t providing your body with the resources it needs, healing will be a much longer process.

Delivery

C-section scars:  If you have delivered your baby via C-section you will have to focus on making sure that your surgical incision heals completely.  Your doctor will leave you with care instructions upon discharge from the hospital and it is very important to follow those instructions.  Take care when in the shower to not scrub your wound but let soapy water rinse over the area.  Most C-section incisions are mostly healed in about a week.  If you develop a fever or find that the skin around the incision is red, hard, or painful or that it starts to ooze pus, it’s time to call the doctor as these are signs of an infection. 

The scar – this is something that you can’t worry much about early on.  There will be a scar but your genetics are what determines just how dark, wide, or big that scar is going to be.  Once your incision has completely healed (about six weeks) you can begin to use scar-reducing ointments like bioCorneum plus SPF Advanced Scar Supervision (affiliate) which will help with the appearance of your scar.  If you find that these ointments are not helping there are laser options that will help. These options should be discussed with your dermatologist.  Sometimes, you can develop a hypertrophic (when the scar thickens and appears ropey) scar. If this happens, your dermatologist can help to smooth the scar out by injecting it with intralesional steroids.

Vaginal Tearing:  If you delivered your baby vaginally and required an episiotomy or had any tearing, you have a few days of tenderness ahead of you.  Minor tearing (1st degree) will heal without stitches in just a few days.  Major tearing that requires stitches will take a bit longer.  To help ease the pain, keep a squirt bottle (peri-bottle) and use warm water to pour warm water on your perineum while going to the bathroom. Cleanse the area with more warm water after and then pat yourself dry from front to back.  Twenty-four hours after delivery you can soak in a warm tub or sitz bath for 20 minutes, three times a day. 

Scarring can occur after your initial tear or cut has healed and can be painful, especially during intercourse.  You should consult with your OB-GYN for options that can help to resolve this.

Post-Delivery

Cracked Nipples: If you have cracked nipples, you will want immediate relief so that you can continue with nursing your baby with as little pain as possible. Make sure that you check your babies latch and positioning to help prevent future cracks.  There are many causes of sore, cracked nipples, including: 

• Poor latch
• Thrush, which is a yeast infection on the skin of the nipple which can also be inside the baby’s mouth
• Bacterial infection on the nipple or in the milk ducts
• A nipple bleb (a tiny white blister on the end of the nipple)
• Raynaud’s syndrome occurs when the nipple turns white after feeding and hurts as blood flows back in

If your cracked nipples are due to a poor latch, a product with lanolin will be your best friend.  Apply after you feed your baby and leave your breasts exposed as much as possible to let them dry out.  Some ladies also find hydrocolloid dressings  very helpful.  I, for one, found these to be extremely helpful and often alternated between lanolin and these dressings.  A moist nursing pad or bra presents warm air and moisture, which will not help with the healing process.  If you have corrected your latch and are still experiencing pain and cracks in your nipples, consult with a doctor who can assess your breasts and provide treatment accordingly. 

Stretch Marks:

Mid section of pregnant woman touching abdomen over white background

You probably noticed these forming as your belly grew larger and larger during pregnancy.  Stretch marks are caused by changes in the tissues that lie just beneath the skin and can range in color from pale pink to dark brown depending on your skin color.  Once the pounds start to drop these marks may begin to fade but they never go away completely.  Sadly, there is no cure for stretch marks but topical medications like Retin-A and glycolic acid may help to minimize the appearance of stretch marks.  Laser treatments can also help to restore the skin’s elasticity and change that pigmentation of the marks (so they will match the rest of your skin).

Melasma:

The “mask of pregnancy”, melasma occurs when pigment collects in excess quantities and creates a patch of skin that is irregular from your regular skin tone.  You should see this hyperpigmentation slowly fade post-delivery. However, for some women these patches of discoloration do not go away and help from a dermatologist is required.

If you have some discoloration on your skin during or after pregnancy, SPF is your best friend (honestly, this statement applies regardless of being pregnant, SPF should be applied every single day).  UV exposure is one of the key contributors to melasma so protecting your skin from the sun is very important.  There are a variety of products available over the counter that promise to lighten and brighten your skin.  In truth, many of these are moisturizers and won’t have much benefit to you.  You need the right ingredients to treat melasma:

• Hydroquinone is a powerful skin bleaching cream that produces quick results and will help to reduce the appearance of any hyperpigmentation related to pregnancy.  Many people have luck with NeoStrata Targeted Treatment HQ Skin Lightening Gel 
• Many people do not tolerate Hydroquinone well which can result in the spots darkening or becoming irritated.If you find this to be the case, stop using your Hydroquinone product immediately.  An alternative cream that does not contain Hydroquinone is Lumixyl Brightening Cream.
• A dermatologist can also treat your skin with a chemical peel which will help to reduce the appearance of any spots.

Note:  please consult with your doctor if you are breastfeeding before treating melasma

Hormonal Acne:

After delivery of your baby, progesterone and estrogen levels will rise resulting to an increase in sebum production and clogged pores.  This type of acne will typically appear on the neck, chin and lower areas of your face, ranging from mild to severe.  The bumps are generally red and painful to touch. Non-Surgical Nose Job

A product containing Benzoyl Peroxide (such as Obagi Clenziderm Therapeutic Lotion or  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment) is a safe option to treat acne when breastfeeding and will help to penetrate clogged pores.  However, if you are suffering from painful, cystic acne, this likely will not clear your skin.  A visit with the dermatologist would be recommended. 

Hormonal changes can also result in dry skin immediately following pregnancy. Be sure to stick to a mild cleanser, lots of moisturizer, and drink plenty of water.

Enjoy that new baby, and make sure to show yourself some TLC to keep your skin looking and feeling great!

Over the last few months I’ve been testing out a product from HydroPeptide and I’m so excited that this product is going to be released to the market very soon.  LumaProC is a skin brightening serum, and I’m hooked!  It reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation due to aging, sun damage, post-acne spots and “pregnancy mask”. 

12/1/2016 Update:  You can now order LumaPro-C direct from Hydropeptide.

If you have any kind of brown spots or hyperpigmentation on your skin then you have likely explored the world of skin lighteners and brighteners.  There are a number of products on the market that claim to target brown spots but the truth is that many of these products are just moisturizer.  If you truly want to minimize the appearance of brown spots you will need active ingredients that have skin lightening benefits. Harmful UV rays from the sun are the primary cause of spots so if you suffer from brown spots then SPF should be your best friend.

A large number of the skin brighteners that target brown spots contain an active ingredient called Hydroquinone.  Brown spots develop when there is an excess amount of melanin.  Hydroquinone prevents melanin from accumulating which results in brown spots gradually fading.  However, many people do not tolerate hydroquinone well.  In some cases, people who use hydroquinone excessively will develop exogenous ochronosis which will result in the skin darkening where the product was applied.  Skin lightening products that do not contain hydroquinone are often not very effective at reducing brown spots.  If you are looking for an alternative to hydroquinone, LumaProC is for you!

Every summer, regardless of how much SPF I apply I always develop mild melasma.  Certain areas of my face will darken, especially on my upper lip area.  I put LumaProC to the test this summer and applied it every morning after washing my face.  I was thrilled with the results – minimal brown spots where I tend to have very noticeable melasma.

What’s in it?  How does it work?

LumaProC combines a resurfacing peptide with the most advanced and stable forms of vitamin C and resveratrol to combat signs of aging, defend against environmental stress and revitalize the skin.  Add in eight key brightening ingredients that work to encourage skin resurfacing, prevent excess pigmentation from accumulating along with key brighteners to enhance skin luminosity and even skin tone and you have a safe, effective product that will help to minimize current brown spots and prevent new ones from forming.

This product is suitable for all skin types – even those with sensitive skin that haven’t fared well with skin brighteners and lighteners in the past should tolerate this product well.  If you are looking for a hydroquinone alternative, this is definitely worth a try.

How should I use it?

With LumaProC, I learned that a little bit goes a very long way.  One pump from the bottle will produce a pea sized amount which is enough to smooth over your face.  After washing, dry face with a soft towel and then apply LumaProC.  As it is a serum, it has a very smooth finish and applies easily.  Follow up with a moisturizer and SPF.  You could also use this product to treat brown spots on your hands, neck or other areas of your body.  I suggest applying in the morning and evening to treat stubborn brown spots and once daily for preventative treatment. Non-Surgical Nose Job

You will soon be able to purchase LumaProC direct from Hydropeptide. 

If you walk through any drug store you will find a wide variety of topical acne medications available without a prescription.  They all declare a similar message about clear skin.  If you examine the ingredients closely you will find that they all contain varying degrees of different medications and this can be very confusing.  In today’s post I’m going to cover the common acne medications that are available like Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide over the counter and provide some specific recommendations about what products work best for which types of acne.

Before we jump into this, I want to take a minute to refresh the topics that I have already covered in this blog series.  We started with the most important step – making the diagnosis.  There are four types of acne and knowing the type of acne that you have will be key in determining the best treatment options.  Next up was the best face wash for acne prone skin.  Keeping your skin clean is important and in this post we covered the types of cleansers available as well as how to properly clean your face.  The third post was all about oily skin – the cause of oil and what you can do to help control it.  If you are new here, enter your email address below and I’ll send the prior posts to you. 

Knowing the type of acne you have will help determine what products will best treat that acne.  A quick review of the four types of acne:  1) comedonal acne (non-inflammatory); 2) inflammatory acne (pustular and cystic); 3) combination acne (both comedonal and inflammatory); and 4) hormonal acne.

The two main ingredients in OTC acne medications are Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide.  This summer, the Federal Drug Administration approved adapalene (aka differin), which is a topical retinoid, for over the counter sales. This is huge in the acne world, because prior to this you usually needed a prescription to procure a retinoid.    Update: In January, 2017 Adapalene became available over the counter. Read on below for how to purchase.  If you remember back to the 2nd post in this series, we discussed these same ingredients in face washes.  It’s important to find a balance of products that will treat your acne without causing irritation.  Too much of any ingredient could leave you with dry, irritated skin. 

The ingredients

First up, Salicylic Acid.  This is probably the most common solution when it comes to treating acne.  Salicylic acid is comedolytic meaning that it helps declog blackheads and whiteheads so it’s great when treating comedonal acne.  Salicylic acid also works as a powerful exfoliator and will slough off dead skin.  Products that contain 0.5 to 2 percent salicylic acid would be recommended – anything stronger will likely cause irritation.   Salicylic acid is best used as a face wash. There are many OTC salicylic acid spot treatments, but I do not believe that spot treating acne works very well. Salicylic acid can also be used in much higher strengths in chemical peels. I use these often in my acne patients. However, these peels should be performed in a doctor’s office. Non-Surgical Nose Job

cSalicylic is an aspirin based product so if you are allergic to aspirin, products that contain salicylic acid should be avoided.  If you are looking for a face wash that contains salicylic acid to help clear up comedonal acne, I recommend Neutrogena Acne Wash or Hydropeptide Purifying Cleanser (order from Hydropeptide with code Doctor-Ip for 15% discount!). 

Next is Benzoyl Peroxide.  If you have inflammatory acne, this is the product for you. Benzoyl Peroxide unclogs pores and stops bacteria (which is the cause of inflammatory acne).  Typically available in strengths that range from 2.5% to 10%, starting with a low strength is recommended until you know how your skin will react to the product.  People often report dry skin and some slight burning or tingling when starting to use this product.  After applying the medication, I recommend using a thick cream to help retain moisture and prevent dryness.  My personal favorite is OTC benzoyl peroxide is Obagi Clenziderm Therapeutic Lotion.

Finally, a new introduction to the OTC acne treatment options is Differin. In July, 2016 the FDA approved Differin for OTC use.  Differin is a retinoid that treats mild to moderate acne. Topical retinoids are powerful comedolytics, which means that it can help knock blackheads out of the water.  They help to encourage cell turnover and reduce inflammation.  Differin is usually very effective on blackheads and whiteheads (comedonal acne) and tends to be less irritating than other prescription based retinoid treatments.  Only a small amount is needed nightly, a pea-sized amount for the entire face.   

In January, 2016 Differin was released for sale over the counter.  I’ve seen it on shelves at Target, Walgreen’s, CVS and on Amazon.com. 

Woman touching her face

If you remember back to Step 2 of the Cure Your Acne blog (The Best Face Wash For Acne Prone Skin), there are many facial cleansers that contain Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide (two of the ingredients that I’ve covered above).  The key to clearing your skin is finding the correct balance of ingredients for your skin type.  Below I’ve summarized my suggested routine for each type of acne.  Often, I find that the best combination is a gentle cleanser with treatments applied after washing.  Too much of any one ingredient could cause excessive dryness and further irritate the skin. 

• Comedonal acne – Wash with a gentle cleanser twice a day, followed by a moisturizer.  In the evening, use a pea-sized amount of a topical retinoid (Differin) before applying moisturizer.
• Inflammatory acne – Wash with a gentle cleaner and use a mild OTC benzoyl peroxide cream twice a day, followed by a moisturizer
• Combination acne – Wash with a gentle cleanser twice a day.  A mild OTC benzoyl peroxide cream can be used during the day and a topical retinoid like Differin can be used at night. After medication is applied a moisturizer should always be applied.
• Hormonal acne – A combination of products may be effective but you will likely need a hormonal remedy.

Product Recommendations

Gentle Cleanser:  Hydropeptide Cleansing Gel or Vanicream Facial Cleanser

OTC Retinoid:  Differin

OTC Benzoyl Peroxide:  Obagi Clenziderm Therapeutic Lotion or La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment

Moisturizer:  CerAve AM and Cerave PM add Vanicream if you experience excessive dryness

As with most products that are applied topically, a small amount of the drug can enter your bloodstream.  If you are pregnant or breastfeeding these products are not safe to use and should be avoided.  When starting a new treatment for acne it is important to ease into the new routine.  Start off by applying any new medications every other evening as part of your skincare routine and only increase to daily if you find that you need it.  Also, these treatments tend to be very drying so you will want to make sure you are moisturizing well when using.  My preferred facial moisturizers are Cerave AM, Cerave PM and Vanicream. 

Looking for more skin tips & advice like Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide over the counter?  Take the Clear Skin Challenge.  A free e-book filled with tips to set you on a path to clear skin.  Click here to sign up with Vibrant Dermatolog!

It’s that time of year!  In some areas kids are already returning to school and where I live, they will be heading back soon.  There are a handful of skin conditions that are quite common among school-aged children.  None of these conditions are really life threatening, but they are very contagious and can be quite time consuming and frustrating.

Educate your children on proper hygiene measures (hand washing is so important) and be sure to remind them not to share personal objects such as hats, headbands and hooded jackets.

Head Lice

This topic always makes my skin crawl.  Head lice are teeny little insects that take up residence in human hair and feed on blood from the scalp.  They are about the size of a sesame seed and spread quickly, especially when hair is worn down or hats are shared.

• Prevention is totally possible! Wear hair pulled back and rely on natural oils (ie, don’t wash hair every day) to help prevent lice. Educate your children to not share hats or other items that are worn on the head. Shampoos like So Cozy Boo! Lice Scaring Shampoo may also be effective. My daughter has long, thick hair and I encourage her to wear it pulled back as much as possible but I also pay close attention when I’m washing and brushing her hair.
• If your child does come home with head lice, take immediate action. Purchase a special lice comb and comb out each nit and lice. You also need to treat any bedding, stuffed animals, and clothing and may have been exposed to the lice. Sometimes, a prescription lice shampoo is required. Your doctor will be able to prescribe this for you.

Ring Worm

 This name often confuses people as this doesn’t actually mean that your kid has worms.  Ring worm is used to classify skin fungal infections that present as red, scaly bumps which over time may form a ring with raised, scaly borders.  Ring worm usually shows up on the body but can also present on the toes, scalp or nails.  This condition isn’t really dangerous or painful but can be incredibly itchy and will require a topical antifungal medication (oral medications are used to treat ring worm of the scalp or nails). 

Molluscum Contagiosum

A viral infection that causes a mild skin rash, Molluscum Contagiosum appears as one or more small

 bumps with a central depression that are usually pink or flesh colored and is most common in children between 1 and 12 years old.  This infection is highly contagious and can be passed through skin-to-skin contact but also by touching objects that have the virus on them.  While the infection can clear on its own (which usually take about a year, but can take up to 4 years) most doctors will recommend treatment options that can help you clear the infection faster.   

Impetigo

 One of the most common skin infections among children, impetigo produces blisters or sores in infected areas (most common on the face, neck, hands and diaper area). Impetigo spreads easily through direct contact and through contact with other items that have touched infected skin.  The infection can also be spread to other parts of the body by scratching and is more likely to develop when there is a sore or rash already present.  Impetigo is treated with antibiotic ointments, although in some cases an oral antibiotic may be required.  It is important to keep infected areas clean and covered to aid in healing and prevent spreading.  Impetigo is more common in kids who play sports, particularly contact sports like wrestling. Sometimes students may be temporarily asked to stop playing a sport if they are found to have impetigo, because it is so contagious.

Keep an eye out for any rough patches of skin that are particularly itchy or irritated.  Child eczema is a very common cause of irritated skin but it is always possible that there is something being passed around the classroom.  When irritated skin persists, a visit to the doctor is important to help prevent any disease from spreading and to help limit the amount of pain your child might be experiencing.  If your child is diagnosed with a contagious condition, notify the school so that items in the classroom can be sanitized and other parents can be notified.

As always, feel free to share your comments or questions below, or email me at info@vibrantdermatology.com.

Image Sources:

Head Lice – http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/head-lice/multimedia/head-lice/img-20007669

Ring Worm – http://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm

Molluscum Contagiosum – http://www.healthline.com/health/molluscum-contagiosum

Impetigo – http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/impetigo/home/ovc-20202557