What are Skin Tags?

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By Terrie Johnson| Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Photo by Almada Studio on Pexels.com (figure 1)

Skin tags are non-cancerous growths that appear like clusters on the skin. Most adults, especially older ones, develop them as they age. The tags are harmless, painless, and do not result in medical complications. Nevertheless, they are unsightly, especially in visible areas like the face and neck. Consequently, an individual may become self-conscious. Although skin tags are harmless, they may affect someone’s self-esteem.

Although skin tags are often small, usually between 1-5 mm, they can become larger (figure 1). They appear as parts of the skin tissue extending outwards, held by a thin stalk (Tripathy et al., 2019). They occur when the extra cells on the top layer of the skin are released. Subsequently, the additional cells in skin folds form harmless growths as the skin rubs against itself. In most cases, skin tags grow in the armpits, eyelids, genitals, neck, and beneath the breasts. In general, skin tags are non-harmful growths that form on the skin due to the production of extra cells.

 An individual should contact a dermatologist for removal procedures. The skin specialist may typically remove the skin tags by freezing them with liquid nitrogen, cutting them off using sharp instruments like a scalpel, and cauterization (Syed et al., 2021). Ideally, a person may try to remove the tags at home; however, dermatologist caution against this idea because one may bleed excessively or become infected. Thus, the recommended skin tag removal procedures include freezing, cutting, and heating them.

In summary, skin tags are common in aging adults. The growths are harmless, but unsightly when they occur in visible body parts like the face and neck. They result from excess cells released by the body. The primary strategies for removing skin tags include freezing, burning, and cutting them. One should not attempt to remove them at home due to the risks of bleeding and infection.

References

Healthdirect. (2022). Skin tags (online image). https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/skin-tags

Syed, S. Y. B., Lipoff, J. B., & Chatterjee, K. (2021). Acrochordon. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448169/.

Tripathy, T., Singh, B. S., & Kar, B. R. (2019). Association of skin tag with metabolic syndrome and its components: A case–control study from Eastern India. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 10(3), 284. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_238_18.

The Power of the Banana Peel

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By Jessica Feagin | Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

One evening while sitting in a hospital waiting room while my dad was in surgery, I noticed a man rubbing a banana peel across his face and arms. Naturally, I was wondering what he was doing, so I went to Google to search for the benefits of rubbing a banana peel on the body. Surprisingly, a banana peel has several health benefits in skin care, hair health, teeth whitening, and first aid.

Banana peels can be used for skin care by rubbing it on your face to reduce wrinkles and brighten skin, reduces puffiness by placing the peel on your eyes, hydrates the skin, helps fade acne scars, treat psoriasis, and removes warts by taping a piece of ripe banana peel over the wart and leaving it there overnight. It has been suggested in the cosmetic industry to use a banana peel as an ingredient in a hair mask to make your hair softer and shinier. Natural healing practitioners also claim that rubbing a banana peel on your teeth is good for teeth and gums, and if you do that every day, it may whiten your teeth. The anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties in banana peels can be used in first aid to relieve itch due to poison ivy, bug bite, or sunburn. It can also reduce the pain from a headache by placing a frozen banana peel on the forehead and back of your neck (Frothingham, n.d.).

The vitamin B6 in banana peels combined with high levels of tryptophan in bananas can relieve symptoms of mood disorders and depression and can help improve sleep. Banana peels rich in fiber can help regulate the digestive system, relieving diarrhea and constipation. The vitamin A in banana peels can help keep your eyes healthy and strong. Eating unripe and green banana peels can help reduce cancer risk by increasing antioxidant levels (WebMD Editorial Contributors, 2020). Some ways to make a banana peel more delicious is by blending it into smoothies, baking it with cinnamon and sugar, or caramelizing it with water and sugar to use as an ice cream topping.

Do you like bananas? So before you throw your banana peel in the trash, think twice about that and think about all the health benefits and the power that is within the banana peel.

References

Frothingham, S. (2019, August 29). 23 banana peel uses: For skin care, hair health, first aid, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/banana-peel-uses

WebMD. (n.d.). Banana peel: Health benefits, nutrients, preparation, and more. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-banana-peel

Fun in the Sun-How to Protect Yourself from UV Rays

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By Amanda Benko, Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Fun in the Sun – How to protect yourself from UV Rays

Going outside is advised and beneficial to your health; however, spending an excessive amount of time in the sun might be hazardous. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions against overexposure to the sun during the summer and throughout the year (Rawstrone, 2023). Taking a few basic measures before heading out into the sun, no matter what time of year it is, may protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, which is on the rise in the United States.

The most common precaution people should take to protect their skin is to use sunscreen. It should be used generously on exposed skin areas, including the face, neck, ears, and hands. One should pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply frequently if they are sweating or swimming. Additionally, one should choose a sunscreen with a high SPF to ensure they are well protected (Sharma & Sharma, 2023). One should avoid directly looking at reflective surfaces, including water and shiny surfaces, as they reflect UV lights increasing exposure. Sunglasses can also help protect the eyes from the intense sun rays when the sun is at its peak.

When spending time outside and the sun is at its peak intensity, people should try to spend as much time as possible in the shade. This may be accomplished by taking refuge behind trees, umbrellas, or other shade-providing structures to avoid exposure to direct sunlight. In addition, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers and a hat and sunglasses to shield your face, neck, and eyes from the sun is highly recommended. Following these measures will protect you from getting too much sun, lowering your chances of becoming sunburned, aging too quickly, and developing skin cancer. So how do you protect yourself from UV rays while enjoying time in the sun?

References:

Rawstrone, A. (2023). Safe in the sun. Nursery World, 2023(5), 32-33.

Sharma, M., & Sharma, A. (2023, February). A review on nature-based sunscreen agents. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1110, No. 1, p. 012047). IOP Publishing.

What You Should Know About Adult Eczema

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com (Figure 1)

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that causes the skin to be dry and itchy. This condition reduces the skin barrier function, reducing the organ’s ability to retain moisture and protect the body from external elements. Eczema is a common problem in adults but is not contagious. Although painless, eczema results in unsightly appearances {Figure 1}, and one may develop sores after scratching the skin.

Eczema affects each person differently, and every individual diagnosed with this condition has different triggers. The primary causes of eczema include environmental elements, immune system reactions, and emotional imbalance. For example, environmental elements such as dry weather, clothing, detergents, allergens, air pollutants, and skin care products can cause eczema (Luschkova et al., 2021). In addition, an individual’s immune system may perceive small irritants as foreign invaders and activate the body’s defense mechanism, resulting in inflammation. Regarding emotional triggers, one’s mental health may result in flare-ups of eczema. For example, anxiety and depression can be common triggers in some individuals.

Concerning treatment, there is no cure for eczema; however, an individual may adopt some treatment approaches to manage the condition. One can avoid environmental eczema triggers like dry weather, soaps, and skincare products. In addition, a person may take oral antihistamines and corticosteroids to minimize inflammation and itching. Moreover, applying gentle moisturizers when experiencing dry skin can help manage eczema. Avoiding triggers, taking medications, and applying moisturizers can also help manage eczema symptoms.

To summarize, eczema is a type of dermatitis that makes the skin dry and itchy. The condition primarily results from triggers like environmental elements, immune system reactions, and emotional imbalance. Although there is no cure for eczema, an individual may adopt certain treatment plans to manage the condition. Avoiding triggers is the first-line treatment approach for eczema. Do you experience eczema? If so, what treatments worked for you?

References

Luschkova, D., Zeiser, K., Ludwig, A., & Traidl-Hoffmann, C. (2021). Atopic eczema is an environmental disease. Allergologie Select, 5, 244. https://doi.org/10.5414/ALX02258E.

National Eczema Association, (n.d). Atopic dermatitis. (Online image). https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/