Wednesday February 5th 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Rick Zamperin.

12:12: UCB Pharma Canada has announced the return of the UCBeyond Crohn's Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis Scholarship Program, the first and only scholarships of their kind in Canada. We’ll focus on Rheumatoid Arthritis on the program today and what the scholarship has enabled students to in terms of continuing their schooling beyond high school.
Guest: Cheryl Koehn, President of Arthritis Consumer Experts and a volunteer member of the rheumatoid arthritis scholarship selection committee. 604.974.1355

12:20: Time to whip it into shape.
Guest: Ernie Schramayr over at All Canadian Fitness. 905.548.6732

12:35: The Canadian Medical Association made a trip to Parliament Hill (yesterday) ((but for dating purposes we don’t have to say that) in light of serious shortages of doctors in this country. A clinic was set up where politicians and journalists were given a checkup.
Guest: Dr. Robert Ouellet, President Elect, CMA.

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene.

Winter Dry Skin !
Dry skin is a very common skin problem, especially in winter or when the environmental humidity is low. It can occur at all ages with or without skin problems. Everyone is familiar to some degree with the appearance of dry skin. The skin appears rough and the appearance of fish net-like cracks can occur. Dry skin can commonly affects the arms and the trunk of the body. Dermatologists often call this skin “xerosis”. Problems associated with dry skin are commonly itching, which has been reported in some cases as severe. Repeated rubbing and scratching can produce thickened, rough skin (lichenification). Dry thickened skin can cause painful cracks (fissures), which is subject to trauma, especially on the hands and feet. Dry skin and scratching can lead to dermatitis when the skin is inflamed in addition to dry and scaly. Round, scaly, itchy red patches can appear on the legs, arms and trunk (nummular eczema). The appearance of yellow crusts or pus in these areas indicates that a bacterial infection is at work and would require specific antibiotic therapy. Ok, unless we live in the rain forest what can we do? An important aspect of treatment is to identify and tackle any factors that are contributing to dry skin. Water alone (especially hot water) you would think naturally would help control the problem; however it can worsen the problem removing the natural protective skin oils to the greatest degree. An oil in a moisturizer helps trap and seal stratum corneum and makes the skin softer, smother and less likely to crack. A trick is to apply a moisturizer within 3 minutes of getting out if your show & bath. After showering and bathing quickly and gently pat the skin dry, no rubbing. Don’t get greased by the hype, a plain petroleum jelly or mineral oil moisturizer worker the best!. Use oatmeal to heal, apply to your bath as it has a calming affect.Try and not use soap if possible, if you must try and select soaps that have extra amounts of fatty substances, cocoa butter, oil or lanolin. Part of the problem of dry skin is dry heat, let a humidifier help. Keeping your house cool during winter will also help, that is because cool air has an anesthetic effect, if you heat your house too much, it makes blood vessels dilate and when dilation occurs, the itch/tingle cycle begins. It nothing seems to help, go and talk to your pharmacist, over-the-counter cortisol and anti-inflammatory products can help.

Nadine Janacek
Blog Reporter Rexall #0202