Human Skin Information Portal For Professionals

As summer nears, self-examinations a major key in detecting melanoma

By STEVE EIGHINGER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

It is no accident May has been termed National Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Summer is right around the corner, and for many that translates into chances for overexposure to the sun and its ultraviolet rays. Many cancer-related agencies are cranking out the warnings prior to summer officially arriving, especially since a recently released study indicates a significant increase in melanoma in those 18 years and older.

Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is often traced to the skin receiving too much ultraviolet light from the sun and/or tanning booths.

"Fortunately, mortality is decreasing because of earlier diagnosis, due to increased awareness of skin self-exams," Glori Traeder, a certified nurse practitioner at Quincy Medical Group, said. "When in doubt, check it out."

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans developing a skin cancer in their lifetime. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.

Protection and common sense are two of the best deterrents to skin cancer. Use sunscreen, wear extra clothing for protection for the skin, don a brimmed hat during the hottest hours of the day and avoid longer-than-needed exposures to the sun. Sunglasses also are advised.

Quincy resident Rachel Peterson is a major proponent of skin protection. Her family has a history of melanoma, and she's a firm believer in wearing brimmed hats, extra clothing and sun screen.

"We're an outdoorsy type of family, and I know the importance of protection," Peterson said. "My mother and father both had melanoma."

Peterson, 42, is a native of the Philippines with a darker-than-average complexion. Her husband, Mike, is fair-skinned. Both spend considerable time outside, whether it is tending to their plot in the Quincy Park District Community Garden on North Eighth, biking or running.

"My father was an agriculturist in the Philippines, so I spent a lot of time in rice paddies (and outdoors), and my husband is a long-distance runner," she said. "We always have (sunscreen). I usually like to have long sleeves, too."

A key in the battle against skin cancer is continued self-examination.

"Get a suspicious lesion checked out, no matter where on the body it is located," Traeder said.

Early detection makes successful treatment more likely.

If a mole or freckle has any of the dreaded "ABCDEs" -- Asymmetry, irregular Borders, Color changes, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, Evolving mole that grows or changes shape or color -- see a doctor.

Dr. Ethan Philpott, a board certified plastic surgeon at QMG, believes men can be the most stubborn about getting potentially dangerous spots checked out. That's why they are twice as likely to develop skin cancer -- fewer exams, less sunscreen use and more unprotected exposure to the sun.

"Men are less apt to seek treatment in a timely fashion for unusual skin lesions, even when it appears in obvious places, like the face and ears," Philpott said. "Thus, they typically need more surgery due to advanced skin cancer."

According to the Melanoma.com website, melanoma most often shows up in men on the upper body, between the shoulders and hips, and on the head and neck. In women, melanoma often develops on the lower legs.

In dark-skinned people, melanoma often appears under the fingernails or toenails, on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.

-- seighinger@whig.com/221-3377

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN

When To Apply Sunscreen:
• Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before being in the sun (for best results) so that it can be absorbed by the skin and less likely to wash off when you perspire.
• Remember to reapply sunscreen after swimming or strenuous exercise.
• Apply sunscreen often throughout the day if you work outdoors, and wear hats and protective clothing.

How To Apply Sunscreen:
• Shake well before use to mix particles that might be clumped up in the container. Consider using the new spray-on or stick types of sunscreen.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen. As a rule of thumb, use an ounce (a handful) to cover your entire body.
• Use on all parts of your skin exposed to the sun, including the ears, back, shoulders, and the back of the knees and legs.
• Apply thickly and thoroughly.
• Be careful when applying sunscreen around the eyes.

What To Look for When You Buy Sunscreen:
• Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Read product labels. Look for a waterproof brand if you will be sweating or swimming. Buy a nonstinging product or one specifically formulated for your face.
• Buy a brand that does not contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) if you are sensitive to that ingredient.
• Try a sunscreen with different chemicals if your skin reacts badly to the one that you are using. Not all sunscreens have the same ingredients.
• Use a water-based sunscreen if you have oily skin or are prone to acne.
• Be aware that more expensive does not mean better. Although a costly brand might feel or smell better, it is not necessarily more effective than a cheaper product.
 • Be aware of the expiration date, because some sunscreen ingredients might degrade over time.

— Center for Disease Control and Protection

Article source: http://www.whig.com/story/18563325/as-summer-nears-self-examinations-a-major-key-in-detecting-melanoma

Glitter and bare skin at Vienna’s City Hall

VIENNA –  Some were hot Saturday at Vienna's Life Ball, a glitzy mega-party at Vienna's City Hall staged to raise funds for fighting AIDS. And some were not.

Musicians beating steel drums with flaming batons, and fire eaters spewing tongues of flames were among those sweating at the mega-event, watched by tens of thousands of gawkers pressed against restraining barriers. Then there were the hundreds of revelers with goose bumps — those wearing little more than glitter, a few strategically placed feathers or body paint that provided little warmth on a chilly May evening.

"It's a bit brisk, but I don't mind," said a woman clad in a gauzy see-through toga leaving little to the imagination who identified herself only as Babsi from Austria's Voralberg province. "I have to wear a pants-suit or business dress on Monday."

For each under-dresser there was someone so elaborately costumed that each step appeared hazardous. Some nearly tripped on heavy hooped skirts or outrageously high stiletto heels. Others repeatedly adjusted highly piled powdered wigs that threatened to slip and block their vision. Still others who paid up to 150 euros — nearly $200 — for a scarce ticket — wore tuxedos or tails.

But there were no jeans, t-shirts or cutoffs — "style police" were on hand to make sure everyone was clad suited to the occasion.

Other excesses were in abundance. Against the backdrop of an elaborate light show, musicians seated at 20 grand pianos — one for each of the 20 years the ball has been held — pounded out a Chopin polonaise as dignitaries made their grand entrance down the gigantic magenta carpet stretching from the City Hall steps all the way across the square in front of the neo-Gothic building.

They were preceded by hundreds of costume-clad figures, their hands and heads weighed down by gigantic plastic candles in memory of AIDS victims.

"The rest of the world should be grateful to Austria," declared former U.S. President Bill Clinton, one of the celebs associated with the fight against the HIV virus who attended the event. Clinton told the crowd he would donate the check he received for his appearance to his foundation which focuses on preventing the births of children with AIDS in developing countries.

"You are saving their lives, and I want to thank you," he told the Life Ball organizers.

Other international guests included actress-model Mila Jovovich, supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Antonio Banderas and fashion designers Angela Missoni and Eva Cavalli .

The celebrities and other guests left the non-paying crowd outside after the more than three-hour opening ceremony, moving inside the festively decorated City Hall to sip on champagne, dance to hot music and nosh at sumptuous buffets until dawn.

Article source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/05/19/glitter-and-bare-skin-at-vienna-city-hall/

Skin cancer survivor warns against tanning

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 8,700 people die each year from skin melanoma. One local woman lost a year of her life to the cancer, and now she's speaking out to teach others about exposure to the sun.

Every day people go to tanning salons. We see celebrities sporting bronzed skin, and, most recently, there has been a debate over how tan is too tan?

For Toledoan Amanda McNamee, any exposure is too much. At least that's her new motto. Four years ago, McNamee was 31, working full time and enjoying life. Then her world came crashing down.

She discovered a mole on her face and was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma.

"My mom was with me, and I was in complete shock," says Amanda. "You know what melanoma is, and it's life or death."

Doctors immediately scheduled surgery to remove the mole and cut into her neck to see if the cancer had spread.

"Once they found out it had spread, i had to go back into surgery to get all the lymphnoids taken out, and then I did a year of Interferon," says Amanda. "I was in bed for a whole year."

"It's one of those diseases that other people get, and when your best friend gets it, it hits home," says Amanda's best friend, Ali Schroeder.

Ali grew up with Amanda. She remembers the pair spending every summer soaking up the sun.

"I can remember in high school we would lay out for hours on end," she says. "The goal was to get tan."

Now it's something Amanda wishes she could take back, and she hopes others learn from her mistake.

"Now I don't lay in the sun," says Ali. "Haven't been in a tanning bed since Amanda went through this. The tan in the can, as I like to call it."

"You're pretty being pale," Amanda says to others as a warning. "You don't have to be like me. for the rest of my life, I have to worry if I'm going to get melanoma again."

Today, Amanda is cancer free. While the scars remains, she is simply happy to be alive.

On Sunday, hundreds will celebrate safe outdoor fun with the "Proud to be Pale" melanoma walk. Registration for the walk starts at 10 a.m. at Olander Park in Sylvania.

Article source: http://www.13abc.com/story/18563018/2012/05/19/skin-cancer-survivor-warns-against-tanning

Battling skin discolouration

PUNE: Vishakha (name changed) won the hearts of her in-laws soon after marriage with her culinary skills.

But the good times lasted only till her skin began to lose pigmentation which doctors diagnosed as vitiligo. Chalky white patches surfaced on her hands and soon on her face.

Her in-laws wanted their son to desert her as they thought 'kod' (vitiligo or leucoderma) was contagious and would pass on to others, even the next generation.

Her parents would not take her back as they thought it would mar the marriage prospects of their other daughters. Her condition and the lack of support led Vishakha into depression.

Lakhs in India suffer from this condition, and though is not contagious, painful, itchy or dangerous, what it does to the skin can cause damage socially, psychologically and professionally.

The disorder is characterised by white patches on the skin. It is not present at birth and may show up between the ages of 10 and 30 in about half the people who get it.

"Although vitiligo is a cosmetic skin problem, those affected may slip into depression, even contemplate suicide. People must be educated about vitiligo not being a disease but a skin condition that can be treated. It does not spread through contact," senior skin specialist Vidyadhar Sardesai said. He has been treating people with vitiligo for 20 years.

According to him, women with vitiligo are treated badly. "If young women develop the skin condition before marriage, their chances of getting married become remote, and if it develops after marriage, they face marital problems, often resulting in divorce and ostracism," Sardesai said. He is the president of the Indian association of dermatologists, venereologists and leprologists, Pune branch that has 130 members.

His colleague in the profession Yashawant Tawade said school-going children with vitiligo are also ostracised.

"There were instances when such children were not given any part in the school's cultural programmes. It makes them diffident," Tawade said.

Educated people from urban areas are more biased about people with vitiligo, he added.

"Many matrimonial advertisements carry informaiton about girls with white patches. A person with vitiligo marrying another person with vitiligo is medically not recommended as there is a slightly higher chance of it passing on to the next generation," Tawade said.

But matches with people not having vitiligo are rare, he added. He has written a book "Vitiligo" for post-graduate medical students specialising in dermatology.

People with vitiligo find employment with difficulty. "Even if only one person in the family has vitiligo, the social stigma affects all the members," he added.

Better treatments may be on the way. Surgical treatment of vitiligo has advanced in the last few years. "The results are encouraging and patients must not lose hope," experts said.

One such modality is melanocyte (melanin producing cells) implantation. A patient's pigment cells are taken from normal skin and implanted onto the depigmented or vitiligo affected skin.

"This is especially useful for large patches where the conventional treatment of skin grafting was a bit difficult as well as cumbersome. The treatment is available in Pune," Sardesai said.

For localised non-spreading vitiligo, medical treatment gives good results. "Besides, phototherapy with narrow band ultra-violet B light and laser therapy with excimer laser also gives good results in widespread and localised vitiligo respectively," Sardesai said.

Proper diet rich in anti-oxidents which can be gained from fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, a good lifestyle free of stress also aids in controlling the skin condition.

What is vitiligo ?

Vitiligo or Leucoderma is not a disease per se. It is an auto-immune disorder. Melanocycles or cells producing melanin pigment sometimes gradually decrease in number leading to white patches on the skin. This de-pigmentation of the skin does not affect other organs of the body. Cosmetic disfigurements and fear of hereditary transmission has attached an undue social stigma to this disorder. Vitiligo is not a contagious disease and it does not affect physical and mental capability of a person in any manner. Many people having vitiligo have gained prominence in various walks of life.

Facts

* According to experts, vitiligo occurs worldwide with an overall prevalence of 1 to 2 per cent, and its incidence ranges from 0.1 to 8.8 per cent in different countries.

* The highest incidence of vitiligo has been recorded among the people of the Indian subcontinent.

* The plight of those afflicted with vitiligo is made worse in India by certain religious beliefs associated with the condition.

* Ancient texts refer to the disorder as shweta kushta (white leprosy), a variation of leprosy.

* These misnomers have virtually pushed vitiligo-affected persons to the edge.

* The Tamil Nadu government issued a landmark order in 2010 making it clear that the terms ven kushtam and ven kuttam - both meaning white leprosy and hitherto wrongly used as the Tamil equivalents of vitiligo - should be abandoned forthwith.

Shweta Association: A support group

Shweta Association is a Vitiligo Support Group. Considering a person with vitiligo and his/her emotional, psychological, social and day-to-day needs, 'Shweta' takes holistic approach to resolve issues. It provides a common platform for such people to discuss their problems, to exchange views, to learn scientific facts about the disorder and above all to improve their self-image.

Social workers, skin specialists (dermatologists), psychiatrists, pathologists, ophthalmologists, genetic counselors, beauticians are involved with "Shweta".

"People suffering from this problem should join us. All those who want to work for this cause must help us," general surgeon Maya Tulpule, founder president of Shweta Association, said.

The support groug has 2000 people with vitilogo as its members.

Shweta Association also runs the marriage bureau for people with vitiligo and also provides pre and post marriage counselling for people with vitiligo.

The association members can be contacted on 020-25458760/maya.tulpule@gmail.com. The association will hold public awareness programme on vitiligo at Dr Nitu Mandke IMA House, Tilak road at 5 pm on Sunday.

Article source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Battling-skin-discolouration/articleshow/13308618.cms

Fruits for your skin and hair

Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain tells you which fruits to pick for your skincare treatments

Fruits have always been considered a rich source of fibre and vitamins. In fact fruit packs are also used in high end beauty salons. You too can experience the benefits by taking heed of these tips. Read on to find out which fruits should be a part of your daily skincare
routine.

Banana
Banana is extremely nourishing for the skin, because it contains Vitamins B and C and is a rich source of potassium. In fact, potassium helps to soften the skin. It also tightens and tones the skin. Bananas can be made into a pulp and applied on the skin, or added to face
packs.

Apples
Apples are wonderful skin toners, helping to tighten the skin and stimulate blood circulation to the skin surface. Apples also have anti-oxidant properties. Raw apple pulp or apple juice can be applied on the skin daily. Apple cider vinegar has great benefits for the
hair, helping to restore the normal balance of the scalp and preventing scalp problems, including dandruff.

Papaya
Papaya contains papain, an enzyme. Papaya is useful for removing dead skin cells and may be applied on the face and body. It also helps to lighten skin colour if used regularly over a period of time. Ripe papaya pulp can be applied on the face, or can be mixed with other
ingredients like oatmeal, curd and honey to make face masks. Papaya pulp mixed with curd can be applied on the body.

Mango
The mango is rich in Vitamins A and C, which helps in toning and rejuvenating the skin. It helps to delay the visible signs of ageing of the skin, and also has a softening effect on it. Mango pulp can be applied on the face to keep the skin soft and supple. It is suited to
all skin types. It is an anti-oxidant and used regularly, it can reverse oxidation damage.

Orange
Like lemons, the orange is also rich in Vitamin C. The fruit pulp can be included in fruit masks. Orange peels can also be collected and dried in the sun, then ground into a powder and added to face masks. It has a cleansing and gradual skin lightening effect. Orange juice
can also be added to masks for the face and hands. In fact, raw orange and lemon peels can be rubbed on the nails to remove discolouration. Orange peels rubbed regularly on the hands can help to lighten skin colour and also tighten the skin.

Strawberries
Strawberries are powerful anti-oxidants and therefore help to prevent oxidation damage, which leads to ageing signs, like lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, etc. In fact, they also strengthen the supportive tissues and keep the skin youthful. Apples are rich in Vitamin C and thus beneficial for the skin, as Vitamin C keeps the skin healthy. Crush them and apply on the face, for a fruit pack. Leave on for 20 minutes and then wash off with plain water. They can be mixed with other fruits too. Or, mix crushed strawberries with curd and apply on the face. It will lighten skin colour over a period of time.

Grapefruit
Like other citrus fruits, grapefruit also has a cleansing and toning effect on the skin. It is particularly good for oily and pimple prone skin. It reduces oiliness and also helps to reduce tan over a period of time. Grapefruit also helps oily skin problems like open pores and helps to tighten them. Apply the fruit or juice on the skin and wash off after 20 minutes.

Cherries
Cherries contain vitamins and minerals, which help to nourish the skin. They have anti-inflammatory effects and help to heal and soothe irritated skin. They also help in cases of sun-damage and exposure to UV rays.

Pomegranate
It has excellent benefits for skincare, as it helps to moisturise the skin and is a powerful antioxidant. It helps to improve the skin's moisture retention ability too. It is said to boost the process of cell renewal and thus helps to delay the formation of skin ageing signs. Used regularly on the face, it can remove tan, lighten skin colour and also brighten the skin.

Watermelon
Watermelon helps dry skin. It helps to seal in moisture and keeps the skin hydrated. It also helps to soothe and improve dry, scaly skin. Applying watermelon pulp or juice helps to soften and smoothen the skin.

melissa.dcosta@timesgroup.com

Article source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/Fruits-for-your-skin-and-hair/articleshow/13297767.cms

Melanoma a Big Threat to Older Men

FRIDAY, May 18 (HealthDay News) -- Older men have an increased risk of developing melanoma, but most are careless about sun protection and do not know how to properly check themselves for signs of skin cancer, a new survey reveals.

This is particularly worrisome because nearly 132,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2012, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which conducted the online poll.

"This survey demonstrates that many men do not protect themselves from the sun when outdoors and that some still believe that sun exposure is good for their health. This is a very troubling combination in light of the fact that the major risk factor for melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet light," dermatologist Dr. Thomas Rohrer, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine, said in an academy news release.

Just 29 percent of men report always protecting their skin outside, the national survey showed. Meanwhile, 43 percent of women take the necessary precautions.

Moreover, 39 percent of men said they preferred to simply enjoy the sun and not worry about how to protect themselves from its harmful rays, compared with 28 percent of women.

Although 59 percent of women said they know how to examine their own skin for signs of cancer, the study also showed that just 46 percent of the men surveyed knew how this should be done.

"Men need to examine their skin and see a dermatologist if they spot anything changing, bleeding or growing," Rohrer said.

Fortunately, the researchers noted, the five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is diagnosed and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.

"The survey results should serve as a wake-up call to men to be vigilant about protecting their skin from sun exposure and examining their skin regularly for skin cancer," Rohrer concluded. "Loved ones can assist by examining their partners' skin and noting anything suspicious. These exams are vital since the early detection of skin cancer helps save lives."

The academy is distributing public service announcements to television, cable and radio stations nationwide to help raise awareness on how people can protect themselves from skin cancer.

More information

The American Cancer Society has more about skin cancer.

 

-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas

SOURCE: Academy of Dermatology, news release, May 14, 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Article source: http://www.philly.com/philly/health/HealthDay664763_20120518_Melanoma_a_Big_Threat_to_Older_Men.html?cmpid=138896554

Flaming beach rock victim has undergone two skin-graft surgeries

The woman recovering from second- and third-degree burns after rocks she picked up at San Onofre State Beach ignited in her pocket said she feels grateful to be alive and expressed thanks to all those who helped her.

She said she has undergone two painful surgeries to have skin grafts to her injured leg.

"We know bad things happen to many people," Lyn Hiner told the Orange County Register. "I'm thankful God carried us through this. That Jason, the deputy, the firefighters and the doctors, the hospital staff and our friends and family have all been with us. I know there are patients here that are going through a lot more than I am. I'm grateful it wasn't the girls and that it didn't happen on the freeway on our drive home."

She is also describing the freak incident.

"We were talking about who was going to pick up the babysitter," Lyn Hiner told ABC's "Good Morning America" in an interview from her hospital bed. "And all of a sudden something hot on my leg just sort of started to bother me, so I started thinking it was a bug bite so I started slapping it and the next thing I know my pants were on fire."

When the rocks fell to the floor of her San Clemente house, they continued to burn the wood, she said. Her husband's hands were also burned as he tried to help her, and the "rocks were still smoking when firefighters took them to the hospital," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Marc Stone said.

Authorities from the county health agency said two of the rocks contained a "phosphorus substance," a chemical element that can be highly flammable.

Rob Hiner, who appeared on the show alongside his wife, described the fire as a "bright, intense flame."

Article source: http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/lanowblog/~3/TQjXgit46zg/flaming-beach-rock-victim-has-undergone-2-surgeries.html

Do You Need An Intravenous Infusion for Glowing Skin?

There have been several recent reports in the media of intravenous infusions of different solution or fluids used to enhance one's appearance or performance. One report was of amino acid intravenous drips used to improve test-taking ability by Asian students. In the US, infusions have been reportedly used by celebrities to impart a youthful, glowing and dewy appearance of their skin. Other reports are of an Intensive VitaInfusion Facial consisting of Vitamins C and B as well as magnesium and calcium, again to improve the skin's appearance and to provide energy boost.

I was really stunned to learn about these infusions. Sometimes I wonder what people will come up with next. I think that the trend of intravenous infusions is potentially very dangerous. Intravenous infusions should only be given in a medical setting and for a real medical problem. The two most common reasons to give an intravenous infusion are to re-hydrate a dehydrated person or to administer antibiotics or other medications to someone who is ill.

An intravenous infusion involves, first, inserting a small catheter through the skin into a vein, and then inserting plastic tubing into the catheter to allow fluid to drip into the vein. Even in a hospital setting, there are concerns about the possibility of an infection involving the skin, the vein into which the catheter is inserted, or the blood stream. A blood stream infection can be catastrophic and result in death. A skin or vein infection may result in hospitalization and the need for antibiotics.

As for the Intensive VitaInfusion Facial, which purportedly gives the body a vitamin boost though both internal, intravenous vitamins and external vitamins applied to the skin, you can get similar benefits by taking a multi-vitamin tablet with vitamin B and C, daily, and eating a healthy balance diet (without the risk of infection). Fortunately, neither vitamin would pose a danger because each would be excreted through the urine so dangerously high levels would not occur. The infusion also includes calcium and magnesium which do, unfortunately, have potential side effects. According to the medical literature, magnesium intoxication could result in serious consequences such as a decrease in blood pressure, paralysis, and cardiac and central nervous system depression. Excessive calcium could result in a decrease in blood pressure. They should definitely be avoided in this type of setting.

As for amino acid infusions, they are used in medicine for people who are unable to eat or drink (think coma or on a respirator) and thus, cannot maintain adequate nutrition. If you can eat or drink, you do NOT need this infusion. Will the infusion make you smarter and do better on an important test? Only studying hard will do that. What about radiant skin? If you want glowing, dewy skin, which the infusion promises, drinks a glass or water, or two.

Dr. Susan B. Taylor

Follow Dr. Susan Taylor on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/Societygirl932

Article source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-susan-taylor/intravenous-infusion-facial_b_1510805.html

Teen recovering after almost losing her life due to rare skin reaction

Meg Farris / Eyewitness News
Email: mfarris@wwltv.com | Twitter: @megfarriswwl

NEW ORLEANS - The story of a local teen girl, whose life changed forever when she had a rare skin reaction, possibly from taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, touched many of our viewers. Well now, it's been a year since she almost lost her life, and a lot has happened since.

As the senior class of St. Mary's Academy marches in to Pomp and Circumstance, there's anticipation and excitement in the Bindom family. Graduations are always special for loved ones, but this one is different. It almost didn't happen.

Last summer after her junior year, the burn unit at Baton Rouge General Hospital was Jasmin Bindom's home. The skin on her entire body looked like major burns. Her hair and nails were gone. Her body, three times its size and she was breathing on a ventilator. Doctors put her in a coma.

"Jasmin say when she was sedated, she would have these weird dreams and she would yell for me and call for me and I wasn't there and I couldn't hold her. I couldn't take her hand or anything," her mother Patricia Bindom cried when we talked to her in September.

"Well I never, ever thought that it would be something like this. I just thought it was chicken pox or something, I guess, or an allergic reaction," Jasmin said back in September.

What happened to Jasmin is called TEN (toxic epidermal necrolysis), the most aggressive form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Your own immune system literally attacks the outer layer of skin. It was the worst case doctors had seen. In some cases, antibiotics are the cause. In Jasmin's case, was it the Extra Strength Tylenol or Motrin she took, or did she have a virus? Doctors are not sure. Half of the time, the cause is never known.

When our first story ran in November, Jasmin was uncomfortable in public, or letting you see her face. But with the help of dedicated friends and family, her sister Daphne, the nuns and teachers at St. Mary's Academy, and doctors who began treating her scars and skin, Jasmin's spirit is coming back.

"I'm happy. When I look at her sometimes I cry. And I told her today, I wasn't going to cry. She asked me and I said I wasn't going to cry. But just the principle or just to see this child fighting to survive and to see her today walking and talking and laughing and doing everything she once did before this all happened, it's amazing. It's a blessing," said Patricia through tears last week.

Jasmin had to catch up in school. This fall, she's going to the University of Southern Mississippi, rooming with some high school friends. At times she's confident enough to go without her wig and makeup. Now, at only 17, she feels called to heal others.

"Well at first, before this happened, I wanted to be a anesthesiologist but like, since all this stuff happened with my skin, I just decided to be a dermatologist," said Jasmin.

WWL-TV viewers, her school and church, St. Joseph the Worker, put on fundraisers for her enormous medical bills. Bikers did a ride. People donated to an account in her name at Regions Bank. Admiration came from complete strangers who saw her in public. Patricia remembers one student from Ursuline Academy who stopped them while they were out shopping.

"Tears was falling from her eyes and she said, 'Jasmin, you are such an inspiration to me. You are such an inspiration to me.' And she just started crying and crying and she hugged Jasmin. I have never ran across anyone that treated my child differently. Never. And that was one of the things that I did fear," said her mother.

Thursday night was a time for celebration of an accomplishment in the face of great adversity, when a beautiful, young woman walked across the stage in front of hundreds.

"Miss Jasmin Renee' Bindom," called out the commencement announcer as the crowd cheered and clapped loudly while Jasmin got her diploma.

It's hard to believe among all of this pomp and circumstance now that Jasmin has that diploma in her hands and a future ahead of her, that it was just one year ago this May that she lay in a coma in a burn unit fighting for her life.

"Just a true blessing. Again, it's going to be a remarkable day for her and also the family and all the people that supported her through all this. I just want to say thank you to everyone that's been a support," said her father David Bindom.

Nationally known dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth McBurney will treat Jasmin's scarred skin in Slidell. She has hope, but there are limitations.

"I think she understands this that the scars are not going to be completely gone. What we're hoping to do is flatten them out to make them smooth,but she will still have scars on all of these areas, they just won't be these raised, red, tender, painful nodules that she has now," said Dr. McBurney who is the past president of both the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the Women's Dermatologic Society.

Jasmin also keliods. Her body makes too much scar tissue when healing. Dr. McBurney plans to use the CO2 and Pulsed Dye Lasers as well as steroid injections on the scars while Jasmin is under anesthesia. Her hair is coming back but she is not sure all of her pigment will. But there is a new treatment being used in Great Britain that decreases the formation of keloid tissue called Avotermin. So Dr. McBurney hopes to get Jasmin in that clinical trial since it is not available in the U.S.

"It's very exciting work and it's really the first thing that has come out in recent years that makes a significant difference with scars," said Dr. McBurney.

When asked if she believes in her heart that she will have a full, normal life and career and a family one day, Jasmin answers, "Yeah. I didn't think it would happen but now I do. Now that I go to dermatologists and they tell me things are going to get better."

Before the girls march out of the gym, they sing the school's alma mater.

Medical Watch has been in touch with Jasmin's insurance company, Blue Cross of Illinois. She was just given approval for all of the laser treatments. They will begin in June. She will need three to six treatments that will also help with pain and restore movement and function.

You can donate to her health-care fund called "Team Jasmin SJS" at any Regions Bank.

For more on SJS, go to http://www.sjsupport.org/.www.sjsupport.org/

For a list of antibiotics and other medications that are associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and TEN, go to http://www.mediafact.com/sjs/drug-list.php.

 

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Article source: http://www.wwltv.com/news/health/Teen-on-the-road-to-recovery-after-almost-losing-her-life-due-to-rare-skin-reaction-152118665.html