Enforcing COVID-19
Facemask Policies in the Physician's Office
Recently, some medical practices have reported an increasing number of patients who are resisting or refusing to comply with the practice's COVID-19 facemask policies. As a result, many medical practices are reevaluating their COVID-19 facemask policies and how to enforce them.
What is the current CDC guidance on facemasks for medical practices?
While the CDC continues to generally recommend the implementation of COVID- 19 safety measures (e.g., facemasks, physical distancing and COVJD-19 screening measures), the CDC recommends medical practices and other healthcare settings review community transmission rates to determine which safety measures to implement.
With respect to facemasks, the CDC advises that it is generally safest to implement universal use of source control (i.e., facemasks) for everyone in a healthcare setting, including heqlthcare personnel, patients and visitors. Notwithstanding, certain allowances can be considered for individuals who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses in healthcare facilities located in counties with low to moderate community transmission. Such allowances may include permitting healthcare personnel who are up to date with all recommended COV/D- 19 vaccine doses to choose not to wear facemasks when they are in well-defined areas that are restricted from patient access, or to allow patients or visitors who are up to date with all recommended COVJD-19 vaccine doses and are not suspected of having COVID-19 (based on symptom and exposure history) to choose not to wear facemasks when in single-person rooms or other designated areas when others are not present.
Currently, the only Michigan county with low or moderate community transmission rates is Presque Isle County. All other Michigan counties have substantial or high COVID-19 community transmission rates. Current CDC COVID-19 guidance for medical practices is available here. Medical practices should continue to monitor for updates to the CDC’s guidance on facemasks and other COVID-19 safety measures.
Should medical practices eliminate facemask requirements for patients, visitors and staff?
No. Even if a medical practice is located in a county with low or moderate COVID-19 community transmission rates, consideration should be given to COVID-19 and other workplace safety standards enforced by OSHA. While OSHA has withdrawn its non-record keeping portions of the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS), OSHA continues to strongly encourage all healthcare employers to continue to implement the ETS’s requirements, including requiring facemasks, in order to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19. In addition, while OSHA is currently developing a final COVID-19 standard for the healthcare industry, OSHA retains the ability to enforce the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to keep a workplace free from recognized hazards known to cause death or serious injury.
Why are facemasks required at some medical practices and optional at other medical practices?
At this time, there is no state or federal law, regulation or order that expressly requires the use of facemasks in medical practices. For this reason, while some medical practices have continued to require facemasks as part of their COVID-19 safety measures, other medical practices have implemented policies which require facemasks only in certain circumstances (e.g., if a patient, visitor or staff member is unvaccinated) or which make facemasks optional regardless of vaccination status or community transmission rates.
Notwithstanding, to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19, guidance from the CDC and OSHA continue to recommend and encourage facemasks in healthcare facilities and other healthcare settings. In addition, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to recommend wearing facemasks during surge and post-surge recovery phases of the COVID-19 cycle, particularly in high-risk congregate settings, such as healthcare facilities.
While medical practices should implement COVID-19 policies which best meets the needs of their practice, MSMS continues to recommend medical practices implement policies which provide the greatest amount of safety for patients, physicians and other healthcare personnel, as well as the least amount of risk for medical practices consistent with applicable laws, regulations and available guidance.
What if a patient or visitor refuses to wear a facemask?
If a medical practice requires facemasks as part of its COVID-19 safety measures and a patient or visitor objects to or refuses to wear a facemask when required, physicians should ensure its policies include a protocol for explaining the medical practice’s policies, including the CDC’s guidelines for health professionals, which may be different from guidelines for individuals, and that a patient must comply with the practice’s policies while inside the facility. Physicians should avoid using judgmental language against individuals with facemask concerns, which could negatively impact the patient’s trust and the overall physician-patient relationship. In addition, sharing facts about facemasks, as opposed to personal opinions, may be more effective.
Medical practices should also ensure that its policies include a protocol for addressing patients who become hostile or argumentative regarding the practice’s COVID-19 policies. Such protocols may include placing the patient in a room or waiting area away from patients, or if necessary and appropriate, the patient’s appointment may be rescheduled to a telehealth visit. Medical practices should avoid terminating a patient or referring the patient to another physician for treatment due to the patient’s noncompliance with the medical practices’ policies unless the physician-patient relationship has deteriorated, or other exceptional circumstances exist.
What if a patient or visitor requests a medical exemption from any facemask policies?
Medical practices are generally considered places of public accommodation and must comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act as well as Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, when enforcing the practice’s own COVID-19 policies. Physicians need to have a process to address requests by patients and visitors for exemptions from the practice’s facemask requirement or similar policies based on medical grounds and to assess whether or not reasonable accommodations are possible. Physicians should not assume that an unmasked patient or visitor cannot medically tolerate a facemask or comply with other COVID-19 policies, but physicians are permitted to accept the patient or visitor’s verbal representation to that effect. Best practices advise to not request medical documentation from the patient or visitor to determine whether the patient or visitor has a disability warranting a reasonable accommodation.
Are medical practices still immune from liability for COVID-19 claims?
Yes. Michigan law still provides immunity to persons, including physicians and medical practices, from tort civil actions arising from exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19 or conduct intended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. However, in order to be eligible for such immunity, persons must have acted in accordance with all federal, state and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders, and agency orders related to COVID-19 that had not been denied legal effect at the time of the conduct or risk that allegedly caused harm. Such immunity applies retroactively to any claim or cause of action that accrues after March 1, 2020.
With respect to facemasks, the CDC advises that it is generally safest to implement universal use of source control (i.e., facemasks) for everyone in a healthcare setting, including heqlthcare personnel, patients and visitors. Notwithstanding, certain allowances can be considered for individuals who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses in healthcare facilities located in counties with low to moderate community transmission. Such allowances may include permitting healthcare personnel who are up to date with all recommended COV/D- 19 vaccine doses to choose not to wear facemasks when they are in well-defined areas that are restricted from patient access, or to allow patients or visitors who are up to date with all recommended COVJD-19 vaccine doses and are not suspected of having COVID-19 (based on symptom and exposure history) to choose not to wear facemasks when in single-person rooms or other designated areas when others are not present.
Currently, the only Michigan county with low or moderate community transmission rates is Presque Isle County. All other Michigan counties have substantial or high COVID-19 community transmission rates. Current CDC COVID-19 guidance for medical practices is available here. Medical practices should continue to monitor for updates to the CDC’s guidance on facemasks and other COVID-19 safety measures.
Should medical practices eliminate facemask requirements for patients, visitors and staff?
No. Even if a medical practice is located in a county with low or moderate COVID-19 community transmission rates, consideration should be given to COVID-19 and other workplace safety standards enforced by OSHA. While OSHA has withdrawn its non-record keeping portions of the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS), OSHA continues to strongly encourage all healthcare employers to continue to implement the ETS’s requirements, including requiring facemasks, in order to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19. In addition, while OSHA is currently developing a final COVID-19 standard for the healthcare industry, OSHA retains the ability to enforce the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to keep a workplace free from recognized hazards known to cause death or serious injury.
Why are facemasks required at some medical practices and optional at other medical practices?
At this time, there is no state or federal law, regulation or order that expressly requires the use of facemasks in medical practices. For this reason, while some medical practices have continued to require facemasks as part of their COVID-19 safety measures, other medical practices have implemented policies which require facemasks only in certain circumstances (e.g., if a patient, visitor or staff member is unvaccinated) or which make facemasks optional regardless of vaccination status or community transmission rates.
Notwithstanding, to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19, guidance from the CDC and OSHA continue to recommend and encourage facemasks in healthcare facilities and other healthcare settings. In addition, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to recommend wearing facemasks during surge and post-surge recovery phases of the COVID-19 cycle, particularly in high-risk congregate settings, such as healthcare facilities.
While medical practices should implement COVID-19 policies which best meets the needs of their practice, MSMS continues to recommend medical practices implement policies which provide the greatest amount of safety for patients, physicians and other healthcare personnel, as well as the least amount of risk for medical practices consistent with applicable laws, regulations and available guidance.
What if a patient or visitor refuses to wear a facemask?
If a medical practice requires facemasks as part of its COVID-19 safety measures and a patient or visitor objects to or refuses to wear a facemask when required, physicians should ensure its policies include a protocol for explaining the medical practice’s policies, including the CDC’s guidelines for health professionals, which may be different from guidelines for individuals, and that a patient must comply with the practice’s policies while inside the facility. Physicians should avoid using judgmental language against individuals with facemask concerns, which could negatively impact the patient’s trust and the overall physician-patient relationship. In addition, sharing facts about facemasks, as opposed to personal opinions, may be more effective.
Medical practices should also ensure that its policies include a protocol for addressing patients who become hostile or argumentative regarding the practice’s COVID-19 policies. Such protocols may include placing the patient in a room or waiting area away from patients, or if necessary and appropriate, the patient’s appointment may be rescheduled to a telehealth visit. Medical practices should avoid terminating a patient or referring the patient to another physician for treatment due to the patient’s noncompliance with the medical practices’ policies unless the physician-patient relationship has deteriorated, or other exceptional circumstances exist.
What if a patient or visitor requests a medical exemption from any facemask policies?
Medical practices are generally considered places of public accommodation and must comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act as well as Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, when enforcing the practice’s own COVID-19 policies. Physicians need to have a process to address requests by patients and visitors for exemptions from the practice’s facemask requirement or similar policies based on medical grounds and to assess whether or not reasonable accommodations are possible. Physicians should not assume that an unmasked patient or visitor cannot medically tolerate a facemask or comply with other COVID-19 policies, but physicians are permitted to accept the patient or visitor’s verbal representation to that effect. Best practices advise to not request medical documentation from the patient or visitor to determine whether the patient or visitor has a disability warranting a reasonable accommodation.
Are medical practices still immune from liability for COVID-19 claims?
Yes. Michigan law still provides immunity to persons, including physicians and medical practices, from tort civil actions arising from exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19 or conduct intended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. However, in order to be eligible for such immunity, persons must have acted in accordance with all federal, state and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders, and agency orders related to COVID-19 that had not been denied legal effect at the time of the conduct or risk that allegedly caused harm. Such immunity applies retroactively to any claim or cause of action that accrues after March 1, 2020.
CAN COVID-19 CAUSE HAIR LOSS?
People develop noticeable hair loss after recovering from COVID-19
Months after recovering from COVID-19, many people find that their hair is falling out in large clumps. If we’ve learned anything from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s to expect the unexpected. The hair loss that many people develop, however, may not be so unexpected. Here’s why.
Temporary hair loss is normal after a fever or illness
Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19. A few months after having a high fever or recovering from an illness, many people see noticeable hair loss.
While many people think of this as hair loss, it’s actually hair shedding. The medical name for this type of hair shedding is telogen effluvium. It happens when more hairs than normal enter the shedding (telogen) phase of the hair growth lifecycle at the same time. A fever or illness can force more hairs into the shedding phase. Most people see noticeable hair shedding two to three months after having a fever or illness. Handfuls of hair can come out when you shower or brush your hair. This hair shedding can last for six to nine months before it stops. Most people then see their hair start to look normal again and stop shedding. |
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Telogen effluvium causes noticeable hair shedding
Telogen effluvium causes noticeable hair shedding, but that’s all you should experience. If you have a rash, itchy scalp, or burning, something other than telogen effluvium is likely causing your hair loss, and it’s time to see a dermatologist.
Stress can cause temporary hair shedding
Even if you never developed a fever or COVID-19, you may still see hair shedding. Emotional stress can also force more hairs than normal into the shedding phase. And who isn’t feeling more stressed and anxious during the pandemic?
Again, the hair shedding begins about two to three months after the stress starts.
While seeing your hair fall out in clumps can add to your stress, it’s important to try to de-stress. Only when the stress ends will the excessive hair shedding stop.
Again, the hair shedding begins about two to three months after the stress starts.
While seeing your hair fall out in clumps can add to your stress, it’s important to try to de-stress. Only when the stress ends will the excessive hair shedding stop.
Hair tends to return to normal on its own
When the cause of your hair shedding is due to a fever, illness, or stress, hair tends to return to normal on its own. You just have to give it time. As your hair grows back, you’ll notice short hairs that are all the same length by your hairline. Most people see their hair regain its normal fullness within six to nine months.
If you suspect that your hair loss is caused by something more than telogen effluvium from stress or a fever, talk with a hair-loss expert, a dermatologist.
If you suspect that your hair loss is caused by something more than telogen effluvium from stress or a fever, talk with a hair-loss expert, a dermatologist.
Related AAD resources
Reference
Sperling LC. “Alopeica.” In: Fitzpatrick JE, Morelli JG. Dermatology Secrets Plus (fifth edition). Elsevier, China, 2016:179-84.
5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PRECANCEROUS SKIN GROWTHS
If your dermatologist tells you that you have a precancerous skin growth, it means one thing. Your skin has been badly damaged by the sun, indoor tanning, or both. The good news is that it’s not too late to do something about this damage and protect your health.
To do this, it helps to understand these 5 facts about precancerous skin growths, which your dermatologist may refer to as actinic keratoses (AKs) or solar keratoses.
To do this, it helps to understand these 5 facts about precancerous skin growths, which your dermatologist may refer to as actinic keratoses (AKs) or solar keratoses.
- Treatment can prevent a precancerous skin growth from progressing to skin cancer. Some precancerous skin growths go on to become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. There’s no way for your dermatologist to know which ones will progress to skin cancer.
When you get rid of an AK, it cannot go on to become skin cancer. - Treatment can relieve symptoms, such as itching or tenderness. Some AKs feel tender. An AK can also itch or bleed. When you get rid of the AKs, you get rid of the symptoms.
- Some people need multiple and repeat treatments. When you think of treating a precancerous spot on your skin, you probably envision going to your dermatologist’s office for a one-time treatment; however, some people need more involved treatment.
If you have severely sun-damaged skin, you may have many AKs. Some of these AKs, you may be able to feel on your skin but not see. These hidden AKs can feel gritty. Some people say they feel like spots of sandpaper on the skin.
To treat both the visible and hidden AKs, your dermatologist may recommend that you have more than one type of treatment.
Your treatment plan many involve going to your dermatologist’s office for a treatment, such as cryotherapy or a specialized light treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT). You may also need to apply medication at home.
By using more than one treatment, you can treat both the visible and hidden AKs. This reduces the amount of time that you need to treat the AKs and reduces your risk of developing skin cancer. - Sun protection delivers big benefits. Many people who have precancerous skin growths are surprised to learn that they need to protect their skin from the sun. They often think that the damage is done, so what’s the point.
If you have a precancerous skin growth, protecting your skin from the sun offers two big benefits: 1) It helps to prevent the sun from causing further damage to your skin, which could lead to more precancerous growths or skin cancer, and 2) It gives your body a chance to repair some of the damage to your skin.
If you’re unsure about how to protect your skin, you can learn what to do at Prevent skin cancer. - Lifelong skin cancer exams can be life-saving. Having just one precancerous skin growth means that the sun, indoor tanning, or both have badly damaged your skin. As such, you have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Getting your skin examined by a board-certified dermatologist helps to find precancerous skin growths and skin cancer early when they’re highly treatable.
Your dermatologist can tell you tell you often you should come in for a skin exam and how often you should examine your skin at home.
Looks can be deceptive
Precancerous skin growths may look harmless. As you now know, their looks can be deceptive. Following your dermatologist’s recommendations can help protect your skin and your health.
Precancerous skin growths may look harmless
These arrows point to precancerous skin growths that are barely noticeable.
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Related AAD resources |
HOW TO REMOVE A TICK AND PREVENT FUTURE BITES
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Ticks are small, insect-like creatures that live in heavily-wooded or grassy areas. If you walk through these areas, they can attach to your skin and feed on your blood. Although most ticks do not carry disease, some can cause serious illness, such as Lyme disease, Powassan virus, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. To prevent infection, it’s important to remove a tick from your skin as soon as you notice it.
To remove a tick that is attached to your skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
Use tweezers to remove the tick. Sterilize the tip of the tweezers using rubbing alcohol and grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, squeezing or crushing the tick, as this can cause its head or mouth to break off and remain in your skin. If this happens, use tweezers to remove the remaining parts. If you cannot remove the rest of the tick, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Dispose of the tick. Place it in a sealed bag or container; submerse the tick in alcohol; or wrap it tightly in tape. You may also want to save the tick in a sealed jar. That way, if you develop any symptoms after the bite, the tick can be tested for disease.
Clean the bite area with soap and water.
Ticks can bite at any time, however they’re most active in April through September. Fortunately, there are many things people can do to protect themselves and their families against ticks.
To prevent tick bites, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
Walk in the center of trails. Avoid walking through heavily-wooded and brushy areas with tall grass.
If you must walk through heavily-wooded areas, wear long pants and long sleeves. Pull your socks up over your pants, and tuck your shirt into your pants to prevent ticks from crawling up your body. It’s also a good idea to wear light-colored clothes so that ticks can be spotted easily.
Use insect repellent that contains 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Make sure to follow the product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, making sure to avoid the hands, eyes and mouth.
Examine your skin after spending time in heavily-wooded or brushy areas. Conduct a full-body tick check to make sure that no ticks are crawling on you. Since ticks prefer warm, moist areas, be sure to check your armpits, groin and hair. You should also check your children, pets and any gear you used outside.
If you develop any symptoms within a few weeks after a tick bite, such as a rash, fever or body aches, see a board-certified dermatologist. Make sure you tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred and where you most likely acquired the tick.
To remove a tick that is attached to your skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
Use tweezers to remove the tick. Sterilize the tip of the tweezers using rubbing alcohol and grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, squeezing or crushing the tick, as this can cause its head or mouth to break off and remain in your skin. If this happens, use tweezers to remove the remaining parts. If you cannot remove the rest of the tick, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Dispose of the tick. Place it in a sealed bag or container; submerse the tick in alcohol; or wrap it tightly in tape. You may also want to save the tick in a sealed jar. That way, if you develop any symptoms after the bite, the tick can be tested for disease.
Clean the bite area with soap and water.
Ticks can bite at any time, however they’re most active in April through September. Fortunately, there are many things people can do to protect themselves and their families against ticks.
To prevent tick bites, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
Walk in the center of trails. Avoid walking through heavily-wooded and brushy areas with tall grass.
If you must walk through heavily-wooded areas, wear long pants and long sleeves. Pull your socks up over your pants, and tuck your shirt into your pants to prevent ticks from crawling up your body. It’s also a good idea to wear light-colored clothes so that ticks can be spotted easily.
Use insect repellent that contains 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Make sure to follow the product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, making sure to avoid the hands, eyes and mouth.
Examine your skin after spending time in heavily-wooded or brushy areas. Conduct a full-body tick check to make sure that no ticks are crawling on you. Since ticks prefer warm, moist areas, be sure to check your armpits, groin and hair. You should also check your children, pets and any gear you used outside.
If you develop any symptoms within a few weeks after a tick bite, such as a rash, fever or body aches, see a board-certified dermatologist. Make sure you tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred and where you most likely acquired the tick.
HOW TO PREVENT SKIN PROBLEMS WHILE GARDENING
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HOW TO PREVENT SKIN PROBLEMS WHILE GARDENINGAlthough gardening can be an enjoyable activity for many, it can take a turn for the worse if you injure yourself, come into contact with a poisonous plant, or have an allergic reaction. To prevent skin problems from gardening or yardwork, follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists.
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The grass under Tim’s hedges desperately needed trimming, so one summer day he tackled the job. He never suspected that 36 hours later he’d be in the emergency room with a painful, blistering rash.
The doctor who examined him noticed that the rash appeared only on Tim’s hands, neck, and parts of his arms. Tim said that while he was trimming his grass, he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt.
After a few more questions, Tim’s doctor gave him the diagnosis — phytophotodermatitis. While the name is anything but simple, the cause is straightforward.
Tim got plant sap on his skin. When sunlight hit the sap on Tim’s bare skin, a chemical reaction occurred. This reaction causes a painful, blistering rash. It can take hours — or even a few days — for the rash to appear.
Injuries like this are more common than you may think. By taking a few precautions, you can prevent many injuries due to gardening or yardwork.
The doctor who examined him noticed that the rash appeared only on Tim’s hands, neck, and parts of his arms. Tim said that while he was trimming his grass, he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt.
After a few more questions, Tim’s doctor gave him the diagnosis — phytophotodermatitis. While the name is anything but simple, the cause is straightforward.
Tim got plant sap on his skin. When sunlight hit the sap on Tim’s bare skin, a chemical reaction occurred. This reaction causes a painful, blistering rash. It can take hours — or even a few days — for the rash to appear.
Injuries like this are more common than you may think. By taking a few precautions, you can prevent many injuries due to gardening or yardwork.
Prevent a rash while gardeningTim could have prevented his rash by wearing gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and sunscreen while trimming the grass
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9 ways to protect your skin while gardening
Dermatologists recommend the following while gardening:
1. Cover Up When working with plants, everything from the plant’s sap to its thorns or spines can injure your skin. Touching certain plants can cause an allergic skin reaction. The best way to protect yourself is to cover your skin. When working with plants, dermatologists recommend wearing:
1. Cover Up When working with plants, everything from the plant’s sap to its thorns or spines can injure your skin. Touching certain plants can cause an allergic skin reaction. The best way to protect yourself is to cover your skin. When working with plants, dermatologists recommend wearing:
- Gloves
- Shirt with long sleeves
- Pants
- Socks
- Shoes that cover your feet, such as running shoes
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- Use sunscreen. To protect your skin from the sun, you’ll also want to apply sunscreen that offers:
- Broad-spectrum protection
- SPF 30 or higher
- Water-resistance
Covering up and using sunscreen can also help to reduce your risk of getting sunburn, skin cancer, and early signs of skin aging, including age spots and wrinkles. - Avoid gardening when the sun is strongest. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. When possible, dermatologists recommend staying indoors during these hours.
If you must garden during these hours, try to stay in the shade. This will also reduce your risk of heat stroke, heat rash, and skin cancer. - Take precautions to avoid bug bites. You can prevent many injuries and illnesses due to bugs by:
- Spraying insect repellent with DEET on your clothing once you’re outdoors
- Avoiding gardening and yardwork during dawn and dusk, which is when bugs are most active
- Flicking a bug off rather than killing it, which can prevent the bug from biting or stinging
- Checking your skin from head to toe for ticks when you finish gardening, being sure to check the skin between your toes, hairline, and underarms
- Read labels on pest control products, plant foods, and fertilizers before using them. Many gardening products that we use from insecticides to weed killers can cause injuries ranging from a mild rash to severe burns. In rare cases, people have developed life-threatening injuries.
Following all precautions on the label can help prevent these injuries. For example, when the label calls for a respirator, use one or don’t use the product.
When using fertilizer, wear gloves. After using a fertilizer, immediately and thoroughly wash your hands.
Protect your skin while gardeningGloves help prevent dirt from settling in the lines of your hands, dry skin, and peeling nails.
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- Avoid touching your face while gardening. You could get plant sap or something else on your face, which might injure you.
If you need to wipe away sweat, keep a clean washcloth handy. Use it to blot your face dry. - Treat wounds right away. If you have a minor injury, such as a puncture wound from a thorn, it can be tempting to ignore it and keep working. Don’t. Even a minor wound can become infected.
To prevent an infection, immediately treat your wound as follows:- Wash the wound with soap and water
- Apply an antibiotic ointment
- Cover the wound with a bandage
- Keep the wound clean by changing into clean gloves and clothing before you continue
- Clean the wound and change the bandage every day until the wound heals
- Skip foods and drinks that contain citrus — or follow this precaution. When citrus juice gets on your skin, it can react with sunlight and can cause a blistering rash or painful swelling. Foods that contain citrus include lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges.
Use caution around foods and drinks that contain citrusYou can prevent the swelling and pain due to citrus juice mixing with sunlight by doing one of the following:
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- Shower when you finish gardening and change into clean clothes. Sap, pollen, and other parts of plants can get on your clothes and skin. To protect your skin, shower and put on clean clothes immediately after gardening.
Make sure you also machine wash the clothes that you wore while gardening before wearing them again.
When to see a board-certified dermatologist
While many skin problems caused by gardening can be prevented, an injury can still occur. You can treat most skin injuries at home by:
- Cleaning and caring for wounds right away
- Treating itchy or irritated skin with a cortisone cream
- Alleviating allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes and sneezing, by taking an antihistamine
10 Surprising Facts About Indoor Tanning
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Skin Cancer Information
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Sunscreen Frequently asked Questions
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Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac:
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| Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac Look |
Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac:
How To Treat the Rash
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How to Care for Dry, Cracked HeelsIt’s easy for the skin on your feet to become dry and cracked, especially in the winter. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to treat dry, cracked heels at home and prevent them from coming back.
To care for dry, cracked heels, follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists.
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Is Your Workout Causing Your Acne?How to prevent acne caused by workouts.
Working out can cause excessive sweating, as well as a buildup of oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin -all of which can lead to acne. However, you don't have to quit exercising in order to see clearer skin. The key is to maintain proper hygiene before, during, and after your workouts. Do you suspect that your workout is causing (or worsening) your acne? You could be right. ff your workout is the culprit, you don't have to stop exercising. You can continue to play sports, take your favorite exercise class, or hit the gym and still see clearer skin. Here's what dermatologists recommend. |
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Your Winter Skin Survival KitAs temperatures dip, check your products for these skin-saving ingredients :
Cold air outside, hot air inside, and dry air everywhere can disrupt the skin's barrier in the winter. And that can mean dry, itchy skin for everyone, but especially for those who deal with conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Here are some products that can help your skin look and feel its best throughout the colder months. Some of the ingredients are tried-and-true skin superstars, while others are relatively new additions to the winter skin care arsenal. |
