Question:

My son is in high school and is playing football. With the two-a-day practices and showering in locker rooms, he has developed a red itchy rash between the last three toes on his left foot and a similar rash between the fourth and fifth toes on his right foot. He says that it is very itchy. His coach told him it was athlete’s foot, and he should get some cream at the drug store to treat it. He said it is common for athletes to get athlete’s foot, and there was no reason to see a doctor. Should the football coach stick to coaching football rather than giving medical advice?

Answer:

Athlete’s foot is a popular term used to describe a fungus infection of the feet. Although one can try over-the-counter, anti-fungal medications for scaly, itchy rashes between the toes, not all rashes between toes are fungal.

If one wants to be precise and scientific about a foot rash, a physician, especially a dermatologist, can do a microscopic exam of the peeling skin between the toes to identify the cause. Fungi grow the best in warm, moist areas, which makes between the toes and in the groin areas prime locations in athletes. Feet that are enclosed in socks and shoes suffer from increased sweating during physical activity and can encourage the growth of fungus on other areas of the foot.

As a rule, it is felt that infections are acquired from other people, however, with fungal infections this is not always the case. Experimental efforts to deliberately infect healthy skin have failed, and a husband and wife may live together for years with only one partner having a fungus infection of the foot or toenail. The importance of susceptibility of the skin and exposure to infected surfaces plays an important part in one’s ability to acquire a fungal foot infection.

It is important to distinguish between fungal infections of the foot and conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and allergic reactions to shoes or laundry products for athletic clothes. Initial treatment of properly diagnosed fungal infections of the feet, i.e., athlete’s foot, requires treatment of the fungus and elimination of the warm, moist environment that promotes fungal foot infections. Showers cause the skin on the feet to become moist. A towel does not adequately dry the skin of the web spaces between the toes. About 10 minutes of air drying or the use of a blow dryer on a cool temperature setting is required.

Many anti-fungal medications are available over-the-counter for clear cut, uncomplicated fungal toe infections. With severe or unresponsive fungal foot infections, oral medications may be indicated and require a doctor’s prescription. Remember, an accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and results.

Question:

I am a 49-year-old woman with breast cancer currently undergoing chemotherapy after my surgical treatment. During my research on line, I read information related to the topical use of vitamin C to improve skin healing related to breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Can you explain the science related to the material I have read on the internet?

Answer:

Ultraviolet rays and other inflammatory insults, such as cigarette smoking and pollutants, create free radicals (molecules that poison DNA, proteins and lipids) that cause photoaging of the skin. It has been demonstrated that the skin’s native antioxidant protection (molecules that neutralize the free radical poison) breaks down during excessive UV injury and promotes aging due to the fact that there are more free radicals created by the UV damage than there are antioxidant molecules available in the skin. This allows free radicals to damage DNA, proteins, and lipids causing skin cells to die.

With this background information, it should be no surprise that breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, and medication required post-breast cancer treatment create a large free radical burden on the body and skin.

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin. The body cannot synthesize L-ascorbic acid, so humans rely on dietary intake or topical application for their supply of vitamin C. It must be ingested from vitamin supplements, food sources (such as citrus fruits, dark-green leafy vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes, green and red peppers, brussel sprouts, and turnips) or applied topically to the skin to replenish L-ascorbic acid in the body and skin. Vitamin C is essential for normal cell growth, collagen synthesis, and wound healing.

Oral vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) cannot deliver an adequate amount of L-ascorbic acid to the skin (epidermis). Conversely, topical vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) cannot deliver an adequate amount of vitamin C to the body.

The skin relies on antioxidants for protection against free radicals. Since the skin receives the most free radical assault from ultraviolet light exposure, cancer, and the effects related to cancer treatment, replenishing and increasing the antioxidant defense of the skin becomes an attractive strategy for wound healing. Oral vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is extremely important to restore and increase the body’s stores of water-soluble antioxidants, but cannot deliver an adequate amount of L-ascorbic acid to the skin (epidermis). If antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, can be delivered into the skin and body with an adequate concentration and the precise bioactive chemical form, skin cell rejuvenation, skin cell growth, and collagen synthesis are increased.

If antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, could be delivered into the skin with an adequate high concentration, the precise bioactive chemical form with an appropriate pH, and packaging that avoids oxidation prior to application, then the antioxidant protective reservoir in the skin could be increased. Photo-repair and skin cell repair necessary for healing sun-damage and tissue wound healing, respectfully, would be enhanced.

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is important to enhance the natural antioxidant potential of the body and skin. In order to replenish antioxidant reservoirs in the skin, Rx Systems PF created Age Defense Antioxidant Serum C (L-ascorbic acid) in its Age-Bloc Delivery System. There is a need to replenish and maintain internal oxidants that nourish the body and skin from the inside. Rx Systems PF’s Age Defense Antioxidant Complex (natural, anti-aging, neutralizing, antioxidant complex) is the next generation of an oral (systemic) antioxidant supplement.

Question:

It has been a very hot summer in St. Louis which has made me realize just how severe and embarrassing my armpit sweating has been. I had to change blouses several times a day as my sweating stained the armpits of the blouses and in some cases ruined blouses creating a huge expense just buying new clothes. I tried every deodorant and antiperspirant on the market including those for men without any benefit. I see ads on TV that claim there is a treatment for excessive sweating. Is that true?

Answer:

There are people who have abnormal excessive armpit sweating. The medical diagnosis for this condition is called “axillary hyperhidrosis.” Most patients suffer with this condition for years before seeking medical evaluation. The embarrassment and feeling that nothing can be done to treat the condition causes patients to delay evaluation and treatment options for the excessive sweating. Severe axillary hyperhidrosis is a debilitating disease characterized by markedly excessive sweating which severely limits patients’ abilities to carry on daily activities. There are tests to measure the severity of axillary sweating, however, this is usually confirmed by history and physical examination of clothing.

The psychological impairment includes unwillingness to participate in physical activities and social events. Economic loss includes the destruction of blouses, shirts, sweaters, and other clothing and excessive cleaning bills. I think the TV advertisements have created an awareness that there are a number of treatment options for excessive armpit sweating if over-the-counter preparations are not effective. This requires evaluation by a physician trained in the treatment of this condition.

Dermatologists are the most qualified in this area, however, some other physicians may have expertise treating excessive armpit sweating. There are topical prescription medications, such as drysol solution and other topical preparations. There are also oral medications used to treat excessive armpit sweating, however, they may have unwanted side effects.

With a diagnosis of severe axillary hyperhidrosis and failure to respond to oral and topical treatment, Botox injections are an effective alternative. Botox, botulinium type A, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2004 for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis that is inadequately managed with topical and oral medication. This treatment is very effective, but needs to be repeated at about six-month intervals. The treatment is not always covered by medical insurance, but can be submitted to the insurance company to determine cost coverage by one’s insurance plan. Obviously, the treatments with Botox are expensive.

Although there are surgical treatments available for excessive armpit sweating, they should be a last resort and clearly have significant expense and possible side effects or complications, along with the fact that the surgery is not always effective. The first step is to seek evaluation and treatment from a dermatologist.

Rx Systems PF is promoting breast cancer awareness in September and October by displaying a pink ribbon on each product label and donating 10 percent of its Age Defense Antioxidant Serum C sales to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. According to the company, the product contains L-ascorbic acid (USP grade) to aid skin cell growth and collagen production to repair damaged tissues.

"It should be no surprise that breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and medication required create a large free radical burden on the body and skin, in addition to its negative impact on the immune system",

said Lawrence Samuels, the founder of RX Systems PF and a dermatologist.

"The skin relies on antioxidants for protection against free radicals. Since the skin receives the most free radical assault from ultraviolet light exposure, cancer, and the effects related to cancer treatment, replenishing and increasing the antioxidant defense of the skin becomes an attractive strategy for wound healing and photo-repair."

Rx Systems PF’s Serum C, designed for all skin types and to use on any wound, is formulated with 20 percent L-ascorbic acid, as well as other powerful antioxidants. Applied directly on the skin following nightly cleansing, Serum C prevents premature signs of aging, lightens and brightens skin tone, and helps accelerate the healing of skin.

According to Dr. Samuels,

"Once in the skin, studies show L-ascorbic acid stimulates collagen synthesis, provides sun protection, and protects the skin by reducing free radicals,which otherwise would destroy skin cells and its components. The clinical benefits of the antioxidant activity of our Age Defense Antioxidant Serum C improves skin texture, reduces brown spots, improves skin tone, and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while helping prevent their formation."

Rx System PF’s Serum C is also packaged in a unique New Age Bloc™ Delivery System to completely protect the product from light and air, which can lead to oxidation and reduced efficacy.

"To produce an effective Vitamin C preparation, we use a temperature and light-controlled room and expel as much free oxygen from the single-use, individual serum packets as possible",

Samuels states.

"When this process is completed, the serum is contained in our single use Age-Bloc Delivery System packet, which is sealed in an air-tight fashion. The vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) with its optimal 20% free acid concentration and appropriate 2.6 pH can be kept in the Age-Bloc Delivery System almost without concern of oxidation, since the packet offers permanent protection from light and air."

We hope you'll join RX Systems PF in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness in the upcoming two months.