Are skin tests, like those given for hay fever or asthma, of any value in finding the causes?

Sometimes, but not as a rule. A positive test signals allergy only about 20 per cent of the time. If negative, the test is good evidence against allergy. If these tests are desired, ask your dermatologist to recommend someone who has experience doing them.

Is suffering from regular acne in addition to Rosacea common?

Rosacea and regular acne, called Acne Vulgaris, usually appear separately but some patients can be affected by both. While both conditions in adults are often informally referred to as “Adult Acne”, they are two separate diseases, each requiring different therapy. Acne vulgaris is associated with increased stimulation of the oil glands, resulting in oiliness, blackheads and pimples on the face, and sometimes the back, shoulders or chest.

Rosacea seems to be linked to the vascular network of the facial skin and causes redness, bumps, pimples and other symptoms that rarely go beyond the face. Special care is necessary in treating patients with both conditions because some standard medications for acne vulgaris can make rosacea worse.

I have heard that foods high in histamine may aggravate rosacea. What kinds of foods should I be watching out for?

Histamine is a natural substance produced by the body. It is also found in numerous foods that some rosacea sufferers may find aggravating to their condition. Foods containing histamine include cheeses, fermented foods and beverages such as wines, beer, vermouths, ciders and vinegars, some Oriental foods, processed beef and pork, and canned fish products such as anchovies, tuna, herring, mackerel and sardines.

Persistent, unexplained itching? You may need a test for Hepatitis C.

Many experts are suggesting that people with unexplained itching be tested for the presence of Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the liver. It is caused by a virus. It is regarded as a “Blood borne” disease which means that it can be acquired as the result of transmission or use of contaminated needles.

Not everyone who carries the virus is sick. Itching is not the only manifestation in the skin of Hepatitis C infection. If an individual is affected with the Hepatitis C virus, this would be important to know. Steps could be taken to improve the Hepatitis C condition and also to enhance longevity by taking steps to ensure that the individual infected with the virus is not exposed to liver damaging substances such as alcohol or certain drugs and medications.

Why is it said “Better wear your sunscreen in the car!”?

Conventional wisdom used to say that glass used in buildings and automobiles filtered most of the ultraviolet light that could damage the skin. Now researchers aren’t so sure. The windshield of the car provides the most protection reducing exposure to UVB (the wave length in sun light that causes sunburn and skin cancer) to a significant degree as well as protection against ultraviolet A (long wave radiation that causes tanning and premature aging). The other windows provide significantly less protection.

Children are particularly at risk since they ride in the back where the windows provide little protection from ultraviolet radiation. UVB is present in sunlight during the spring and summer months. UVA is present all year long. Special film sheeting can be applied to automobile glass which will effectively filter out most UVA and UVB. The ideal window glass anti–UVA film will filter out the ultraviolet light without compromising visibility through the window.

Attention is now being paid to the possibility of protecting windows in homes and businesses with UV filtering sheets. Because few of us are likely to drop everything and run out and have all of our windows surfaced with protective sheeting, the use of sunscreens, sun blocks and sunglasses are important for anyone exposed to ultraviolet light whether it is coming directly from the sky or through window glass.