Nail polishes cause diabetes in women

A new study has found an association between increased concentrations of phthalates in the body and an increased risk of diabetes in women.

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Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are commonly found in personal care products such as moisturizers, nail polishes, soaps, hair sprays and perfumes. They are also used in adhesives, electronics, toys and a variety of other products.

Researchers, lead by Tamarra James-Todd, PhD, a researcher in the Division of Women's Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), analysed urinary concentrations of phthalates in 2,350 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

They found that women with higher levels of phthalates in their urine were more likely to have diabetes. Specifically:

Women who had the highest levels of the chemicals mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate had almost twice the risk of diabetes compared to women with the lowest levels of those chemicals.

Women with higher than median levels of the chemical mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate had approximately a 60 per cent increased risk of diabetes.

Women with moderately high levels of the chemicals mono-n-butyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate had approximately a 70 percent increased risk of diabetes.

The study population consisted of a representative sample of American women and was controlled for socio-demographic, dietary and behavioural factors.

However, the women self-reported their diabetes and researchers caution against reading too much into the study due to the possibility of reverse causation.

"This is an important first step in exploring the connection between phthalates and diabetes," said Dr. James-Todd.
"We know that in addition to being present in personal care products, phthalates also exist in certain types of medical devices and medication that is used to treat diabetes and this could also explain the higher level of phthalates in diabetic women. So overall, more research is needed," she noted.

This finding is published in the July 13, 2012 online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives

~ANI

Avoid placing laptop directly on lap

Placing a laptop directly on your legs for prolonged periods can harm the skin.

The laptop was invented to provide user mobility — so we don't end up being chained to our desk computers. But working for hours with the lappy perched on your lap could result in discoloured patchy skin.



While you could be enjoying the heat emanating, you could also develop Toasted Skin Syndrome. Here's more about the condition...

What is it?
It is clinically known as Erythema Ab Igne and also known by names such as 'laptop thigh' and 'hot water bottle rash'. Swiss doctors

call it 'laptop-induced dermatosis'. Cosmeto-dermatologist Dr Anuya Manerkar defines it as "A coarsely reticulated pigmentation which is produced by prolonged exposure to excessive heat without the production of a burn."

Who is at risk?
"People who spend prolonged periods of time studying, reading, or playing games on laptops resting on their upper legs could develop this skin syndrome," warns dermatologist Dr Shreyas Kamath.

This skin condition is common among people often exposed to heat while working (blacksmiths, silversmiths, cooks, etc). Now, people using laptops for long hours are facing this.

Causes
The prolonged placement of laptop on the thighs results in thermal build of around 44 degrees of heat to which the skin responds by developing persistent redness and pigmentation.

This has been reported in medical literature between 2004 to date, explains dermatologist and dermatosurgeon Dr Shenaz Z Arsiwala.

Harmful effects
"The skin develops a patch which is mottled (caused by local hemostasis — stagnation of blood) and later becomes reticulated erythema (patchy striped erythema) leaving behind pigmentation," says Dr Manerkar.

Cosmeto-dermatologist Dr Swati Srivastava warns that repeated skin exposure can waste tissues, typically due to the degeneration of cells. If there is a persistent soreness that does not heal, a skin biopsy should be performed to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

Treatment
First of all, identification of the root cause, i.e., the source of the heat, needs to be identified. If it is excess duration of
laptop usage, it should be cut down.

Also, direct contact of the laptop and the skin should be avoided by placing a barrier in between. Dr Arsiwala says laptop coolers are also available.

The skin change, if detected early and is mild in nature, can settle on its own without treatment. For persistent redness, anti-inflammatory creams can be used.

For pigmentary changes, addition of topical tretinoin (a drug related to retinol or vitamin A) cream may be mandatory. In some cases, one may require laser therapy.

~NP

HIV+ woman had sex with 100 men to take revenge

MUMBAI: A doctor treating HIV-positive patients has claimed that one of his patients has indulged in sexual relations with more than 100 partners "to take revenge" for her condition.

Dr I S Gilada, who heads an AIDS clinic at Grant Road, told TOI that a 29-year-old woman from the Western suburbs has been visiting him since the past two months.

While counselling her, the doctor learnt that she not only has multiple partners, but hunts for them with a vengeance to spread the virus she contracted through her husband.

"She was brought to us by her sister, who herself is HIV positive," said Gilada. "We found out that she had learnt of her husband's HIV-positive status in 2005, and that he had transmitted the disease to her as well. Although she divorced him, she couldn't come to terms with the fact that he had knowingly passed on the virus to her," he said.

Gilada said that during the counselling sessions, the woman, who works as a maid, claimed she has had more than 300 sexual encounters with 100 men over the past three years.

"She admitted to frequent encounters with men ranging from her employers and their relatives, to the liftman and students - all of whom have had unprotected sex with her," said Gilada.

When asked about the case, Dr S S Kudalkar, president at the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society ( MDACS), said the organization would investigate the matter.

"We will talk to the clinic and investigate the case. If it is true, then we will counsel the woman," he said. "HIV is not just a disease of the virus, it is also a disease of human behaviour. The National AIDS Control Organisation ( NACO) has mandated pre-test and post-test counselling to curb patients from forging sexual contacts with multiple partners," said Dr Kudalkar.

~TNN