Last month, the FDA released a statement warning consumers about certain beauty products sold illegally in the United States containing mercury.

Which beauty products contain Mercury?

Unlabeled face creams sold primarily to ethnic communities have been found in New York, California, Illinois, Texas, and Virginia. The creams claim to reduce wrinkles, fight acne, and lighten skin.  This makes sense because Mercury blocks melanin, the component which gives skin its color.

What Mercury does?

Mercury attacks the bodies nervous system, and can have extreme effects on personality.  Mercury is also particularly problematic for children whose bodies are still developing.

What to look for?

The FDA suggests that users look for words on ingredient labels like mercurous chloride, calomel, or mercuric.

Signs of Mercury poisoning.

Signs of Mercury poisoning include loss of vision, coordination problems with speaking, walking, or hearing, and tremors of the hands or feet, as well as depression.

The best way to fight wrinkles, treat acne, and even skin tone is by staying out of the sun and using FDA approved skin products and treatments!

If you are interested in learning more about safe and effective techniques to combat your skin concerns, contact Robert, our Patient Manager, to schedule an appointment. He can be reached atinfo@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).

Dr. Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in the SF Bay Area, continues to answer your questions on nail infections.

Welcome back to the third post in our nail infection series. Today we will go over how to treat your nail infection at home and when you should make a visit to your doctor.

What you can do at home to treat your nail infection:

• Use a topical medication from the drugstore like Lamisil or Penlac to prevent the spread of infection. These creams are also used to kill fungal infections, but are not 100% effective at getting rid of nail infections.
• Apply tea tree oil or cream to dry out the area and prevent the spread of infection.
• Keep your hands and feet dry. Fungi thrive in moist environments, so reduce your risk of infection spreading by creating a dry environment.
• Avoid cutting your nails too short. Injuring your nails is a common way of spreading a nail infection; it gives fungus a chance to get into your system.
• Don’t smoke! Believe it or not, smoking greatly increases your risk of getting a nail infection, or spreading one that you already have. Smoking decreases blood circulation, which increases the risk of nail infection.

When you need to call your doctor:

• If your nail infection is exhibiting signs of a bacterial infection. Sings of a bacterial infection include pain, swelling, redness, puss, or fever.
• If the fungal infection appears to be spreading to surrounding skin or under the nail
• If your nail is very thick and uncomfortable, or if you are concerned about the infection

What will the doctor do?

• Your doctor might prescribe an oral antifungal medication. Taking an antifungal medication orally is the best way to get rid of a nail infection, but oral medications have dangerous side effects that require monitoring.
• Your doctor might prescribe a stronger cream than you can find at the drugstore.
• Your doctor can help you work out a plan for dealing with a nail infection and what the best plan of action is best for your body.

If you have a nail infection and want to learn more, check out this article on WebMD. If you want to see a doctor about your infection, contact Robert, our Patient Manager, to schedule an appointment. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).