The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-25
Your Health
Skin Ailment May
be Traced to Other
Difficulties
D, HERMAN N. BUNDESEN, N. D
BY = y. BuvpERsEN. NJ n

ny hENmAN ". nuNOLSLNi W. "
OFTEN when a person is suf-
fering from a skin disease, the
condition may be associated di-
rectly or indirectly with some dis
order affecting the internal parts
Of the body. The skin symptoms
possibly may come on before
other signs Of these diseases, and
in some instances may even be so
severe as to hide the underlying
disease.
1t is important that these facts
be recognized, according 10 Doc
tor A. Benson Cannon, Of Column
bia University, for otherwise the
skin condition may be treated and
the underlying disorder complete
ly neglected. Thus, naturally the
best results in treatment cannot
be obtained.
Among the internal diseases
that may produce skin disorders is
diabetes. There are three skin dis
orders which may be produced by
diabetes. These three diseases are
known as necrobiosis lipoidiea
diabetieorum, xanthoma, and Sole
redema, according TO Doctor Can
non.
These three conditions may often
appear before sugar is found in
the urine. The presence of sugar
in the urine is one of the early
diagnostic signs of diabetes.
Necrobiosis lipodica is more
common in woman than in men.
The rash usually occurs on the
arms and legs in firm, round or
oval glistening swellings like
pimples which are yellow in color,
but often with a pink tinge.
Xanthoma occurs on the backs
of the arms, on the palms and
soles, in the form Of yellow or
brown itching pimples, Jumps or
patches. The entire skin is often
excessively dry and scaly.
In scleredema there are shiny,
tan or red swellings, while the
skin is thickened and hardened.
Sugar in Blood
When any of these conditions
occur, it is important that the
amount of sugar in the blood be
determined, and the urine care
fully tested for the presence Of
sugar to see if the conditions are
the result Of the diabetes. II so,
the diabetes must be treated with
diet and injections of insulin.
Boils and carbuncles occur most
often in patients who are phys
ically i'll and below par.
In order to prevent boils and
carbuncles, it is important that
the patients general health be
improved, that infections in the
teeth, tonsils, sinuses and else
where in the body be searched for
and eliminated if possible.
Sulfonamide drugs and penicil-
lin are effective in treating boils
and carbuncles.
Pimples and Swelling
Another skin disorder which
may be due to underlying disturb
ances is one known as erythema
multiforme. In this skin condition
there are pimples and large SWELL
ings on the skin. 1t is thought that
this disorder may be due to infec-
lions in the teeth, tonsils or sim
uses, leukemia, sensitivity to
drugs, or to poisoning (toxemia of
pregnancy. OF course, when it
occurs, an attempt should be made
to find the cause so that effective
treatment TO eliminate it may be
carried out
Following childbirth, a rash Of
the breasts may develop. This
condition may be due to over-sen-
sitivity or allergy TO local irrita-
ton or infection. The skin be-
comes red, sealy, covered with
crusts and cracked. This disorder
is aided as is any other form Of
eczema, with soothing prepara-
tons and an attempt to find the
substances to which the patient is
sensitive, so that they may be
eliminated from contact with the
patient.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NJ. DIS it harmful to drink
milk with a pinch of soda added
to it?
Answer:-There is no harm in
this practice if not too much soda
is used. Excessive use Of soda may
lead to a condition known as aka
losis in which there is too much
alkali in the blood and tissues.