December 2022 Flipbook Newsletter

Happy Holidays

Up-to-the-Minute

Do You or a Family Member Suffer with Eczema?

Listen to this happy Grandmother talk about what Dr. Crutchfield did for her grandson’s Eczema.

Good News! Crutchfield Dermatology is a “Clinic of Excellence” when it comes to treating Eczema.

Schedule yours now. Click here to schedule online or call 651-209-3600

Your Health Beyond Covid Matters

https://yourhealthbeyondcovid.org/

Scan QR code for entire archive of newsletters or go to www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com/newsletters

Editor-in-chief Design Production Support

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

Paul Matthews Timothy Wayne

Olivia Crutchfield Istock Photo

Katlyn Hauck, Kelly McGuire

Crutchfield Dermatology

1185 Town Centre Drive, Suite 101 Eagan, MN 55123 USA

Phone: (651) 209-3600 Fax: (651) 209-3601

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Contributing Photographers Stock Photos Contributors www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com

Minnesota’s Black Community Project

Author Anthony R. Scott, Author Dr. Chaunda L. Scott, Author Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III, Foreword by Mahmoud El-Kati.

An inspiring celebration of the accomplishments of Black professionals in Minnesota, highlighting the contributions of individuals and organizations in a wide range of fields.

Check it Out!

Click here to purchase online

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a Top Doctor, Click here to see his profile on Castle Connolly

Debunking Common Myths on Laser Therapy in Skin of Color

By and Dr. Charles Crutchfield III and Alexis Carrington

Lasers have changed our lives. They play vital roles in many of our daily activities. They are essential tools used in the fields of entertainment, communications, construction, commerce, and medicine.

The term LASER stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” What that really means is that a laser is a device that can produce a single, pure wavelength of light. Each wavelength can target specific substances. For example, in medicine, some lasers can target red lesions (like blood containing vessels or birthmarks), some can target brown and black colors, like the pigment in liver spots or for hair removal, and some can target water, the major component in skin, so, in essence, they can act as a scalpel.

There has been a misconception that lasers won’t work or are harmful to skin of color. This is not true.

Laser therapy for procedures such as laser hair removal is growing in popularity. Laser therapy has come a long way since the 1990s, with the invention of new lasers to treat conditions in every skin type and gender. With the improvement of these therapies, it’s essential to realize that some common beliefs about laser treatment are not fact, but really myths.

We’re going to debunk the most common myths about laser therapy.

Myth: People with darker skin tones should not get laser treatments.

Believe it or not, this is still one of the most common misconceptions about laser therapy, especially for people of color. However, it could not be more incorrect. Laser therapy, such as laser hair removal, is an excellent treatment for common skin con-

ditions, like “razor bumps” (known as Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) rather than shaving, plucking, and waxing.

Myth: It’s for women only.

On the contrary, more men than ever before are seeking laser therapy. For example, men utilize laser hair removal, which is used to permanently eliminate unwanted hair, as well as issues like razor burn and ingrown hairs. Men receive treatment primarily on their faces, necks, and backs, and many men turn to laser hair removal to sculpt their beards and sideburns.

Myth: “If you have dark skin, you can’t have laser hair removal.” According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), laser hair removal can be performed on all skin types, with the condition that there is a contrast between the skin and hair color. It is true that people with darker skin are more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation (dark marks); therefore, it is crucial the doctor has experience performing laser hair removal on darker skin tones.

The AAD also says there are specific lasers for people with darker skin tones, and an experienced physician and laser surgeon can select the best laser for the desired outcome, and adjust the laser settings to minimize any unwanted effects. It is recommended to ask the physician which type of laser they plan on using, and how much experience they have.

Myth: It Hurts. This is an understandable fear but is also false.

According to the AAD, when performed by a board-certified dermatologist, laser therapy should result in little to no discomfort. Some have described it as “a slight

warmth to the skin.” The amount of pain varies among each person and how much pain they tolerate. Thankfully, topical anesthetic creams can be given before the procedure to ease the discomfort if needed, and many physicians are even using laughing gas, like at the dentist’s office. Lasers can be uncomfortable, but there are ways of making laser treatments very tolerable.

Myth: Laser therapy exposes you to radiation:

This is simply false. Laser therapy does not emit radiation. It is a therapy approved by the FDA. It does not emit radiation that is harmful to the patient.

Myth: Laser hair removal works on every hair color:

Unfortunately, this is a myth. The AAD reports lasers do not effectively work on light-colored hair. Lasers target pigment, which means it would not work on light hair such as blonde, white, gray, and red, because they lack pigment. Be wary of providers that say laser hair removal will work for all hair colors.

Myth: Laser hair removal causes more hair to grow:

Lasers work by removing hair follicles, which stops the hair from growing. It does not create new hair follicles. That being said, factors like hormones, medications, and skin types dictate the differing amount of laser sessions one may need. It is almost impossible to get rid of all hair in one session. It’s best to ask your dermatologist which therapy would fit you.

Laser therapies are safe and effective solutions for treating certain skin conditions. However, to prevent complications and assess which therapies are best for you, ensure your laser treatment is performed by a board-certified dermatologist with the proper education, training, and experience needed to provide the best treatment available.

Alexis E. Carrington, MD is a graduate of Pepperdine University undergrad and St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Carrington is currently completing her Internal Medicine preliminary year at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine Elmhurst Program in New York City and currently applying to dermatology research fellowship with plans to match into dermatology residency.

Psychology Fact

A hug can lift your mood. Dopamine is released when you hug or shake hands with someone. This makes you feel good. So give a hug and take a hug from someone when offered.

The 101 Dirtiest Things We Touch

Protect yourself from getting sick: Disinfect items and wash your hands The List

It is no surprise that our world is filled with millions of germs. Some germs are both wanted and important. In fact, we have populations of germs that live on our skin and inside our bodies that are essential for life. This group of microbes and germs is collectively called the microbiome and will be the subject of a future article. Unfortunately, many germs are not essential to us and are downright dangerous for our health. Many of these germs live on ordinary, everyday objects that we use all the time. The most important thing you can do for good health is to wash your hands on a regular basis. Some of the items around us we would expect to be dirty. Some of the other things around us may be very dirty, and the list of them may come as a complete surprise. Even if you are not a total germaphobe, when we look at the list of 101 of the dirtiest things we encounter and touch every day, it should make us more motivated to wash our hands regularly.

Airports security bins

Armrests at public places like theatres, doctor’s offices, lecture halls, airplanes and other forms of public transportation (including the food trays that are stored in airplane armrests)

Appliance control knobs and handles, drawer handles, especially in the kitchen.

Banisters at home and in stairwells

Bar games (pinball buttons, video game buttons, darts, hockey game handles, etc.)

Bathtubs

Bathroom door handles, especially inside, leading out

Bathroom sink faucet handles

Bowling balls (free loaners at the alley)

Car interior controls including: shifter knobs, radio, climate control, seatbelt buckles and touchscreens

33. Fruit (like limes) squeezed into cocktails, beer and other drinks. Often, the bartenders are in a hurry and grab the lime or other fruit slices and with their bare hands. Then they squeeze and drop the fruit down into your drink. The germs from their fingers are now on the fruit that is floating in your drink or Mexican beer. As one person said, when they squeeze fruit with their bare hands and drop it into you drink/beer, it is the same as going into the bar and asking the bartender if you can lick their fingers. Oh my. 34. Gaming controls 35. Garage remote controls in our cars and on the garage wall 36. Gas pump handles 37. Grill handles 38. Hairbrush handles 39. Handles on subways and trams that are used to hold on to when the vehicle is moving 40. Handshakes 41. Hearing aids and eyeglass frames 42. Hot tubs 43. Hot and cold-water dispenser knobs/levers 44. Hotel room telephones 45. Keys 46. Kitchen sink 47. Kitchen sink sponges and towels 48. Kitchen towels 49. Laundry can be: Use bleach on whites, hot water washes, and long hot, dry cycles 50. Light switches 51. Litter boxes 52. Locker door handles at the gym 53. Loofa sponges 54. Lunch boxes 55. Magazines in reception rooms 56. McDonalds play areas 57. McDonald play area plastic balls 58. Money: coins and paper, (and the automatic metal coin trays that change rolls into when you pay with cash at stores that you grab your change out of) 59. Mailbox handles 60. Microwave keypads 61. Office telephones and telephone receivers 62. Paper towel dispenser levers 63. Parking meters 64. Pens on a cord or chain (like at the bank) or the stylus pen at the credit card signing station 65. Pet toys

66. Pet dishes 67. Pet leashes

68. Playground equipment, inside and outside 69. Poles on subways and trams that are used to hold on to when the vehicle is moving 70. Produce: All produce is covered with germs and should be washed off even if you plan on peeling it before eating it. And to wash produce off, it needs to be scrubbed with a special produce brush, not just rinsed under flowing water.

71. Public bathrooms: inside stall latches 72. Purses 73. Railings in stairways 74. Refrigerator door handles 75. Restaurant menus

76. Restaurant salt and pepper shakers and table condiment containers

77. Restaurant table tops (especially if wiped down with a sponge or cloth from the same tub of water used over and over, or the sponge or cloth is used repeatedly on all tables) 78. Restaurant utensils and dishes (Studies have shown that almost all restaurant silverware has detectable amounts of norovirus, E. coli, and Listeria.) including shared utensils to serve food at buffets 79. Security door keypads 80. Security system alarm programming pads 81. Self-checkout stands at the store 82. Shoes, especially the bottoms 83. Slot machine buttons 84. Soap dispenser buttons 85. Sports balls (basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, etc.) 86. Sports equipment at the gym (bikes, treadmills, weights) 87. Steering wheels (cars) 88. Stove and oven control knobs 89. Shopping cart handles 90. Shower handles 91. Testers (e.g. make up) and sample jars at stores 92. Toilet seats 93. Toilet flush handles/levers 94. Toothbrush and toothbrush holders 95. Touchscreens 96. TV remote controls 97. Urinal flush handles 98. Vending machine buttons 99. Wallets 100. Water bottles that are regularly refilled

Many of the things around us can and should be cleaned on a regular basis. Most things should be cleaned daily or weekly. Use a commercial disinfectant spray or wipe according to directions. For cell phones, use a microfiber cloth and a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution. You can’t clean everything, so your best defense for good health is to wash your hands regularly and especially after touching the items listed above. For a great article on proper hand washing, please see our previous column: Spokesman-Recorder, July 26, 2017 http://spokesman-recorder.com/2017/07/26/want-prevent-illness-disease-wash-hands/ This article is brought to you by the Crutchfield Dermatology Foundation www.crutchfielddermatology.com/foundation and the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians. www.maaap.org Previously printed on the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder newspaper. http://spokesman-recorder.com/

Riddle Me This...

What has six faces, but does not wear makeup, has twenty-one eyes, but cannot see?

Moon Fact

Temperatures on the Moon vary drastically, as there is no atmosphere on the Moon. The temperature ranges from temperatures -200°F to more than 200 °F.

Copyright Crutchfield Dermatology

Word of the Month

Utilidor

an insulated network of pipes and cables, used to convey water and electricity in communities situated in areas of permafrost.

Would You Like to Have Wildly Luxurious Hair?

This is Dr. Crutchfield’s daughter, Olivia. She does special hair and scalp treatments in our spa called Hair Revive. She also uses Nutrafol vitamins. They work like crazy! Get 25% Off Your Hair Revive Treatment

Schedule an appointment for your first Hair Revive treatments and mention you saw it in the newsletter for 25% off the treatment. Call today for Your Luxurious Hair 651.209.3600

Cat Fact

Isaac Newton invented the cat flap to stop his cat “Spithead” from opening the door to his darkroom and ruining light-sensitive experiments.

Monthly Sarcasm

“Right before I die I’m going to swallow a bag of popcorn kernels to make the cremation a bit more interesting.”

New Treatment for Hair Loss

Crutchfield Dermatology Announces the Successful Treatment of Hair Loss using a Novel combination of Platelet Rich Plasma, Prostaglandins, Botox, Lasers, Essential Oils, Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Scalp Conditioning Treatments.

Crutchfield Dermatology Announces the Successful Treatment of Hair Loss using a Novel combination of Platelet Rich Plasma, Prostaglandins, Botox, Lasers, Essential Oils, Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Scalp Conditioning Treatments.

Charles Crutchfield III M.D., a nationally recognized Board Certified Dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology, has developed a new and successful system to treat alopecia using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, in conjunction with several other leading-edge modalities for the treatment of hair loss and thinning hair.

As a non-surgical medical procedure to treat hair loss and thinning hair, PRP Therapy has been a

well recognized successful treatment over the past several years. Charles E. Crutchfield III M.D. has seen significant results in patients seeking treatment for hair loss (Alopecia). “Using the patient’s own blood, we create a concentration of Platelet Rich Plasma to promote hair growth and rejuvenation.” Charles E. Crutchfield III M.D. explains the treatment and its benefits: “PRP therapy uses the patient’s blood to create the ideal formula of Platelet Rich Plasma. We start by drawing a blood sample and spinning the blood to separate its components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelet-rich plasma. Injecting the enriched platelet-rich plasma (containing concentrated amounts of growth factors, cytokines, and platelets), into the treatment area. This PRP treatment stimulates the inactive hair follicles into an active growth phase.”

“In addition to using PRP, we also treat the hair loss with a combination of other modalities that work synergistically. It is not “one size fits all”. We have developed a custom design a program for the patient for their maximum hair growth programs.

Crutchfield uses a combination of the following for maximal hair growth:

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Crutchfield Dermatology Hair Tonic (containing prostaglandins, finasteride, and minoxidil)

Botox injections

Hair Growth Vitamins and minerals

Essential Oils that promote hair growth

Keravive scalp conditioning treatments

Laser treatments for hair growth

Anti-inflammatory Scalp Program

We find that this combination of treatments works better than anything that we have tried in the past and we are stull refining the components.

Dr. Crutchfield has seen a significant increase in the number of patients inquiring about this therapy. Estimates are that nearly 100 million Americans suffer from hair loss. PRP for Hair Loss Therapy and the additional program of other modalities developed at Crutchfield Dermatology is a breakthrough treatment option because it is a safe, reliable treatment that is short and non-surgical. The recovery period is fast, and the results are natural.

“In our experience, although PRP and some of the other components are not yet FDA approved for Alopecia, we have a success rate of approximately 75% with our designer hair growth program.

I recommend a series of injections to be done monthly, for 4-6 months and our other programs. Once patients achieve the level of hair regrowth they are happy with, we recommend a topical

treatment program to maintain and extend the PRP treatment success and recommend a PRP treatment every 6 or 12 months for maintenance. “

The hair loss and hair thinning treatment program with PRP and the other components works well for both men and women. It is primarily designed to treat androgenetic Alopecia, but we have had success in alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, and hair loss associated with stress (telogen effluvium), also.

As the testing continues and the components are adjusted, we will submit a report.

About Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D: Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., is a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Medical School and a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is currently the Medical Director of Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan and is a Benedict Distinguished Professor of Biology at Carleton College. Dr. Crutchfield has won numerous teaching and professional awards and is the co-author of a children’s book on sun protection, a dermatology textbook, and hundreds of medial articles. He is a member of the AΩA National Medical Honor Society, an expert consultant for WebMD and CNN, and a recipient of the Karis Humanitarian Award from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. He is the team physician for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves and Lynx professional sports teams. Dr. Crutchfield has over 25 years of clinical experience caring for patients.

Copyright CrutchfieldDermatology

Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.

John F. Kennedy

What is Prediabetes?

by Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD and Celine Sabbagh

And why should I care?

Untreated diabetes can kill you. In the Twin Cities, 90,000 adult Blacks have prediabetes and are unaware of it. There are excellent treatments and interventions for prediabetes, but you must find out if you have prediabetes before you can do anything about it.

An estimated 96 million (36.5%) American adults have prediabetes. An estimated 15.8 million (38.6%) Black, non-Hispanic American adults have prediabetes. Among those with prediabetes, 80% are not aware of it.

A person is prediabetic when their blood sugar is elevated. A person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal in prediabetes but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes is often asymptomatic, so people can have it for years without knowing.

Additionally, the lack of severe symptoms makes people feel less inclined to make healthy changes to prevent the progression of prediabetes to diabetes, since they feel fine.

Why should I care?

Prediabetes is a crucial point in the progression of diabetes, as it is the last chance to prevent diabetes. It usually takes about five years for prediabetes to develop into diabetes. This five-year period offers an excellent opportunity to make a positive health change.

How does insulin affect diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in your bloodstream at any moment. Insulin also helps store glucose in your liver, muscles and fat. Insulin binds to the surface of cells and tells them to let sugar inside.

Diabetes occurs if your blood glucose (blood sugar) exceeds a certain level regularly. It is a chronic condition that leads to many complications and damage to many vital organs, including heart, eyes, kidneys, brain and skin.

Diabetes can produce cardiovascular problems, such as strokes and heart attacks, and it can change the blood vessels in the eyes, causing blindness. Diabetes can affect the skin, causing ulcers and sores that don’t heal. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease leading to rampant kidney dialysis.

These are just a few reasons why it is so important to know if you are prediabetic and at risk for developing diabetes so that you can make the appropriate lifestyle changes to control your blood sugar and prevent diabetes.

What causes diabetes?

Simply put, being overweight. Diabetes results due to a combination of two factors. The first is insulin resistance, combined with a decrease in insulin secretion by the pancreas. This causes sugar to build up in your blood and results in diabetes.

Step one in preventing prediabetes from developing into diabetes is determining if you have prediabetes. Check with your doctor to see how frequently you should have check-ups and ask your doctor when you should screen for prediabetes. If appropriate, your doctor can do a blood test to determine if you have prediabetes.

Another test often mentioned in TV ads is Hemoglobin A1c (A1c). This test measures how high your sugar level has been over the past three months. Factors that increase the risk of prediabetes include being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, and having a personal history of high blood pressure.

The risk of developing prediabetes increases gradually as you get older starting around age 45. Once you reach age 65, the risk increases tremendously. It is estimated that over half of people over age 65 have prediabetes, while 25% over 65 have diabetes.

Different populations have an increased risk for prediabetes. African Americans, Hispanic/ Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle also impacts the risk of prediabetes. Exercising three times a week can decrease your chances of developing prediabetes. Being active helps your body use insulin to lower blood sugar, and when you are not physically active, insulin cannot control blood sugar levels.

Lifestyle changes

Once you know you have prediabetes, the next step is to make lifestyle changes to prevent prediabetes from developing into diabetes. The main factors that make the most significant difference in diabetes prevention are a healthy diet, weight loss, and exercise.

To prevent diabetes, you should follow a diet that minimizes blood sugar spikes, such as foods with a low glycemic index. These foods are digested, absorbed, and converted to sugar slowly and do not dramatically increase your circulating blood sugar.

Foods with a low glycemic index include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats such as salmon and avocado. Consider a diet low in carbohydrates and high in natural foods.

Regular physical activity, at least 150 minutes a week, will help prevent diabetes. A brisk walk or bike ride five days a week for 30 minutes a day would help you meet this goal.

Losing weight is another thing you can do to prevent the progression of prediabetes to diabetes. Losing about 5% to 7% of your body weight, which would amount to just 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person, can make a big difference in preventing diabetes.

Doctors have excellent pharmacologic programs and associations with dieticians and fitness consultants to develop a plan to help you prevent diabetes and live your healthiest life. Call your doctor if you suspect you have prediabetes or have not had a general medical exam in two years.

In the meantime, select one small change you can make in your daily life, such as substituting a sugary beverage with water, taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, or eating fruit for dessert instead of a baked good. Small changes in your everyday life can make a huge difference in preventing diabetes.

TikTok Videos Dr. Crutchfield Wants to

Share with You

Crutchfield Family Photo

Entire family is enjoying one of the wild hockey games in St. Paul; standing alongside Dr. Crutchfield (red jersey) is Laurie’s brother Mark Saddler. He came in to visit from Detroit for Thanksgiving 2022.

Radiant Skin

This is Dr. Crutchfield’s daughter, Olivia. She is a 3rd-year student at New York University. She has a personal dermatologist, her father!

He treated her acne as a teenager. Olivia uses her father’s: “Dr. Crutchfield’s Natural Skin Cream” for her face, neck, and body in addition to regular HydraFacial treatments at Crutchfield Dermatology Medispa. Schedule your appointment now to get glowing, radiant skin!

Phobia of the Month

Androphobia- Fear of men.

Mandela Stone of the Month

Dr Crutchfield enjoys collecting Mandela Stones every month we will feature one of his favorites

Restaurant of the Month Apostle Supper Club

The Apostle Supper Club is the place for nostalgic fun and food in the heart of THE CITY. Classic dishes are deconstructed and reimagined with a sense of comfort and adventure. Because we believe everything good starts with a meal, we founded Purpose Restaurants and our non-profit organization, Give Hope MN. The mission of Give Hope MN is to bring the community together to provide support and serve those in need.

Agate of the Month

Did you know Dr.Crutchfield collects agates? This is one of the many from his collection.

BOTOX COSMETIC

Crutchfield Dermatology Patient Reviews

Crutchfield Dermatology has over 2,000 nice reviews online. To read a few please visit: www.CrutchfieldDermatologyReviews.com

Dad Joke

What did the late tomato say to the early tomato?

I’ll ketch up!

EYEBROW LIFT

Get that sexy young-arch in your eye brow without invasive facial surgery.

Returning to Practice?

TipIf there’s a jar or container you can’t open, run the lid under hot water for 30 seconds.

Dry it so you can get a good grip, then open it.

Long Covid: What is it?

By Charles E. Crutchfield III MD

If you are planning to join a crowd at a sporting event, mall, beach, or go to a movie, you should be reminded that Covid is still here. In fact, infections are rising, with over 100,00 new cases and over 500 deaths daily in the U. S.

The majority of those who contract the virus will fully recover in a few short weeks—many, but not everyone. The risk of the mysterious condition that has become known as long Covid is soberingly real. The CDC defines long Covid as associated health problems that last for more than a month after one has a Covid infection.

Staggering numbers of Americans are suffering from “long Covid.” It makes it very challenging to answer the simple greeting, “How are you?” Most respond with the standard “fine,” but the truth is much more complex.

Instead of recovering in a few weeks, these patients are told it may take several months. For some, it can even take years. It can be discouraging, isolating and lonely. The world seems to move on without them.

The two most common symptoms of long Covid are shortness of breath and fatigue. Profound fatigue. The simple act of taking out the garbage or walking a dog can cause such extreme fatigue as to make them take a nap for hours or even all day to recover.

Chest discomfort, headache, dizziness, palpitations, an inability to regulate body temperature, and difficulty concentrating (brain fog) are other common symptoms of long Covid.

Diagnosis

Experts are searching for ways to diagnose long Covid adequately. They agree that long Covid is an actual condition. Still, traditional diagnostics like standard blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, brain scans, x-rays, or physical examinations cannot diagnose long Covid.

This inability to make a clear and consistent diagnosis can be disconcerting to someone with many of the long Covid symptoms. Hopefully, the medical community will soon develop a set of diagnostic criteria and rules that will benefit all those suffering from long Covid.

Currently, the National Institutes of Health has instituted a comprehensive study called “Recover.” The goal is to discover why some people who contract COVID-19 develop long Covid. This program is an important initiative because it is a healthcare emergency.

The CDC reports that more than 50% of all Americans have been infected with Covid. Estimates say that approximately 20% of Covid patients will develop long Covid. That translates to tens of millions of people in the United States who will suffer from long Covid.

Interestingly, long Covid shares similarities with other infections, such as Lyme disease and Epstein-Barr, which can also be challenging to diagnose.

Some notable observations:

Those with severe or prolonged Covid are at higher risk for developing long Covid.

Vaccination lowers the risk for death, severe illness, and the development of long Covid.

Long Covid occurs more frequently in women than men.

Long Covid can occur in children.

But, the picture is still not clear. For example, many people with very mild cases of Covid, infections that do not require hospitalizations or even doctor’s visits, can still get long Covid. The Mayo Clinic reports that almost 75% of patients with long Covid had very mild Covid infections.

Possible causes

The cause of long Covid remains elusive, but some hypotheses include:

The inflammation associated with Covid can cause long-lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

The immune system can get confused and attack normal tissue long after the Covid infection has resolved.

Covid infection can disrupt a person’s normal microbiome: the trillions of bacteria living within us that protect and help us, their human hosts.

Treatment

Long Covid is challenging to treat. The good news is that most with long Covid get better over time. Rehabilitation services, including occupational and physical therapy, are also beneficial.

The key is to gently direct the patients into a much better place to understand the course and to better control and manage their symptoms until they resolve. The key is to get support early. The earlier, the better. Talk to your physician if you have symptoms 3-4 weeks after a Covid infection.

Most sufferers with long Covid want others to know that hope is essential. Things will get better, but only with time. Everyone wants the pandemic to be over, but we must still understand that for many it is far from over.

Employee Anniversaries

Alexis B. – 9 years Nathan K. – 1 year Amanda L. – 3 years Katherine W. – 1 year Mimi X. – 8 years

Employee of the Month Mimi

X.

Effectively Treat Psoriasis

Nationally recognized dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III MD explains the causes of psoriasis, a common skin disorder, and ways to effectively treat it.

Psoriasis is both a common and age-old problem. It presents as red, scaling plaques on the skin that often itch and bleed. Commonly, psoriasis occurs on the elbows and knees, but it can be found anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp. For centuries, it has affected people in all walks of life and all nationalities. It can be progressive and may appear at any time during one’s life. It is one of the most common skin diseases, striking an estimated five percent of the world’s population. Of those affected, approximately 25% percent can develop an associated psoriatic arthritis, which is both progressive and degenerative. Psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating.

Is Psoriasis Contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious, but it can interfere with normal life and social relationships, and cause many sufferers to isolate themselves from friends and family. Heredity plays a part in the disease, with approximately 10 percent of all sufferers being able to identify a genetic relative

with the disease. Stress, injury, infection, medication, or trauma can trigger an initial episode or cause a flare-up of psoriasis.

How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?

Dermatologists diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, nails, and scalp. If the diagnosis is in doubt, a skin biopsy may be helpful. My philosophy is to use a combination approach, utilizing many different compounds in the treatment of psoriasis to achieve a synergistic effect.

I struggled with Psoriasis with unsightly patches on my elbows, knees, and forehead... All psoriasis areas are clear after a couple weeks of treatment. The staff is wonderful too! - Cecile S.

Suicide Prevention Hotlines:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text Hello to 741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Text “START” to 88788 or call 1-800-799-7233

National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-855-812-1001

LGBTQ Support- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

Drug/Alchol Abuse Support - SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Dr. Crutchfield surrounds himself with the best staff in Minnesota.

Crutchfield Dermatology

Eagan Dermatology Practice Tour

On A Final Note

Dr. Crutchfield is one of the leading aesthetic dermatologists in America. He affirms his dedication to excellence by being a founding member of the “Doctors for the Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine. If you are thinking about having a cosmetic procedure done, make sure the doctor performing the treatment is a member!

For more information www.SafeandEthicalDoctors.org