Skin & Hair News

Clean hair a head-lice haven

A lot of stigma associated is associated with having head lice. Contrary to popular belief, head lice are common and they prefer clean, shiny hair rather than dirty hair.

Body location affects scratching

New research from a world-renowned itch expert shows that how good scratching an itch feels is related to its location.

Leprosy far from extinct

Leprosy has long been extinct in Europe, but in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, it is still destroying many lives.

Human and animal bites

Just how dangerous are human and animal bites, and how should they be treated?

Skin microbes lure mosquitoes

The microbes on your skin determine how attractive you are to mosquitoes, which may have important implications for malaria transmission and prevention.

Experimental psoriasis drug better

An experimental psoriasis treatment performed significantly better than the commonly prescribed medication methotrexate in a new clinical trial.

Hairdressers can check for cancer

A trusted hairdresser may be privvy to your deepest secrets - your age, your real hair colour and may be the first to spot the telltale signs of deadly skin cancer.

Tanning beds risky

The UV ray type found in sunbeds might reach into the skin's most vulnerable layer. Indoor tanning beds may be even more likely to cause skin cancer than previously believed.

Breastfed babies still get eczema

Exclusive breast-feeding of infants for four months or longer does not protect them against developing the itchy skin disorder known as eczema in childhood, new research shows.

Vitamin D levels linked to cancer

The higher a person's vitamin D levels, the higher the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, finds new research.