Blog - Page 10 of 10 - Miller Family Dermatology | Arlo Miller | Issaquah WA

Posted on June 1, 2012

Ridiculous Itching and Welts?

Q: This sounds ridiculous, but anywhere I rub my skin or scratch it I get big welts and the more I rub it the bigger the welts get and the more it starts itching. I have tried different laundry soaps and body washes but the end results are always the same. Help! -patient from Longview WA A: This isn't ridiculous at all! What you are describing sounds like dermatographism: Its basically the ability to make hives or welts by rubbing. Patients can pretty much play tic-tac-toe on their thigh if they wanted to. Its typically harmless, but it can really bother some patients,...

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD

Posted on May 29, 2012

Melanoma, Moles, Skin Cancer

Genetics and Melanoma

Q: Read study done in Germany that links fathers to sons gene related to melanoma genesis in families. Any more research done on it yet? Reader from Vancouver, WA A: Many studies have shown a genetic link, and some of the responsible genes are known (and can be tested for), but these mutations are only responsible for a small number of melanomas. In 90% of melanomas, the genetic changes leading to cancer are somatic mutations, meaning that they were not inherited and developed from scratch in the affected person. Here is where it gets interesting: Exposure to ultraviolet light will generate many of these mutations. ...

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD

Posted on May 2, 2012

Practice News

Big things are happening!

We are finally moving to Issaquah and we have another little girl on the way. As if that were not enough, I decided it was time to start my own practice. In order to get everything ready and still spend some time with my family, I am not seeing patients the next few months. However, if you would like to be contacted to schedule an appointment, please contact us here....

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD

Posted on May 1, 2012

Tanning

Tanning for Prom

Q: I am sixteen and I want to go tanning for prom. I just dont know what to do-- whether spray tanning or in a bed tanning? I know tanning in a bed causes cancer, but if I just go for like 2 weeks everyother day will it hurt? A: Yes, it will. Studies have shown that people who have NEVER gone to a tanning bed have less skin cancer than people who have EVER gone. Even just a few times. Ask around and find out who does good spray tans in your area. No ill health effects from a spray tan at all. Once...

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD

Posted on July 1, 2011

Melanoma, Tanning

Does occasional tanning damage my skin?

Q: Is tanning occasionally (1-10 times a year) damaging to my skin? I don't burn and have no family history of skin cancer? -Bothell, WA A: Doesn't matter if you burn or not. The tanning response requires genetic damage to the DNA in your skin cells in order for tanning to happen. Even tanning 10 times a year raises the risk of melanoma by 34%. Tanning also dramatically accelerates the aging process in your skin by completely shutting down collagen production temporarily....

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD