One of my close girlfriends had a bad case of hives last summer (had to be on antibiotics, steroids, and I forgot what else). She was under a lot of stress finshing up her law degree and studying for the bar exam.

Now, a year later, she's passed the bar, has a job, and consequently, has less stress in her life (or, at least a different type!)... and her hives have returned! She is extremely frustrated, and is wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Also, she's wondering if the hives were never really caused by "excess stress" in the first place?

thanks!

What exactly are strawberry birth marks and why do they happen? Are they the same as port wine stains (marks)?

When my daughter was born she had very pronounced strawberry birthmarks on her face (especially between her eyebrows) and now they are gone unless she gets upset (she's a toddler now so she's upset a lot!!) and you can see a shadow of the old birthmark appearing - strange!

Will they leave completely or does they partly stay for life?

I overheard a conversation today that a woman who is pregnant should not use beauty products that contain retinol. Is that true? Why not? I'm wondering if pregnant women should not use it, then what about women who are in their child-bearing years...why is this product dangerous and should it be on the market for ANY woman?

I have been trying to grow my hair out for about a year. The problem is that my hair keeps breaking off so I have to keep cutting it. I would like to know if there is some wonder shampoo and conditioner out there in this world or at least some sort of hair product to make my hair unbreakable.

I've been getting hangnails (4 total) in the past couple of weeks.

These things are painful - and I don't know how to prevent them.

It's hard not to pick at them to get them off and if I do, they
hurt even more!

I'd like to know why they happen and how to stop them.

Thanks-

So when the story came out on yahoo.com this morning that fish are being used as a way to help alleviate dry skin on women's feet, I just had to laugh. Yes, I know it's sandal season and nobody feels good about 'that' skin, but ....

http://empowher.com/news/skin-hair-and-n...

Are you willing to try out this new pedicure method should it come to a location near you -- as they say?

My good friend's 4-year old daughter was just diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis on Wednesday, and we are scared and shocked! What does this mean for the long-term health of her daughter? My friend also has a 12 month old daughter; what is the likelihood that she would develop this disease, too? Any way to prevent it?

I was wondering if you all had access to a pediatric rheumatologist, as my friend has some questions she would like to ask (for a 2nd opinion, they really like their current doctor).

Here are some of our initial questions:

Once or twice a year, my 4 year old comes down with itchy hives - all over his body. They go within 3-5 days. I took him to his pediatrician and she pretty much thinks it's a skin condition that has no real rhyme or reason.

It has happened three times in the past 18 months - he's in the middle of an outbreak now, and it's at different times of the year so I don't think weather has much to do with it.

Does anyone know much about children and hives?

This may seem like an odd question, and I feel odd asking it! I really don't know when this started. Whenever my face gets just the slightest bit sweaty, which happens often in humid weather, one side of my face starts itching terribly. The area is next to my nose, under my eye, under where the lenses of my reading glasses would be. I mention the reading glasses because, since I'm sensitive to metal, I wear rimless lenses.

Can I actually be allergic to my own sweat? Is it possible that a high acidity level could be at the root of the problem?

There are so many commercials and different product lines, that I am really trying to decide where best to spend my money and have the healthiest skin.

I assume dermatologists would just say to use an approved, mild facial cleanser and daily moisturizer with SPF 30+...and that's all you need.

What about all the other products to help exfoliate, buff or otherwise "improve" your skin and protect it from further damage or aging appearance? IS mircroderm abrasion helpful or a scam?

thanks!