Pending job cuts at the office. Back-to-back final exams. A messy divorce. An unexpected surgery. What do they all have in common? In a word -- stress. While everyone knows that stress can take a toll on a person physically and psychologically, it also can lead to dermatologic problems, such as acne, brittle nails or even hair loss.

Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Skin Academy (Academy), dermatologist Flor A. Mayoral, MD, FAAD, clinical instructor in the departments of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Fla., discussed the most common outward signs of stress on the skin, hair and nails, and offered stress management tips to control these symptoms.

"In treating hundreds of patients over the years with skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, acne and psoriasis, I have seen firsthand how stress can aggravate the skin and trigger unexpected flare-ups that, in effect, create more stress for patients," said Dr.

Intermission: Point and click tricks

Digital cameras revolutionized the way that we photograph the world. Where once we might have asked a stranger to take a photo of us, we now extend our arms and direct the lens at our face before opening the shutter. Once we hear the synthetic “click" of a closed shutter, we flip the camera around to view the photograph on the LCD screen to decide if another take is necessary. It's the digital self-portrait, and it is unavoidable on Facebook. It has become such a symbol for the way we share ourselves with the virtual world that it has been absorbed by marketers as a means of conveying modernity (for proof of this, look no further than the poster for “Marie Antoinette").

Katie Leslie In Good Health — Unhappy with your Medicare prescription plan?

Just the thought of Medicare's prescription drug program elicits a groan. When the new "Part D" program was unveiled in 2006, I reported on seniors struggling to navigate the system to find the program right for them.

Undoubtedly, not everyone was successful. That's why Medicare holds an open enrollment each year to allow seniors to switch plans. Take note: the next enrollment period will be Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.

Any changes made will be enacted Jan. 1 and can't be changed until next year.

Not sure how to decide? The Frederick County Department of Aging suggests seniors consider their premium and cost changes (if any) in 2008, whether they will need more coverage, if their drugs will continue to be covered, or quite simply, if they are happy with their plans' customer service.

Taking Care Of Your Skin Starts From Within

The old adage "you are what you eat" not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well. As the largest organ in the body, our skin can benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. In fact, new research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.

Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's Skin Academy (Academy), dermatologist Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York, N.Y., and clinical assistant professor of dermatology and associate faculty of the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa., discussed the importance of eating nutritious foods for optimal skin health and how foods can aggravate common medical skin conditions.