Reactive Arthritis

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Reactive arthritis is a condition that occurs when the immune system reacts to an infection somewhere in the body and causes joint pain and inflammation. This infection usually starts in the digestive system, genitals, or urinary tract. Reactive arthritis usually affects the knees, ankles, and feet, but it can also cause inflammation in the eyes, skin, and urethra. Reactive arthritis is considered a form of a group of inflammatory diseases that mainly affect the spine, joints, and places where tendons and ligaments attach to bones called spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Although reactive arthritis isn’t contagious, the bacteria that cause it can spread through sex or food. Several types of bacteria can trigger reactive arthritis, including:

Chlamydia trachomatis

Clostridium difficile (C. Difficile)

Escherichia coli (E. Coli)

Campylobacter

Salmonella

Shigella

Yersinia

While only a small number of people who are exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis, certain factors increase the risk of developing the condition, including:

Infection

Sex assigned at birth

Genetics

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually start one to four weeks after a triggering infection. Common symptoms include:

Pain and stiffness

Urinary issues

Swollen toes or fingers

Eye inflammation

Inflammation of tendons and ligaments where they attach to bone

Skin issues

Lower back pain

Reactive arthritis isn’t common and usually happens for a short period of time. For most people who experience this condition, symptoms can come and go, usually disappearing within a year.

A healthcare provider can diagnose reactive arthritis with a physical exam, as they check the eyes and joints for inflammation, warmth, and tenderness, as well as the skin for rashes. They may also order blood tests, joint fluid tests, and imaging tests to help diagnose the condition.

The main goals of treatment for reactive arthritis are to relieve symptoms and treat any infection that may still be present. Since reactive arthritis can affect different parts of the body, there may need to be multiple doctors or healthcare providers involved in treating this condition. Treatments for reactive arthritis can include:

Medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and rheumatoid arthritis medicines

Physical therapy exercises that strengthen the muscles around the affected joints, improve flexibility, and prevent stiffness

Although genetics is a risk factor for developing reactive arthritis, that risk can be lowered by reducing exposure to bacteria that cause infections by:

Practicing food safety

Preventing sexually transmitted infections

If you are experiencing any symptoms of reactive arthritis, you can schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Athlete’s Foot

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin infection caused by dermatophytes, which are the same fungi that cause jock itch and ringworm. However, unlike jock itch and ringworm, athlete’s foot can often come back.

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, damp places, which can occur when feet get hot and sweaty inside closed shoes, creating sweaty socks. They can also live on wet towels.

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot can spread easily to other people because they can travel on hands, towels, and other surfaces. A person can get athlete’s foot through contact with someone who has it and by touching surfaces where fungi are present. It can also spread from the feet to other parts of the body and may happen when a person uses a towel to dry their feet and then uses the same towel to dry the rest of their body, such as the groin area, which causes jock itch.

Athlete’s foot can affect one or both feet, usually starting between the toes. It causes common symptoms that include:

Dry, scaly skin on the bottom and sides of the feet

Itchy skin, occurring especially right after taking off shoes and socks

Swollen skin that may look red, purple, or gray, depending on skin color

A burning or stinging sensation

Blisters

Scaly, peeling, or cracked skin between the toes

A person has a higher risk of developing athlete’s foot if they:

Sweat a lot

Often wear closed shoes

Walk barefoot in public showers, pools, or locker rooms

Share towels, shoes, rugs, or bed linens with someone who has athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot can cause complications for people with weakened immune systems, such as those with diabetes, leading to a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis.

A healthcare provider may be able to diagnose athlete’s foot after an examination. Some types of athlete’s foot can look similar to dry skin or dermatitis. To help rule out other conditions, your provider may take a small skin sample of the affected area for lab testing.

Treatment for athlete’s foot may involve self-care and over-the-counter products such as antifungal cream, spray, or powder. If these over-the-counter products do not work, a healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antifungal medicine to apply to the affected area.

Several tips can help ease the symptoms of athlete’s foot and lower the risk of it coming back. They include:

Keeping your feet clean and dry

Wearing different shoes every day

Changing socks regularly

Wearing breathable and lightweight footwear

Using an antifungal product

Wearing waterproof shoes or sandals around public pools, showers, and locker rooms

Not scratching the rash in the affected area

Not sharing shoes

If you are experiencing symptoms of athlete’s foot or another fungal infection, you can call (718) 206- 6742 or (718) 206-7001 to make an appointment.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a condition that causes small, painful lumps to form underneath the skin. These lumps usually develop in areas such as the armpits, the groin, buttocks, and breasts where the skin rubs together.

Hidradenitis suppurativa starts after puberty and usually before the age of 40. It can last for many years, worsening over time.

Hidradenitis suppurativa can affect one or more areas of the body, with several signs and symptoms, including:

Blackheads- small, pitted areas of the skin that often appear in pairs

Painful pea-sized lumps that form under the skin in areas where more sweat and oil glands are present, or where the skin rubs together, that can last for weeks or months

Leaking bumps or sores that can get bigger, break open, and drain pus with an odor

Tunnels that form under the skin. These tunnels connect lumps and heal slowly, and drain blood and pus

Some people who have hidradenitis suppurative experience only mild symptoms; however, the course of the disease varies extremely. Excess weight and smoking are associated with worse symptoms, but people who are thin and smoke can also experience severe symptoms of the disease.

Hidradenitis suppurativa occurs when hair follicles become blocked. The cause of the blockage isn’t known; however, experts think it may be connected to hormones, genetic predisposition, cigarette smoking, or excess weight.

Several risk factors can increase the chance of developing hidradenitis suppurativa. They include:

Race

Family history

Certain conditions

Smoking

Severe and persistent hidradenitis can cause complications, including:

Infection in the affected area

Restricted movement due to sores and scar tissue

Skin cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma, has been reported with long-term hidradenitis suppurativa

Scars and skin changes after wounds have healed, leaving pitted skin and rope-like scars

Swelling in the arms, legs, or genital area, due to scar tissue caused by hidradenitis that blocks the lymph nodes in those areas from draining

Psychological effects and social isolation, such as depression, anxiety, or not wanting to go out in public due to the location, drainage, and odor of the sores

Lifelong pain

Hidradenitis suppurativa can often be mistaken for acne or pimples. A healthcare provider can make a diagnosis based on signs and symptoms, skin appearance, and medical history. Hidradenitis suppurativa can be difficult to diagnose and requires specialized care, so a healthcare provider may refer a patient to a dermatologist.

There aren’t any laboratory tests available to diagnose hidradenitis suppurativa; however, if there is pus or drainage present in the wounds, samples may be taken for testing.

Treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa can include medications, surgeries, or both to help control symptoms and prevent complications of the condition.

Medications used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa can include:

Antibiotics

Steroid injections

Hormonal therapy

Biologics

Retinoids

Pain medicine

Surgical procedures used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa include:

Uncovering the tunnels under the skin by removing tissue to expose them

Punch debridement, which removes a single inflamed bump

Laser therapy

Surgical removal of all the infected skin

If you or a loved one is suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa, you can visit Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Dermatology. To make an appointment, please call (718) 206- 6742.

World Vitiligo Day

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

June 25^th is World Vitiligo Day. Vitiligo is a disease that causes skin to lose color or pigmentation. Smooth white or light areas called macules or patches appear on the skin. It generally starts on the hands, forearms, feet, and face.

Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin, melanocytes, stop making it or die. It is unclear what exactly causes vitiligo; however, it may be related to the following:

An autoimmune condition
Family history
A trigger event, such as stress, severe sunburn, or skin trauma, such as a chemical burn

About 1% of the global population has vitiligo. It affects all races and sexes equally. Vitiligo is more visible in people with darker skin tones. Although the disease can develop at any age, macules or patches usually become apparent before the age of 30.

A person may be at a higher risk of developing vitiligo if they have certain autoimmune conditions, such as:

Addison’s disease
Anemia
Type 1 diabetes
Lupus
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Thyroid disease

There are several types of vitiligo, including:

Generalized- the most common type of vitiligo that causes macules to appear in various places on the body
Segmental- this type only affects one side of the body or one area, such as the hands or face
Mucosal- this type affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and/or genitals
Focal- this rare type is where the macules develop in a small area and don’t spread in a certain pattern within one to two years
Trichome- this type causes a bullseye with a white or colorless center, then an area of lighter pigmentation, and an area of the person’s natural skin tone
Universal- this rare type causes more than 80% of the skin to lose pigment

The signs and symptoms of vitiligo include:

Patches of skin or mucous membranes that lose color and appear white or lighter than your natural skin tone
Patches of hair on the body turn silver, gray, or white

Symptoms can be mild and only affect a small area of the body or severe, affecting a large area of the skin. Some people with vitiligo experience itchy skin before depigmentation starts.

To diagnose vitiligo, a healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and examine your skin, possibly with a special lamp. This evaluation may also include a skin biopsy and blood tests.

The choice of treatment for vitiligo depends on your age, how much skin is involved and where, how quickly the disease is progressing, and how it’s affecting your life.

Medications and light-based therapies are available to help restore skin color or even skin tone, though results may vary and are unpredictable. Some treatments have serious side effects, so a healthcare provider may suggest that you try changing the appearance of your skin by applying a self-tanning product or makeup first.

If you and a healthcare provider decide to treat your condition with a drug, surgery, or therapy, it may take several months to judge its effectiveness. You may also have to try a combination of approaches before finding what works best.

If you have vitiligo, certain self-care tactics may help you care for your skin and improve its appearance, including:

Protecting your skin from the sun and artificial sources of UV light
Concealing affected skin
Not getting a tattoo

To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call (718) 206-7001.

Lupus Awareness Month

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is observed as Lupus Awareness Month, a month used to educate, advocate, and support those affected by lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, such as the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Healthcare providers sometimes call lupus systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is the most common type of lupus, which means you have lupus throughout your body. Other types of lupus include:

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is lupus that only affects your skin
Drug-induced lupus occurs when some medications trigger lupus symptoms as a side effect. It is usually temporary and might go away after you stop taking the medication that caused it
Neonatal lupus occurs when babies are sometimes born with lupus. Babies born to biological parents with lupus aren’t certain to have lupus, but they might have an increased risk

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have a mild form of the disease characterized by flare-ups, when signs and symptoms may get worse for a while, and then improve or disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

Fatigue
Fever
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
A butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, or rashes elsewhere on the body
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dry eyes
Headaches, confusion, and memory loss

Lupus likely results from a combination of genetics and environment.

People with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with an environmental trigger of the disease. Some potential triggers of lupus include:

Sunlight
Infections

Diagnosing lupus is difficult because signs and symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time, overlapping with those of many other disorders.

No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and results of a physical examination can lead to a diagnosis. Blood and urine tests may include:

A complete blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Kidney and liver assessment
Urinalysis
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test

If your healthcare provider suspects that lupus is affecting your lungs or heart, they may suggest imaging tests that can include:

A chest X-ray
An echocardiogram

Lupus can harm the kidneys in many ways, and treatments can vary depending on the type of damage it causes. Sometimes, a kidney biopsy is needed to determine the best treatment. A skin biopsy can be performed to confirm a diagnosis of lupus affecting the skin.

A healthcare provider will suggest treatments for lupus that manage your symptoms. The goal is to minimize damage to the organs and how much lupus affects your day-to-day life. Most people with lupus need a combination of medications to help them prevent flare-ups and lessen the severity of symptoms during one. Medications you might need include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Corticosteroids
Antimalarial drugs
Immunosuppressants
Biologics

Simple measures can help prevent lupus flare-ups if they occur, and help you to better cope with the signs and symptoms you experience, including:

Seeing your doctor regularly
Being sun smart
Getting regular exercise
Quitting smoking
Eating a healthy diet
Asking your healthcare provider if you need vitamin D and calcium supplements

For more information about the Lupus Center at the campus of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center or to make an appointment with a lupus doctor, call (718) 206-9888 or the Lupus Hotline at 1-877-33-LUPUS.

Podiatry: What Your Feet Can Tell You about Your Health

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Our bodies present many signs and symptoms to show us that we are sick, such as a runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, your feet can tell us a lot about our health, including:

Dry, flaking, itchy, or peeling skin may be signs of a thyroid condition or a fungal infection.
Foot numbness may be a sign of circulation problems such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, other neurological problems, arthritis, or long-standing alcoholism.
A foot sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. In addition to causing nerve damage, high blood sugar might also damage the blood vessels that supply nerves, causing circulation problems that prevent healing.
Swollen ankles and feet may be signs of heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood clot. Painless swelling in the feet is gravity in action. If your heart, liver, or kidneys aren’t working properly, you will have excess fluid in the body that leaks into your tissues and drains down to the feet.
A suddenly, intensely painful, and swollen big toe may be a sign of gout, inflammation caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints.
Pain in the foot when walking or exercising that goes away when resting may be a sign of a stress fracture or osteoporosis.
Sore toe joints in both feet may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Frequent foot cramping may be a sign of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
Heel pain may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, the strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.
Yellow toenails may be a sign of a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot.
Balding or hairless feet and toes may be a sign of circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease.
Foot or heel pain upon standing or rising in the morning may be a sign of arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
Frequently cold feet may be a sign of hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition where blood vessels spasm and constrict when experiencing cold temperatures.

Some ways you can care for your feet include:

Wash and examine your feet daily
Keep the skin on your feet moisturized
Treat any callouses and corns
Trim toenails weekly or as needed
Wear protective clothing on your feet
Maintain blood flow to the feet

If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Queens Podiatry Center at (718) 206-6713-6712 to make an appointment.

What is Induration?

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Induration is a deep, thickening of the skin from edema, inflammation, or infiltration, including cancer.

Signs of indurated skin include:

Skin that feels firmer to the touch than the surrounding skin
Skin that appears thick
Skin that looks smooth and shiny

The indurated areas commonly appear on the hands and face, but can also be found on the chest, back, abdomen, breast, or buttocks.

The primary underlying causes of skin induration include:

Specific types of skin infection
Cutaneous metastatic cancers
Panniculitis
Hives

The precise physiological process that results in many conditions that cause skin induration includes inflammation and infiltration of the skin by certain types of cancer cells.

Several types of skin infections with symptoms of skin induration include:

An abscess
An inflamed cyst
Insect bites that become infected

The diagnosis of skin induration is made by palpation or the feeling of the area, assessing whether the raised area feels hard and resistant.

Treatment of skin induration varies depending on the underlying cause. Treatment options include:

For an abscess, the treatment option may be antibiotics, incision, or drainage
For inflammatory disorders, such as scleroderma or lichen sclerosus, immunosuppressants or steroid creams can be used.

Supportive care for skin induration conditions can vary greatly, depending on the underlying cause. Examples of supportive care for skin conditions can include:

Warm compresses
Analgesia
Elevation of the affected extremity to help reduce swelling

If you are experiencing any signs of skin induration, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call (718) 206-7001.

How Can Swimming Affect Eczema?

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Eczema is an inflammatory, non-contagious skin condition that causes irritation, itching, blistering, and infections. People with eczema often experience periodic “flare-ups” during which their symptoms temporarily worsen. These flare-ups may be triggered by certain environmental factors that can irritate or dry out the skin.

While there is no definitive link between swimming and eczema flare-ups, elements found in most swimming pools can affect the skin in ways that can trigger or worsen the onset of symptoms. These include calcium chloride and chlorine.

Calcium chloride is added to pools to increase their alkalinity and stabilize pH levels. Generally, pool water is kept between a pH level of 7.2 and 7.8, making it slightly alkaline. Human skin, on the other hand, typically maintains a pH level between 4.1 and 5.8, making it more acidic. This acidity helps to maintain the skin’s moisture; if the skin’s pH level rises and becomes too alkaline, it can dry out, potentially irritating the skin and triggering eczema symptoms.

There is no definitive evidence that chlorine generally causes adverse effects in people with eczema. While it is capable of drying out the skin in a way that can cause irritation, its ability to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin can also potentially improve symptoms. Similarly, there is no substantial evidence to indicate how elements of natural bodies of water, such as salt water, can affect people with eczema.

Barrier creams and ointments applied to the skin before swimming can protect your skin against potential irritants while swimming by retaining the skin’s moisture and infusing it with lipids and ceramides, which occur as natural protective substances in normal skin. Additionally, if you plan to swim outdoors, it’s recommended that you protect your skin against sun damage. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and wear ultraviolet (UV) protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50 or higher.

If you experience symptoms of eczema, you can receive a diagnosis or treatment from a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

What is Female Pattern Baldness?

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Approximately one in three women will experience hair loss at some point within their lifetime, with about 55% losing some amount of hair by the age of 70.

The most common cause of hair loss in women is female pattern baldness. There’s no specific known cause for female pattern baldness, but several factors have been identified that may be linked to it. These include aging, changes in androgen levels, a family history of male or female pattern baldness, significant blood loss during menstrual periods, and certain medications, such as birth control pills.

In most cases, female pattern baldness begins in the crown of the scalp and the top of the head, becoming thinner in these areas over time. While the hairline does not recede beyond average levels, the center part of the hair that runs across the top of the head may become wider. Unlike male pattern baldness, however, female pattern baldness does not typically result in an eventual total loss of hair.

Hair loss may also be an indicator of other, potentially more serious conditions. Alternative causes such as alopecia areata, which causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles, are not particularly dangerous to your health. However, causes of hair loss such as thyroid disease or anemia are potentially life-threatening illnesses if they are not adequately managed.

If you begin to experience symptoms of female pattern baldness, you should speak with a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. Certain signs, such as new hair growth on your face or in other abnormal parts of your body, may indicate heightened levels of androgen and support female pattern baldness as the most likely cause of your hair loss. A dermatologist can also perform a skin biopsy or blood test to diagnose you.

To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call our Ambulatory Care Center at (718) 206-7001.

Debunking Acne Treatment Myths

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

We have all heard acne treatment myths at some point in our lives. Among the most common is the belief that toothpaste is an effective remedy for treating pimples. The opposite is true. While there are some ingredients in toothpaste that might seem effective in shrinking bumps, there are others that can do far more harm than good, and cause damage to the skin.

The myth that toothpaste could be used as a treatment for acne may have gained popularity when most products contained triclosan, an antifungal and antibacterial agent. Many manufacturers today no longer include this ingredient in toothpaste because studies suggest that it could negatively affect our health.

Triclosan has been removed from most toothpaste but there are still other ingredients included that prove beneficial for our teeth but harmful to our skin. These are:

Sodium lauryl sulfate
Menthol
Flouride
Sodium benzoate

Using these substances on the skin can make acne worse or result in allergic reactions that include swelling, redness, or itching.

Another popular myth involves using ice to treat pimples. While applying ice may work in temporarily alleviating symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain in inflammatory types of acne; it has little or no effect on other types of pimples that are non-inflammatory such as blackheads or whiteheads.

It is also important to keep in mind that using ice does not treat the contents (oil, bacteria, debris, and dead skin) inside a pimple. Additionally, applying ice for long periods to the skin can lead to rosacea, dilated blood vessels, tissue damage, or frostbite.

Damage to our skin and other complications can be avoided by using dermatologist-approved products that are intended for skin care. They contain ingredients that have been tested and recommended by professional organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology.

If you choose to use more natural remedies, speak with your dermatologist about their risks and benefits before applying them to your skin.

To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.