In a recent study scientists have been able to identify the mechanism that the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, uses to reduce inflammation on the skin.

The conventional thinking on wound healing has been that chemicals causing inflammation in a wound are necessary for wound healing. Lately, studies have been showing that good wound healing occurs when there are low levels of these inflammatory chemicals.

The skin always has bacteria on it, the same bacteria that cause infections if they get into the body. This study showed that one of those skin bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, produces a molecule that blocks a certain receptor on the skin from making inflammatory chemicals in response to a wound.

But it doesn't block all of the inflammation. This bacteria is able to keep the receptor from making too many inflammatory chemicals. It allows just enough required for good wound healing.

In a study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, investigators found that the number of infections with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increased more than 90% between 1999 and 2006. The study also found that over time more MRSA infections are community acquired (CA-MRSA) compared to hospital acquired (HA-MRSA).

The FDA recently approved a new non-narcotic patch for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, a very painful complication of a shingles infection. The name of the new patch is Qutenza and it contains 8% capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers that causes a burning sensation when applied.

The interesting thing about this treatment is application of the patch to the affected skin for just 1 hour can actually give up to 12 weeks of pain relief.

In a study that will be published in December in the International Journal of Primatology, investigators have found that the color of a person's skin determines how healthy they appear. They also surmise that diet is a major factor that gives the skin that healthy appearance.

In the study Caucasian participants, using special software, were asked to change the skin color of male and female Caucasian faces to make them look the most healthy. The participants chose to turn up the redness, yellowness, and brightness of the skin.

If the skin is a little flushed with blood, this suggests the person has a strong heart and lungs. The investigators believe that slightly yellow skin comes from eating fruits and vegetables which have antioxidants that help fight off disease and soak up toxins.

The part of the study that warms my heart is the fact that the study participants didn't make the skin tanner to make it look healthy, they actually lightened it.

I think this study reinforces what we already knew about "living right" -- exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, and use sunscreen to protect your skin.