There are many causes for hair thinning and hair loss. Your dermatologist can help determine the exact cause and, in turn, help develop the appropriate treatment plan. The most common type of hair loss, called androgenetic hair loss (alopecia), is also known as male pattern and female pattern hair loss (also alopecia). Alopecia is the medical […]
Charles Crutchfield III MD
Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD was the senior medical advisor for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder until his passing on June 21, 2023. He launched and helped organize a weekly Doctor's Advice column where he and other Black physicians offered timely medical advice on pertinent topics in the Black community.
Dr. Crutchfield III was a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of biology at Carleton College. He also had a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, MN.
He received his MD and master’s degree in molecular biology and
genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He had been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Minnesota Medicine recognized Dr. Crutchfield as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. Dr. Crutchfield specialized in
skincare for people of color and has been selected by physicians and nurses as one of the leading dermatologists in Minnesota for the past 18 years.
He was the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield was an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.
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To live a long, healthy and prosperous life, protect your head!
This column adds new information to a previous column, “Concussions can have long-term effects,” published in the August 31, 2016 issue of the MSR. In a shocking report published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 99 percent, or 110 out of 111 brains from deceased professional (NFL) football players donated to […]
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Great news: There is a vaccine that prevents cancer
The sad news is it’s underutilized There is a virus that causes certain types of human cancer. It is the human papilloma virus. There are over 100 different subtypes of human papilloma virus. Some types of human papilloma virus can cause common and genital warts. Fortunately, only nine types of human papilloma virus are associated with serious […]
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Want to prevent illness and disease? Wash your hands!
Of all the things you can do to prevent illness and the spread of disease, proper handwashing may be the easiest and most effective. Here are simple guidelines to properly wash your hands. Talk to your children, friends and family members and make sure they get into the good hand-washing habit, too. Repeated hand-washing is […]
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What is meningitis and why should I care about it?
The meninges is the name of the three-layered protective tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. The suffix “-itis” is commonly used in medicine to denote “inflammation.” Meningitis is an infection, inflammation and swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Meningitis can be caused both by bacteria and viruses. Bacterial infections of […]
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Water safety precautions to keep your summer tragedy-free
Preventive Medicine is a board-certified specialty of medical practice that focuses on the health of individuals, communities and defined populations. Its goal is to protect, promote and maintain health and well-being and to prevent disease, disability and death. With that in mind, I’d like to discuss tips for staying safe in and around the water […]
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Be skin smart and sun safe this summer – Part II
Conclusion of a two-part column Last week’s column discussed good skin care, especially moisturization, and the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. This week we look at skin color, vitamin D, and measures to reduce and prevent sun damage. It’s very interesting when you look at skin color, which is merely a reflection of our […]
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It’s summertime — time to be skin smart and sun safe
First of a two-part column Let’s face it: With summer comes the opportunity for all kinds of skin problems. This includes attacks by mosquitoes and ticks; sporting activities where bumps, bruises, cuts and abrasions abound; and the notorious ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It’s always a good idea to be sun smart and sun safe. When […]
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What is autism and how is it treated?
This column is revised, updated and reprinted by popular demand Autism is a group of brain development disorders that have a variety of manifestations. The hallmark of autism is the disability to interact normally with others using both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Essentially, autism interferes with the affected person’s ability to communicate, interact socially, […]
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It’s that time of the year again: Watch out for Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an illness that is transmitted by deer ticks. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium by the name of Borrelia burgdorferi.
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Your lovable liver
Here are 10 great reasons why you should love and care for your liver. Your liver is an amazing organ that performs dozens of different bodily functions essential for life. The liver is the fourth-largest organ of the body. On average, the skin weighs 20 pounds, the intestines weigh eight pounds, and the lungs weigh […]
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Maximize kids’ enjoyment of summer sports by preventing injuries
Sports are great for people of all ages, but it is important that safety takes a front seat, especially in kids with growing and developing bodies. While we have come to recognize the importance of protecting the brain from injurious concussions, we can’t ignore the rest of the body. In fact, in baseball-playing youth, arm injuries […]
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A cool solution to hair loss from cancer chemotherapy
With respect to cancer treatment, chemotherapy has been extremely beneficial and effective. Unfortunately, it brings with it a common and undesirable side effect: hair loss. In fact, a small percentage of women will actually decline chemotherapy out of a desire not to lose their hair. Fortunately, research and practice in Europe have brought new promise […]
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How to respond to — and prevent — a measles outbreak
Dear Dr. Crutchfield: According to reports by the Minnesota Department of Health, there has recently been a limited outbreak of the measles in Minnesota. What are the measles? The measles is an illness transmitted by a virus. It is extremely contagious. In fact, if you have not been vaccinated or have not had it before, the […]
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When it comes to medications, one size does not fit all
New advances will help patients respond better to medicines Next time you find yourself in a crowd, take a look around. Notice that people come in all sizes, shapes and colors. These differences can be determined by genetic differences in all of us, and are cemented in our DNA and genes. Genes can determine everything from […]
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African American hair: tips to make it look healthy and beautiful
Let’s face it — hair can often be a part of our personal and cultural identity. The number of hair styles, processes, and hair care treatments are as varied as we are as a people. Additionally, we must constantly keep in mind factors like weather, travel, and athletic activities that can affect our chosen style. […]
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Psoriasis: new treatments, excellent results
Psoriasis is both a common and an age-old problem that affects about five percent of people worldwide. It presents as red, scaling plaques on the skin that often itch and bleed. Most commonly psoriasis occurs on the elbows and knees, but it can be found anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp. For centuries, […]
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Colorectal cancer: a common but preventable killer
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both women and men in the United States. Colorectal cancer is also the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Annually, over 130,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and approximately 50,000 will die from the disease. The good news is that […]
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Newborn screening: A simple test could save your baby’s life
Every parent wants their child to be healthy and happy. When it comes to newborns, the most important thing is to detect any health problem as soon as possible so it can be corrected. We are fortunate — Minnesota has one of the best and most comprehensive newborn baby health screening programs in the world. Newborn […]
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A healthy smile can also mean a healthy heart
Is there a connection between healthy teeth and gums and heart health? Doctors are recognizing the connection more and more. Brushing our teeth two or three times daily is not just good for a pretty smile; it may be good for maintaining a healthy heart as well! Over the past 20 years, researchers and doctors […]