The following is an MSR interview with Dr. Charles Crutchfield (CC) on acne, a topic of interest to many of our readers. MSR: Are teens the only ones who deal with acne? CC: Absolutely not. I see patients in their teens, 20s, 30s, even 40s and 50s who have to deal with acne. The majority of acne […]
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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Concussions can have long-term effects
Back by popular demand: With the approach of football season, we thought it helpful to remind readers of the sport’s potential hazards with this column first published in November 2013. What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury. Why should I […]
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Olympics bring attention to cupping therapy
Dear Dr. Crutchfield: I was watching the Olympics and noticed several athletes had purple circular marks on their skin. Michael Phelps was one of the athletes. I was told the marks resulted from a treatment called “cupping.” What is cupping? Although very popular now, cupping is actually an ancient medical treatment popular in Egyptian, Middle Eastern, and […]
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When it comes to your heart health, don’t sell yourself short
OK, you have survived a heart attack or cardiac repair surgery. Now what? Experts agree that the most important thing you can do now is to participate in a customized cardiac rehabilitation program that is organized and supervised by your physician. A cardiac rehabilitation program will provide a structured plan to increase cardiac health and fitness […]
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Playing tennis is not the only way to get tennis elbow
Dear Doctor: My uncle tells me he was diagnosed with “tennis elbow.” That is odd; he has never played tennis a day in his life. What is tennis elbow? The muscles in your hand and arm are attached to the bone near the elbow. The thick, fibrous portion of the muscle that attaches directly to the […]
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Preventive medicine: Police stops, a discussion for the times
Back by popular demand due to the difficult times we live in, here’s a helpful checklist on what you should do and say if you are approached by the police. Conclusion of a three-part column Two weeks ago, in this three-part preventive medicine series on safe and effective ways of dealing with police-citizen encounters, I discussed how to handle vehicle stops […]
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Preventive medicine: Police stops, a discussion for the times: Part II
Back by popular demand due to the difficult times we live in, here’s a helpful checklist on what you should do and say if you are approached by the police. Second in a three-part series Preventive medicine is a board-certified specialty of medical practice that focuses on the health of individuals, communities, and defined populations. Its goal […]
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Preventive medicine: Police stops, a discussion for the times
Back by popular demand, here’s a helpful checklist on what you should do and say if you are driving and get pulled over by the police 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 […]
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You can never get tired of getting the right amount of sleep
What is insomnia? Insomnia is a condition where it is difficult to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. Getting a good, restful, recuperative sleep is a key to good health. Experts suggest that if it takes you more than 20-40 minutes to fall asleep, or if you get less than four to five hours of sleep […]
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The facts about lead poisoning
A tragedy took place in Flint, Michigan involving lead poisoning. Since the presence of dangerous levels of lead is not limited to Flint, it behooves us all to become more familiar with the potential hazards of lead exposure and how to avoid it. What exactly is lead poisoning? Lead poisoning results from ingesting products containing lead. These […]
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What is pink eye?
The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis. Pink eye occurs when there is inflammation of the conjunctival part of the eye — the lining of the eyelid and white covering of the eye. The blood vessels become dilated with inflammation, and the increased blood causes the eye to appear red/pink. Causes of pink eye Pink […]
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What is psoriasis and why should I care about it?
Psoriasis is an itchy skin condition that appears as patches and plaques of dry, scaly skin located most commonly on the elbows, knees and scalp. Psoriasis, however, can occur anywhere. Sometimes it can be very mild with just a couple of spots, and in other cases it can be quite severe and widespread. Psoriasis can also make your […]
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Depression — you don’t have to live with it
Depression is a condition that causes a person to have a persistent feeling of profound sadness. Depression will also cause people to lose interest and pleasure in things that they normally enjoy. It is a type of medical condition or illness termed a “mood disorder.” Depression is a very common mental illness that is treatable. Depression is […]
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Ten ways to add 10 years to your life!
By Charles E. Crutchfield II, MD and Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD Summer is coming, which is a great time to remind ourselves how to make the most out of summer and the most out of life. Here are a few tips to maximize your health, which is a necessary part of maximizing your summer fun: […]
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Bunions can be a big pain in the toe
Back by popular demand: Originally published March 13, 2014 Dear Doctor: My aunt told me she has a painful bunion. What is that? A bunion is large bump that forms at the base of the big toe where the bone of the big toe attaches to the bones of the foot. When this happens, the […]
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Parkinson’s disease: no cure, but helpful treatments available
Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic disease that affects the way a person moves. Brain cells (neurons) are lost or destroyed and, as a result, a messenger chemical called “dopamine” is reduced.
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Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating to families
Alzheimer’s disease — the most common cause of dementia — is a group of brain disorders that cause a loss of intellectual and social skills. “Dementia” is an umbrella term describing multiple diseases and conditions that develop when nerve cells (neurons) in the brain die or are unable to function normally.
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Hemorrhoids can be a real pain in the backside
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins that can occur inside and outside the rectum. When they occur outside, they are called external hemorrhoids.
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Smoothing out a bumpy situation
Last week we discussed what causes razor bumps and why they may affect some kinds of skin and beards more than others.
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Smoothing out a bumpy situation
Razor bumps are a real and common problem. Razor bumps look and feel like pimples, but they are really the result of ingrown hairs.