The contamination/adulteration problem seems to be especially bad with imported ingredients, i.e. from China (and supplement sellers often don't say where their ingredients come from or have any control over their formulation). Here's a summary of some recent cases (and recalls) where supplements were found to be adulterated with prescription drugs. What typically happens is that people get sick, and only then are the products tested and the adulteration discovered.

The issue as I perceive it, is that the this skin condition has yet to be successfully treated. I would expect the doc to refer out to the next level of specialist if he has yet to successfully clear up the condition or often a patient out of desperation gets fed up, stops looking for treatment or hopefully seeks out a specialist who has greater experience or education. I'm concerned S. may have gotten caught in this. I want her to be proactive for herself and continue to seek out answers. With a condition that is so challenging, docs doing lots of research (medical schools) or infectious disease docs often see very challenging issues are likely going to be the best to identify what is going on. Dermatologists though good, do not necessarily have the exposure to very challenging issues. I don't want S to get frustrated and stop seeking treatment. I am hoping to get her seeking the very, most successful medical help possible. I believe she can call the offices to explain her issue to see if the offices feel prepared to treat. If so, she can go back to Derm doc and ask for a referral to a particular office. Patient's often don't know where to begin and don't know the next steps to get the help needed. Not all specialists see all the very challenging conditions out there but don't necessarily want to say " I'm stumped". That's why a patient needs to be highly proactive for themselves and it is amazing that when a patient needs help and seeks it out from top docs, the pathways can be made smooth for the patient to get the help needed. I want S to push forward to get the help she needs, even if she needs to be pushy. I want her to fight for herself as we all should. That's not an attack.

I am really surprised by some of the answers on here. They seem to be varied as opinions on future weather patterns. Someone even said concrete is "lime, water and aggregate"? I hope to clarify statements like these. Let me pre-emptively state that my occupation is as a Technical Representative for a large Concrete and Cement packaging Corporation. I also serve on two Technical Committees that write specifications on Cement. I will try to keep this response in Layman's terms, so it is easily understood for all that read this article. Cement is derived from taking ground Limestone and then kilning it at very high temperatures to produce a finished Cement product. When it is kilned, the chemical composition changes from its base raw limestone. Cement is then blended with Coarse (Rock) and Fine (Sand) Aggregates. Sometimes Fly Ash (Coal that has been burned and recouped) as well as Silica Fume (Derived as a by-product from the production of elemental silicon or ferrosilicon alloys in electric arc furnaces) are added. Often Air Entrainment admixtures are also added for better freeze thaw resistance as well as high range water reducers/Super Plasticizer's in the case of higher strength concretes or when you are attempting to beget a desire trait from the finished concrete. There are other admixtures that can be added but I won't get in to all the variations of mix designs. The last component is water and that is self explanatory. The Topic Question (Is Concrete OK near Garden) is best answered this way...While Concrete is in its plastic state; Yes the cement component is caustic to vegetation and will often cause a temporary deterioration in that vegetation. Of course you would not want to place concrete directly on any shrub or flower bed while in this state, but once Concrete has set, there may be a very minUTE leaching of lime that is contained within the cement matrix. This may actually add a benefit to the soil depending on the soil conditions where you live. And this was more prevalent in cements of old but is not seen too often now, unless host soils contain lime that leaches through (In the case of retaining walls). In fact Cement and Concrete are routinely used to encapsulate toxic soils nowadays by Environmental Companies to reduce the leaching of the numerous chemicals that were used in Heavy Manufacturing of the past. Feel secure to cast your concrete garden edging at the side of your garden. I hope this helps.

We do still use silver- impregnated dressings for some wounds. Aquacel Ag for an example. If your MIL has breaks in her skin, ulcers or wounds, it is reasonable to use a silver dressing, but you can get pre-made, sterile dressing or ointment to use instead of concocting your own. If the skin is intact, then no need to apply silver I believe. The goal now is to keep the skin intact. Cellulitis is not a surface infection, it is in the tissue below the skin surface. Breaks in the skin allow it to get in (and the bacteria can migrate to that area from other parts of the body too). Keep the skin moisturized and supple with a good lubricant (like lanolin) but not sitting in wet; if she has chronic swelling, ask her doctor about good support hose. There are chronic skin changes that occur with peripheral vascular disease, the skin can become chronically red or purple, rough, scaley, even hard and corrugated, and the lower legs swollen. And, yes, these changes can be in the entire lower leg, not just the feet. It can often look like cellulitis when there is actually not an infection (one clue -- if the redness and warmth decrease or go away when the legs are elevated about the heart, it might not be cellulitis). People who have PVD, who have had cellulitis before, or who are obese are prone to have cellulitis in the legs over & over. I am wondering about the pain, Konrad, does she have it always even when her legs seem to be okay? or do her legs always look like cellulitis? PVD will cause chronic pain, and believe it or not walking is recommended, if she can, but it takes a while to have positive effect. A specialist in PVD (not just any cardiologist or vascular surgeon) is a good idea.