Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Eosinophils are a particular type of white blood
cells, usually representing a small percentage (less than 8% of
the total white blood cell population) that are easily stained by eosin and other dyes; they have a characteristic double-lobed nucleus. The number
of these cells (eosinophil count) increases in certain illnesses, including allergies,
asthma, Addison's disease, sarcoidosis, parasite infections, drug
reactions, and connective tissue diseases (such as rheumatoid
arthritis and scleroderma).
What is fascia?
The fascia is a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue under the skin that covers a surface of underlying tissues. Fascia surrounds each of the muscles that move the skeleton. When the fascia is inflamed, the condition is referred to as "fasciitis."
What is eosinophilic fasciitis?
Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare disease that leads to
inflammation and thickening of the skin and fascia underneath.
In patients with eosinophilic fasciitis, the involved fascia is
inflamed with the eosinophil type of white blood cells. This leads to symptoms of
progressive thickening and often redness, warmth, and hardness
of the skin surface.
Occasionally, the onset of eosinophilic fasciitis follows a period of exertional physical activity. Eosinophilic fasciitis
is sometimes confused with eosinophilia-myalgia
syndrome and scleroderma. Eosinophilic fasciitis sometimes occurs associated with cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Reviewed by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD on 2/17/2012
Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells in which the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal. Strictly speaking, leukemia should
Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, and
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs
The evidence is growing and is more convincing than ever! People of all ages
who are generally inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming
active at a moderate-intensity on a regu"...
