Comments for Skeptic Ireland

Comment on Skeptics in the Pub by Episode One Hundred And Forty Six – On Savita Halappanavar – Interview With The Skeprechaun Podcast | Token Skeptic

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:10:27 +0000

[...] O’Neill is a designer, studies in a post-graduate in museums and is an organiser of Dublin’s Skeptics in the Pub, along with podcasting for the Irish podcast The Skeprechauns. She is on Twitter [...]

Comment on Skeptics in the Pub by Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:36:04 +0000

The best way to find out about our upcoming events is to check the Facebook page!

And not very drunk at all, all the talking seems to prevent that.

Comment on Skeptics in the Pub by cos1

cos1 — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:55:55 +0000

How drunk does everyone get?

Comment on Skeptics in the Pub by pauline hall

pauline hall — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:59:51 +0000

I’d like to know more about the irish skeptics society,and the pub evenings.

Comment on Wk1 Holistic Therapies: Access Bars by Greg

Greg — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:58:37 +0000

I’d want to know more about your proposed currency of “space hugs” and would like to subscribe to your newsletter
Dear Christ. You couldn’t make this crap up!

Comment on Eczema – A magnet for natural therapies by Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:27:15 +0000

Hi Garret – all I can say is “SNAP!” as it looks like I could have Pompholyx too – which to me sounds like a death/thrash metal band. I’m waiting on some tests to confirm that (well more to rule out other things).

UV therapy has never been suggested to me, though I’ll see what is prescribed next, and I always mean to ask anyone “in the know” if it is not recommended for people with very pale skin like me.

That is a very valid point you make about finding a specialist dermatologist as, just like you say, it can mean a much speedier diagnosis and recovery. I’d imagine that going through public health care can make it harder to find such a specialist though?

Again good point – wikipedia can be a haven for woo and misinformation. I always head to the NHS or similar governmental/professional websites for info, apart from anything it stops you thinking you could be dying from a mild rash…

Comment on Eczema – A magnet for natural therapies by Garret

Garret — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:51:17 +0000

I had a virtually identical experience to what you descibed above.
Things came to a head when I also got a type of Eczema called Pompholyx on my hands and feet. Eventually I got referred to a excellent Dermatologist at the Mater who had me go on a treatment of ultraviolet light therapy. Which basically involves standing in what looks like a sun tanning booth and getting short blasts of UV light. The downside of the treatment is that it takes 3 sessions a week for a few months as they gradually increase the exposure times from a few seconds to a few minutes. However the upside was a marked improvement in the condition. For the first time in about 20 years I didn’t need to take topical steroids. Eventually the Eczema did return but for me at least , it hasn’t returned to the same level as it was before I had the UV treatment (over a year and a half ago now).

Anyway having said all that personal anecdotes aren’t worth much. However I would advise people to get referred to a Dermatologist that actually specialises in condictions like eczema. I have been referred to serveral Dermatologist over the years only to discover Dermatology is a fairly wide field, covering everything from things like Eczema to cosmetic surgery. Obviously you wouldn’t want a Dermatologist who’s area of interest is in the latter.

Also Wikipedia is not a great source to use for good information. Do many woo peddlers and people with an axe to grind have been at it. E.g.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopic_dermatitis#Microwave_radiation

-Garret

Comment on Eczema – A magnet for natural therapies by Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:20:25 +0000

It’s hard not to investigate these therapies when it’s such a chronic condition. I think bad blood is always a good place to draw a line in general!

Comment on Eczema – A magnet for natural therapies by Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:30:34 +0000

Great post. I noticed the homeopathy shop just off Grafton St are peddling Moo Goo and claiming its a cure for the usual skin issues like Psoriasis and Eczema. Apparently not content with one brand of bullshit they need to branch out which makes me wonder how much faith they have in the law of similars. Having Psoriasis myself I know all the treatments out there and even, to my shame, resorted to Acupuncture after pressure from the folks, but cut it short after the bleedings. Evil blood is where I draw the line.

Comment on Cromwell at Drogheda: Two Sceptical Threads by Happy Second Birthday To Me | Never Felt Better

Happy Second Birthday To Me | Never Felt Better — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:53:24 +0000

[...] 18. Cromwell At Drogheda: Two Skeptical Threads [...]