Dr. Lynne Holladay, Pediatric Healthcare Associates, is a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Her medical training includes a medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical School in Shreveport, Louisiana, and an internship and residency in pediatrics at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Her postgraduate studies were in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Billy Washburne, Allergy/Immunology & Asthma, joined Highland Clinic in October of 2003. He was board certified in pediatrics in 1980 and in allergy and clinical immunology in 1983. The allergy and clinical immunology practice encompasses many ailments. Clinical immunology attempts to discover
reasons for recurrent infections, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and connective tissue disorders. The allergy practice helps with allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and hives (urticaria). For detailed information of his medical trainiing, visit his website at: www.highlandclinic.com/staff/willard-washburne-md

Dr. Washburne and Cooksey grew up and played football together in Delhi, LA. They both attended the first class of Medical School, which at the time, was held at the VA Medical Center.

Dr. Cooksey, Highland Clinic Dermatology, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin including but not limited to warts, acne, skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, evaluation and removal of moles, allergic skin reactions, rashes, skin infections, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. He is Board certified in Dermatology and has been practicing in Shreveport since 1978. He joined the Highland Clinic in 1991. Prior to coming to Shreveport, he was the interim Chief of the Department of Dermatology at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Memphis. In addition to his Dermatology practice, he has worked as a volunteer clinical instructor at LSU Medical Center helping to train Dermatology Residents and giving lectures in Dermatology to medical students. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and an active member of the LA Dermatology Assoc, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the LA State Medical Association, and the Shreveport Medical Society.

You asked – They Answered

• Never had allergies until later in life, what can I do to treat this? If you break out in hives or begin itching, you need to know that scratching only magnifies the problem and an antihistamine like can help. It’s recommended to take a full dose of Zyrtec however, without being seen, Dr. Washburne can’t determine 100% that is the best route for your case. If it does seem to work for you, he recommends making sure that you’re taking a full dose.
• Do you advise the Shingles vaccine? Shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus and usually occurs in older people. The vaccine is recommended for people over 60. It doesn’t always prevent shingles but for the most part, does, and is a one time shot. Anything that lowers your immune system (like a recent sickness or stress) can bring shingles on.
• Radiation and how it has changed healthcare: In the old days, radiation was used to treat acne with x -rays. Of children who are given CT Scans of the abdomen, it’s shown that 1/600 will develop a malignancy in their lifetime. Although it is important to health care, physicians are becoming more cautious about it and less quick to do various scans, x-rays, etc.
• There is more and more talk about probiotics. Is it something that should be taken regularly? Probiotics are bacteria that enters into your intestinal track and some feel, it boosts your immune system. It is commonly used when kids are on strong antibiotics to prevent gastroenteritis. The medical community has seen a big increase in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in younger adults. They feel if you start young children on probiotics every day, it may prevent that. Healthy bacteria makes a lot of things better. A more natural way to get it is by eating the right yogurt or drinking buttermilk. Probiotics are also good for acne-prone women as it counter balances yeast.
• Vaccinations are recommended and are very safe. They do not cause autism and unlike in the past, mercury has been taken out of them. Vaccinate your children!