Pediatric Dermatology

The Smoothbeam diode laser was given expanded FDA clearance for treatment of facial acne.

A drug used to treat skin infections including athlete's foot, could help to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, scientists say.

Scottish researchers have discovered a breakthrough treatment they believe will allow thousands of skin-cancer sufferers to treat themselves at home.

National report -- In a study that could have implications for faster wound healing in the future, Australian researchers have dispelled the belief that only epidermal stem cells are capable of tissue regeneration; short term and long term. They report in the February 2004 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation that significant proliferative and tissue-regenerative capacity resides in the more mature progeny of keratinocyte stem cells - including early differentiating cells.

Miami, Fla. - The challenge in neonatal dermatology is that pediatricians who commonly see various skin conditions in infants often lack the training and knowledge to respond to the skin eruptions, according to the head of pediatric dermatology at the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Washington -- A recent prospective study has shown that treatment of atopic dermatitis with tacrolimus ointment (Protopic, Fujisawa) produced clinical improvement and reduced healthcare resource use and improved patient and caregiver quality of life, said Mark Boguniewicz, M.D., professor, division of pediatric allergy-immunology, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, and University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Waikoloa, Hawaii - Controlled studies show water from thermal springs in Avene, France, reduces inflammation, pruritis, and erythema, according to a general practitioner whose employer markets the water. The water is effective in treating psoriasis, inflammation caused by laser treatments, and mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, said Fran?ois Verriere, M.D., at the Hawaii Dermatology Seminar.

Waikoloa, Hawaii - Bexarotene 1 percent gel (Targretin) is a useful alternative modality, offering advantages to other therapies, for the treatment of mycosis fungoides (MF), according to Joan Guitart, M.D., at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar in January.

Waikoloa, Hawaii -- Pilot study results indicate that 0.12 percent betamethasone valerate foam is more effective than vehicle alone for short-term stasis dermatitis treatment. "This topical therapy can lead to improved health-related quality of life in these patients," said Alexa Boer Kimball, M.D., assistant professor and director, dermatology clinical trials, Stanford University School of Medicine.

Washington, D.C. - Because all the ramifications of new medications - and even some of the older ones - are not yet known, practitioners should give special consideration to possible side effects. In making treatment decisions, get as much information as possible, said Roselyn E. Epps, M.D.

Miami, Fla. - Dermatologists treating pediatric skin diseases should always look for related, underlying psycho-social issues and make referrals or offer solutions when problems are identified. The challenge is that sometimes the psycho-social issues from which children and teens suffer are not so obvious, according to Karen Mallin, Psy.D., instructor in the departments of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and dermatology and cutaneous surgery at University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami.

Miami - Atopic dermatitis (AD) can be challenging to diagnose even for the seasoned dermatologist because it mimics other common skin diseases in the pediatric population. It also can be challenging to treat, with the addition of new agents on the market. There are key points to consider when making the diagnosis and tried-and-true methods of treatment to keep in mind when recommending therapies to parents and their children, according to Bernice Krafchik, M.D., dermatologist, and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.

Washington - Facial peeling with pyruvic acid is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate papulopustular acne, according to Alessia Pacifico, M.D., a dermatologist at the University of L'Aquila. Dr. Pacifico and colleagues evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of topical application of a solution of 40 to 50 percent pyruvic acid in a study enrolling 24 subjects with mild to moderate papulo-pustular acne.

Washington - The availability of a suitable animal model for atopic dermatitis could advance research in the field and aid in the development of new therapies. Scientists in Japan may have developed such a model, according to Takuya Uozumi, MS, a researcher at Lion Corp.

Washington -- In the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream 1 percent is less likely than tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment 0.1 percent to be systemically absorbed, according to Zoe Draelos, M.D., lead investigator of a blind treatment trial that compared systemic exposure levels of the two topical drugs.

Santa Monica, Calif. - While genetics might be a strong factor in the development of melanoma, studies show that sun exposure is a key component.

Washington - "Control of itching is critical to the management of atopic dermatitis in children, and Elidel safely and rapidly controls itching in many cases," said Joseph F. Fowler, Jr., M.D., Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Louisville and one of the investigators in a large, multicenter clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of pimecrolimus 1 percent cream (Elidel, Novartis) for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children. Previous clinical research had demonstrated that adults with atopic dermatitis can experience relief from pruritus as early as two days following first treatment with pimecrolimus 1 percent cream, but similar research had not been carried out in a pediatric population. Data from this Phase IV pediatric study were analyzed to determine the time to first pruritus improvement during the initial seven days of treatment.

Miami, Fla. - Dermatologists face extraordinary difficulties in their efforts to heal the wounds of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients because of the genetic absence of anchoring structures, such as anchoring fibrils and hemidesmosomes. While there has been significant progress in the science of identifying the structural defects and genetic sites of damage that lead to this disease, wound healing remains a great challenge, according to Lawrence Schachner, M.D., professor of dermatology, professor of pediatrics and interim chair at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Fla.

Washington ?? Dermatologists have to remember not to do away with classical medicine and rely solely on molecular tests when making a diagnosis, according to a presenter at a meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology here.

La Jolla, Calif. - Melanoma vaccine approaches are making headway in treating intermediate-risk patients.

Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus may spring to mind first when atopic dermatitisis diagnosed, but it turns out that these topical immunomodulators are alsoeffective for a host of previously difficult-to-treat diseases. Granulomafaciale, Hailey Hailey disease, hand and foot eczema, and chronic actinicdermatitis are among the lengthy list of conditions these work well for,according to Mark Lebwohl, M.D., professor and chairman, departmentof dermatology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.

Interim data from three studies released at the 62nd annual conferenceof the American Academy of Dermatology support preliminary data presentedlast month demonstrating that tacrolimus ointment (Protopic, Fujisawa) ismore effective than pimecrolimus cream (Elidel, Novartis) in the treatmentof adult and pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis.

Laser and light therapies, while still controversial, are dramatically changing acne treatment. Rosacea patients also benefit from the more patient-friendly nondrug options. And drug therapies, including hormonal options, provide a strong hope that patients will have alternatives in treatment aimed at tackling severe acne in the future.

Five years ago, we marveled at the incredible advances in both medical and surgical dermatology. These included systemic retinoids for acne and keratinizing disorders, superpotent topical corticosteroids for even steroid-unresponsive dermatoses, photochemotherapy and narrow-band UVB phototherapy for psoriasis, and mycosis fungoides. They also included other difficult-to-treat skin problems, and sophisticated surgical modalities to improve photo-damaged skin and to help turn back the clock on skin aging in general. Five years ago, we celebrated, in these pages, 20 years of change in dermatology as reflected on the subjects that Dermatology Times covered for its readers.

Washington - Choosing patients with the appropriate weight and exercise history is critical to the long-term success of the liposuction procedure, according to Naomi Lawrence, M.D. "Liposuction is an excellent and efficacious procedure, when you pick the right candidate - someone with a stable weight," she said.