Women's Health

San Francisco - Syndromic hemangiomas are almost always segmental hemangiomas, associated with a constellation of birth defects probably arising from mutations affecting a developmental field, according to Ilona J. Frieden, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology and pediatrics, UCSF School of Medicine.

San Francisco - The known teratogenicity of isotretinoin, as well as a possible link to psychiatric illness, means that physicians prescribing the drug must carefully follow risk-management guidelines. These guidelines are mandated by the FDA.

San Francisco - Not only are warts a cosmetic nuisance, they may also cause considerable discomfort and even be linked to higher cancer rates. Clearing warts, therefore, is an important consideration for dermatologists. Nanette Silverberg, M.D., director, pediatric dermatology, department of dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, New York City, provided some tips on how best to do that.

San Francisco - The topical immunomodulators imiquimod (Aldara), tacrolimus (Protopic), and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are proving to be extremely useful agents for the effective management of a number of skin conditions, Mark Lebwohl, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Chicago - Nail cosmetics are widely used and usually without adverse consequences, but dermatologists should be familiar with the potential problems that can occur with exposure to nail cosmetics and professional nail care services along with their solutions, Phoebe Rich, M.D., said.

Chicago - Targeted drug therapy, a rational approach to the treatment of malignant melanoma, offers a number of targeted agents currently in development, according to Scott Saxman, M.D., senior investigator, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute.

San Francisco - Although bacterial sexually transmitted diseases are decreasing in prevalence in the United States, viral STDs are on the rise, according to Ted Rosen, M.D. Of particular concern, he said, are the increasing numbers of people infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papilloma virus (HPV).

Chicago - With all the new at-home hair treatments and recent reports of contact dermatitis and other cutaneous manifestations from using shampoos, conditioners and hair dyes, dermatologists should be keenly aware of products that can harm patients' hair and skin.

San Francisco - In the United States surgery is the modality of choice for treatment of most primary as well as many recurrent lentigo maligna (LM), but there are a number of alternative options to consider for unresectable lesions, Glenn D. Goldman, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Daily antiviral therapy can prevent transmission of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) from an infected individual to his or her partner, according to Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., Ph.D.

San Francisco - Medical dermatology in the United States cannot be saved, according to dermatologist Marcus Conant, M.D.

Maui, Hawaii -- Joseph B. Bikowski, M.D., speaking at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, offered anecdotal information for 15 common facial issues, based on what has worked in his Pittsburgh-area dermatology practice.

San Francisco - Liquid nitrogen cryosurgery is a safe and effective but underused alternative therapeutic modality for the treatment of certain cutaneous malignancies that are large or found at difficult-to-treat anatomic sites, Emanuel G. Kuflik, M.D. said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Little scientific literature has been published about the use of alternative medicines for dermatologic purposes during pregnancy, but dermatologists need to be aware of at least two therapies that their patients may be using: a cream made from licorice root for the treatment of melasma, and a cream made from gotu cola that may prevent stretch marks, Scott M. Dinehart, M.D.. said.

San Francisco - Which drugs can be used safely used during pregnancy? According to Valerie Hanft, M.D., patients and their doctors can assess the risks of the many different drugs available over the counter and by prescription by first referring to the FDA pregnancy safety rating for the drug in question.

Maui, Hawaii--Updated Soriatane (acitretin) label information will equip prescribers with the most current data about this systemic retinoid and enhance their ability to use it safely and effectively, Ronald W. Gottschalk, M.D., said at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, sponsored by the Skin Disease Education Foundation.

San Francisco - The anti-CD40 ligand monoclonal antibody IDEC-131, manufactured by IDEC Pharmaceuticals, was developed to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis. IDEC-131 targets the CD40 ligand on T cells and regulates the interaction between T cells and B cells.

Paris - Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic disorder that can be a source of significant morbidity and a therapeutic challenge, and can be associated with a variety of extraoral manifestations. Therefore, management of affected patients should involve a multidisciplinary approach, and treatment often requires polypharmacy regimens combining topical and systemic agents, Drore Eisen, M.D., D.D.S., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

With one in four children at risk for becoming overweight and one in 10 children already overweight, childhood obesity is an epidemic fast becoming a national health problem.

Oklahoma City - The key to using Mohs surgery successfully is to know its indications, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, according to Carlos Garcia, M.D. He stresses that while this approach to skin cancer is excellent, there are some cases and some patients in which another technique may be more appropriate.

The recent news that a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is well on its way to being a reality has dermatologists pricking up their ears. The vaccine, which is in development by Merck & Co. to target HPV-16, could facilitate a 40-percent reduction of intraepithelial cancer of the cervix within 10 years of widespread distribution to women and men, according to Ulrich R. Hengge, M.D., department of dermatology, University of Essen, Germany. More importantly to dermatologists who see histologically benign recalcitrant vaginal warts every day, the science behind the HPV-16 vaccine is virtually the same as that behind similar investigational therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for condylomata.

Chances are many of your older female patients have either stopped using hormone replacement therapy or are still mulling over the pros and cons since the Women's Health Initiative found conflicting data about its health benefits and risks.

Kansas City, Kan. - It is a simple rule of office organization. And interior decorating. Even dermatology. What's the rule? Group like items together to keep things simple and streamlined.

Research presented here by Luis A. Diaz, M.D., establishes conclusively that herpes gestationis (HG), also known as pemphigoid gestationis, is a true organ-specific autoimmune disease unique to pregnancy.

Denver - Perinatal exposure to oral glucocorticoids may be associated with delayed effects not seen until adolescence, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Paris - Papular and pruritic dermatoses of pregnancy are usually the result of three conditions - prurigo, papular dermatitis of pregnancy (PDP), and pruritic folliculitis (PF) - Samantha Vaughan Jones, M.D., F.R.C.P., said at the World Congress of Dermatology. Depending on the symptoms and their severity, these conditions can affect the health of both the mother and her baby.

Paris - Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), also known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), is the most common of all the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, with a reported incidence of approximately one in every 120 pregnancies.

Springfield, Ill. - Permethrin (Elimite, Acticin, Nix) is the scabicide of choice for all ages and conditions, including pregnancy, according to Stephen P. Stone, M.D., division of dermatology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. "Of the commonly used treatments for scabies, the most safe and effective in pregnancy is permethrin 5 percent cream," he said.

Paris - Topical medications should often be considered as first-line therapy in the treatment of vulval diseases because they are effective, easy to use, and fast-acting, according to Annarosa Virgili, M.D.

Grand Wailea Resort, Hawaii - A therapy using microdermabrasion in combination with triple skin lightening creams has promise as an innovative treatment for melasma, according to Wendy E. Roberts, M.D., who will present on the topic this month at the 27th Hawaii Dermatology Seminar on the island of Maui.