News

Portland, Ore. - A recent study confirms that the numbers of follicular melanocytes are significantly decreased in patients suffering from alopecia areata.This new insight into the often severe and psychologically burdensome disease serves as a beacon of hope for patients, as researchers begin to home in on a more precise etiology that may open the door for more targeted treatments. Past research has implicated follicular melanocytes to be the target structure in at least a proportion of patients suffering from alopecia areata.

National Report - Children with allergic contact dermatitis frequently react to the same allergens as adults with this condition do, according to a recent multi-center study conducted at the University of Miami and the University of Pennsylvania that calls for increased patch testing in children, especially those with chronic dermatitis.

National report - Registration deadline is Oct. 15 for the 2010 recertification examination for dermatologists, according to the American Board of Dermatology (ABD).

Las Vegas - Weight-based dosing with extended-release (ER) minocycline tablets allows patients with acne to achieve efficacy equivalent to that of 2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg of body weight daily with just 1 mg/kg daily, says James Q. Del Rosso, D.O., dermatology residency director, Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas.

Dallas - Long-term use of a triple-combination cream for melasma (fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, tretinoin; TriLuma, Galderma) is effective and unlikely to cause skin atrophy, according to a recent study.

Las Vegas - A skin barrier protection cream (Tetrix, Coria Laboratories) appears to reduce exposure to skin allergens and irritants and decrease symptoms of eczematous dermatitis, according to James Q. Del Rosso, D.O., dermatology residency director, Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas.

New York - Cosmetic patients today have a multitude of cosmeceuticals from which to choose, and each product claims to raise the bar in its effectiveness in skin rejuvenation. Many of these products do have some degree of effectiveness, and yet others may be the cause of hardship in terms of eliciting an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis in the unfortunate user. According to one expert, physicians need to scrutinize the ingredients of these cosmeceuticals and carefully pick and choose among the vast array of products for the benefit of their patients.

Edmonton, Alberta - Although several different theories exist with regard to the pathogenesis of vitiligo, an immune basis appears to be the most favored mechanism, with cytokines and other chemical mediators playing a center role in disease development and progression. As a result, immunomodulating therapies such as tacrolimus (Protopic, Astellas) are employed.

San Antonio, Texas - Air Force Maj. Chad Hivnor, M.D., sees wounded soldiers with all types of serious scars - many with 50 percent to 70 percent of their body surface area covered with burns and grafts, he says.

Houston - Recent research makes clear that the yeast genus Malassezia plays a role in the etiology of seborrheic dermatitis and several other common cutaneous disorders - and that ketoconazole is the most effective treatment for Malassezia overgrowth, an expert says.

International report - Etanercept therapy helps to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety long-term in patients suffering from moderate-to severe psoriasis, according to the results of the Crystel study.

Prepping for a Pandemic : Be ready for widespread flu - or any other emergency Pet Vectors : MRSA infections transmitted between humans, animals Special Report : Pigmentary Disorders

International report - The patient who received Spain’s first full face transplant smiled about his new appearance, according to xinhuanet.com.

San Francisco - New research suggests that primary cilia can either promote or suppress certain types of skin cancer, depending on the mutation triggering the disease, according to a study published in Nature Medicine.

Washington - An advertisement for Aczone (Allergan), a gel used to treat mild-to-moderate acne, "grossly overstates" the drug’s effectiveness, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in a letter released Aug. 21.

A multimarker assay analyzing the intensity and distribution of expression of five proteins in malignant melanoma has demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy.

A novel nanoemulsion technology has intrinsic antifungal activity and can be formulated with terbinafine HCl.

At press time, lawmakers were still inching toward meeting a Sept. 15 deadline set by the Senate Finance Committee to reach a bipartisan compromise on healthcare reform. Dermatologists from across the country were expecting to be on Capitol Hill that day to let lawmakers know face-to-face their concerns about this sweeping legislative initiative.

Dapsone has been an important antibiotic in dermatology, especially historically, in the treatment of leprosy. It has been used for both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory purposes orally, but no topical preparation was ever available. This is because dapsone is neither water- nor oil-soluble, presenting a formulation challenge.

"Treatment for melasma involves assessing the patient's skin color, the extent of melasma in each cosmetic unit and the patient's tolerance for irritated skin.

Topical and phototherapy treatment options for vitiligo are increasing, and one expert says he combines modalities.

Long before disaster strikes, experts say physicians should have an ermergency plan in place

Neither being on the brink of major health reform nor living through the tumultuous economy will give you any relief from the challenges to your dermatology practice's bottom line. As employers continue to push more financial responsibility to employees, the ranks of the uninsured surge daily,

Innovative formulators are creating new products that offer enhanced tolerability and convenience.

Like many successful people, physicians are often so busy dealing with their practices and personal lives that they never take the time to deal with the important challenge of creating a tax-wise estate plan for their families. In fact, in our practices, we have found that fewer than 5 percent of doctors had a proper estate plan in place when we met.

Correction of facial lines and folds may benefit from a combination approach that targets different aspects of the defects.

Dr. Skin has a large, skin cancer-based practice in a large metropolitan area. Many of his patients are highly successful businessmen who travel extensively to many parts of the world for long periods of time.

A combination therapy using stem cells and bioengineered skin has proven to be very effective in closing the digital ulcers occurring in scleroderma patients.

When Carol Isaacs, M.D., was a dermatology resident, she started collecting what she calls "dermabilia" - "nothing particularly valuable, but nevertheless, interesting to me," says the board-certified dermatologist who is in private practice and on staff at St. Helena Hospital.

Findings from a study using dynamic area telethermometry to assess skin temperature kinetics of BCC suggests new approaches for monitoring and improving responses to topical therapy.