News

New York - Although it is well known that rash is a common sideeffect of anti-epileptic drugs, less known is that hirsutism in young girlsand baldness in boys may be frequent side effects as well.

New Orleans - Atopic dermatitis is a frustrating condition to treat,and many frequently employed interventions lack scientific support. Thiswas the rationale behind a systematic review of all randomized, controlledtrials of AD conducted by the United Kingdom Department of Health and presentedat the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting by Hywel Williams,Ph.D.

Pilot study shows nine patients with pruritus respond well to topicalmast cell stabilizerNew Orleans - Results of a pilot study suggest the mast cell stabilizercromolyn may be an innovative new topical therapy for itch, Larry E. Millikan,M.D., said.

As Congress tries desperately to balance the need to increase spendingfor homeland defense, lawmakers must still deal with the pressing needsof ongoing, but crucial, programs, such as research into the causes of cancerand other dreaded diseases.

Resistance to OTC treatments has doctors seeking reliable treatments,patients creating own Miami Beach, Fla. - The epidemic of resistant head lice in theUnited States is real and only one or two of the handful of products availableto treat head lice and nits reliably rid patients of the pests, Ronald C.Hansen, M.D., said here at the annual Masters of Pediatrics meeting.

Q. Does the use of nail polish promote splitting of the nail plate?A. Lamellar splitting of the nail plate is a common concern of women who consult a dermatologist for treatment of nail conditions. This lamellar splitting is known as onychoschizia and is due to nail-plate dehydration. The normal water content of the nail is somewhat controversial, since it depends on where the measurement is taken. As might be expected, the newly grown proximal nail has a higher water content than the nail-free edge, since the nail at the free edge is older and has been exposed to more solvents, surfactants, and water. Once the water has been removed from the nail plate, it loses its flexibility and will split. This water cannot be permanently restored, which points to the importance of wearing gloves to prevent nail-plate damage.

Those of us who travel find a laptop computeressential, both to work and to keep in touch with friends, family, andbusiness associates.A common question is: "Which internet provider can give me accessin a wide variety of places?"

Physician and staff can make patient more comfortable with some simpleinjection suggestionsNew Orleans - A primary consideration in administering local anesthesiais ensuring the comfort of the patient, according to David A. Davis, M.D.

Atlanta - Preliminary research results from a pilot study showbasal cell carcinoma may be eradicated by pulsed dye laser. The study wasdiscussed by Karl R. Beutner, M.D., Ph.D., here at the annual meeting ofthe American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Atlanta - A pilot study of laser-assisted photodynamic therapy(PDT) indicates that the technique could offer several advantages over otherforms of treatment for actinic keratoses, said Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas,M.D., Ph.D., director of research, Laser and Skin Surgery Center of NewYork.

Atlanta - When a port-wine stain has persisted despite conventional pulsed-dyelaser therapy, it may respond to a modality combining dynamic cooling andlong-pulse durations, according to Catherine M. Gorst, N.P. This systemmay cause at least a 50 percent lightening in resistant lesions, she said.

Silver Spring, Md. - The FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic AdvisoryCommittee, by an 8-2 vote, on May 23 recommended approval of alefacept,a systemic drug for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Atlanta - Two recent studies suggest that the 308nm excimer laser may be the first device effective in the treatment of hypopigmented facial scars, striae, and hypopigmentation caused by resurfacing with the CO2 laser. Both studies were presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Los Angeles - Preliminary results from a split-face, double-blind study are further substantiating the efficacy of a unique topical product containing growth factors and antioxidants for improving photodamaged skin and indicate that its effects persist and increase even after treatment is stopped, Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

New Orleans - Sedating patients is a serious business, and dermatologic surgeons need to be well aware of the progressive levels of sedation and ensure that patients are monitored appropriately to prevent complications, J. Lance Lichtor, M.D., said.

New Orleans - Excision with primary closure can be an excellent option for surgical treatment of extensive acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN), provided that the procedure incorporates three fundamental elements, Hugh M. Gloster Jr, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Atlanta - The 308nm excimer laser, currently used for treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo, could also be effective in the treatment of other losses of pigmentation, including stretch marks, according to David J. Goldberg, M.D., J.D..

Electron microscopy analysis has shown a correlation between clinical response and ultrastructural findings following treatment with a nonablative flashlamp 350 ?sec, 585nm pulsed-dye laser.

New Orleans - Research studies using the excimer laser to treat vitiligo and psoriasis have confirmed the procedure to be effective and relatively safe. The key to a successful outcome is the proper selection of patients, study author Suhail Hadi, M.D., said at the annual meeting of American Academy of Dermatology.

Atlanta - Treatment of rosacea with an intense pulsed light laser not only eliminates telangiectasia but reduces background redness and the severity and frequency of flushing episodes.

New Orleans - A recently introduced high-dose targeted ultraviolet B light system (BClear, Lumenis Inc.) combines traditional UVB light therapy with fiberoptic delivered light technology for the treatment of localized plaque psoriasis and vitiligo.

New Orleans - In the treatment of onychomycosis, terbinafine (Lamisil) offers better short-term and long-term efficacy relative to other oral antifungal agents, Bernard J. Cribier, M.D., Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Gainesville, Fla. - One medication approved for gum disease appears to be effective against moderate facial acne at sub-antimicrobial doses given over six months.

Lathering agents called sodium sulfates get a bad rap from those whothink they could be carcinogenic. Regardless, extra-cautious hair washersdon't have to go suds-free. New haircare lines ditch the sulfates completely,using sugar and coconut-oil extracts to create foam. Self, May 2002

I will never forget one of my female patients who had a neurogenic bladder.She was using disposable catheters for self-intermittent catheterizationand called our office to obtain a box of them. My nurse told her that wehad the catheters and that she would bring the box out to the patient'scar if she would call from her cell phone when she was in front of the building.The nurse also mentioned the cost of the catheters, according to our officepolicy to charge for durable medical goods.

Las Vegas - Destruction of veins by a sharp-tipped needle maybe a more effective approach to leg telangiectasias than sclerotherapy,according to Linda Woodson, M.D. She views this new modality as an appropriatestrategy for sites that have been resistant to sclerotherapy, rather thanas a first-line therapy.

New York ­­ A few procedural developments stood out amongmyriad presentations at the 8 th International Symposium of Facial PlasticSurgery, according to sources.

Future of wound healing lies in gene therapy and target-specific deliveryof therapeutic agents in high concentrations

Problems exacerbate when patients, doctor falsely believe diagnosis isless serious than it actually is

New Orleans - Studies have shown that the local lymph node assay(LLNA) in mice can be used to provide quantitative estimates of the relativeskin sensitizing potency of various product ingredients, and these valuescorrelate closely with what is known of the ability of chemicals to causeskin sensitization in humans, G. Frank Gerberick, Ph.D., said at the annualAmerican Academy of Dermatology meeting.