Skin & Allergy News back issues from October 2007:
Common cancer myths debunked.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ZURICH -- Recent advances in cancer genetics have fueled the push for targeted therapeutics--and are standing the field of oncology on its head, Dr. Levi A. Garraway said at the annual meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research. ...
UV exposure and gender unrelated to rosacea risk: new findings go against common beliefs.(News)(ultraviolet light)
Oct 01, 2007; ... ZURICH -- New insights into the nature of rosacea have emerged from the first large epidemiologic study conducted since precise definitions with clearly defined diagnostic criteria were issued for this common skin disorder. "In contrast to the conventional teaching, we found no ...
Medicare to stop paying for 'preventable' errors.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... In a continuing effort to link payments to quality, Medicare will soon stop paying hospitals for certain conditions and infections acquired after admission. The change was mandated by Congress under the Deficit Reduction Act and will go into effect in October 2008. Starting this ...
Case of the month.(Case study)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The patient was born at 28 weeks' gestational age by spontaneous vaginal delivery to an 18-year-old mother with no history of spontaneous abortion or prenatal infections. At birth, he had extensive skin lesions and severe breathing problems that necessitated intubation. On physical exam, ...
Provider proximity affects melanoma.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Increased travel distance to reach a diagnosing provider among patients with melanoma was associated with a significantly greater Breslow tumor thickness at diagnosis, a new study has found. Access to health care can be influenced by a number of socioeconomic factors including ...
Average base recruitment salaries offered in 2006-2007.(VITAL SIGNS)
Oct 01, 2007 ... <Pre> Average Base Recruitment Salaries Offered In 2006-2007 Dermatology $318,000 Pediatrics$159,000 Ob.Gyn. $247,000 Otolaryngology$312,000 Neurosurgery...
Antioxidants may raise women's skin cancer risk.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The use of antioxidant supplements was associated with a higher incidence of skin cancers in women but not in men, suggesting that "regular intake of such nutrients ... may be associated with harmful effects," said Dr. Serge Hercberg of the Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine at the ...
Drug-related lupus rises with anti-TNF agent use.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... BARCELONA -- Nearly 100 cases of drug-induced lupus have been reported in patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, Dr. Manuel Ramos-Casals said at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. "As these drugs are being used in an expanding number of diseases ...
First smallpox vaccine since 1931 approved by the FDA.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new smallpox vaccine, ACAM2000, for active immunization against smallpox in individuals determined to be at high risk for smallpox infection. The vaccine also could be used to immunize populations during a bioterrorist attack. ...
Metformin regimen found to quell acne in polycystic ovary syndrome.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... TORONTO -- A 6-month treatment regimen of metformin can help reduce the prevalence and degree of acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, according to Dr. Susanne Tan and her colleagues. The researchers treated 100 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and acne ...
Number of uninsured Americans increasing.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The number of Americans without health insurance reached 47 million last year, up from 44.8 million in 2005, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The percentage of individuals without health insurance also rose from 15.3% in 2005 to 15.8% in 2006. ...
2008 board exam dates announced.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The American Board of Dermatology has announced 2008 examination dates. The in-training examination for dermatology residents is scheduled for April 17, 2008, and will be administered online at dermatology residency training centers in the United States and Canada. Applications ...
Guidelines aim to elevate PDT for skin cancer.(News)
Oct 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- Topical photodynamic therapy has advanced to the point at which it ranks alongside other first-line therapies for actinic keratoses, Bowen disease, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and thin nodular basal cell carcinoma, according to evidence-based guidelines issued by the ...
PDT may also be used to prevent skin ca in organ recipients.(News)(Clinical report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- Topical photodynamic therapy is emerging as a potentially valuable tool for prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer in organ transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed individuals, speakers said at a satellite symposium held in conjunction with the 11th World Congress on ...
'You're doing great'.(Under My Skin)(doctors' comments to patients)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Aunt Bessie was beaming. She stopped by my office after her physical with her doctor on the third floor. "I got a good report!" she exclaimed. "Dr. Wax was delighted with my x-ray, and she just couldn't get over how the swelling in my ankles has gone down." You would think she ...
Extend cosmetic offerings to medical patients.(Guest Editorial)
Oct 01, 2007; ... We dermatologists, as the experts of the skin, can offer cosmetic procedures as appropriate to individual medical patients. Expansion of dual services to more patients, however, might require adjusting staff training, scheduling, and office layout. A traditional medical ...
Vacationing responsibilities.(Guest Editorial)(making on-the-spot dermatological diagnoses)
Oct 01, 2007; ... As dermatologists, we are trained to recognize and treat a multitude of diseases in the patients who come to us for such service. In fact, with many of the conditions we see, we can make the diagnosis at a glance. What do we do when we see such lesions in people who are not our patients? ...
Best practices in: emerging treatment options for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.(Clinical report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) arises from an acquired increase in cutaneous pigmentation secondary to an inflammatory process. The condition occurs in people of all races and ethnic groups but has a greater prevalence and incidence among darker-skinned individuals. In a study of ...
How about hybrid health care?(Guest Editorial)
Oct 01, 2007; ... What is the best way to provide care for the nearly 47 million individuals in the United States who lack health insurance? Divergent viewpoints were presented earlier this year by Dr. Kevin Grumbach and Dr. Robert Moffit (SKIN & ALLERGY NEWS, January 2007, p. 18). Dr. Grumbach ...
Accounts receivable in action.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Months ago our 35-person group practice read with great interest Dr. Joseph S. Eastern's article ("How to Slash Accounts Receivable," Managing Your Dermatology Practice, December 2005, p. 73). He suggested obtaining a credit card "imprint" from all patients and billing them ...
Quality gains at physicians' expense.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The presentation of the initial findings from the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration was certainly an interesting take on the results ("CMS Incentives Yield Quality Gains, Demo Shows," August 2007, p. 66). I found it of particular interest that the headline chose to ...
Long before lasers: lepers in Leviticus.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Oct 01, 2007; ... The Book of Leviticus describes in detail what a leper would have to do to purify himself ("Monkey See," Under My Skin, August 2007, p. 17). The point Dr. Alan Rockoff makes resonates, because even in biblical times, a person who was contaminated or considered unholy would be ...
This doctor missed his calling.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Oct 01, 2007; ... I, too, had the comedy bug in the late 1980s while I was between internal medicine and dermatology residencies ("The Doctor Will Laugh With You Now." The Rest of Your Life, August 2007, p. 58). I was debugged, however, when one night I tried to ...
Cut first, ask questions later.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Once again I am forced to write a letter to the editor regarding the issue of dermoscopy and total body photography ("Dermoscopy, Total Body Photos Advance Melanoma Diagnosis," July 2007, p. 46). That article states that "there is compelling evidence that total body photography ...
First SCC calls for change in immunosuppression.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- The appearance of a first squamous cell carcinoma in an organ transplant recipient is an appropriate time to discuss revising the immunosuppressive regimen to prevent subsequent skin cancers, Dr. Sylvie Euvrard said at the 11th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. ...
Metastasizing cancer cells face harsh conditions.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... TORONTO -- "Survival of the fittest" might be the best way to explain the genetic and molecular machinery behind cancer metastasis. Researchers believe that overexpression of some genes in melanoma and other cancers allows some cells to survive the very harsh conditions that ...
Gleevec may be effective for mucosal melanomas.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Is Gleevec a reasonable therapeutic choice for melanoma? The question has gotten a fair bit of research attention over the last few years, and for a few specific types of melanoma the outlook is cautiously optimistic, Dr. Philip LeBoit said at the American Academy of ...
American adults' beliefs about sun exposure.(DATA WATCH)(Table)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... <Pre> American Adults' Beliefs About Sun Exposure Sun exposure is health. 47% Skin type protects from sun exposure.37% Because of climate where they live, residents don't need to worry ...
Malignant excisions are becoming more common.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... LOS ANGELES -- The proportion of skin excisions for malignant lesions relative to benign lesions increased between 1993 and 2002, Dr. Marta J. Van Beek said at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigational Dermatology. That finding "is something that we weren't really ...
Actinic keratoses: reclassification spurs debate.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- Recent European guidelines classifying actinic keratoses as in situ squamous cell carcinoma came under fire in a panel discussion at the 11th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. "Since our histopathologist started calling AKs carcinoma in situ I've had four ...
Australian study shows high turnover of actinic keratoses.(Cutaneous Oncology)(Report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- The natural history of actinic keratoses involves high turnover and far greater lability than generally recognized, according to a first-of-its-kind study. "When you count three or four AKs on a person at time zero and come back and find three or four at time one ...
Some topical polyphenols may have a role in AK treatment.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... CORONADO, CALIF. -- Topical red wine, green tea, and caffeine polyphenols may play a role as chemopreventive agents for actinic keratoses and photodamaged skin, results from a small pilot study suggest. The first part of the study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy ...
Anticancer agents causing unbearable skin toxicity.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... CORONADO, CALIF. -- The side effects associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors can be so awful that several cancer patients have told Dr. Jonathan Cotliar that they would rather die than continue taking them. "That's significant when you hear that from many ...
Immunostaining helps classify extramammary Paget disease.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- A panel of immunohistochemical stains, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu and CDX2, is useful in distinguishing extramammary Paget disease that is limited to the skin versus the subset of secondary extramammary Paget disease that is associated specifically ...
Restylane versus Juvederm bout ends in a draw.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... PHOENIX -- A 10-patient experiment comparing Juvederm with Restylane revealed little difference between the two hyaluronic acid fillers, Dr. Seth L. Matarasso reported at a clinical dermatology conference sponsored by Medicis. Half of each patient's face was injected with ...
Future of dermasurgery in danger, expert says.(Aesthetic Dermatology)(Ronald Moy)
Oct 01, 2007; ... CORONADO, CALIF. -- Over the next two decades, dermasurgery will transform into a field in which noninvasive treatments and nonsurgical approaches rule the day, Dr. Ronald Moy predicted at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. "It's clear that what we're ...
Efficacy varies among options for surgical scar revision.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... TORONTO -- Scar revision can be a challenge for dermatologists. Many patients who are dissatisfied with their postsurgical result expect immediate improvement. Others request topical treatments recommended by a friend or the Internet. However, clinical efficacy varies widely ....
Parabens.(Cosmeceutical Critique)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Preservatives are necessary components in most, if not all, cosmetics and skin care products. Without preservatives these items would, in short order, become infiltrated by various bacteria, molds, and fungi. Parabens (alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid), found ...
MRSA muddles antibiotic choice in skin infections.(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is now the most common cause of serious skin and soft-tissue infections in many communities throughout the United States, Dr. Mark Lebwohl said at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual Academy 2007 meeting. "If ...
Take a culture to confirm pediatric tinea capitis: almost a quarter of children were found to have scale; however, 'most scalps that scale are not tinea capitis.'.(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... MAUI, HAWAII -- Because tinea capitis in children can be mistaken for a number of different diseases, Dr. Sheila Fallon Friedlander urged physicians, "I want you to culture." "Classically, people have thought that you look for hair loss and scaling, but my experience has been ...
Valacyclovir as good as Acyclovir for prevention of ocular herpes.(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Once-daily oral valacyclovir is as good as twice-daily oral acyclovir for preventing the recurrence of eye disease caused by herpes simplex virus, according to a recent study. In a randomized, controlled trial, Dr. Elisabetta Miserocchi of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, ...
Can optic neuritis after varicella go untreated?(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... A 6-year-old boy developed unilateral optic neuritis following a varicella infection, but the neuritis improved spontaneously with only symptomatic relief provided, investigators reported. Some clinicians advocate the early use of steroids for optic neuritis, but others point ...
Herpes involving CNS poses diagnostic challenge.(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... ASPEN, COLO. -- A negative cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction test for herpes simplex virus does not rule out neonatal herpes with central nervous system involvement, Dr. April Palmer said a conference on pediatric infectious diseases sponsored by Children's Hospital, Denver, ...
Child immunization rates show growth.(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Immunization coverage in 2006 for children aged 19-35 months held steady for most recommended vaccines and grew for several types, but more recent recommendations in coverage for adolescents aged 13-17 years have not yet reached the same levels of success, according to results from the ...
Histoplasmosis pericarditis common in endemic regions.(Infectious Diseases)
Oct 01, 2007; ... ASPEN, COLO. -- Think of histoplasmosis pericarditis when encountering pericarditis in a patient who has been in an endemic area, Dr. Matthew Zahn said at a conference on pediatric infectious diseases sponsored by Children's Hospital, Denver, and the University of Colorado. ...
Nail base needs close attention in car door injury.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... STANFORD, CALIF. -- Think of tuff fractures, which commonly occur when a child's finger is crushed in a car door, like toe fractures, advised Dr. Bernard W. Dannenberg at a recent pediatric update sponsored by Stanford University. "You can get an x-ray, but we're not going to do ...
Starting with warts, the questions parents ask: Dr. Sheila F. Friedlander uses the 'triple whammy': salicylic acid, salicylic bandage, and then duct tape.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... MAUI, HAWAII -- Questions that are commonly asked of pediatric dermatologists by parents range from how to get rid of warts to what to do about community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, reported Dr. Sheila F. Friedlander. The director of the ...
Human papillomavirus prevalence highest in 20- to 24-year-olds.(DATA WATCH)
Oct 01, 2007 ... <Pre> Human Papillomavirus Prevalence Highest in 20- to 24-Year-Olds 14-1939.6% 20-2449.3% 25-2927.8% 30-3927.3% 40-4923.9% ...
Scalp nevi in children rarely warrant excision.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Scalp nevi in young children almost always are benign and seldom warrant excision, Dr. Jean Bolognia said at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2007 meeting. Despite the absence of medical necessity, many dermatologists routinely remove these lesions. In ...
Worrisome hemangiomas require intervention.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... CORONADO, CALIF. -- "Some of the most painful and troublesome hemangiomas I've taken care of are those in the genital area," Dr. Sheila Fallon Friedlander said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. "They are extremely painful and often require intervention." ...
Hemangiomas: closely monitor, classify, and look beyond skin.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... TORONTO -- Closely observe a baby with a hemangioma in the first few weeks to months to monitor for any progression, and be cautious with laser treatment, Dr. Alfons Krol said at the annual conference of the Canadian Dermatology Association. Knowing whether a malformation is ...
Atralin Gel, Allegra ODT.(New & Approved)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Atralin Gel (tretinoin gel, 0.05%, Coria Laboratories Ltd.) The Food and Drug Administration approved Atralin (tretinoin) Gel, 0.05%, for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients aged 10 years and older. * Recommended Dosage: Apply a thin layer ...
Vitiligo may be first sign of localized scleroderma.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Oct 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- When facing a child with localized scleroderma, be wary if the scleroderma is linear, especially if it is on the face or on a limb where it crosses a joint, Dr. Amy Gilliam said at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. However, not all young ...
Options limited for comorbid psoriasis, hepatitis C.(Psoriasis)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Psoriasis is difficult to treat on its own, so adding hepatitis C into the mix makes it a real clinical headache, Dr. Mark Lebwohl said at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2007 meeting. "A lot of people have hepatitis C, so this is an increasingly ...
Assess psoriasis patients' social support, self-esteem.(Psoriasis)
Oct 01, 2007; ... TORONTO -- Consider asking young women with psoriasis about self-esteem and their social support to ensure an optimal quality of life. Relying solely on results of the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire may be insufficient, Renita Ahluwalia said at the annual conference of the ...
Adiposity, weight gain are strong risk factors for psoriasis in women.(Psoriasis)(Clinical report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Increased adiposity and weight gain are strong risk factors for the development of psoriasis in women, according to a recently published study. This suggests that weight loss may be a potential target for the prevention and management of psoriasis, wrote Dr. Arathi R. Setty of ...
High-dose etanercept found to be safe in long-term study.(Psoriasis)(Clinical report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... Psoriasis patients who took high-dose etanercept had the same rate of adverse events as did those who took placebo in a clinical trial of the longest continuous exposure to the drug in psoriasis patients to date, reported Dr. Stephen Tyring and his associates. The researchers ...
Cream combo cleared rare acrodermatitis in patient.(Psoriasis)
Oct 01, 2007; ... VIENNA -- A 75-year-old woman with acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau affecting both feet responded completely to a month of daily treatment with combination calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate cream, Dr. Dimitris Sotiriadis reported at the 16th Congress of the European Academy of ...
Pyridoxine does not prevent hand-foot syndrome.(Dermatologic Therapy)(Clinical report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Pyridoxine does not prevent hand-foot syndrome in cancer patients on capecitabine-based chemotherapy, the investigators of a randomized controlled trial reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. In the study, 389 patients on ...
Exploration into skin and nail treatments: Part I.(Dermatologic Therapy)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- A variety of skin and nail conditions can be treated effectively and economically with treatments that are off label, specially compounded, or simply unfamiliar--and care in coding can help ensure you are properly reimbursed for them, according to two dermatologists who shared ...
Act fast with possible toxic epidermal necrolysis.(Dermatologic Therapy)
Oct 01, 2007; ... VIENNA -- The crucial clinical concerns in managing severe drug reactions are very early diagnosis, withdrawal of the offending medication, and institution of appropriate supportive care, Dr. Peter S. Friedmann said at the 16th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and ...
Be familiar with the major offenders in drug reactions.(Dermatologic Therapy)
Oct 01, 2007; ... PALM BEACH, FLA. -- Although more than 700 drugs can cause skin eruptions, dermatologists should be familiar with the most likely culprits and how to manage the adverse reactions they can cause, Dr. James Q. Del Rosso said at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of Dermatology and ...
Tacrolimus comes out on top for treating atopy.(Atopic Dermatitis)(Clinical report)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Tacrolimus ointment is more effective than pimecrolimus cream in treating adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, results from a randomized, blinded, multicenter trial indicate. A total of 281 study patients were randomly assigned to receive tacrolimus 0.1% ...
Long-term use of tacrolimus for AD flares found to reduce relapse risk.(Atopic Dermatitis)
Oct 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Long-term use of tacrolimus ointment was effective in managing atopic dermatitis and preventing disease flares in a group of adults and children, Dr. Alan B. Fleischer said in a poster presented at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2007 meeting. Dr ....
Web use may be reason for eczema patient's steroid fear.(Atopic Dermatitis)
Oct 01, 2007; ... TORONTO -- A common fear of corticosteroid use and heavy reliance on the Internet for research are among the findings of a large online survey about eczema awareness, treatment, and quality of life, Isaiah J. Day said at the annual conference of the Canadian Dermatology Association. ...