Skin & Allergy News back issues from January 2009:
Diet or sun? Source for vit. D debated.(NEWS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... LAS VEGAS -- It goes without saying that protection from excessive ultraviolet light throughout life is advocated by dermatologists to prevent skin cancer and photoaging, noted Dr. James M. Spencer. "We dermatologists basically tell Americans, 'Use sunscreen or sunblock all the ...
Safety of eyelash lengthener gets FDA panel backing: new indication sought for bimatoprost.(NEWS FROM THE FDA)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- A federal advisory panel unanimously agreed that the benefits of the glaucoma drug bimatoprost outweighed its risks when used to increase the length and fullness of eyelashes in people with hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. The Food and Drug Administration's ...
Case of the month.(psoriasis )(Case study)
Jan 01, 2009; ... A 53-year-old woman being treated with 25 mg/wk of methotrexate for psoriasis presented with a solitary 1.5-cm, circular ulcerated plaque on her thumb joint 4 weeks after being scratched by a stray kitten in rural Utah. She denies any direct contact with farm animals. What's your ...
Obama sparks hopes of health care reform.(NEWS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Early signals from the incoming Obama administration have many physicians feeling optimistic about the chances for comprehensive health reform. "For the first time in nearly 20 years, political momentum is building around a centrist approach to broaden access to care and make ...
Vital signs.(NEWS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... <Pre> Percentage of Physicians Who Are Women (Active physicians by specialty, 2007) Pediatrics 55.4% Geriatric Medicine 43.7% Dermatology 38.2% Internal Medicine ...
Calciphylaxis is 'akin to a myocardial infarction'.(NEWS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... LAS VEGAS -- An evolving understanding of the pathogenesis of calciphylaxis in hospitalized patients may lead to antithrombotic treatment strategies focused on vascular occlusion as well as dialysis- and parathyroid-specific interventions. "Calciphylaxis is a therapeutic ...
Dermatopathologist Bernie Ackerman dies at 72.(NEWS)(Obituary)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Dr. Albert Bernard "Bernie" Ackerman, 72, who trained more than 400 dermatopathologists during a career devoted to intellectual precision and ethical rigor, died of heart failure at his New York City home Dec. 5. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Colleagues from around the ...
His many contributions remembered.(NEWS)(Biography)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Dr. Ackerman changed the face of dermatopathology, and had a profound influence on both dermatology and pathology. His landmark textbook set a standard for medical publishing, and for the establishment of a logical method for diagnosis. Suffice it to say, no one since ...
Fluoroquinolone for conjunctivitis gets backing.(NEWS FROM THE FDA)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted 9-0 that an ophthalmic formulation of besifloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone, should be approved for treating bacterial conjunctivitis in people aged 1 year and older. At a meeting of the Dermatologic and ...
Asian patients on phenytoin at high skin infection risk.(NEWS FROM THE FDA)
Jan 01, 2009; ... The Food and Drug Administration is investigating preliminary data indicating that people with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele HLA-B*1052 may be at greater risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) if they receive phenytoin or ...
Panel votes in favor of MRSA antimicrobial.(NEWS FROM THE FDA)
Jan 01, 2009; ... COLLEGE PARK, MD. -- Clinical trial data indicate that the antibiotic telavancin is safe and effective for treating complicated skin and skin structure infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the majority of a federal advisory panel agreed. ...
FDA considers revision of tanning bed warning.(NEWS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... The Food and Drug Administration is considering changing the warning label on indoor tanning beds to be shorter and more forceful, according to a report that the agency submitted to Congress and posted on its Web site in early December. Congress required the FDA to take a closer ...
Gifts.(UNDER MY SKIN)(Personal account)
Jan 01, 2009; ... As a senior medical student, I spent an outpatient January in the office of a suburban pediatrician who cared for the children of many doctors. After the holidays, he mused about the onslaught of gifts that he received from people to whom he extended professional courtesy. ...
Physician assistants are our responsibility.(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Should dermatologic surgeons teach nonphysicians to perform dermatologic surgery? I think the question is no longer relevant. This question was debated at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, with compelling arguments both for and against the ...
Address acne, but with gentle touch.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2009; ... There was much that was wonderful about the advice from Dr. Alfred T. Lane, especially the concept of "touching" patients with acne ('Acne Treatments Reviewed, Starting With Touch," September 2008, p. 40). However, I have to strongly disagree with Dr. Lane when he states, "Now, ...
E-prescription for trouble.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2009; ... I have been trying to use an e-prescription program, but there are several problems ("Feds Push E-Prescribing With Medicare Bonuses," December 2008, p. 8): * Controlled medications cannot be issued through an electronic prescription. * It does not save time. ...
Diet plays a role in acne.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Jan 01, 2009; ... I was surprised by the article, "South Beach Diet May Help Clear Acne, Survey Finds" (September 2008, p. 1). Although it was correctly noted in the article that there is a "widely held perception that acne is not associated with diet," dermatologists still seem to be unaware of ...
Brain scans reveal secrets of itch-scratch cycle.(ATOPIC DERMATITIS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... CHICAGO -- Neuroimaging of patients with atopic dermatitis has shown that different areas of the brain are activated in the itch versus scratch cycles. The findings provide insight into the the role of peripheral and central neural sensitization of nerve fibers in contributing ...
Psychoanalytic theory of eczema shouldn't be discarded.(ATOPIC DERMATITIS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... LAS VEGAS -- Most experts in psychodermatology long ago abandoned the psychoanalytic theory of atopic eczema, characterized in 1940 by Dr. Franz Alexander as an outgrowth of a child's emotional angst at being unable to express anger and hostility arising from maternal rejection. ...
Children with food allergy are more likely to report asthma or other allergic conditions.(DATA WATCH)
Jan 01, 2009 ... <Pre> Children With Food Allergy Are More Likely to Report Asthma or Other Allergic Conditions Food allergy No food allergy Asthma ...
Fluorouracil cream effective for nonfacial AKs.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ORLANDO -- Once-daily application of topical fluorouracil cream 0.5% for 4 weeks significantly reduced the number of visible and palpable actinic keratosis lesions on the posterior scalp, ears, neck, lips, arms, and hands by 8 weeks in an open-label, multicenter study of 277 patients. ...
Second look at biopsy could avert Mohs surgery.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ORLANDO -- Reviewing the original biopsy slides of patients before they undergo Mohs surgery could result in a change of diagnosis, which in some cases could avert unnecessary surgery, according to Dr. Suzy T. Butler. In a retrospective study of 3,345 patients, a second review ...
MRSA screen before Mohs cuts postop infection rate.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009 ... ORLANDO -- Screening and treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in patients before Mohs surgery lowered postoperative MRSA infection rates, according to a new study. A patient screening and decontamination protocol in the week before surgery brought ...
Microscopy helps monitor lentigo maligna treated nonsurgically.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009 ... ORLANDO -- Reflectance confocal microscopy can be used as an aid to the clinical exam to help detect either incomplete treatment or recurrence of lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanomas that have been treated with nonsurgical methods, a resident in dermatologic surgery said. ...
Cleansers.(COSMECEUTICAL CRITIQUE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... The use of soap-like substances for cleansing dates back as early as 2,500 BCE, and soap itself is believed to have been invented between 600 and 300 BCE (Soap Technology for the 1900"s, Champaign, Ill., American Oil Chemists' Society, 1990, p. 1-47). Interestingly, though, the ...
Aesthetic patients can help practice stay afloat.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ORLANDO -- Consider turning dermatology patients into aesthetic ones, to help stay afloat during these tough economic times. Patients may come into your office needing a medical procedure, but will return for a cosmetic procedure if you educate them, said Dr. Mark S. Nestor, a ...
Higher dose improves filler's safety, efficacy.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ORLANDO -- Patients getting an investigational hyaluronic acid gel filler for lip augmentation reported less pain and greater satisfaction with a 24mg/mL dose than with a 20-mg/mL dose, interim study results have shown. Patients who received the 24-mg/mL hyaluronic acid gel ...
Ceftaroline found effective for skin infections.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
Jan 01, 2009; ... WASHINGTON -- The investigational antibiotic ceffaroline was found to be effective against a range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms that can cause complicated skin and skin structure infections, according to data from a phase III noninferiority study of more than 600 patients. ...
First in new class of antibiotics compares well with linezolid.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2009; ... WASHINGTON -- The investigative antibiotic PTK 0796 appears to be comparable to linezolid in terms of efficacy against skin and skin structure infections and safety, based on the results of a phase II study of more than 200 patients. Clinical success for the intention-to-treat ...
A missing diagnosis may call for empiric treatment.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)(Case study)
Jan 01, 2009; ... DESTIN, FLA. -- Don't be afraid to treat infections empirically in patients in whom you have no definitive diagnosis, if you have considered the differential diagnoses and have ruled out more ominous conditions, Dr. Bari Cunningham said. "It's okay--and at times, necessary--to ...
Herpes viral shedding goes beyond 10 years.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
Jan 01, 2009; ... WASHINGTON -- High rates of both overall and subclinical viral shedding continue even beyond 10 years among people with genital herpes simplex virus type 2 infection, suggesting that there is a continued risk of transmission to sexual partners long after initial infection. The ...
Single-day famciclovir found to match 3-day valacylovir.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)(Clinical report)
Jan 01, 2009; ... WASHINGTON -- Single-day famciclovir therapy was similar in safety and efficacy to a 3-day course of valacylovir in the first head-to-head comparison of the two oral medications for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes. Previous data showed that, when taken within 6 hours ...
HSV shedding unaffected by outbreak frequency, duration.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
Jan 01, 2009; ... WASHINGTON -- People infected with the herpes simplex virus shed virus no matter how long they have been infected or how frequently they have outbreaks, according to data from adults aged 18 years and older with newly acquired and long-term herpes infections. Previous studies ...
Triamcinolone 10 mg is best for psoriatic nails: the 10-mg/mL dose was significantly more effective for all parameters, except pitting.(DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... CHICAGO -- Triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/mL is the best dose for psoriatic fingernails, according to a randomized, dose-comparison study. Varying concentrations of the synthetic corticosteroid are used, but no standardized dose has been formulated to date, according to ...
Maximize efficacy, minimize toxicity with psoriasis drugs.(DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... PARKS -- Nonbiologic systemic drugs can be effective choices for the treatment of psoriasis if chosen properly, according to Dr. Jonathan Barker. "The important message is that standard, traditional systemic drugs work," Dr. Barker said at the annual congress of the European ...
Tailored approach may improve psoriasis care.(DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... PARIS -- Psoriasis therapy should be tailored to the individual patient, not based on a rigid, stepwise approach, said Dr. Peter Van de Kerkhoff. "What is quite clear, based on our current knowledge of psoriasis and our current appreciation of psoriasis as a disease, [is that] ...
Steroid after surgery prevents recurrence of earlobe keloids.(DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... LAS VEGAS -- When it comes to managing earlobe keloids, surgical excision alone is not enough. To prevent recurrence, Dr. Ibrahim M-Aradi recommends 0.2-cc intralesional administration of a potent steroid such as Kenalog-40 (triamcinolone) after the keloid is removed, followed ...
No dermal atrophy seen with melasma-lightening cream.(DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... ORLANDO -- Concerns about the long-term use of triple combination cream for lightening melasma can be put to rest, Dr. Pearl E. Grimes said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, In a study of 62 patients with moderate to severe melasma who were ...
Developmental delay a key to hypomelanosis diagnosis.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... STANFORD, CALIF. -- If a young child exhibits both global developmental delay and stripes or swirls of skin hypopigmentation on the trunk, get a peripheral blood sample for chromosome analysis. Hypomelanosis of Ito presents as developmental delay plus swirls or patches of ...
Reassurance is best Rx for 'no worries' dermatoses.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... LAS VEGAS -- Too often faced with worrisome hemangiomas, grim genetic dermatoses, or serious drug eruptions, Dr. Fred Ghali relishes the chance to tell a family: "No worries." Such is the case with three common but sometimes unrecognized diagnoses presenting to Dr. Ghali's ...
Atypical features of scalp nevi also seen in young adults.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Histopathologic features of scalp nevi in children and adolescents that overlap with features of Clark's or dysplastic nevi also can be seen in scalp nevi in young adults, results of a study of 89 hairline and scalp nevi found. The features may trigger melanoma ...
Silvery hair points to deadly genetic syndromes.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
Jan 01, 2009; ... LAS VEGAS -- Genetic disorders associated with silvery hair are almost uniformly fatal in children, most often as a result of accompanying immunologic or neurologic abnormalities, according to Dr. Carola Durfin-McKinster. Natural light reveals hair the color of lead that has a ...
The genetics of silvery hair.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Dr. Duran-McKinster described the following syndromes: * Chediak-Higasi syndrome. In this rare, autosomal recessive disorder, giant inclusion bodies can be found in all granule-containing cells. Children are immunocompromised because of impaired phagocytosis and natural killer ...
$13 Million accutane verdict.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Hoffmann-La Roche has been ordered to pay $13 million to three plaintiffs who claimed that they developed inflammatory bowel disease from taking Accutane (isotretinoin). The New Jersey State Superior Court jury agreed that Roche did not provide adequate warning and awarded damages to the ...
FDA sunscreen rules being sought.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... The Skin Cancer Foundation, Ciba Corp., Fallene Ltd., and Rep. Nita Lowey (R-N.Y.) join a growing list of organizations, sunblock manufacturers, and lawmakers calling on the Food and Drug Administration to finalize sunscreen standards. "The American public is underprotected and operating ...
Benzoyl peroxide recall.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... CSI USA Inc. is recalling all lots of its over-the-counter 10% benzoyl peroxide ache cream because it's contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia bacteria. The company and the FDA said that consumers--especially those who have cuts, scrapes, or rashes, or who have weakened immune ...
MedPAC calls for disclosure.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Congress should pass legislation to require drug, device, and medical supply makers and distributors, along with hospitals, to disclose their financial ties to physicians and physician groups, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has decided. The companies also should be required to ...
Pharmaceutical sales outlook.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... The U.S. pharmaceutical market is expected to grow 1%-2% in 2009, resulting in sales of $292 billion to $302 billion, according to analysis from the health care market research Firm IMS Health. This latest projection is down from the 2%-3% increase projected by IMS earlier this year and ...
Dermatopathology billing gets states' attention.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... A disagreement within the house of medicine over billing for dermatopathology services has spread to state legislatures around the country. The quarrel centers on client versus direct billing. The American Academy of Dermatology supports the continuation of client ...
Winning the insurance claim game.(MANAGING YOUR DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE)
Jan 01, 2009; ... A dermatologist in the Midwest wrote to me for advice on dealing with everyone's worst nightmare, the burglary and arson of his office. Filing an insurance claim was his first priority, of course. We all buy insurance hoping we will never need it, but when we do, it's important ...
Neuropeptide antiaging cream.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... The skin care brand Kinerase is set to release a new Pro+Therapy [C.sup.8] Peptide Intensive Treatment this month. Like other products in the Kinerase Pro+Therapy collection, this cream features zeatin--a next-generation plant-based technology derived from RNA. Studies have shown that ...
Nail strengthening formula.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Citra Formaldehyde Free, by Nail Tek Inc., is a nail-strengthening product that contains no formaldehyde, DBP, or ...
Tx for eye skin elasticity.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Eye Silk is the first product to improve elasticity, fine lines, and coarse wrinkles around the eyes by increasing functional elastin content. It uses a patent-pending Zinc Firming Complex that works at the cellular level to promote the formation of functional elastin in the skin. A ...
Moisturization capsules.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... EmerginC Hydra-Repair Topical Infusion Capsules are designed to improve lipid content and hydration of skin on the face, neck, and upper chest. The capsules can be applied alone or in combination with a moisturizer, resulting in a rapid increase in lipid content and smooth, glowing skin ...
Eco-friendly skin care.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... The Beauty Garden range of face and body products is certified organic, which means that 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin, and at least 10% come from organic farms. The product collection currently includes Make-Up Removing Fluid with Cherry Bud, Floral Water with Angelic and ...
Elastin-based antiaging cream.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Ultra Emollient addresses the causes of aging skin, including elastin breakdown, loss of moisture, and decreased collagen. Its formula combines a Zinc Firming Complex with vitamins A and C, peptides, and extracts. The Zinc Firming Complex has been proven to increase functional elastin ...
Mangosteen-based skin care.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Glimpse Intuitive Skin Care products are based on ingredients from the fruit of the mangosteen, a tropical evergreen tree. The products are toxin free, and rich in xanthones. They calm skin inflammation, promote collagen production, and protect against free radicals ....
Acne device for home use.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... The Claro handheld device delivers intense pulsed light to the skin to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation in mild to moderate ache. Claro is available by prescription. It delivers a series of pulses in three wavelengths for 6 seconds: Blue light (400-430 nm) stimulates the production of ...
Three-in-one laser system.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... The CoolLipo Trio allows physicians to perform three kinds of procedures: laser-assisted lipolysis and skin tightening with CoolLipo, nonablative skin rejuvenation with CoolBreeze, and endovenous ablation with CTEV. The system is based on a 1,320-nm laser, which has a shallow penetration ...
Skin renewal system.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... The mesoeclat Immediate-Effect Skin Rejuvenation Treatment is a multifunctional clinical care plan designed to counteract the signs of sun damage and reduce skin discoloration. The mesoeclat method involves three products--a salicylic and azelaic acid solution for skin exfoliation and skin ...
Moisturizer for eczema/dry skin.(PRODUCTS)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Hill Moisture Riser is a blend of refined peanut oil, mineral oil, and other moisturizing ingredients. It is designed to ease dry skin or the itching and dryness associated with eczema. When applied to premoistened skin, it penetrates the skin to increase ...
Passion for firefighting still smolders.(THE REST OF YOUR LIFE)(Viewpoint essay)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Dr. Bobby Ridgeway's experience as a volunteer firefighter in the early 1970s sparked his interest in medicine. He joined the volunteer fire fighter department in his home town of Pinewood, S.C., when he was 14 years old, responding to calls on his bicycle. "The out-of-town ...
Health insurance industry proposes guaranteed coverage.
Jan 01, 2009; ... As a new administration prepares to tackle health care reform, the health insurance industry is offering a few suggestions. America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), which represents about 1,300 companies covering more than 200 million Americans, says its members would be willing ...
PHR pilot program to launch.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
Jan 01, 2009; ... Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries living in Arizona and Utah will be among the first to test drive a pilot program that allows them to access their personal health records online starting this month. They also will be able to add pertinent information such as their medications, ...
Who funds clinical trials?(DATA WATCH)
Jan 01, 2009 ... <Pre> Who Funds Clinical Trials? Universities/organizations 16,488 Industry 8,298 ...