Skin & Allergy News

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

Study finds lab coat to skin MRSA transmission.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
SAN DIEGO -- It may be time for North Americans to follow the British in their 2007 ban on white lab coats in the health care setting. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond u . . .

Health care--associated MRSA rates fall from 2005 to 2007.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
SAN DIEGO -- The incidence of health care-associated invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in the United States fell 12.5% between 2005 and 2007, a decline that was statist . . .

Home-based LED: blue light gets green light.(ACNE)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Blue light phototherapy for acne using a Food and Drug Administration-approved LED device is safe and effective for daily home use, according to Dr. Michael Gold. Patients like th . . .

Duac gel shows efficacy for noninflammatory facial acne.(ACNE)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Fixed-dose clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% gel outperformed adapalene 0.1% gel, markedly reducing both noninflammatory and inflammatory facial acne lesions in an investigator-bli . . .

National survey highlights acne's impact on adults.(ACNE)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Two-thirds of dermatologists are seeing more adult acne patients than a year ago, according to a national Harris Interactive poll. The survey found that adults comprise 46% of der . . .

JAK inhibitors are steaming through the pipeline.(PSORIASIS)
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Janus kinase inhibitors, a new class of psoriasis drugs with a novel mechanism of action, are generating considerable interest as they steam through the developmental pipeline. . . .

Etanercept tied to hypoglycemia in diabetic psoriasis patient.(PSORIASIS)
A patient with type 2 diabetes who was treated with etanercept for psoriasis developed recurrent hypoglycemia, illustrating the importance of monitoring for potential hypoglycemia in such patients, . . .

Calcitriol expands topical psoriasis Tx frontier.(PSORIASIS)
MAUI, HAWAII -- The newly approved calcitriol ointment, Vectical, will open the door to more extensive psoriasis treatment with a topical therapy, Dr. John Y.M. Koo predicted at the annual Hawaii de . . .

Maggots clear necrosis from purpura fulminans.(WOUND HEALING)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Maggot debridement therapy helped clear necrotic tissue from purpura fulminans in a 9-month-old boy who was not responding to standard wound care, according to Dr. Xuan Nguyen. Re . . .

Protein, calories essential to pressure ulcer healing.(WOUND HEALING)
ARLINGTON, VA. -- It may not be the first tool that physicians think of, but nutrition can be a powerful one against pressure ulcers, dietitian Mary Ellen Posthauer told a meeting of the National Pr . . .

Stem cells, skin substitute heal scleroderma wounds.(WOUND HEALING)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Chronic wounds due to scleroderma responded well to a combination of mesenchymal stem cells and bilayer bioengineered skin, in a study of 12 patients followed for up to 6 months. . . .

Pressure ulcers on the heel require strict intervention.(WOUND HEALING)
ARLINGTON, VA. -- Pressure ulcers on the heels present unique challenges, but proactive care can go a long way in preventing these wounds in immobile, elderly people, said Catherine Ratliff, Ph.D., . . .

Various gadolinium-based agents may up NSF risk.(ACROSS SPECIALTIES)(nephrogenic systemic fibrosis)(Report)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Less than 5% of patients in severe renal failure who are exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents will develop the disabling, often fatal condition called nephrogenic systemic fi . . .

Risks outweigh benefits of using HGH for antiaging.(ACROSS SPECIALTIES)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Growth hormone therapy might help adults with a deficiency, but there's no evidence that it helps normal elderly adults or athletes. Illegal use in antiaging clinics probably acco . . .

After heart attack, SLE patients at higher risk than diabetics.(ACROSS SPECIALTIES)
Systemic lupus erythematosus conferred a greater risk for adverse outcomes following acute myocardial infarction than did diabetes mellitus, according to an analysis of more than 900,000 patients fr . . .

New guides expected to boost vitamin D target: the IOM is not likely to recommend that people spend more time in the sun to incr
SAN DIEGO -- The Institute of Medicine is reviewing its 1997 guidelines for vitamin D intake, and will likely recommend increased supplementation when new guidelines are published in 2010. There i . . .

Systemic sclerosis patients may need higher doses of Vit. D.(ACROSS SPECIALTIES)
SAN FRANCISCO -- A study of 156 patients with systemic sclerosis in two European cities found that vitamin D deficiency was common, present in 28%. Deficient levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (2 . . .

Vitamin D's link to multiple sclerosis explored.(ACROSS SPECIALTIES)
Vitamin D appears to interact with a key susceptibility locus for multiple sclerosis, serving as an environmental influence that may decrease the risk of the disease in individuals with certain hapl . . .

Reloxin approval delayed.(POLICY & PRACTICE)(Brief article)
Ipsen and its marketing partner Medicis announced in mid-April that its botulinum toxin type A, Reloxin, (known as Dysport in Europe) would not be approved at the expected time. Instead, the compani . . .

QVC settles over cellulite cream.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
The megaretailer QVC Inc. has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated commission orders dating to 2000 and made false and unsubstantiated claims about . . .

NIAMS touts stimulus funds.(POLICY & PRACTICE)(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
The government's economic stimulus package offers new opportunities for dermatologic research, Dr. Stephen Katz, director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases . . .

Lupus Research gets budget boost.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
Congress has dedicated about $5 million to lupus research and education as part of the recently enacted fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The law, which was signed in March, includes $4 m . . .

Path outlined for biosimilars.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
A bipartisan group of legislators has introduced a bill to promote approval of follow-on biologics, or biosimilars. The Pathway for Biosimilars Act (H.R. 1548) is designed to accomplish for follow-o . . .

Device staff decries FDA politics.(POLICY & PRACTICE)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
The FDA is a mess of politics, abuse, and misdeeds, according to members of the agency's Office of Device Evaluation, who sent a six-page letter to President Barack Obama in early April. The staff m . . .

Administration posts filling up.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
The Obama administration has named officials to several top health care-related positions that do not require Senate confirmation, including the director of the White House Office of Health Reform, . . .

Ready for the Red Flags Rule?(MANAGING YOUR DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE)
By now, you are probably aware of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003 and its "Identity Theft Red Flags Rule," which require creditors to establish a program to prevent iden . . .

'Dr. Charlie' goes to war.(THE REST OF YOUR LIFE)
During voluntary tours of duty as an Army medical officer for Operation Iraqi Freedom--Camp Spearhead, Shuaiba, Kuwait, in 2003 and Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2005--Dr. Charles . . .

MD privacy cases making way through courts.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
SAN FRANCISCO -- You won't believe who's seeking access to your Medicare claims data--and what they want to do with it. A little-known consumers group aiming to force the Health and Human Services . . .

Dermatopathology education lacks learning via computer.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
SAN FRANCISCO -- A national survey suggests it may be time for dermatopathology education to embrace computer-based learning. The survey showed that although U.S. dermatology residency programs de . . .

ABMS updates standards to stress quality, patient safety.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
NEW ORLEANS -- The American Board of Medical Specialties has approved standards to its maintenance of certification program, with a growing emphasis on more public disclosure and more evidence-based . . .

Rosacea care package.(Products)
The Finacea Plus rosacea care system is formulated to treat mild to moderate rosacea. The package includes three items--the Finacea prescription gel, CeraVe moisturizing lotion, and CeraVe hydrating . . .

AB sun SPF 45.(Products)
The AB Skincare line includes AB sun, an SPF 45 product for use on the face and the body. The formula contains micronized zinc oxide to provide full-spectrum sun protection from both UVA and UVB rad . . .

Chronic wound care.(Products)
The V.A.C. GranuFoam Bridge Dressing kit is designed to simplify the care of chronic wounds. The kit includes a dressing with a wicking layer to protect intact skin, a perforated drape to help achie . . .

Post-op recovery cream.(Products)
Glytone Lipid Recovery Cream is formulated to soothe dry and inflamed skin following in-office aesthetic procedures such as peels, laser treatments, and microdermabrasion. The cream contains 3% came . . .

Anti-acne kits.(Products)
The Cool Pearls Anti-Acne kits offer benzoyl peroxide-based acne treatment combined with new microencapsularion technology that controls release of the active ingredients. The controlled-release str . . .

Laser-assisted lipolysis.(Products)
The ProLipo PLUS system provides laser-assisted lipolysis without the need to use general anesthesia. The dual-wavelength system is designed for ablating unwanted fat to promote collagen remodeling . . .

Sun-aware skin care.(Products)
The Cellu-Guard line of sun care products from Sothys is designed to provide sun protection plus a unique blend of fruit polyphenols and purified Caulophyllum oil designed to preserve the integrity . . .

Multiple-option laser system.(Products)
The JOULE Aesthetic Laser Platform combines laser lipolysis and fractional resurfacing capabilities. The platform also can be used for hair removal and a wide variety of vascular treatments, so prac . . .

Dual protection sun care.(Products)
The Antihelios 60 sun protection product line offers two-way protection from UVA and UVB rays. This product line features the Cell-OX Shield--a combination of two sun filters, avobenzone (3%) and oc . . .

Combination acne gel.(Products)
Acanya Gel has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat ache vulgaris in patients aged 12 years and older. The gel contains 1.2% clindamycin phosphate and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and . . .

Medical school leaders looking for a challenge.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
Fresh from their successful efforts to convince Congress and the president to dramatically increase federal biomedical research funding, the nation's medical school deans are now working to prioriti . . .

Dx: hand-foot-and-mouth disease.(CASE OF THE MONTH)(Case study)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Think of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and chances are you think of infants or children infected with an enterovirus in the summertime. This patient didn't fit that typical profile . . .

Calcitriol ointment: a new option for topical psoriasis therapy.
ABSTRACT Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory disorder of the skin that is associated with considerable discomfort, disability, and diminished quality of life. Topical vitamin D derivative . . .

Update on laser resurfacing, fillers, and botulinum toxin.
The field of cosmetic dermatology has evolved on several fronts in recent years. Three areas that have attracted considerable attention are laser fractional resurfacing, fillers, and botulinum toxin . . .

Managing fat and cellulite: current state of the field.
Though often discussed together, fat and cellulite represent two distinct types of cellular mass. As such, different health considerations and management options should enter into discussions betwee . . .

Avoiding dermal filler pitfalls begins with a mirror.
As part of her pretreatment consultation before providing dermal fillers, Dr. Ranella Hirsch hands a mirror to her patients and instructs them to advise her on their specific goals and expectations. . . .

Single laser Tx reduced perioral wrinkles.
A single treatment with a microfractional 2940-nm erbium:YAG laser resulted in perioral wrinkle reduction of greater than 40% and an improvement of 2-3 grades on the Fitzpatrick wrinkle assessment s . . .

Fractional laser therapy found effective for hands.(Reprint)
Nonablative fractional laser therapy applied at conservative settings achieved moderate global improvement in photodamaged hands in a pilot study. Six months following last treatment sessions, 8 o . . .

Gene profiling could drive CTCL management.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Dermatologists and oncologists have long fretted over when to pull out the therapeutic big guns for patients with early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Gene expression profiling . . .

When specialties talk, everyone wins.(PSORIASIS)(dermatology and rheumatology)
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When dermatologists and rheumatologists collaborate on the care of a patient, everyone benefits, but the two specialties rarely reach out to each other, said Dr. Alice B. Go . . .