Skin & Allergy News articles from April 2009

Skin & Allergy News archives from April 2009

When specialties talk, everyone wins.(PSORIASIS)(dermatology and rheumatology)
April 1, 2009... [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. Gottlieb. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being...

SLN biopsy for thin melanomas found unjustified: no evidence of survival benefits exists.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- The yield of positive sentinel lymph nodes is so sparse in patients with thin melanoma, and the clinical impact of node positivity remains so unclear, that routine sentinel node biopsy cannot be justified in this population, a...

Certified dermatology EMRs to debut in 2010.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... By next fall, dermatologists will have a chance to purchase electronic medical record systems that have been certified specifically for use in dermatology practices. The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology...

Americans have trust issues.(VITAL SIGNS)(health care reform)(Statistical table)(Survey)
April 1, 2009... How much confidence do you have in each of these people/groups to do or recommend the right thing for health care reform? A great A fair Only a None deal amount little President...

Draft international pressure ulcer guidelines are released.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] ARLINGTON, VA. -- The first international guidelines for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers are available for public comment, and a final version will be released in May, according to presenters at the...

New agent shows early promise for melanoma: complete response was seen in 8 of 16 patients with locally advanced disease of the extremities.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... PHOENIX -- In patients with locally advanced malignant melanoma of the extremities, the investigational agent ADH-1 appears to have a synergistic affect when added to regional chemotherapy with melphalan, according to a phase I trial. ...

Melanoma field cells may explain local tumor recurrence.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- The recent discovery of an entity called melanoma field cells that are often present in seemingly normal skin surrounding primary melanomas could ultimately force an overhaul of standard recommended excision margins. ...

Scans overused in early melanoma, studies show.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT is not routinely indicated for early-stage melanoma, contrary to widespread belief, according to Dr. Jeffrey E. Gershenwald. "The use of FDG-PET/CT scanning for early-stage disease has become quite...

Active naturals grant available.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... The establishment of the Active Naturals Research Award through Active Naturals Research Institute has been announced by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc. The annual $50,000 research grant is intended to promote dermatology research on...

Revised pathology billing rules limit markup.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... Recent changes to Medicare's pathology billing rules aim to curb potentially abusive markup arrangements, while allowing certain subcontracting arrangements for dermatopathology services. The revised rules bar dermatologists from marking up...

Imatinib offers early hope for treating systemic sclerosis.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Imatinib showed efficacy for the treatment of progressive systemic sclerosis in a prospective study. The favorable results of this small, open-label, 24-week study open the door to larger randomized trials. The findings...

Military evacuations for ill-defined dermatologic diseases.(DATA WATCH)
April 1, 2009... Military Evacuations for Ill-Defined Dermatologic Diseases Number of Cases in Each 'Mystery Rash' Category Among 170 Evacuees Skin disorders NEC/NOS 72 Dermatitis NEC/NOS 61...

10 new substances added to patch test tray.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... SINT MAARTEN, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES -- The North American Contact Dermatitis Group removed 5 allergens from its 2007-2008 standard North American patch test tray and replaced them with 10 new substances to test for in 2009-2010. The group...

For skin types IV-VI, Sculptra just as effective.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Injectable poly-L-lactic acid is at least as safe and effective in patients with darker skin as in those with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III, according to a multicenter postmarketing study. The ongoing study also demonstrated...

Cryolipolysis on track to become first cool way to remove cellulite.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Noninvasive selective cooling of subcutaneous fat is a novel and particularly promising method of getting rid of love handles, back fat, and cellulite, according to Dr. Christopher B. Zachary The fat-freeze method,...

Second botulinum held safe for treating glabellar lines.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... A second botulinum toxin that is expected to reach the U.S. market soon was found to be safe and well tolerated in a large, open-label clinical trial. Multiple cycles of botulinum toxin A (Reloxin, Ipsen) injections to minimize glabellar...

New AAD psoriasis guidelines cover topicals.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... Topical medications that are individually tailored to provide the greatest adherence with high efficacy and safety offer the most optimal treatment of psoriasis in patients who have limited disease or need an adjunctive therapy for resistant...

Coal tar solution tops calcipotriol cream for psoriasis.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Anovel over-the-counter topical leave-on coal tar solution achieved significantly greater and more persistent improvement compared to prescription calcipotriol cream in patients with moderate chronic plaque psoriasis in a...

PsA patients have greater comorbidity risk.(NEWS)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Patients with psoriatic arthritis had significantly greater prevalences of insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and diabetes than did psoriasis patients or controls in a large single-center comparison. The psoriatic arthritis...

Of pens, mugs, and transparency.(COMMENTARY)
April 1, 2009... With the continuing public push for more transparency from government and corporations, three pharmaceutical companies have decided to get ahead of the game and begin online registries in 2009 that list payments to physicians who perform...

Denial.(UNDER MY SKIN)(patient behavior)
April 1, 2009... Stella seems like a sensible woman. She has had two basal cells removed, so she comes regularly for me to check her sun-damaged skin. About 4 years ago, I prevailed on Stella to let me examine her in full, something she had insisted wasn't...

Staining for p75 helps make desmoplastic melanoma dx.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Immunohistochemical staining for p75 nerve growth factor receptor is a helpful tool for establishing the diagnosis of desmoplastic melanoma in cases where histopathology is inconclusive and S-100 staining is weak or absent,...

Mycosis fungoides appears early in black women.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Mycosis fungoides is classically considered a disease of middle-aged white men, but onset prior to age 40 years is significantly more common in black women than in white men or women, according to the experience at M.D....

New primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma guidelines highlight differential diagnosis.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- The differential diagnosis and management of primary cutaneous lymphoma rely to a great extent on whether lesions appear on the leg or elsewhere, according to the first guidelines released by the National Comprehensive Cancer...

Teens pay for outdoor summer jobs as adults.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- People who worked at outdoor summer jobs as teenagers for three years or more had twice the risk of developing malignant melanoma later in life as those who did not, according to a case-control study by Dr. Darrell S. Rigel....

Oral cavity SCC in young adults is on the 'surge'.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, particularly of the tongue, is not a diagnosis seen only in smokers aged 65 and older, reports in the literature suggest. "We're seeing a surge of cases among younger...

Biafine speeds healing of Mohs-related surgery wounds.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- A topical trolamine/sodium alginate emulsion resulted in significantly faster healing than topical antibiotics after a variety of common procedures without promoting bacterial resistance or causing contact dermatitis, according...

Skin cancer screening prevalence inching higher.(CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- The prevalence of skin cancer screening among U.S. adults inched higher during the first half of this decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000, one in seven adults said they had ever...

Polyphenols.(COSMECEUTICAL CRITIQUE)
April 1, 2009... In this column, I have covered a range of botanical sources of cosmeceutical ingredients. The historical foundation for such an inquiry is compelling, and the market for modern personal care products continually reinforces the importance of...

Consider peels for dyschromia on a budget.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII--Have contemporary laser resurfacing methods rendered chemical peels obsolete? Not by a long shot, according to Dr. Roberta Sengelmann, a dermatologic surgeon in Santa Barbara, Calif. "'I still use chemical peels quite a bit...

Vitamin K oxide gel quells postlaser bruising.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Topical vitamin K oxide gel appears to help speed resolution of facial bruising induced by cosmetic procedures, reported Dr. Joel L. Cohen. His randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial of 16 patients undergoing...

Lipolysis melts away appearance of double chin.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MIAMI BEACH -- Phosphatidylcholine injections were found to effectively dissolve submental fat deposits associated with a "double chin" appearance without any significant adverse effects. Up to five injections of phosphatidylcholine (PC)...

New evidence indicates laser-assisted lipolysis results in skin tightening.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MIAMI BEACH -- Sure, it's nice to tell patients that laser-assisted lipolysis will tighten their skin, but now there is evidence to prove it. Dr. Bruce E. Katz and his colleagues demonstrated the tightening effects of laser-assisted...

Clonidine helps calm anxious cosmetic patients.(AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Low-dose sublingual clonidine given before treatment helps calm anxious, tachycardic patients undergoing laser skin resurfacing and other cosmetic procedures, according to Dr. Roberta D. Sengelmann. "I've been using...

Tiered approach to treating hand dermatitis is outlined.(ALLERGIC/CONTACT DERMATITIS)
April 1, 2009... SINT MAARTEN, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES -- Consider patient history, patch testing, optimization of barrier function, and limitation of topical corticosteroids for the patient with suspected hand dermatitis. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, Dr....

And now, 'third-wave' treatments to consider.(ALLERGIC/CONTACT DERMATITIS)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Grenz ray may seem old-school and may no longer be available in some communities, but it's highly effective for severe chronic hand dermatitis resistant to standard topical medications, said Dr. Joseph F. Fowler Jr. "It...

Legislation, nail hardener may prevent nickel dermatitis.(ALLERGIC/CONTACT DERMATITIS)
April 1, 2009... SINT MAARTEN, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES -- The only way to combat nickel allergy is through legislation, according to Dr. Bryan E. Anderson. Other countries have demonstrated success with laws that require a reduction in the nickel content of...

Varicella vaccine not tied to stroke, study finds.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
April 1, 2009... Vaccination with live, attenuated varicella zoster virus was not associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in pediatric patients in the year after they received their vaccination, according to a retrospective, population-based study...

Expert reviews outpatient treatment options for MRSA.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
April 1, 2009... SAN DIEGO -- Clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are the most commonly used agents to treat community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on an outpatient basis, but neither is perfect, according to one expert ...

Gardasil prevents warts, HPV infection in males.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
April 1, 2009... ATLANTA -- The human papillomavirus vaccine was efficacious in preventing persistent infections and genital warts caused by HPV strains 6, 11, 16, and 18 in a Merck-sponsored study of 4,065 males aged 16-26 years. The findings were...

HPV misunderstood, feared in one border community.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)(Clinical report)
April 1, 2009... Hispanic men and women living on the United States--Mexico border have little understanding about the human papillomavirus and its role in the etiology of cervical cancer, according to a small prospective study. Not only were there very low...

New smallpox vaccine found safer than existing vaccines.(INFECTIOUS DISEASES)
April 1, 2009... The third-generation smallpox vaccine LC16m8 was found to be as immunogenic as existing smallpox vaccines but appeared to be safer in a study of over 3,000 Japanese adults. The live, attenuated, tissue-cultured LC16m8 vaccine proved to be...

Ustekinumab bests etanercept in phase III study.(PSORIASIS)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Ustekinumab outperformed etanercept for treatment of psoriasis in the first-ever head-to-head comparison of the two biologic agents. The 12-week phase III multicenter trial involved 903 patients with moderate to severe...

Topical indigo naturalis clears psoriasis lesions.(PSORIASIS)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Chinese herbal treatment with indigo naturalis ointment resulted in clearing or near-clearing of three-quarters of lesions of refractory chronic plaque psoriasis in a randomized, investigator-blinded trial. Indigo naturalis...

Patch testing reveals top allergens in children: using the same allergen concentrations for testing children as used in adults found safe and effective.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- The first two multicenter studies of patch testing conducted in American children have established that the same ubiquitous allergens responsible for most allergic contact dermatitis in U.S. adults are similarly prevalent and...

Other conditions may mimic diaper dermatitis.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Don't ignore a seemingly simple case of diaper dermatitis, because this near-ubiquitous condition can mask something much more serious. In fact, there are at least four "zebras'" whose hoof beats may be sounding in diaper...

Botulinum helps control hyperhidrosis in teens.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... ORLANDO -- Botulinum toxin type A administered intradermally was safe and effective in reducing the severity of primary axillary hyperhidrosis, in a multicenter trial of adolescents. The first two treatments produced relief from...

PQRI report is available online.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)(Physician Quality Reporting Initiative)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A new self-service look-up tool on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative portal allows eligible professionals at the Tax Identification Number level to see if their PQRI Feedback Report is available. If it is, they can register for an...

Ulcerated hemangioma studies are lacking.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- The various treatments for ulcerated hemangiomas each help some patients, but some treatments can make a number of patients worse, and it's difficult to know in advance who will be helped or harmed. The medical literature...

Ulcerated hemangioma management practices revealed.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- High-dose oral steroid treatment can make an ulcerated hemangioma worse, and nobody really knows what to do when that happens, according to an online survey of 77 pediatric dermatologists. The January 2009 survey of Society...

Terbinafine deemed attractive for tinea capitis.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- Oral terbinafine as first-line therapy for tinea capitis offers an unequalled combination of a good cure rate, fast results, minimal adverse events, and a stunningly low cost, according to Dr. Bernard A. Cohen. "You can get...

Simple pull test, card help diagnose alopecia.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Hair loss is not just for adults. Two simple tools can help diagnose early-onset androgenetic alopecia, which affects 15% of adolescents beginning at age 7-17 years. The hallmark of androgenetic alopecia is miniaturized...

Tinea capitis outbreaks reported.(PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY)
April 1, 2009... MAUI, HAWAII -- The largest known U.S. outbreak of tinea capitis due to Trichophyton soudanense and T. violaceum in several decades raises the possibility that the epidemiology of this common fungal disease may once again be on the move. ...

Acne toolbox so full 'the top won't close'.(ACNE)
April 1, 2009... SINT MAARTEN, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES -- New formulations of established oral agents and new combination products are available to treat acne, according to Dr. Hllary Baldwin. The new oral formulations include extended-release minocycline...

Sunburn and family history, not alcohol, predict rosacea.(ACNE)(Clinical report)
April 1, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO -- Alcohol has little to do with the development of the facial redness, swelling, and vascular abnormalities characteristic of rosacea, despite conventional wisdom, study results have shown. In a case-control study comparing...

Doxycycline, metronidazole combo scores big for rosacea.(ACNE)
April 1, 2009... SINT MAARTEN, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES -- A combination of doxycycline and metronidazole cleared more inflammatory rosacea lesions and worked faster than metronidazole alone in a randomized controlled trial. This combination should be...

CMS mulls facial lipodystrophy.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is considering whether to cover reconstructive therapies for facial lipodystrophy, which would include Sanofi Aventis' Sculptra and BioForm Medical's Radiesse. The decision was requested by Dr....

Elesclomol trial suspended.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. has suspended a phase III study of elesclomol for stage IV melanoma. According to the company, a safety committee found that more deaths were occurring among patients receiving elesclomol and paclitaxel than among...

Psoriasis act is reintroduced.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... A small bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research Cure and Care Act (H.R. 930). It calls on the National Institutes of Health to support research on genetic markers and joint inflammation and...

Silicone/saline combo toxic.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... A Tampa woman was issued a citation for practicing medicine without a license after injecting several women with a combination of silicone and saline that was meant to enhance their buttocks. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department...

Group wants ban on industry CME.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... The consumer watchdog group Public Citizen has asked the American Medical Association to support a ban on commercial support of continuing medical education. In a letter to the chairs of the AMA's ethical and CME councils, Public Citizen's...

Physicians postponing retirement.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... Fewer physicians left group practices in 2008 than in 2007, and a majority of group practice leaders believe that the change reflects more physicians delaying retirement because of the poor economy, said the American Medical Group Association....

Safeguarding against embezzlers.(MANAGING YOUR DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE)
April 1, 2009... As the economy continues to founder, fraud and economic crime are on the rise, according to many law enforcement officials around the country. Tight money increases embezzlement temptations, so this is an excellent time to review your...

Recession alters aesthetic marketing strategies.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
April 1, 2009... MIAMI BEACH -- Offer discounts, combine products and procedures into packages, and offer value-added products or services--these are among the strategies an aesthetic dermatologist can use to survive the economic downturn, according to a panel...

Stem cell executive order draws cheers, jeers.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
April 1, 2009... President Barack Obama's executive order reversing the Bush administration's restrictions on government-funded stem cell research drew praise from some medical groups and criticism from others. Under the previous policy, government funding...

Budget tags $634 billion for health reform.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
April 1, 2009... President Barack Obama has made health care a top priority in his first budget proposal by setting aside $634 billion over the next decade to begin reforming the health care system and expanding coverage to all Americans. The proposed...

Physician watches stress float by.(THE REST OF YOUR LIFE)
April 1, 2009... As a new physician in 1991, Dr. Jay Winner was troubled by the number of patients who complained of telltale stress symptoms such as severe headaches, elevated blood pressure, and stomach cramps. "I could have done what I'd seen many other...

Rosacea care.(Products)(Obagi Rosaclear System)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The three-part Obagi Rosaclear System is a collection of products designed to be used together to combat the redness, acne, and blotchiness associated with rosacea. The gentle cleanser removes bacteria and other residue while soothing the skin....

Laser for lipolysis, contouring.(Products)(Lutronic's AccuSculpt)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The AccuSculpt system has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for laser lipolysis. This pulsed Nd:YAG laser system has a wavelength of 1,444 nm, which is optimal for heating adipocytes. The highly accurate, minimally...

Amino acid skin care.(Products)
April 1, 2009... Biopelle Inc. introduces three new products to its line of Acidified Filaggrin-based Amino Acid (AFA) products. Acidified amino acid is formulated to help improve skin structure and promote skin hydration. A new AFA Soothing Eye Cream helps...

Mineral-based sunblock.(Products)
April 1, 2009... The Glytone skin care line now includes a new sunscreen lotion as part of its sun care collection. The Glytone Protect sunscreen lotion is available in SPF 30 and SPF 40. The mineral-based SPF40 sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid, as well as...

Bullous pemphigoid ELISA kits.(Products)
April 1, 2009... The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the BPlS0 and BP 230 ELISA Kits for the detection of bullous pemphigoid antibodies. Patients with bullous phemphigoid are known to have BP180, BP230, or both antibodies in their serum. The kits have...

Anti-wrinkle day cream.(Products)
April 1, 2009... Wrinkle Arrest, a moisturizing day cream, combines broad spectrum sun protection with an amino acid combination that is designed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The cream has an SPF of 18, and it is suitable for dry,...

Lash conditioner.(Products)
April 1, 2009... ProCyte Corporation adds to its Neova product line with Advanced Essential Lash, a nonprescription lash conditioner that is hypoallergenic and paraben-free. The conditioner is designed to protect eyelashes from breakage and make them appear...

Soothing plant-based serum.(Products)
April 1, 2009... Neova R2 Serum soothes chronically red and rosacea-prone skin. The aqueous-based, fragrance-free serum is formulated for all skin types, and contains a blend of natural plant extracts, antioxidants, and peptides. It is lightweight and absorbed...

Holistic skin care.(Products)
April 1, 2009... The GliSODin Skin Nutrients line of skin care supplements is now available in the United States. The "nutricosmetic" oral supplements are formulated to maintain skin health from within and protect it from environmental stressors. One of the...

Cytokinin skin care.(Products)
April 1, 2009... Senetek PLC introduces the Pyratine-6 line of antiaging skin care products. The products feature plant-derived growth factors (cytokinins) that can help reduce signs of aging by removing debris from skin cells. The product line includes creme,...

Chemical-free baby sunscreen.(Products)
April 1, 2009... The AB Skincare line includes AB baby, a chemical-free sunscreen designed especially for children and infants as young as 6 months. The formula contains moisturizing ingredients that absorb quickly to start protecting children's sensitive skin...

Pharma tapping into social networking sites.(PRACTICE TRENDS)
April 1, 2009... WASHINGTON -- Pharmaceutical companies are turning to social networking to reach their customers--both physicians and patients--as it's become increasingly difficult to market using traditional approaches. At a meeting sponsored by a...

Case of the month.(scurvy)(Disease/Disorder overview)(Case study)(Clinical report)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A 40-year-old man presented with 2-week-old tender, violaceous rashes on the lower parts of both legs that were clinically suspicious for vasculitis. He also had an indurated plaque on the right upper thigh, mild...