Skin & Allergy News articles from March 2002

Skin & Allergy News archives from March 2002

Rich pipeline seen for scleroderma. (Trial Results Eagerly Awaited).
March 1, 2002... SNOWMASS, COLO -- The current most exciting potential therapies for scleroderma address three important mediators of fibrosis. According to Dr. Joseph H. Korn, professor of medicine at Boston University. Clinical trials are underway or...

New psoriasis drugs will need help, experts say: Not every patient responds, so other therapies will still be needed for psoriasis. (Biologic Therapies).
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII - Studies of alefecept make clear two things about the new biologic therapies: the response lasts a long time even after the drug is stopped, and not every patient is going to respond completely, speakers said at the annual Hawaii...

Demi-lift a lower-risk alternative to face-lift: Less scarring and downtime than face-lift. (Lower Face, Anterior Neck).
March 1, 2002... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. - A new approach to rejuvenating the lower face and anterior neck provides good results with less scarring and downtime, and with fewer potential complications than more extensive procedures, Dr. Richard E. Fitz-patrick...

One-third of S. aureus now drug resistant. (Antibiotic Arms Race).(Staphylococcus aureus)
March 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- Once again, bacteria grew a little smarter last year and inched forward in the antibiotic arms race. During the 2000-2001 respiratory infection season, the prevalence of drug-resistant isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae grew to...

Advances make Scleroderma manageable. (Skin, Renal, GI Manifestations).
March 1, 2002... SNOWMASS, COLO. -- Scleroderma is no longer the grim disease that most physicians encountered during their training, Dr. Joseph H. Korn said at a symposium sponsored by the American College of Rheumatology "When I learned about scleroderma...

Epoprostenol for Raynaud's crisis. (Rapid Improvement).(Flolan)
March 1, 2002... SNOWMASS, COLO. -- A brief hospitalization for administration of intravenous epoprostenol is extremely effective for Raynaud's patients with acute threatened loss of a finger, Dr. Joseph H. Korn said at a symposium sponsored by the American...

Anthrax vaccine gets approval from FDA. (Others in the Works).(BioPort Corp. given license to distribute vaccine)
March 1, 2002... The anthrax vaccine is now approved for routine distribution. BioPort Corp., the only licensed manufacturer of the vaccine, was granted the license supplements necessary to distribute the vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration on Jan....

Long-term efalizumab helps maintain gains of psoriasis therapy. (Good Compliance).(Xanelim tested by Genentech Inc.)
March 1, 2002... DANA POINT, CALIF. -- Continuous treatment with efalizumab for 24 weeks helps psoriasis patients maintain and even build upon improvements seen earlier in therapy Dr. Stephen Stone reported at the annual meeting of the Noah Worcester...

Lemonade your typist? (Under my Skin).(tongue in cheek overview of the pros and cons of voice recognition software)
March 1, 2002... By the time Andy visited my office to promote his medical voice recognition software package, I had already learned to discount inflated technology daims. Still, I was in a pickle: My transcriptionist had left, and the piles of untyped charts...

To be fully alive. (Guest Editorial).(helping terminally ill cancer patients "find joy and fufillment in their final months")
March 1, 2002... Patients with advanced cancer are typically offered surgery, chemotherapy radiation--or "there is nothing we can do for you." The last option seems not to be a choice, and yet I have often observed that this realization is the most liberating...

Make locals a more pleasant experience. (Cool Skin Prior to Inserting Needle).(local anesthesia administration tips)
March 1, 2002... GUADALAJARA, MEXICO -- Small changes in technique can lead to large improvements in patient satisfaction when it comes to local anesthesia, Dr. Leonard H. Goldberg said at the 22nd Congress of the International Society for Dermatologic Surgery....

Efficacy of topical anesthesia differs by application time. (Two Studies, Six Drugs).
March 1, 2002... GUADALAJARA, MEXICO -- Two studies involving six topical anesthetics revealed different patterns of efficacy depending on the length of time the anesthetics had been applied. All six agents provided increasing levels of anesthesia during...

Excimer laser helps repigment traumatic hypopigmentation. (Postresurfacing and Postsurgical Scars).
March 1, 2002... DALLAS -- The 308-nm excimer laser was useful in repigmenting hypopigmented surgical scars and postresurfacing hypopigmentation in two recent studies, Dr. Paul M. Friedman reported at the joint annual meeting of the American Society for...

Preemptively transplant future areas of baldness. (Women Make Good Candidates).
March 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Hair today, gone tomorrow. That's why Dr. Walter Unger performs hair transplantations primarily in patients who have not experienced complete hair loss. Transplantation should occur early in the thinning process before it...

Isotretinoin use may not rule out chemical peels. (No Increased Scarring).
March 1, 2002... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Chemical resurfacing that stays at or above the papillary dermis appears safe in patients using isotretinoin at the time of, or within 2 years of, the procedure, Dr. Suzan Obagi said at the annual meeting of the...

Don't stop blood thinners before derm surgery. (Not Worth the Risk).
March 1, 2002... DALLAS -- The risks associated with taking patients off medically necessary blood thinners before cutaneous surgery are greater than the potential surgical complications, Dr. Clark C. Otley said at the joint annual meeting of the American...

Limited uses for lasers in melanoma. (Future Applications).
March 1, 2002... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- As optical systems improve and in vivo noninvasive "biopsy" becomes a reality, lasers will play a greater role in the management of melanoma, Cdr. E. Victor Ross, MC, USN, predicted at a melanoma update sponsored by the...

Advances open up the field of vein surgery. (New Procedures).
March 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Dermatologists can perform vein surgery much better than vascular surgeons, Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman said at a dermatology symposium sponsored by Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Compared with sclerotherapy, phlebectomy is...

Standard melanoma care OK in pregnancy. (Prompt Biopsy is Key).
March 1, 2002... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Pregnant women with stage I and II melanoma should be treated exactly the same as nonpregnant patients who present with changing nevi, Dr. Craig Naugle said at a melanoma update sponsored by the Scripps Clinic. "The...

Good outcomes possible in pregnant cancer patients. (Mothers and Babies do Well).
March 1, 2002... NEW ORLEANS -- Women who are diagnosed with cancer while pregnant can be reassured that they are not at increased risk for preterm delivery or intrauterine growth restriction, even if chemotherapy is required. "They do well and their...

Biopsy report terms must be clear. (Diagnosing Melanoma).
March 1, 2002... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Make sure you're familiar with the terms used in the biopsy report you receive from your pathologist regarding suspected melanoma, Dr. David J. Barnette Jr., advised at a melanoma update sponsored by the Scripps Clinic. ...

Data watch.
March 1, 2002... DATA WATCH Many Smaller Firms Support Allowing Patients to Sue Health Plans for Malpractice (*) Favor Oppose Don't Know Smaller Firms (3-199 employees) 67% 18% 14% Larger Firms (200...

Watch for cutaneous symptoms of hepatitis C. (Four Million People Infected).
March 1, 2002... DANA POINT, CALIF. -- With 4 million Americans already infected with the hepatitis C virus and 150,000-200,000 new infections each year, it behooves dermatologists to become familiar with skin disorders linked to the infection, Dr. Lani Clark...

Web site on emerging infections. (Clinical Rounds).(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)(www.bioterrorism.uab.edu.)
March 1, 2002... A new Web site funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality seeks to teach health care professionals how to diagnose and treat rare infections and exposures to bioterrorist agents, such as anthrax and smallpox. Designed by the...

Lyme disease overdiagnosed, overtreated in N.Y. (Poor Knowledge of Guidelines).
March 1, 2002... Misdiagnosis of Lyme disease and inappropriate antibiotic treatment were common in Long Island, N.Y., an area highly endemic for the vector-borne disease, said Dr. Muhammad Zahid Qureshi and his associates at the State University of New York at...

Lyme diagnoses nearly doubled in a decade. (Vaccine Helpful).
March 1, 2002... The reported incidence of Lyme disease nearly doubled between 1991 and 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000, 17,730 cases of Lyme disease were reported from 44 states and the District of Columbia. That...

Fingernail police may come for health workers. (Long Nails Harbor Germs).(prevention of nosocomial infection transmission)
March 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Long fingernails spread nosocomial infections, Dr. Shelly A. McNeil reported at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Nails extending more than 3 mm beyond the fingertip are more likely to...

Pneumovax not effective in SLE patients. (Didn't Worsen Disease).(systemic lupus erythematosus)
March 1, 2002... Pneumovax did not worsen disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, but a substantial number of them had a poor response. These patients remain at risk of invasive pneumococcal infection...

Children's mystery rash traced back to pet gerbils. (Five Children Infected).(avian mites transmitted from gerbils to children)
March 1, 2002... DANA POINT, CALIF. -- That funny little rodent that your pediatric patient is so fond of could be the source of his rash, Dr. Paul Lucky said at the annual meeting of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society. Exposure to gerbils was the...

Oral steroid use may make kids more susceptible to HPV. (Few Were Abused).(human papilloma virus infection)
March 1, 2002... CANCUN, MEXICO -- The use of corticosteroids may make children more susceptible to human papilloma virus infection, Dr. Margarita Larralde said at the Ninth World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology. In a cohort of 36 cases of genital warts...

Simple tests predict risk of diabetic foot ulcers. (British Study).
March 1, 2002... PHILADELPHIA -- Several simple in-office tests can predict a diabetic patient's risk for foot ulceration and amputation, Anne L. Carrington, Ph.D., said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association. Measurement of...

Foundation provides Medicare and long-term care education. (Free Guide).(Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation offers "Talking With Your Parents About Medicare and Health Coverage")
March 1, 2002... "Talking With Your Parents About Medicare and Health Coverage" is a free guide aimed at helping families sort out the basic facts about Medicare, managed care options, and long-term care. It answers questions about coverage, Medicare HMOs, and...

Cosmeceutical critique: Claims. (Dermatologic Therapy).
March 1, 2002... By definition, a "cosmetic" is a product that is intended to achieve its beneficial effect without causing a biologic action. In spite of this definition, many products claim to improve wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, or other...

Estrogen improves quality of life in menopausal women who have SLE. (Climacteric Symptoms).(systemic lupus erythematosus)
March 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Hormone replacement therapy improves quality of life for women with systemic lupus erythematosus who enter menopause, Dr. Ignacio Y. Hernandez said at an international symposium on women's health and menopause. He conducted a...

Combination medicine improves melasma in nearly 80% of patients. (Few Side Effects).
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII -- A new commercial formulation of the old Kligman formula produces good to excellent improvement of melasma in almost 80% of patients, Dr. Isaac Willis said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by the Skin Disease...

Oral anti-herpesviral drugs may shorten the course of pityriasis rosea. (HHV-6 and -7 Found in Lesions).
March 1, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- The finding of human herpesviruses 6 and 7 in the blood and lesions of young adults with acute pityriasis rosea suggests that treatment with oral anti-herpesviral agents might shorten the 8-week-long course of this rash, Dr....

Drug-induced vasculitis: Work with primary care. (Regularly Screen these Patients).
March 1, 2002... SNOWMASS, COLO. -- Okay, you've diagnosed and successfully treated a case of drug-induced vasculitis. Now it's time for you as a highly efficient specialist to say goodbye and send the patient back to the primary care physician, right? ...

Consider patient preference when treating genital warts. (Remove Keratinization).
March 1, 2002... LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. - At least 75% of U.S. residents aged 15-49 years have been exposed to human papillomavirus, and 1% of these will develop genital warts as a result, Dr. Amit G. Pandya said at the annual meeting of the South Central...

Anogenital warts in children resolve with topical therapy. (Long-Term Follow-Up Key).
March 1, 2002... Anogenital warts in children as young as 6 months of age resolve after treatment with either 0.5% podofilox gel or 5% imiquimod cream, according to two new reports. However, an accompanying commentary warns that, because the effect of...

SMART is too voluntary, pediatrician says. (Accutane and Pregnancy).(System to Manage Accutane-Related Teratogenicity)
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII -- SMART, the new teratogenicity management program for Accutane, does not go far enough because too many of the provisions are voluntary, Dr. Kenneth L. Jones said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by the Skin...

Vaginal contraceptive ring, patch may improve compliance. (Ease of Use).
March 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- A constant, nonfluctuating hormone serum level and ease of use are among the positive attributes of the new contraceptive vaginal ring and contraceptive patch, Dr. Felicia Stewart said at the annual meeting of the Association of...

Investigational antibiotic shows efficacy for skin and soft tissue infections. (Safe and Effective).(daptomycin)
March 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- Daptomycin, an investigational antibiotic in a new drug class called the lipopeptides, was as safe and effective as oxacillin or vancomycin for treating skin and soft tissue infections in two trials. Daptomycin is effective for...

Ten days of doxycycline for early Lyme disease. (As Effective as 20 Days).
March 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Ten days of doxycycline are as effective as 20 for the treatment of early Lyme disease with erythema migrans, Dr. Gary P. Wormser reported at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Lyme disease...

Newer antifungals need less time to cure tinea capitis. (200 Children Studied).
March 1, 2002... Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are as effective as griseofulvin at treating tinea capitis in children, and require a shorter duration of therapy, reported Dr. Aditya K. Gupta of the University of Toronto, and associates. In a...

Tissue adhesives find niche in pediatric lacerations. (Market Expected to Flourish).
March 1, 2002... MIAMI -- If you haven't closed a laceration with a tissue adhesive yet, chances are you will soon. A burgeoning industry is betting on it. In the next year, at least two companies are expected to gain clearance to market their new tissue...

Topical mitomycin C cuts skin wound contraction. (Results from Mouse Study).
March 1, 2002... DENVER -- A single, low dose application of the topical anticancer agent Mitomycin C caused a nine-fold reduction in skin wound contraction in a mouse study, Dr. Gregory Sewall reported at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy of...

GM-CSF may have role in wounds. (Chronic Wound Healing).(granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor)
March 1, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- Evidence is accumulating that chronic wound treatment may be another use for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, Dr. Anna Falabella said at a symposium sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care....

Blue-light therapy a promising tool for acne. (Ongoing Trial).(ClearLight from Lumenis)
March 1, 2002... MUNICH -- Acne therapy using high-intensity narrow-band blue light is a "new, interesting, and promising" investigational technique, Dr. Alan R. Shalita said at the 10th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. This...

Early acne tends to be a presenting sign of PCOS. (Derms may see these Patients First).(polycystic ovary syndrome)
March 1, 2002... CANCUN, MEXICO -- Dermatologists want to be on the lookout for polycystic ovary syndrome because they may be the first physicians to see these patients, Dr. Anne W. Lucky said at the Ninth World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology. Other...

New topical well tolerated for actinic keratosis. (Less Irritation than Fluorouracil).(diclofenac sodium)
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII -- The NSAID diclofenac sodium is worth considering when treating actinic keratoses because it is so well tolerated, Dr. John E. Wolf Jr. said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by the Skin Disease Education...

Low-dose UVA-1 may markedly improve extragenital lichen sclerosus. (Even Extensive Long-Standing Disease).(phototherapy)
March 1, 2002... MUNICH -- Low-dose UVA-1 phototherapy is a promising new treatment for patients with extragenital lichen sclerosus, Dr. Frank Breuckmann reported at the annual congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Even extensive...

Persistent onychomycosis may need two oral agents. (If More than 50% of Nail Affected).(itraconazole and terbinafine)
March 1, 2002... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Cases of onychomycosis where more than 50% of the nail is affected are less likely to resolve with regular oral therapy and may need combined oral-topical treatment, Dr. Richard K. Scher said at the annual meeting of the...

Pimecrolimus works fast in kids' atopic dermatitis. (Improvement within 8 Days).(Elidel)
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII -- One major plus of pimecrolimus when used to treat atopic dermatitis in children is that it works fast, with many patients improving within 8 days of the initiation of treatment, Dr. Kenneth Washenik said at the annual Hawaii...

Pimecrolimus may reduce steroid use in eczema patients. (Maintenance Strategy Suggested).(Elidel)
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII -- The best way to use pimecrolimus may be to have patients keep it on hand to use at the very first signs of an eczema flare, Dr. Mark Ling said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by the Skin Disease Education...

Pimecrolimus more skin specific than Tacrolimus. (Doesn't Penetrate Skin as Readily).(Elidel)
March 1, 2002... MAUI, HAWAII -- Tacrolimus may be a more potent agent, but pimecrolimus is more skin specific because it does not penetrate through the skin as readily, Dr. Kenneth Abrams said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by the Skin...

Cross-sensitivity common in tea tree oil allergy. (Patch Test for other Natural Substances).
March 1, 2002... MUNICH -- Patients with contact hypersensitivity to tea tree oil often have cross-sensitivity to other natural products, Dr. Eliska Dastychova reported at the 10th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Use of tea...

Oral lesions throw off pemphigus Dx. (Vermilion Border is Clear).
March 1, 2002... LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. -- Nearly one-third of patients with pemphigus present with only mouth lesions, and have, on average, seen three physicians before the correct diagnosis is made, Dr. Amit G. Pandya said at the annual meeting of the South...

Tar product tackles hypopigmentation quickly. (Direct Effect on Melanocytes).(V-Tar from Dermasave Labs)
March 1, 2002... ASPEN, COLO. -- The relaunch of a unique tar formulation could mean a new treatment option for patients with vitiligo and other hypopigmenration disorders, according to Dr. R.W. Urbanek. The compound, known as V-Tar, has a direct effect on...

No need for steroid washout with tacrolimus. (Atopic Dermatitis).
March 1, 2002... Topical tacrolimus is a safe, effective treatment for atopic dermatitis that can be used on withdrawal of corticosteroids without rebound or the need for a washout period. In the first study evaluating this agent after cessation of...

Steroid comparison studies needed for AD. (Which Works Best?).(atopic dermatitis)
March 1, 2002... CANCUN, MEXICO -- Mometasone furoate and fluticasone propionate may have a better safety profile than other midpotency corticosteroids, but for atopic dermatitis no one can recommend any one topical agent over the others, Dr. Alfons Krol said...

TNF-[alpha] inhibitor associated with squamous cell Ca. (Seven Patients).(tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] inhibitor etanercept (Enbrel) side effects)
March 1, 2002... Use of the tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] inhibitor etanercept has been linked to the rapid development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in sun-exposed skin, said Dr. Kathleen J. Smith of the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., and...

Medicare looks to lessen hassles for physicians. (Physician Regulatory Issues Team).
March 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Medicare wants to know when doctors are frustrated. Really. "We care if the [Medicare] program is well administered and we want to know when it's not," said Dr. Barbara Paul, head of the Physician Regulatory Issues Team...

President's budget request for 2003 seeks 45% increase for bioterrorism. (6.3% Overall Increase in HHS Spending).
March 1, 2002... President Bush's budget request for fiscal year 2003 seeks a 45% increase in funding for the Department of Health and Human Services' bioterrorism preparedness efforts, The $4.3 billion would be used to develop new vaccines and diagnostics, as...

Data watch. (Practice Trends).
March 1, 2002... DATA WATCH Cost Prevented One in Five Americans From Filling at Least One Prescription (*) Income All Less than $15,000- $25,000- ...

Physicians with substance abuse problems hard to detect, treat. (Use Cage Questions).
March 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- There are a number of risk factors that leave physicians vulnerable to substance abuse, yet identifying and treating those who are actually affected can be quite challenging, Dr. Laurence M. Westreich said at the annual conference...

Finding resources for evidence-based medicine. (Print, Electronic, Online Tools).
March 1, 2002... ATLANTA -- One of the most difficult aspects of providing evidence-based medical care is finding the most pertinent and reliable studies within the vast array of scientific literature. A growing number of high-quality resources can help...

Director-to-Consumer advertising is here to stay. (No Guidelines).
March 1, 2002... SEATTLE -- Whether we like it or not, direct-to-consumer advertising is here to stay, Karen Gunning, Pharm.D., said at a conference on patient education sponsored by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. In the first 6 months of...

Health Web sites get low marks on urging behavior changes. (In their Infancy).
March 1, 2002... SEATTLE -- Health-related Web sites do a poor job of promoting health behavior change for people who visit the sites, Robin Mockenhaupt, Ph.D., reported at a conference on patient education sponsored by the Society of Teachers of Family...

To avoid malpractice, know thyself. (Human Frailty).
March 1, 2002... KAUAI, HAWAII -- A little introspection goes a long way in preventing malpractice, J. Douglas Peters, J.D., said. "Understanding ourselves, our weaknesses, and strengths will help us adopt coping and correcting mechanisms," he said at a...

Drug shortages increase in number, severity. ('Serious Business').
March 1, 2002... In late December, Dr. Clifford Moy, clinical director of the Austin (Tex.) State Hospital, did something he almost never has to do: In consultation with attending physicians, he switched 17 patients from one drug--the antipsychotic quetiapine...

Understand patients' beliefs to improve outcomes. (Cultural Humility).
March 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Physicians must first consider their own perceptions and beliefs before understanding how culture affects patient health care, perceptions, and outcomes. Also integral to this understanding is a recognition that the...

Derm101.com. (Products).(contains Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman's Clinical Atlas of 101 Common Skin Diseases)(www.Derm101.com)
March 1, 2002... Ackerman's Derm10l.com is a dermatology portal featuring Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman's Clinical Atlas of 101 Common Skin Diseases, which contains more than 2,500 color photographs of skin diseases in a wide range of patients. Aimed at generalists...

Skin-softening gloves. (Products).(SoftSkin aloe vera gel-coated gloves from Quantum Labs)(gloves@quantumlabs.com)
March 1, 2002... SoftSkin aloe vera gel--coated gloves with vitamin B have been approved for use. The medical examination gloves are specially treated to remove harmful allergy-causing proteins and powder-free. They are available in five sizes: extra small,...

Soft, durable washcloths. (Products).(WypAll X60 hygienic washcloth from Kimberly-Clark Professional)(lduncan@kcc.com)
March 1, 2002... The WypAll X60 hygienic washcloth is durable, absorbent, soft, and drapable. It can be used for housekeeping tasks in health care facilities or for gentle patient cleansing. The fast-absorbing material is available in a quarter-fold format with...

Expanded skin care line. (Products).(from NeoStrata Co.)(www.neostrata.com)
March 1, 2002... NeoStrata Co. now offers an antibacterial facial cleanser (S 19.50, 6-ounce pump bottle); a noncomedogenic oil-control gel ($20, 30 mL pump bottle); an oil-free lotion with SPF 15 ($28, 1.75-ounce pump bottle); and bio-hydrating cream ($26,...

Corrective Gel and Sunblock. (Products).(Phyto Corrective Gel; Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 from SkinCeuticals)(www. skinceuticals.com)
March 1, 2002... Phyto Corrective Gel is a light, oil-free gel containing five plant glycosides, including thymol and cucumber. The gel diminishes and fades the appearance of sun-induced age spots. It is a natural alternative to hydroquinone, contains...

Patient education software. (Products).(On-Demand Internet from Krames)(www.krames.com.)
March 1, 2002... Krames On-Demand Internet (KODi) is a print-on-demand education service that offers online access to a library of medical and pharmaceutical topics. KODi combines 3,000 illustrated health sheets in English and Spanish, covering diseases,...

Case of the Month.(Rosai-Dorfman disease)
March 1, 2002... A 55-year-old presened with a generalized, pruritic rash of 3 weeks duration, which cleared with symptomatic treatment. Three months lated, she returned with reddish-brown papules on her lateral trunk and legs. What's your diagnosis? DANA...

Letters.(Correction on Tazarotene)(California Accreditation Option)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2002... Correction on Tazarotene Many thanks to SKIN & ALLERGY NEWS for covering my presentation on topical tazarotene given at last summer's Hot Spots in Dermatology meeting ("Tazarotene in Women," Guest Editorial, January 2002, p. 9). However, I...

Correction.(to article "Pimecrolimus Okayed for Mild, Moderate Eczema" in January, 2002 issue)
March 1, 2002... The article "Pimecrolimus Okayed for Mild, Moderate Eczema" (January 2002, p. 1( should have stated that Dr. Alice Gottlieb serves as an investigator for Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Is depression from isotretinoin real? (Pro & Con).
March 1, 2002... YES Cause of secondary depression include medical illnesses as well as drug like steroids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. Retinoids would appear to be one of those drugs that can cause secondary depression. Secondary depression from...