Skin & Allergy News articles from November 2002

Skin & Allergy News archives from November 2002

Artificial skin just beginning to grow. (Now Infiltrating Dermatology).
November 1, 2002... Spending on artificial skin jumped from $22 million worldwide in 1998 to an estimated $35 million this year and is projected to climb to $47 million by 2006, a market research firm recently reported. So far, little of that involved...

ACIP: vaccinate 510,000 hospital staff for smallpox: hospitals' dermatology consultants would be among the first to receive the vaccine. (Expanded Recommendation).
November 1, 2002... ATLANTA--Approximately 510,000 hospital-based health care workers in the United States would receive the smallpox vaccine to prepare for a possible bioterrorism attack, under a new plan recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and...

Liposuction emerging as solution for weight loss: strategy flies in face of AACS guidelines. (For 'No-Option' Obese Patients).
November 1, 2002... WESTMINSTER, COLO.--Liposuction can play a key role in a comprehensive program of weight loss and chronic disease risk reduction, according to speakers at the World Congress on Liposuction sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery....

ACIP: no smallpox vaccination when skin problems exist. (For Health Care Workers).
November 1, 2002... ATLANTA--Up to 30% of hospitalbased individuals targeted for smallpox vaccination could be excluded because of dermatologic conditions, pregnancy, or HIV infection, according to guidelines laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and...

Tazarotene approved to aid fight against aging. (Mitigates Wrinkles, Facial Lentigines).
November 1, 2002... Patients have another tool to try to ameliorate the effects of time and sun exposure, now that tazarotene has gained a new cosmetic indication. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved tazarotene cream 0.1% as "an adjunctive...

Confessions of a laser guy. (Under My Skin).
November 1, 2002... Full disclosure: I got into the laser and cosmetic side of the skin business 10 years ago so that I could make more money. Fuller disclosure: Like those of many other people, my motives were muddled. Managed care was dicing reimbursements....

Letters.
November 1, 2002... Assistants, Not Replacements Although I have a busy practice and many of my patients have difficulty getting appointments, I think it is reprehensible for physician extenders to make independent diagnoses and treat patients without any...

Facing ethical dilemmas. (Guest Editorial).
November 1, 2002... Freely given informed consent must be the bedrock of any therapeutic or research action that takes place in dermatology The codes of ethics we have in our field are an attempt to reach the goal of sound moral behavior, but in 2002 we still have...

Oral tazarotene effectively tackles severe psoriasis. (Lipids, Liver Enzymes Unaffected).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK--Oral tazarotene successfully controlled moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in almost 80% of patients without precipitating changes in key blood chemistry or hematology values, Dr. Nicholas J. Lowe reported at the American Academy of...

Low-dose acne therapy may sidestep side effects. (Studies of Tretinoin, Doxycycline).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- The search for effective acne medications with limited side effects continues, with tretinoin being used in a 0.04% microsphere gel formulation and doxycycline administered at subantimicrobial doses. Results of separate...

Workplace steps tame irritant contact dermatitis. (Oil Rig and Fiberglass Boat Works Studied).
November 1, 2002... CLEVELAND--Two studies of employees with irritant contact dermatitis demonstrate that simple interventions by dermatologists can often quickly alleviate symptoms and improve morale, productivity, and worker satisfaction. Skin disease...

Tacrolimus may be effective for nickel-induced dermatitis. (Bilateral Comparison Study).
November 1, 2002... CLEVELAND--Topical tacrolimus applied to patients with confirmed nickel allergic contact dermatitis significantly reduced erythema, vesiculation, and induration, compared with vehicle only according to a double-blind study. Tacrolimus 0.1%...

Cosmeceutical critique: tea tree oil. (Dermatologic Therapy).
November 1, 2002... The use of essential oils in dermatology is rapidly accelerating throughout the world, and tea tree oil is one such essential oil that is finding its way into many new cosmeceutical products. Although three species of coniferous Myrtaceae...

Epilepsy drug shows promise in clearing Psoriasis. (In Eight Patients with Mood Disorders).
November 1, 2002... Topiramate, an antiepileptic drug, was highly successful in the treatment of psoriasis in a small pilot study of eight patients. All but one of the patients responded to the treatment in the study, and, in the seven patients who did...

Patients' T cells grown in vitro target melanoma. (Adoptive Transfer).
November 1, 2002... A novel two-step process called adoptive transfer resulted in more than 50% tumor shrinkage in 6 of 13 patients with malignant melanoma, said Dr. Stephen A. Rosenberg of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. In the adoptive...

Low-dose methotrexate subdues severe dermatitis. (Encouraging Results, No Side Effects).
November 1, 2002... PARIS--In cases of severe refractory atopic dermatitis, think low-dose methotrexate, Dr. Beatrix Reynaud-Mendel urged at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology. She presented a case series of six adults with severe, long-standing atopic...

Botanicals may solve contact dermatitis mystery. (Chamomile, Tea Tree Oil Are Top Offenders).
November 1, 2002... CLEVELAND -- Chamomile and tea tree oil top the list of botanical extracts most likely to trigger allergic contact dermatitis, according to a prospective study presented at a meeting on contact dermatitis. Increasing clinical awareness and...

New lupus Dx test wins FDA approval. (Elisa).
November 1, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration has approved a diagnostic test for systemic lupus erythematosus that was developed by investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. The mainstay of systemic lupus erythematosus...

Solar and physical urticaria carry worse prognoses. (Long-Term Outcomes of Two Studies).
November 1, 2002... PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC--Patients with physical urticaria are the least likely to be symptom free at 1 year, according to a study comparing different forms of the challenging skin condition. Another study underlines the chronic nature of solar...

Try patch test in children with atopic dermatitis. (Exacerbating Allergens).
November 1, 2002... PARIS--The roughly 40% prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis among children with atopic dermatitis is sufficiently high to render patch testing useful for these patients, Dr. Ronald B. Vender said at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology....

Patient Tracker 5.11. (Digital Assistance).
November 1, 2002... Overview: Patient Tracker 5.11 is a full-featured patient information database program available for both Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld computers. Customizable data entry fields for patient demographic details, diagnoses, medications, and test...

Skin clues separate bites from anthrax. (Pain and Swelling Key).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- If brown recluse spider bites were an earthquake, Cape Girardeau, Mo., would be the epicenter. That was why, when Dr. Edwin Masters of Cape Girardeau's Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center read the initial...

Clinical algorithm may curb smallpox suspicions, limit variola testing. (Stratifies Patients by Risk).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Use of a clinical algorithm may help limit the need for variola testing to rule out smallpox in patients with vesicular or pustular illnesses, Dr. Karin Galil reported in a poster presentation at the annual Interscience Conference...

Watch for the skin signs of hepatitis C infection. (Porphyria Cutanea Tarda).
November 1, 2002... LA JOLLA, CALIF.--Whenever you see patients with porphyria cutanea tarda, always test them for hepatitis C virus infection, Dr. Lani B. Clark advised at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. "We dermatologists may be...

Simple protocol yields improved stretch marks. (Sandpaper, Peel, Cream, Occlusive Dressing).
November 1, 2002... PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC -- A Swiss physician and his partner reported successful improvement of difficult-to-treat striae distensae using a protocol of sandpaper, chemical peel, cream, and occlusive dressings at the 11th Congress of the European...

Consider open wound healing for repairs in hair-bearing areas. (May Avoid Future Alopecia).
November 1, 2002... PORTO, PORTUGAL -- The old ways are sometimes best. Open wound healing--an ancient and now often forgotten approach to treatment--has a meaningful niche in contemporary cutaneous oncology, Dr. Andrew Dickenson said at the 23rd Congress of...

UVB phototherapy shines in vitiligo treatment. (Most Patients Need More than 20 Sessions).
November 1, 2002... OJAI, CALIF.--Vitiligo seems to respond to high-intensity UVB phototherapy, but it can take many treatment sessions to do so, Dr. Neil Sadick said at a symposium on cutaneous laser surgery sponsored by SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill. ...

Disposable curettes yield lower BCC recurrence rate. (Versus Volkmann's Spoon).
November 1, 2002... PARIS--Maybe it's time to chuck that trusty old nondisposable curette on the scrap heap and reach for a new disposable one next time you're curetting a basal cell carcinoma. A randomized, prospective trial involving 227 patients who...

Few Merkel tumor recurrences after Tx. (Reports On 12 Patients).
November 1, 2002... PORTO, PORTUGAL -- Surprisingly optimistic results were seen in two small series of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor previously thought to respond poorly to treatment and to recur...

Mohs surgery appears best treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. (Review of 21 Patients).
November 1, 2002... PORTO, PORTUGAL -- Mohs micro-graphic surgery should now be considered the treatment of choice for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Dr. R. Themido reported in a poster session at the 23rd Congress of the International Society for Dermatologic...

Simple safety tips cut injuries during procedures. (More than 250 FDA-Approved Safety Devices).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK - The rate of accidental injuries to medical personnel during clinical procedures is nearly 7%--an unnecessarily high figure, Dr. Zoltan Trizna said at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2002 meeting. Not surprisingly,...

Large, nonmalignant xanthomas respond well to surgical excision. (Case Report).
November 1, 2002... PORTO, PORTUGAL -- Good cosmetic results were seen following debulking and careful reconstruction in a 67-year-old Filipino woman with giant nodular nonmalignant xanthomas, Dr. Teresita S. Ferrariz said at the 23rd Congress of the International...

Radiofrequency device offers nonsurgical face-lift. (Results Can Take Weeks to Appear).
November 1, 2002... A device that employs radiofrequency energy could be the latest wrinkle in the quest to slow the ravages of aging. The device, manufactured by Thermage Inc., Hayward, Calif., shows promise in the tightening of jowls, cheeks, and forehead to...

Study: restylane superior to Zyplast. (For Treating Nasolabial Folds).
November 1, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Restylane is significantly more effective than Zyplast for the correction of nasolabial folds, results from a randomized, evaluator-blind, multicenter trial suggest. Furthermore, the longevity of Restylane is superior to that of...

Don't retire erbium: YAG laser for tattoo removal. (Less Time, Lower Costs).
November 1, 2002... OJAI CALIF. -- While Q-switched lasers have become the standard tool for tattoo removal, there's still a place for the older erbium:YAG lasers, Dr. George J. Hruza said at a symposium on cutaneous laser surgery sponsored by SkinCare Physicians...

Hair transplantation device cuts procedure time 20%, results similar to traditional stylet. (Side-to-Side Comparison).
November 1, 2002... PORTO, PORTUGAL -- A new device for hair transplantation can shorten the time required for the procedure and produce aesthetic results that are indistinguishable from those achieved with a conventional stylet, Dr. Neil S. Sadick reported at the...

Pundits: derm surgery needs stricter state rules. (Policy Article Raises IRE of AAD).
November 1, 2002... The best way to address the problem of medical errors is to exert more state control over outpatient surgery, according to an article published in a high-profile health policy journal. But the article's suggestions have sparked objections from...

Drug firms' physician incentives could soon spell fraud to feds. (Draft Guidelines' Warning).
November 1, 2002... WASHINGTON--Physicians should tread cautiously when accepting a speaking engagement or dinner invitation from a pharmaceutical representative. New voluntary guidelines proposed by the federal government claim that such actions--depending...

PhRMA challenges prior approval for medicaid Rx. (Despite Court Defeats).
November 1, 2002... State efforts to introduce prior authorization and require supplemental rebates for Medicaid-covered prescription drugs have so far withstood legal challenges from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. PhRMA was handed...

Medicare cuts may drive away 40% of providers. (Patient Access Deteriorating).
November 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Up to 40% of Medicare-participating physicians are unlikely to renew their agreements with the program if fees are cut by another 4.4% in November, Dr. Sara Walker said at a press conference sponsored by the American College of...

Wound adhesive. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Indermil (n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) tissue adhesive has been approved for the closure of topical skin incisions and lacerations. It comes with an applicator tip that does not need to come in direct contact with the wound surface during...

Larger size for acne cream. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Finevin (azelaic acid cream) 20% is now available in a 50-g tube. The acne cream is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris, and is known in Europe as Skinoren. For more information, contact Berlex...

Antimicrobial wound dressing. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Aquacel primary wound dressing contains ionic silver 1.2% and has been approved as an antimicrobial barrier to help reduce infections. It can be used for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds, including diabetic foot, leg, and pressure...

Soothing pen. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The Cellex-C skin-perfecting pen contains a specially formulated liquid gel designed to provide fast relief for sudden skin eruptions, such as blemishes, boils, and pimples. The pale green gel contains olive leaf extract, lavender, thyme,...

Wireless dictation. (Products).
November 1, 2002... HealthcareOne Mobile Dictation version 3.0 is a wireless Palm OS dictation capture device. The handheld device can record hours of dictation and then forward them to an online transcription processing system. It includes a status screen that...

Resident tracking software. (Products).
November 1, 2002... OnCall software now includes a work-hour reporting feature to help residency programs comply with impending work-hour limits. A 1-year license for OnCall is $249 and includes the OnCall scheduling software, an account on the OnCall Web site for...

Surgical mask and respirator. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The N95 Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask is a flat-fold, three-panel face-piece respirator with over 99% bacterial filtration efficiency. It fits most faces and head shapes, has a soft inner panel for comfort, and has a conformable...

Detoxifying breakouts. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Detox gel for oily/problem skin uses glycolic acid from rhubarb as a natural skin degreaser, while Detox gel for normal/sensitive skin contains L-lactic acid to maintain skin once breakouts are under control. Both gels contain aloe to soothe...

Foot Spas. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The Dr. Scholl's Foot Spa Plus with Infrared Heat uses acupressure rollers to massage sore feet, while the Premium Foot Spa with Water Jets uses jets to shoot sprays of water onto the feet. The Foot Spa Deluxe with Bubbles circulates heat and...

Oat-based skin care. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Oat [beta]-glucan technology, originally developed for burn and wound care, is now used as part of a new skin repair line. Designed for use on skin following resurfacing and tattoo or hair removal, the line consists of Skin Repair Creme, Lipid...

Moisturizing line. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Renewal Cell Complex is a line of antiaging products that moisturize and preserve collagen formation while restoring a smooth and youthful appearance to facial skin. It includes a cleanser to accelerate the skin renewal process, a toner to...

Antiaging peel. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Esthetique Peel antiaging treatment is designed to smooth, firm, and improve the texture of skin while correcting common skin concerns. The formula combines the natural skin-lightening properties of kojic acid and rumex crispus with the...

Cool lighting. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The Sunnex Tri-Star lamp provides both bright and cool light that can be directed wherever needed. It can be used for exams or minor surgery and its caster base allows for easy transport. The lamp is available in mobile, wall, bench top, and...

Case of the month.
November 1, 2002... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Disseminated cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonae infection is rare, but can be seen in immunocompromised patients, Dr. Maritess P. Mauricio noted at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. In addition...

ABD exams earlier. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... Consider hitting the books sooner to prepare for the American Board of Dermatology's certifying examination in 2003: The ABD will move next year's exam up by 2 months, to Aug. 10-11, 2003. The application deadline for the examination is March...

Bioterrorism readiness. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... The Medical Group Management Association and the Medical Learning Company have developed the Bioterrorism Practical Readiness Network, accessible at www.mgma.com/bioprn.cfm. The Bio-PRN Web site offers a free educational and informational...

Needle-stick prevention. (FYI).
November 1, 2002... Abbott Laboratories, which offers a variety of needle-stick prevention systems, has launched a new Web site, www.abbottnps.com, to provide health care professionals with information about preventing needle sticks. Visitors to the site can learn...

Sharpening the focus. (Update in Biodermatology-3).
November 1, 2002... Targeting the underlying cause of psoriasis With the widespread recognition that T cells are the key mediators of psoriasis, current treatment strategies have focused on reducing the population of these cells or modulating their activity...

Vital signs.
November 1, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Prescribing Behavior in Response to Patient Query About a Drug Asked about a Asked about specific brand a drug (n =...