Skin & Allergy News articles from October 2004

Skin & Allergy News archives from October 2004

Industry cash for residency debated.(News)
October 1, 2004... The American Academy of Dermatology is reaching out to industry to help fund residency slots and ease the short-age of dermatologists across the country. But the plan is striking a sour note with some dermatologists, who caution that...

Case of the month.
October 1, 2004... A 12-year-old girl presented with epigastric pain and lactose intolerance. IgA-class antiendomysium antibodies, antireticulin antibodies, and transglutaminase antibodies were detected in serum. A jejunal biopsy identified mucosal atrophy,...

TB cases in Calif. call for care with anti-TNF biologics: close monitoring is advised for all patients even when TB screening tests are negative.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2004... Reports in California of a dozen cases of tuberculosis associated with tumor necrosis factor antagonists--as well as several hundred other cases reported largely outside the United States since January--underscore the challenges of identifying...

Skin of color still lacks equal derm treatment: delayed diagnoses, underreferrals cited.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Inequality wears many faces within dermatology, despite a number of advances in the care of skin of color, Dr. Susan C. Taylor said at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2004 meeting. Citing numerous studies and her...

TNF blockers linked to lower heart failure rates in RA patients.(News)
October 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy is associated with a roughly one-third reduction in the elevated rate of congestive heart failure seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients, Dr. Alan M. Mendelsohn reported at the annual meeting of...

Copays hold steady for individual health insurance policies.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... VITAL SIGNS Copays Hold Steady for Individual Health Insurance Policies Jan. 2002 Sept. 2002 Feb.2003 Aug. 2003 $40-$49 3% 4% 4% 4% $30-$39 15% 18% 14% ...

CDC probes cases of cosmetic postop infections.(News)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health departments are investigating a series of cases of aggressive nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in patients who have undergone cosmetic surgery in the...

Physicians follow many routes to phlebology: the American College of Phlebology hopes to gain recognition for phlebology as a medical specialty.(News)
October 1, 2004... A growing number of physicians are pumped up about phlebology. "There have been some revolutionary things happening" in treatments for varicose veins and other venous problems in recent years, said Dr. Steven E. Zimmet, president-elect of...

Black Medicare patients more likely to face service disparities.(News)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Physicians who treat black Medicare patients are less likely to be board certified and more likely to lack some clinical resources, compared with physicians seen by white patients, a recent study suggested. The study caused a...

Glucocorticoids on the fast track to optimization.(News)
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- A whole new generation of optimized glucocorticoids with an improved therapeutic index is in development. The aim is to preserve, and perhaps even enhance, the efficacy that has made glucocorticoids the mainstay of anti-inflammatory...

Sunless tanning products may reduce use of tanning beds.(News)
October 1, 2004... SEA ISLAND, GA. -- Sunless tanning products have the potential to decrease the number of visits that individuals make to tanning beds, Dr. Daniel J. Sheehan reported at the annual meeting of the Georgia Society of Dermatologists. The...

Medical society PACs seek to educate Congress.(News)
October 1, 2004... As election season heats up, medical societies are leveraging their political action committees to get their issues heard on Capitol Hill. For AMPAC, the American Medical Association's political action committee, decisions on which...

Imaging may add little to Melanoma Dx, Tx.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... In a retrospective study of 185 melanoma patients with at least one positive sentinel lymph node, imaging studies were positive in only a single case of metastasis, and that patient was already symptomatic. However, there were several...

The Alternative Clinical Universe.(Under My Skin)
October 1, 2004... I was in the locked psychiatric ward when I glimpsed the Alternative Clinical Universe. The nurse eyed me suspiciously before buzzing me in ahead of the guy bringing sandwiches for the night shift. She led me to Jackie, a fortyish homeless...

Pain relievers.(Opinion)
October 1, 2004... "The fact that you're a malpractice lawyer aside, I'm going to schedule every medical test known to mankind." "Your condition isn't hopeless, but your medical insurance is." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Kerry proposal presented.(Health care 2004: you decide)
October 1, 2004... John Kerry understands that our health care system faces important challenges, and it will require national leadership to meet them. The number of people who do not have health care coverage is going up, overall health care costs are going...

Health care 2004: you decide: the Bush proposal presented.
October 1, 2004... Americans can take pride that we have the best health care in the world--committed doctors and nurses, state-of-the-art medical devices, and life-saving prescription drugs. Despite our successes, there are still too many gaps in quality, too...

Experience vs. training.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Dr. Mark S. Nestor has gone on a legal rampage to decrease access to dermatologic care by limiting the abilities of physician extenders (Guest Editorial, May 2004, p. 12). His remarks about extenders having "limited clinical knowledge and...

Recognize and refer.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... I was dismayed by Dr. Mark S. Nestor's guest editorial "How to Employ Physician Extenders Appropriately" (May 2004, p. 12). Dr. Nestor's overall view of physician assistant (PA) practice in dermatology is excessively limited. As a...

Liability reform.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... Caps for noneconomic damages and tort reform will never work ("Many Physicians Think Liability Caps Are Key," August 2004, p. 6). The only way to end the malpractice nightmare in this country is to limit awards to trial lawyers....

Learn how lesions can differ in skin of color: if you don't train your eye to recognize red in very brown skin, you may miss toxic epidermal necrolysis.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- If you're looking for lesions that remind you of coffee with cream, you may miss neurofibromatosis in nonwhite children, since classic "cafe au lait" lesions rarely look that way in children with skin of color. Furthermore, if you...

Recurrent skin abscesses? Check CD30 positivity.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... BELFAST -- Patients presenting with persistent abscess like lesions that do not respond to antibiotics may have a primary CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorder, Dr. M. O'Kane. said at the annual meeting of the British Association of...

Dermatitis or tinea capitis? Take a culture.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. -- Tinea capitis should join tuberculosis and syphilis on the list of great disease masqueraders, Dr. Sheila Fallon Friedlander said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. The classic signs of...

ePocrates Essentials, pocketRadio.(Digital Assistance)
October 1, 2004... Featured App: ePocrates Essentials Dedicated fans of Digital Assistance recall our review of the ePocrates Rx drug reference in the Dec. 1, 2002, edition of SKIN & ALLERGY NEWS. Although we make a conscious effort to present entirely new...

ACE inhibitors for hypertension.(Drug Update)
October 1, 2004... What distinguishes the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors from other antihypertensive drug classes is that they do much more than lower blood pressure. An abundance of trial data attests to their potent cardio and vascular protective...

Perineural invasion in skin cancer often missed.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- New evidence suggests that perineural invasion may occur in aggressive nonmelanoma skin cancers more frequently than previously reported and is often overlooked in the examination of margins, speakers said at the Sixth...

Postherpetic neuralgia risk factors identified.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... Older age, female gender, the presence of a prodrome, and greater severity of acute pain and rash are all independent risk factors for developing postherpetic neuralgia, with each factor appearing to reflect a different contributory mechanism....

Pediatric cutaneous TB closely tied to HIV.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2004... ROME -- Although cutaneous tuberculosis represents only a small percentage of new pediatric skin cases each year, it is a growing concern, especially in countries with a high rate of human immunodeficiency virus. "Cutaneous TB may in fact...

Campral, Geodon.(New & Approved)
October 1, 2004... Campral (acamprosate, Forest Laboratories) A centrally acting drug for maintaining abstinence from alcohol in alcohol-dependent patients who are abstinent at treatment initiation and are participating in a comprehensive management "program...

Pyoderma ulcers? Check for systemic diseases.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2004... PARIS -- When treating patients who have pyoderma gangrenosum or vasculitis ulcers, start by looking for systemic diseases, Dr. Gary Sibbald said at a meeting of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies. With both types of ulcers, at...

Pycnogenol.(Cosmeceutical Critique)
October 1, 2004... Unlike some cosmeceuticals, pycnogenol is one cosmeceutical ingredient that has been the subject of much research regarding its antioxidant properties. Pycnogenol is a standardized pine-bark extract (PBE) with a patent history that would...

Panel defends the safety of low-dose steroids.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Long-term low-dose glucocorticoid therapy has gotten an undeserved bad rap in terms of side effects, according to a new report by an expert panel. Systemic corticosteroids can be likened to free wine, Dr. Johannes W.J. Bijlsma...

Experts bring consensus to scar management.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2004... PARIS -- Scar therapies are just plain hard to assess, which is why evidence-based guidance on how to best prevent and minimize scars has been hard to come by until recently. "There has been a lark of consensus oil how to quantify scars....

Three-part regimen curbs hyperpigmentation.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Hyperpigmentation of the face is a major dermatologic complaint of African Americans that can often be successfully managed using a combination of exfoliation, depigmentation, and sun protection. However, the first step in...

Phototherapy eases severe dermatoses in children.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2004... ROME -- Phototherapy is a valuable tool for treating a number of pediatric dermatoses, although it should probably be reserved for severe or recalcitrant cases because of its possible, contribution to photodamage, Dr. R. Berrada reported in a...

Sentinel node biopsy reliable in head, neck ca: SLNB is now the standard of care for staging clinically node-negative patients.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Physicians who are looking for regional spread of cutaneous melanomas and carcinomas of the head and neck can now accurately and safely stage these areas for treatment through the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy, several...

Surgical pearls put new spin on excisions, biopsies.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2004... SEA ISLAND, GA. -- The ocean around the coast of Georgia must be productive these days, because Dr. Stuart J. Salasche treated attendees at the seaside annual meeting of the Georgia Society of Dermatologists to a shiny new catch of surgical...

Pain levels often high after outpatient surgery.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2004... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Outpatient surgery accounts for 60%-70% of all operations, and those patients are not getting the pain care they might if they were hospitalized, according to a special session at the annual meeting of the American Pain...

Good vibrations: massagers cut pain in some skin tx.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2004... MONT-TREMBLANT, QUE. -- Believe it or not, drugstore vibrators can work wonders when it comes to performing various dermatologic treatments, according to Dr. Kevin Smith. The application of a vibrating massager within 1-2 cm of a painful...

Tumor type dictates best surgical option for BCC.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. -- Several factors figure in the choice of surgical procedures for removing basal cell carcinoma, Dr. Marc D. Brown said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. First, of course, the tumor must...

Banking on trust yields a higher return on patients.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. -- Though some dermatologists make community visibility a top priority--with splashy ads in glossy regional magazines, for example--a successful practice is real ly grown the old-fashioned way: calls that come in one by...

Is it truly important--or just urgent?(Managing Your Dermatology Practice)
October 1, 2004... Everyone has a few brilliant ideas simmering on the back burner--projects that will, once completed, make your practice, your frame of mind, and your life so much better. The ones you've thought about for months, even years, but never seem to...

Public funding to train more minority physicians?(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- A 30-year-old change in U.S. policy on the financing of medical education must be corrected to encourage more minorities to enter the health professions, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan said at the annual meeting of the National Medical...

Complications may help avoid legal action.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2004... SPOKANE, WASH. -- In this litigious era, it's important for physicians to remember that not every medical complication constitutes a breach of duty, Dr. Abel Torres said at the annual Pacific Northwest Dermatology Conference. Unwanted...

How physician couples make marriage work.(The Rest of Your Life)
October 1, 2004... For Dr. Tamir Keshen and Dr. Roberta Sengelmann, it's the little things that help keep their marriage intact, such as maintaining the same sleep schedule and spending the first hour or two of nearly every morning together working out. ...

Rethinking 'dermasurgery'?(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Efforts to change the name of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery to the American Society of Dermasurgery are on hold until the end of this year. The group's membership was originally schedule to vote on the issue in early August, but...

Medicare premiums take a hike.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Patients enrolled in Medicare Part B will see an $11.60 a month increase in their premiums starting in January. The new premium will be $78.20 a month. This is the largest dollar increase in Part B premiums in the history of the Medicare...

No dentistry/cosmetic surgery mix.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... California oral surgeons will not be performing elective facial cosmetic surgery any time soon, now that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the practice. The legislation (SB 1336) would have allowed...

Dermoscopy best for melanoma.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Dermoscopy is more effective in diagnosing melanoma than clinical examination, according to a review conducted by the health services research agency ECRI. But dermoscopy plus clinical exam together was the most effective method, so dermoscopy...

Don't give up on psoriasis treatments.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The National Psoriasis Foundation is advising patients to go talk with their doctors about new treatments for psoriasis. The group is reaching out to patients who may have abandoned earlier treatments and asking them to find out about new...

Vermont fights for reimportation.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The state of Vermont is suing the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration for the right to import prescription drugs from Canada. The state brought its lawsuit in the hopes of reversing FDA's decision to...

Enzyme debridement spray.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Accuzyme (papain, urea) for wound debridement is now available in spray form, The spray is indicated for the debridement of necrotic tissue and liquefaction of slough in acute and chronic wounds. For more information, contact Healthpoint Ltd.,...

Keralac moisturizer introduced.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Keralac lotion is 35% urea based moisturizer for mild to moderate dry skin conditions such as xerosis, ichthyosis and keratosis pilaris. The lotion is available in 7-and 11-ounce bottles. For more information, contact Bradley Pharmaceuticals...

Easing cosmetic injection pain.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Pain Ease topical anesthetic temporarily minimizes the pain of cosmetic injections. For more information, contact Gebauer Co., 800-321-0348, 216 581-3030.

Disable used needles.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The NeedleZap mobile health kit uses low-voltage electricity to disable needles and destroy blood borne pathogens. The device can be used with standard needles sized 16-30 gauge. For more information, contact Health Care Logistics Inc.,...

Magnifying exam lights.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Ring Light Magnifier series of lights can be attached to an examination table The lights use 22 watts of power and offer 3x magnification. For more information, contact Sunnex at 800-445-7869, or via the Internet at www.sunnexonline.com.

Vinyl document protectors.(Products)
October 1, 2004... These 8.5 by-11-inch vinyl record protectors are designed to hold and protect medical records, stock medication lists, and other documents. The protectors are adhesive on one side, for mounting on smooth surfaces. For more information, contact...

Keralac nail gel introduced.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Keralac nail gel is urea-based topical therapy for the treatment of damage from skin conditions such as onychomycosis, psoriatic nails, brittle nails, and nail trauma. The nail gel is available in 18-ml bottless. For more information, contact...

Line Relief Concentrate.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Line Relief Concentrate works to reduce muscle contractions that cause facial lines and wrinkles A 0.5-fluid ounce bottle retails for $49.95. For more information. contact Aloette Cosmetics at 800-256-3883. or via the Internet at...

Lice killing hair treatments.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Pronto Plus Lice Killing Hair & Scalp Masque and Warm Oil Treatment & Conditioner are available from Del Pharmaceuticals, www.prontokillslice.com. 800-952-5080.

Diary for rosacea patients.(FYI)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The "Rosacea Diary" helps patients document triggers for this condition. To obtain a free copy, contact the National Rosacea Society, 888-662-5874, or rosaceas@aol.com.

Consumer information on Sculptra.(FYI)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration has developed a brief overview of the facial lipoatrophy product, Sculptra. Information is available at www.fda.gov/cdrh/ mda/docs/p030050.html.

Avoiding medication confusion.(FYI)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Two new patient safety publications from the United States Pharmacopeia, "Quality Review No. 78: Too Much Similarity" and "Quality Review No. 79: Use Caution--Avoid Confusion," are available at www.usp.org/patientSafety/briefsArticles...