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Newer May Not Always Be Better
April 1st 2004About 15 years ago, while riding on a shuttle bus at the annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting, I overheard two elderly dermatologists discussing the state of dermatology, as they perceived it. One gentleman commented that he had not seen a single advance to rival the advent of tetracycline for acne, and that most of the new treatments did not work very well. At the time, I remember thinking that these practitioners were out of touch with all of the hot new therapies for skin disorders. Since that time, as I have been bombarded by myriad new and supposedly revolutionary "advances," I, too, am beginning to question whether we should equate the concept of "newness"
Oral supplement combo improves cellulite, striae
April 1st 2004Wailea, Hawaii - An oral nutritional supplement can resolve both cellulite and striae on the thighs and abdomen and improve skin firmness, according to Howard Murad, M.D., who spoke here at the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society meeting. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, he and other researchers found that this supplement produced superior results over placebo. The supplement consisted of a combination of amino acids, B-vitamins, essential fatty acids and trace minerals.
Pomegranate extract shows promise in boosting sun protection
April 1st 2004Maui, Hawaii - Some time in the not-too-distant future, people will ingest tablets for sun protection instead of slathering lotion over their bodies, according to Howard Murad, M.D. A dermatologist, pharmacist, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA, Dr. Murad's personal quest is to develop that pill. He believes it may well contain pomegranate extract.
Role for rexinoids is expanding
April 1st 2004Waikoloa, Hawaii - Rexinoids such as bexarotene have promise as an adjunct to other immune response modifiers in the treatment of patients with progressive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), according to Jacqueline M. Junkins-Hopkins, M.D. Such therapies are typically used in combination with interferon-alpha as well as with psoralen ultraviolet-A (PUVA) and extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP).
Vitamin E insignificant in yellow nail
April 1st 2004Washington - In the first study of its kind, three siblings with congenital yellow nail syndrome were treated with topical vitamin E for 12 months. Upon completion of the placebo-controlled study, researchers at Yale University found that vitamin E was not statistically significant compared to placebo in meeting two clinical endpoints: nail growth and appearance.
Gentle, effective therapy for mild acne vulgaris
April 1st 2004Washington, D.C. - For patients with mild acne vulgaris and few inflammatory lesions, an over-the-counter 2 percent salicylic acid plus naturals complex is a viable and effective treatment to use over a short period of time, according to Richard S. Berger, M.D.
Phase II study shows oral tazarotene treatment yields QOL benefits for sufferers of severe acne
April 1st 2004Washington D.C. ?? Patients with severe nodulocystic acne treated with oral tazarotene experience a substantial improvement in acne-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL), according to the results of a Phase II dose-ranging study presented by Patricia S. Walker, M.D., Ph.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Contact dermatitis from topicals tops list of adverse drug reactions
April 1st 2004Boca Raton, Fla. - Contact dermatitis from topical medications is the most common type of adverse drug reaction, and allergic contact dermatitis is the most common and most important form of contact dermatitis induced by topical drugs, according to James S. Taylor, M.D., head of the industrial dermatology section of the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland. "Patients with medicament contact dermatitis usually have a good prognosis, but with a propensity for relapse," Dr. Taylor said.
Ancient 'cure' finds believers in the 'burbs
April 1st 2004Maui, Hawaii - For thousands of years, people have flocked to the Dead Sea searching for relief for their itchy skin. Now, Chicago-area psoriasis and atopic dermatitis sufferers are bathing in reconstituted Dead Sea water at a suburban clinic.
Azelaic acid gel is well-tolerated
March 1st 2004Washington - Sensitive skin is much more common among persons with rosacea compared to the general population, but even those rosacea patients with confirmed heightened skin sensitivity are likely to tolerate application of azelaic acid 15 percent gel (Finacea), according to the results of a prospective study undertaken by Zoe D. Draelos, M.D.
Computer Monitor: Technology for trekkers
March 1st 2004I spend about two months a year away from my office attending meetings and vacationing. Often I am many time zones away, where I want to avoid the cost and inconvenience of phoning home to the office every day. Some of my staff are not regular users of e-mail, and it is not practical to train them for occasional use of my office email system.
Azelaic acid gel is well-tolerated
March 1st 2004Washington - Sensitive skin is much more common among persons with rosacea compared to the general population, but even those rosacea patients with confirmed heightened skin sensitivity are likely to tolerate application of azelaic acid 15 percent gel (Finacea), according to the results of a prospective study undertaken by Zoe D. Draelos, M.D.