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Beauty products can cause birth defects
July 25th 2002Washington­ - A recent study revealed that many over-the-counterbeauty products can cause birth defects. In fact, 72 percent of 72 productstested by three environmental and advocacy groups were found to containdangerous chemicals called phthalates.
Searching for scientific support in AD research
July 1st 2002New Orleans - Atopic dermatitis is a frustrating condition to treat,and many frequently employed interventions lack scientific support. Thiswas the rationale behind a systematic review of all randomized, controlledtrials of AD conducted by the United Kingdom Department of Health and presentedat the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting by Hywel Williams,Ph.D.
Cromolyn shows potential for topical itch relief
July 1st 2002Pilot study shows nine patients with pruritus respond well to topicalmast cell stabilizerNew Orleans - Results of a pilot study suggest the mast cell stabilizercromolyn may be an innovative new topical therapy for itch, Larry E. Millikan,M.D., said.
Skincare outlined in terms of health, defense
July 1st 2002As Congress tries desperately to balance the need to increase spendingfor homeland defense, lawmakers must still deal with the pressing needsof ongoing, but crucial, programs, such as research into the causes of cancerand other dreaded diseases.
Head lice: Growing problem has few good Tx options
July 1st 2002Resistance to OTC treatments has doctors seeking reliable treatments,patients creating own Miami Beach, Fla. - The epidemic of resistant head lice in theUnited States is real and only one or two of the handful of products availableto treat head lice and nits reliably rid patients of the pests, Ronald C.Hansen, M.D., said here at the annual Masters of Pediatrics meeting.
Pulsed dye laser eradicates BCC
July 1st 2002Atlanta - Preliminary research results from a pilot study showbasal cell carcinoma may be eradicated by pulsed dye laser. The study wasdiscussed by Karl R. Beutner, M.D., Ph.D., here at the annual meeting ofthe American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.
Laser-assisted PDT clears AK lesions
July 1st 2002Atlanta - A pilot study of laser-assisted photodynamic therapy(PDT) indicates that the technique could offer several advantages over otherforms of treatment for actinic keratoses, said Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas,M.D., Ph.D., director of research, Laser and Skin Surgery Center of NewYork.
Port-wine stains respond to dynamic cooling, long pulses
July 1st 2002Atlanta - When a port-wine stain has persisted despite conventional pulsed-dyelaser therapy, it may respond to a modality combining dynamic cooling andlong-pulse durations, according to Catherine M. Gorst, N.P. This systemmay cause at least a 50 percent lightening in resistant lesions, she said.
Excimer laser repigments facial scars
July 1st 2002Atlanta - Two recent studies suggest that the 308nm excimer laser may be the first device effective in the treatment of hypopigmented facial scars, striae, and hypopigmentation caused by resurfacing with the CO2 laser. Both studies were presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.
Levels of sedation require derm surgeons' adherence
July 1st 2002New Orleans - Sedating patients is a serious business, and dermatologic surgeons need to be well aware of the progressive levels of sedation and ensure that patients are monitored appropriately to prevent complications, J. Lance Lichtor, M.D., said.
Excimer laser benefits some psoriasis, vitiligo patients
July 1st 2002New Orleans - Research studies using the excimer laser to treat vitiligo and psoriasis have confirmed the procedure to be effective and relatively safe. The key to a successful outcome is the proper selection of patients, study author Suhail Hadi, M.D., said at the annual meeting of American Academy of Dermatology.
Targeted phototherapy system clears plaque psoriasis
July 1st 2002New Orleans - A recently introduced high-dose targeted ultraviolet B light system (BClear, Lumenis Inc.) combines traditional UVB light therapy with fiberoptic delivered light technology for the treatment of localized plaque psoriasis and vitiligo.
Terbinafine surpasses comparators for clearing onychomycosis
July 1st 2002New Orleans - In the treatment of onychomycosis, terbinafine (Lamisil) offers better short-term and long-term efficacy relative to other oral antifungal agents, Bernard J. Cribier, M.D., Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Use 12 techniques to deal with difficult patients
June 1st 2002I will never forget one of my female patients who had a neurogenic bladder.She was using disposable catheters for self-intermittent catheterizationand called our office to obtain a box of them. My nurse told her that wehad the catheters and that she would bring the box out to the patient'scar if she would call from her cell phone when she was in front of the building.The nurse also mentioned the cost of the catheters, according to our officepolicy to charge for durable medical goods.
Arachnophlebectomy needle proves effective for leg telangiectasias
June 1st 2002Las Vegas - Destruction of veins by a sharp-tipped needle maybe a more effective approach to leg telangiectasias than sclerotherapy,according to Linda Woodson, M.D. She views this new modality as an appropriatestrategy for sites that have been resistant to sclerotherapy, rather thanas a first-line therapy.