News

In the wake of its settling a lawsuit regardingthe setting aside of initial election results for the position of president-elect2001, the American Academy of Dermatology's board of directors is takingsteps

Brugge, Belgium - Recalcitrant cases of onychomycosis can usually be treated successfully by following an individualized approach to further management that is based on confirmation of the diagnosis and investigation of contributing causes for prior treatment failure, Christa de Cuyper, M.D., said.

NEW YORK - OrCel, an engineered tissue produced by Ortec International, showed greater than 100 percent improvement over standard of care in diabetic ulcers the size of 6 cm2 or less,according to interim 12-week clinical data from a trial pilot conducted by the company.

Two-in-one product simplifies shaving, moisturizes skin

NEW ORLEANS - Treating verrucae with pulsed dye lasers may be improved with longer wavelengths by reducing the need for repeat treatments, Jenifer Lloyd, D.O., reported at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery meeting.

NEW ORLEANS - Laser hair removal around the eyes or on other parts of the face - increasingly popular procedures the last two years -should be carried out cautiously, Randal Tanh Pham, M.D., F.A.C.S., said at the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery meeting.

NEW ORLEANS - A new yellow light laser successfully destroys Class I red telangiectasias in the legs of most patients, according to Neil S. Sadick, M.D.

WASHINGTON - Imiquimod 5 percent cream (Aldara) continues to demonstrate promise as an effective and well tolerated topical therapy for the treatment of primary, superficial basal cell carcinoma, according to results from foreign and domestic Phase II dose-response studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

WASHINGTON - A new facial moisturizer formulated with a complex of vitamins is an excellent choice for ancillary skin care in rosacea patients, Zoe D. Draelos, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

VIENNA - The ascomycin derivative pimecrolimus (ASM 981, Elidel) - currently in Phase III trials for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (topical) and psoriasis (oral) - exhibits skin-specific anti-inflammatory activity and has low potential for immunosuppression in both its topical and oral formulations.

NEW ORLEANS - Facial telangiectasias can be effectively treated with the pulsed dye laser with extended pulse durations, Emil A. Tanghetti, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

A spray-on skin balm derived from a human gene - the first drug to emerge from the Human Genome Project, an effort to map the human genetic code - helped chronic venous ulcers heal more completely in people with circulatory problems.

The newest anti-aging ingredient to hit drugstore aisles is N6-furfuryladenine(aka kinetin), a substance found in the leaves of green plants.

Although rare, CBCD can be recognized through immunofluorescence and subsequently treated

Effective yet teratogenic drug has program, STEPS, in place to prevent fetal exposure

Single application of 2 percent solution clears infection as well as three-day regimen; nonetheless, hyper-, hypopigmentary changes may last for months

There is no doubt cosmetic dermatology has grown as a proportion of dermatology practices, but it has not taken over the specialty completely. On Call talked to a number of dermatologists around the country who consider themselves general dermatologists. They work as solo practitioners, in groups and in large hospital settings. They have been in practice for 20 years or four years.

The return of the U.S. Senate to Democratic control appears to improvethe chances for passage of a Patients' Bill of Rights, but it could reducechances for real Medicare reform as key Democratic leaders focus on prescriptiondrug legislation instead.

Seattle - Significant advances in gene therapy are taking placein the area of cancer, and gene therapists have predicted that these advanceswill greatly improve the quality of life for patients with prostate, lung,and skin cancers, according to Reuters Health.

Schaumburg, Ill. - The AAD on June 20 announced Fred F. CastrowIII, M.D., won its special presidential election. Dr. Castrow, who maintainsa solo practice in Houston and is a clinical professor of dermatology atthe University of Texas Medical Branch, will take office next March.

Toronto - About 20 percent of critically ill hospital patients - including many with skin and skin structure infections - treated with vancomycin are now at risk of developing nephrotoxicity, a new study shows.

Toronto - The first study ever of emergency room use of fluoroquinolones - the newest and most effective of the quinolone antibiotics - paints an "alarming" picture, according to lead researcher, Ebbing Lautenbach, M.D., M.P.H.

Q. For a few years I've had a recurring case of an athlete's foot-like fungus on my body. My dermatologist prescribed some lotions that work in the short term, but as soon as I stop using them, the fungus comes back. Do you know of any natural antifungals I can try?

Q. How can I strengthen my nails so they don't split or tear?

In ancient times, relay systems and runners delivered official mail over many miles. In the United States, as the population and geographic size expanded and literacy became the norm, there was a need for a mail delivery system. The establishment of the Post Office and development of a delivery mechanism formalized and greatly expanded the scope and speed of mail delivery. The most recent quantum leap in mail delivery has occurred because of the Internet, which has revolutionized the ways we communicate. E-mail allows us to send and receive information, documents, and images often in a matter of seconds. Our time management is more efficient since we can answer queries and receive responses in a prompt, yet convenient manner.

Washington - The array of effective treatments for actinic keratoses is expanding, and the new and investigational therapeutic modalities were the focus of a number of posters presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Washington - Bexarotene gel appears to be an effective and well-tolerated monotherapy when used as first-line treatment for early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Madeleine Duvic, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Development shows promise in postsurgical milieu by allowing more timely therapeutic intervention

Palm Beach, Fla. - Paraphenylenediamine, or PPD, the main chemical used in permanent hair dye colors, is the third most common cosmetic allergen, preceded by preservatives (No. 1) and fragrances (No. 2), James S. Taylor, M.D., said at annual meeting of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society.

Specific occupations may lend workers to exposure of drugs and chemicals that lead to photodamage hazards