NOVEMBER 30, 2012:
Bed bugs are only half the problem! Read more:
OCTOBER 19, 2012:
A letter form the FDA to Avon Cosmetics clearly demonstrates how some of the unsubstantiated claims of cosmetic companies can lead to confusion and misinformation.
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/
OCTOBER 4, 2012:
National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board has just released their treatment guidelines for Pustular Psoriasis. For more information, read below. But don’t forget that Soriatane should not be used in women of childbearing potential:
https://www.psoriasis.org/
AUGUST 31, 2012:
Another example of how difficult it is to find a effective treatment for metastatic melanoma:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/
JULY 17, 2012:
Exciting news, but may be cost-prohibitive:
JULY 2, 2012:
Good news for us coffee addicts! Coffee could cut risk of skin cancer:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/02/coffee-could-cut-skin-cancer-risk/?hpt=hp_t2
JUNE 19, 2012:
Yet another summer of confusing sun-screen labels:
MAY 30, 2012:
An interesting observational study. Note, however, that tylenol also decreased the rate of melanoma. This finding somehow negates the proposed mechanism of how aspirin/NSAIDs may lead to reduction of skin cancer rates.
MAY 21, 2012:
Another reason to quit smoking: Smoking tied to development of psoriatic arthritis.
MAY 3, 2012:
May is melanoma awareness month! So we will be posting information about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma during this period.
Todays read: indoor tanning and it’s effects on public health in teenagers
APRIL 16, 2012:
The FDA has revised the warning statement for Propecia and Proscar, common medicines used for treatment of male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate gland respectively. Read more, and speak to your doctor if you are on one of these medicines.
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=663734
MARCH 13, 2012:
Mercury in skin care products? Unfortunately, with the rising use of illegally imported products, this problem is becoming more common. Always make sure what you put on your skin is made in facilities registered with the FDA.
http://www.wpri.com/dpps/health/healthy_living/skin-products-tainted-with-mercury_4097865
FEBRUARY 28, 2012:
Manicures and skin cancer?
FEBRUARY 27, 2012:
Important self-check list before getting a piercing. #8 is especially important!
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-body-piercing-20120224,0,6930830.story
JANUARY 31, 2012:
Very exciting news!
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/30/f-d-a-approves-drug-for-an-advanced-skin-cancer/
JANUARY 24, 2012:
The study was done in a very specific population, but does raise the question regarding how extensive testing need be done in chronic hives patients.
http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/148/1/103
JANUARY 9, 2012:
Cream that can clear skin cancer without surgery?
JANUARY 3, 2012:
Most of my younger patients with basal cell cancer deny ever having used a tanning bed. But an interesting finding:
DECEMBER 21, 2011:
Important to note that it seems like the study was funded by Medicis, makers of Dysport.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Dermatology/GeneralDermatology/30312
DECEMBER 20, 2011:
Interesting study. A little unclear, though, whether the cancer itself or possible treatment with chemotherapy/ radiation is the cause for the increase rate of melanoma.
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/19/cancer-survivors-have-higher-risk-of-melanoma/
DECEMBER 15, 2011:
I doubt it will work any more than a multivitamin, but something to consider:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/fashion/cosmetics-that-you-eat-or-drink.html?_r=1&src=dayp
DECEMBER 14, 2011:
Exciting news for rosacea sufferers!
DECEMBER 6, 2011:
New Guidelines for Treating Psoriasis When Pregnant or Nursing.
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=659334
NOVEMBER 18, 2011:
Non-healing wounds are not as uncommon as one would think. If an ulcer is not responding to traditional therapy, it may be worth while checking laboratory tests to look for underlying cause. A skin biopsy can also be an important aid in the diagnostic work-up.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237216.php
OCTOBER 24, 2011:
Henry Ford Hospital’s pioneering vitiligo treatment draws worldwide interest.
OCTOBER 17, 2011:
I think this article nicely summarizes the various non-procedural ways
to reduce or prevent further formation of wrinkles. And even for those
who get procedures like Botox or Juvederm, it is important to have an
anti-aging regimen to reduce the need and maintain the results from
the procedure. -Dr.A
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/wrinkles/treatment.html
For more info:
http://www.uwsdermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/juvederm
http://www.neudermskincare.com/products/radient-eyes
OCTOBER 4, 2011:
This would completely change the face of how burn victims are treated.
I wonder how long it will take to have wide-spread use. – Dr. A
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8799305/Radical-ways-to-save-skin.html
SEPTEMBER 18, 2011:
Another reason to quit smoking! – Dr. A
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011:
An interesting observation regarding stressful life events and hair
loss. Perhaps this is just a variant of chronic telogen effluvium
(which tends to cause more diffuse hair loss). – Dr. A
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=657081
SEPTEMBER 19, 2011:
I know this sounds disgusting, but it works! I had treated a patient
with this when I was in training with amazing results… Dr. A.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2011:
TNF Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Boosts Skin Cancer Risk:
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=656679
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011:
This is fascinating news… I am curious to see if the same cytokine
profile will be present in human precursor adipose stem cells. Dr. A
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=656437
AUGUST 31, 2011:
Coral could hold key to sunscreen pill:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14717834
AUGUST 30, 2011:
A very interesting and novel way to deliver anti-cancer vaccine. I am
curious to see the results. Stay tuned! Dr. A
AUGUST 22, 2011:
Fast F.D.A. Approval of Melanoma Drug:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/fast-f-d-a-approval-of-melanoma-drug/
AUGUST 19, 2011:
Psoriasis may increase stroke risk, study says:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44195500/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/
AUGUST 16, 2011:
Beta-blockers likely will become first line treatment in infantile hemangiomas:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Dermatology/GeneralDermatology/28047
AUGUST 15, 2011:
Deal in Place for Inspecting Foreign Drugs
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/science/13drug.html?_r=1&bl
AUGUST 11, 2011:
Rare Mycobacterium Linked To Tattoos.
According to Fox News (8/11) “Body & Mind,” the CDC published a study in Emerging Infectious Diseases, reporting that “a rare but difficult-to-treat bacterial infection that usually strikes people with impaired immune systems is showing up for the first time in healthy individuals getting tattoos.” The causal bacterium, Mycobacterium haemophilum, belongs to the same family as tuberculosis- and leprosy-causing bacteria, and “the infection is not responsive to traditional antibiotic treatments, and even with the right drugs, can take months to heal.” Researchers noted the infection is rare, so people shouldn’t be concerned about getting tattoos, but rather that “clinicians should consider this bacterium as a potential cause of skin infections in persons who have recently received a tattoo.” The CDC also advises consumers to be careful in choosing a clean, professional tattoo parlor.
MedPage Today (8/11, Neale) reports, “An investigation of the tattoo parlor did not reveal any deviations from safety and sanitation standards or an environmental source for the infection, but the operator said that municipal water was used in a rinse solution applied during the tattooing process and to dilute the ink, which is a common practice, according to the researchers.” The investigators told the operator to use only sterile water for the rinse solution and to dilute the ink, saying that “M. haemophilum has been detected by PCR in biofilms from research aquariums.” AFP (8/11) also covers the story.
AUGUST 10, 2011:
FDA Expected To Approve New Melanoma Drug.
Reuters (8/10, Beasley) reports that according to persons familiar with the process, the Food and Drug Administration could approve Roche’s new drug application for Zelboraf (vemurafenib) as early as sometime this week. Roche, in a collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, is developing the melanoma drug to target tumors with a BRAF mutation. A recent clinical trial sponsored by the partnership found that compared to standard chemotherapy, patients with advanced melanoma treated with vemurafenib were 63% less likely to die from the melanoma.
AUGUST 8, 2011:
An obvious, but important, reminder for dermatologists to really
explain everything to their patients. Not just for psoriasis but for
all skin conditions.
A recent study shows most psoriasis patients want to be involved in
treatment decisions:
AUGUST 4, 2011:
FDA Approves First-Ever Treatment For Scorpion Stings.
http://mailview.bulletinhealthcare.com/mailview.aspx?m=2011080401aad&r=3752610-fef4
AUGUST 2, 2011:
Is wine the new sunscreen?! Doubtful. But an interesting observation shows that flavonoids found in grapes protect against UV radiation.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232059.php
AUGUST 1, 2011:
It is not routine to do HPV testing on squamous cell carcinomas, but I wonder if this study will change clinical management in the future.
HPV infection increases risk for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma.
http://www.medwire-news.md/66/93691/Dermatology/HPV_infection_increases_risk_for_recurrent_squamous_cell_carcinoma_.html
JULY 29, 2011:
An alternative to Botox and Dysport: incobotulinumtoxinA. Newly approved by the FDA for frown lines and wrinkles.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/746835
JULY 26, 2011:
PROPRANOLOL and INFANTILE HEMANGIOMAS:
I have had luck with the gel formulation of this medication in treating infantile hemangiomas. It was very effective and we were able to avoid the potential side effects
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Dermatology/GeneralDermatology/27714
JULY 22, 2011:
Self-detection not as effective as physician screening for detecting melanoma:
archderm.ama-assn.org
JULY 17, 2011:
People who say they vigilantly apply sunscreen are more likely to experience painful sunburns. One explaination is that they spend more time out in the sun, but forget to re-apply. But I also think the inability to form a baseline tan during spring and early summer may make these people more susceptible to burns if they forget to apply sunscreen on a midsummer day.
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/news/20110714/sunscreen-users-more-likely-burn?src=RSS_PUBLIC
JULY 12, 2011:
Very interesting study published in BMJ: People with skin allergies have a reduced incidence of certain cancers (including breast cancer). Definitely consistent with the immunosurveillance hypothesis…
Media coverage: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/s
The actual study: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content
JULY 8, 2011:
There is increasing amount of evidence that psoriasis may not only be a disease limited to the skin and joints. I found this NYT article to be a good, general review of psoraisis. It also highlights systemic diseases psoriasis patients are at risk for.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/health/05brody.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
