Pediatric Dermatology

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Orlando, Fla. — Poorly controlled atopic dermatitis (AD) may remain elusive to treatment, particularly if its pathogenesis is not understood. While it is known that the altered barrier of atopic skin provides a portal of entry for various pathogens, it is the skin inflammation in AD that reduces the ability of patients with atopy to fight infection, according to Donald Y. M. Leung, M.D., Ph.D., head of pediatric allergy-immunology at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver.

San Diego — The lipid enhanced, emollient cream formulation of hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1 percent (Locoid, Ferndale) effectively treats moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in children and does so with excellent systemic safety, at least when used over a period of up to four weeks, said Lawrence F. Eichenfield, M.D., at the Pediatric Dermatology for the Practitioner Meeting here.

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Photo-Pneumatic Technology Therapy? (PPx), manufactured by Aesthera Corp., is showing promise as an innovative new approach for enhancing the safety and efficacy of hair removal and nonablative skin rejuvenation procedures, according to Vic A. Narurkar, M.D, who spoke at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Botulinum toxin is a complex protein produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin type A injections can be used to treat various focal muscle spastic disorders and excessive muscle contractions such as dystonias and spasms.

New Orleans — Rather than simply plumping up the back of the hand, fat injections given there perform a host of rejuvenation functions that researchers are just beginning to understand.

National report — When traditional approaches fail, many skin conditions may benefit from the addition of a few needles — acupuncture needles, that is. Some physicians are having good success integrating acupuncture into their dermatological practices.

National report — Results of a study assessing sunlight exposure during winter months in various geographic locations across the United States refute the idea that "safe sun" photoprotection practices are associated with a risk of vitamin D deficiency, says J. Frank Nash, Ph.D., principle scientist, Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati.

Should the cuts take place as planned, 18 percent of physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association say they would stop accepting new Medicare patients; 57 percent would decrease time spent with patients; and 46 percent would reduce staffing levels.

National report — Recreational swimming in swimming pools results in short-term but significant changes to biophysical properties related to skin hydration, researchers report.

New Orleans — Concomitant topical treatment with tacrolimus 0.1 percent ointment (Protopic, Fujisawa) does not improve the response of generalized vitiligo to narrowband UVB phototherapy, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study undertaken by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Nice, France — Results of a comparative, prospective, randomized study undertaken by French dermatologists indicate that topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1 percent (Protopic, Fujisawa) plus phototherapy with a 308-nm excimer laser can be a highly effective combination for the treatment of recalcitrant, localized vitiligo.