Pediatric Dermatology

A scientific panel recommended against smallpox vaccinations for the general public because of possible side effects vaccinations could cause, both to the inoculators and the recipients of the vaccine.

Senetek expanded its manufacturing licensing agreement with ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc. for products containing Senetek's skincare ingredient Kinetin.

Bradley Pharmaceuticals said it will expand its sales force, primarily focusing on its Doak Dermatology Subsidiary.

The American Medical Association introduced a medical education initiative, Strategies for Teaching and Evaluating Professionalism.

The Associated Press reports that the FDA wants to cut review time of medical device technology by a month.

Leading sources suggest that cosmetic surgeons should carefully monitor the psychological condition and ambitions of existing and potential cosmetic patients despite a recent study finding that aesthetic procedures significantly improve a patient's quality of life.

San Francisco - Treatment of vitiligo has advanced significantly in recent years with the use of topical immunomodulators and newer forms of phototherapy, Pearl F. Grimes, M.D., said.

San Francisco - Dermatologists are currently fine-tuning their use of UVB phototherapy for specific applications in order to reduce the risk of burns, minimize patients' cumulative exposure to UVB light, and optimize patient responses.

San Francisco - New topical and systemic treatments, and new uses for existing ones, are making several photodermatosis conditions more manageable, according to John L.M. Hawk, M.D.

Chicago - Future advances in the management of patients with alopecia areata are expected to emerge from ongoing efforts aiming to facilitate clinical research studies and gain a better understanding of the immunological disease mechanisms and its genetic associations, Maria K. Hordinsky, M.D., said at Academy '03.

Barcelona - With a view on managing alopecia areata that is in complete contrast to the position commonly taken in the United States, Rudolf Happle, M.D., brings forward an interesting question: Why do dermatologists continue to use topical corticosteroids [and other treatments] if they are not truly effective in treating all forms of AA?

San Francisco - Several recent studies have demonstrated some interesting phenomena in the area of pediatric dermatology. Howard B. Pride, M.D., an associate in the department of dermatology at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., presented some highlights.

San Francisco - Not only are warts a cosmetic nuisance, they may also cause considerable discomfort and even be linked to higher cancer rates. Clearing warts, therefore, is an important consideration for dermatologists. Nanette Silverberg, M.D., director, pediatric dermatology, department of dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, New York City, provided some tips on how best to do that.

San Francisco - In many women, acne can have a hormonal cause that points to a more severe underlying disorder. Being able to appropriately identify such disorders can help dermatologists better treat the acne as well as help prevent more serious long-term selequae.

San Francisco - As the international situation has become more complicated, dermatologists have realized that they may need to diagnose and respond to individuals who have been infected by a microbial agent of bioterrorism. Among the several viral agents that could be so used, smallpox has caused the greatest concern, according to Scott A. Norton, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc.

San Francisco - The topical immunomodulators imiquimod (Aldara), tacrolimus (Protopic), and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are proving to be extremely useful agents for the effective management of a number of skin conditions, Mark Lebwohl, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Ottawa - Dermatologists have a responsibility to sensitize patients to the risks that temporary tattoos and body piercing pose, according to Dr. Ronald Brancaccio, clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, who presented here at the annual scientific meeting of the Canadian Dermatology Association.

London -- A report published by Britain's National Prescribing Center saying that Fujisawa's Protopic (tacrolimus) and Novartis' Elidel (pimecrolimus) have only a limited role in the treatment of eczema was intended for general practitioners rather than dermatologists and refers mostly to mild cases treated in primary care settings.

These are very exciting times for dermatology. Basic research is being applied to the development of new and more effective biologics to treat some of the most challenging conditions, psoriasis among them.

San Francisco - Making laser surgery as pleasant an experience as possible is important when the patient is a child because optimal clearing of many common pediatric lesions treated with a laser involves multiple sessions, Heidi A. Waldorf, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Barcelona - The onset age of alopecia areata (AA) peaks in both the late teens and around 30 years, according to Andrew J. G. McDonagh, M.D., consultant dermatologist (U.K.-certified in dermatology), University of Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Barcelona - Ebastine, a second-generation antihistamine currently marketed in Europe and Japan, offers many advantages as a treatment for mild to moderate alopecia areata, according to Yusuke Yoshizawa, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo.

Chicago - Nail cosmetics are widely used and usually without adverse consequences, but dermatologists should be familiar with the potential problems that can occur with exposure to nail cosmetics and professional nail care services along with their solutions, Phoebe Rich, M.D., said.

San Francisco - Designed to treat difficult cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, photopheresis is proving to have several more potential clinical applications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and lichen planus.

Chicago - As patient accrual to phase III trials of Canvaxin therapeutic polyvalent cancer vaccine nears the 1,000-mark, a randomized phase II trial of the vaccine was reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The trial used an immunostimulant to enhance the antibody response to a tumor-associated antigen (TA90) found on melanoma cells.

San Francisco - Although bacterial sexually transmitted diseases are decreasing in prevalence in the United States, viral STDs are on the rise, according to Ted Rosen, M.D. Of particular concern, he said, are the increasing numbers of people infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papilloma virus (HPV).

San Francisco - Accumulating evidence suggests new biologic agents may be used with potential benefit in the management of dermatomyositis, pyoderma gangrenosum, bullous diseases, cutaneous sarcoidosis, and severe atopic dermatitis.Dermatologists, however, have also been looking to use various older therapies in new ways to treat these disabling diseases, Jeffrey P. Callen, M.D., said.

San Francisco - One of the basic tenets of medical dermatology is that the skin serves as a window into the internal parts of the body and internal diseases. Visual examination of the skin can reveal signs of systemic disease, including gastrointestinal disease such as GI polyposis syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, GI malignancy, hepatobiliary disease, nutritional deficiencies, and other disorders, according to dermatologist Amit G. Pandya, M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Orlando, Fla. - Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk for celiac disease than the general population, according to Veronica Ojetti, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Chicago - With all the new at-home hair treatments and recent reports of contact dermatitis and other cutaneous manifestations from using shampoos, conditioners and hair dyes, dermatologists should be keenly aware of products that can harm patients' hair and skin.