Pediatric Dermatology

My wife and I are preparing to fly to Hong Kong and Singapore, where I will deliver some lectures. Naturally, we are trolling the Web to find information that will add pleasure and value to our journey.

Los Angeles - Among 3-year-olds, children with atopic dermatitis have significantly more melanocytic nevi than their unaffected counterparts, and the difference in nevi count overall can be accounted for by higher numbers of nevi present in light-skinned children with eczema, Robert Dellavalle, M.D., Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

Paris - Topical 1 percent ciclopiroxolamine cream is a safe and effective treatment for mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis, according to research presented at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Los Angeles - Cutaneous atrophy, the bane of topical corticosteroid treatment, may have met its match in a thyroid hormone analogue, according to Jan Faergemann, M.D., Ph.D.

Paris - Results from a small pilot study suggest that topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1 percent (Protopic) may be a promising new treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, researchers from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, reported.

New York - As the debate continues on the merits of widespread smallpox vaccination, a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology cautioned that vaccines can trigger severe skin reactions among susceptible individuals.

Paris - Bioengineered skin substitutes can facilitate healing of difficult wounds and even achieve closure of some long-standing chronic wounds refractory to other measures, but the success of these modalities depends on proper wound bed preparation and even then, they may not be the answer for all patients, Vincent Falanga, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

New Orleans - Disorders that seemingly have no mycotic component could respond to a course of itraconazole (Sporanox), according to Ruggero Caputo, M.D. In fact, for certain patients, it may have a role in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea, as well as palmo plantar amicrobic pustulosis.

New Orleans -The management of congenital nevi is an extremely challenging and easily misunderstood area for dermatologists. New insights into the disorder were shared at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology by a specialist in the field, Ashfaq A. Marghoob, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

New Orleans - While the risk of malignant conversion of nevus sebaceous has been a subject of recent controversy, pediatric dermatologist Sheila Fallon Friedlander, M.D., still recommends prophylactic surgical excision of such lesions prior to adolescence.

Chicago - A three-tiered program to reduce inflammation in the body on a cellular level includes a diet rich in antioxidants, antioxidant supplements, and topical preparations that will deliver unique antioxidants directly to the skin, according to research performed by dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

Los Angeles - Azathioprine is an effective treatment for severe atopic dermatitis in adults, although it can be poorly tolerated by some patients due to gastrointestinal side effects, and careful laboratory monitoring is indicated because of its potential to cause hematologic and hepatic toxicity, according to results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

It's 10:45 p.m. on a Sunday. You're winding down from an enjoyable weekend when, suddenly, the sound of your pager summons you. There's a call from your local hospital.

Paris - Magadelene A. Dohill, M.D. examined pediatric patients and atopic dermatitis at the World Congress of Dermatology, focusing on a rather unique question: Why use peanut oil as a vehicle when so many atopics suffer from peanut allergies?

Winston-Salem, N.C. - Separate studies involving atopic dermatitis drugs tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) show the topical immunomodulators (TIMs) are safe and effective for off-label use on children under age 2.

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New York-The incidence of skin disease is not significantly different among Latinos than with other patient groups, but physicians who treat Latino patients need to be aware of some differences in the frequency of diagnosis as well as the cultural aspects of treatment, Miguel R. Sanchez, M.D., said.

New York - Awareness and sensitivity about beliefs and cultural practices are important tools in treating the Asian population - especially those that are newly immigrated, Henry W. Lim, M.D., said at the annual meeting of The Skin of Color Center, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York.

New York - The good news is that African American children do not need to change their hairstyles to minimize their risk for tinea capitis infections. But a change of wardrobe - to one that eliminates button-fly pants, garments with metal grommets, etc. - is definitely in order to prevent severe allergic reactions to nickel, Nanette Silverberg, M.D., said at the annual meeting of The Skin of Color Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York.

New York - Although relatively uncommon in African Americans, skin cancer does occur in this group and often in atypical or advanced forms.

New Orleans - As antipruritic drugs, newer second-generation oral antihistamines, including loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and desloratadine (Clarinex), offer several advantages compared with their predecessors. However, clinicians should be aware that these newer compounds are neither all alike nor routinely effective for controlling all types of cutaneous itch, Michael D. Tharp, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

New York -The old idea that chemical peels cannot be used on people of ethnic skin has been eradicated according to Harold E. Pierce, M.D., a Philadelphia dermatologist.

Los Angeles - Another case of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy has appeared, according to Francis J. Dann, M.D., UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles.