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Rhinophyma progress slowed with swift diagnosis, treatment
June 1st 2011Rhinophyma, a progressive benign condition causing a large, swollen, bulbous nose, can be treated most effectively if identified early, according to Joseph Bikowski, M.D., director, Bikowski Skin Care Center, Sewickley, Pa. No one knows the cause of rhinophyma, which rarely occurs in women. The condition was once believed to be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, but that was unfounded.
Acne issues in men treatable with topical, laser therapies
June 1st 2011The incidence of acne in adult men is not as common as it is in female patients, but, nevertheless, some men do seek acne treatment from dermatologists, according to Vic A. Narurkar, M.D., F.A.A.D., founder and director, Bay Area Laser Institute, San Francisco. Adult men usually do not seek treatment for acne as frequently as they do for other conditions, such as rosacea.
Port wine stains clear faster with shorter pulsed dye laser treatment intervals
June 1st 2011Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment for infants with port wine stains (PWS) should be performed early and often, according to research conducted by dermatologic surgeons from the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.
Protect your medical practice by preparing for catastrophes
June 1st 2011Patricia K. Farris, M.D., never thought she'd experience a natural disaster that would wipe out her practice, a city and an entire infrastructure. Then came Hurricane Katrina. "You couldn't call a patient who had a melanoma. It was so beyond, beyond," says Dr. Farris, who practices in Metairie, La. After the 2005 storm, she says, "I was out of business for seven months."
Men interested in improving skincare may need help to start the discussion
June 1st 2011Addressing male skincare in an office visit may require the dermatologist to make the first move. Men can be hesitant to discuss their concerns, and yet they still comprise a growing segment of patients who want to take good care of their skin, according to Ranella Hirsch, M.D., F.A.A.D.
Cosmeceutical innovations offer superficial, structural boosts
June 1st 2011Intriguing new directions in anti-aging skincare stem from growing knowledge about the human genome and the skin's underlying structure. Much of the latest research into the science of skin aging uses genomics, says Patricia K. Farris, M.D.
Lasers, shaving tips address pseudofolliculitis barbae
June 1st 2011Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., has had a lifelong battle with pseudofolliculitis barbae. "When I became a dermatologist, it's one of the things I focused on," he says. Razor bumps tend to haunt men - especially those who shave their beards daily - in the neck area.
Prepare for potential disasters by analyzing risks in your geographical area
June 1st 2011In planning for disaster, physicians should first analyze their specific risks. That's the advice of Italo Subbarao, D.O., deputy editor of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness and director of the Public Health Readiness Office in the American Medical Association's Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response.
Laser, light devices useful in clearing obstinate acne lesions
June 1st 2011Acne vulgaris and its variants have been distressing adolescents for hundreds of years. The development of therapies such as benzoyl peroxides, topical retinoids and antibiotics has changed the course of acne for many patients, while others suffer a relentless course.
Laser hair removal an attractive option for some male patients
June 1st 2011Dermatologists whose practices offer laser therapy for hair removal are finding the procedure is becoming increasingly popular among men. "I would say that there is more awareness about hair removal as an option," says Vera Chotzen, M.D., dermatologist and associate director, Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Northern California, Sacramento, Calif.
Clues to melanoma treatments lie in profiles of disease subtypes
June 1st 2011The identification of genetic mutations in melanoma has opened the door to targeted treatment of melanomas. Delivering a presentation at the 5th annual Canadian Melanoma Conference, Boris Bastian, M.D., chairman of pathology, Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, stated the importance of recognizing the existence of the distinct biological subtypes of melanoma in order to find effective avenues for treatment and prevention.
Plans to solve Medicare reimbursement crisis under way, but time is of essence
June 1st 2011With all of the partisan bickering on Capitol Hill over the federal deficit, next year's federal budget and what to cut, it appears there may be a consensus building around the idea of finally resolving the Medicare reimbursement crisis. Unless Congress acts before Jan. 1, Medicare physicians will see a 29.5 percent reimbursement cut as a result of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that is now used.
Azathioprine side effects may be misunderstood, overstated
June 1st 2011Although azathioprine requires caution and ongoing patient monitoring, some say their side effects are less severe than many patients - and some dermatologists - think. Even some medically oriented dermatologists express the concern that "these pills will wreck your liver," which overstates the actual clinical risk, says Neil Shear, M.D.
Research competition, market needs before purchasing aesthetic technologies
June 1st 2011Before investing in aesthetic devices, physicians need to do their homework and carefully weigh the pros and cons of each device and attend lectures focused on various aesthetic devices and technologies. This approach may help them ultimately choose an aesthetic device that is right for them and their patients.
Electronic medical record systems will not reduce all claims denials
June 1st 2011I am a total proponent of the use of technology. As the owner of two single-specialty billing services, I know the value of using the latest technology to save time, optimize the use of human resources, increase efficiency, reduce errors and redundancy and keep the planet "green." But I want providers to have realistic expectations of what an EMR can offer with respect to billing for services rendered and getting paid by insurance carriers.