Integumentary System

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne

Dermatology and Therapy, 05/23/2014 Clinical Article Yang M, et al. – The purpose of this study was to determine the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of daily administration of an orally administered pantothenic acid–based dietary supplement in men and women with facial acne lesions. The results from this study indicate that the administration of a pantothenic […]

Carbohydrates as a Major Cause of Acne

Review · April 01, 2014 Full Story Journal Reference TAKE-HOME MESSAGE The authors present a review of the recent analyses of a possible relationship of dietary factors and acne. They conclude that it is likely there is a causal association with acne induced by the intake of high glycemic–index foods. While previously thought to have […]

Association of Indoor Tanning and Melanoma in Adults

Research · March 12, 2014 Full Story Journal Reference TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A meta-analysis of 31 studies found that indoor tanning increases the odds of melanoma by 16% overall (23% in North America). There is a further increased risk of developing melanoma with more than 10 tanning sessions and with using indoor tanning prior to age […]

Excessive Tanning an Addiction?

Deborah Brauser March 05, 2014 Underlying psychiatric distress, including anxiety disorders and substance abuse, may explain why some individuals continue to tan even after experiencing serious negative consequences, such as skin cancer, new research suggests. A study of more than 500 college students who tan showed that 31% met the criteria for tanning dependence and […]

Beneficial role for supplemental vitamin D treatment in chronic urticaria

A randomized study Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 04/29/2014 > Clinical Article Rorie Z, et al. – Add–on therapy with high–dose vitamin D3 (4,000 IU/d) could be considered a safe and potentially beneficial immunomodulator in patients with chronic urticaria. In a prospective, double-blinded, single-center study, 42 subjects with chronic urticaria were randomized to high (4,000 IU/d) or […]

Vitamin D Blog: Help for Hives?

Published: Feb 13, 2014 By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today Full Story High-dose vitamin D might tame symptoms of chronic hives, researchers found. High-dose vitamin D might tame symptoms of chronic hives, researchers found. In a randomized trial, patients who took 4,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 on top of their allergy medications had a […]

Perioral Dermatitis and Diet

Commentary February 05, 2014 Lily Talakoub MD Full Story Frontline Medical News In my practice, I have observed consistent improvements in recalcitrant perioral dermatitis when patients switch to low-carbohydrate diets. Several of my patients with perioral dermatitis that responded poorly to oral doxycycline, topical metronidazole, and topical tacrolimus – or recurred upon cessation of therapy […]

Birch Helps Wounds Heals Faster

Sandra Ebeling PLOS ONE Published: January 22, 2014DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086147 Full Story Journal Reference – Full Text Article Extracts from the birch tree have served for centuries as a traditional means of helping the damaged skin around wounds to regenerate more quickly. Prof. Dr. Irmgard Merfort from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of […]

Asthma, Rhinitis, and Contact Urticaria in Hairdressers Caused by Oxidative Hair Dyes

Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014 Jan 01;112(1)46-52, E Helaskoski, H Suojalehto, H Virtanen, L Airaksinen, O Kuuliala, K Aalto-Korte, M Pesonen Research · January 21, 2014 ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Oxidative hair dyes commonly contain paraphenylene diamine (PPD) and its derivatives, a well-known cause of delayed hypersensitivity among both consumers and hairdressers. They are also considered possible […]

Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy in Children With Eczema

Br J Dermatol 2014 Jan 13;170(1)150-156, S Darné, SN Leech, AE Taylor Research · January 21, 2014 TAKE-HOME MESSAGE While narrow-band UVB (NBUVB) therapy is sometimes used to treat children with atopic dermatitis, its use is based on limited retrospective data. This prospective cohort study examined NBUVB therapy in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. […]

Presence of Mercury in Skin-Lightening Products: A Hidden Health Hazard

J Am Acad Dermatol 2013 Dec 07;[EPub Ahead of Print], CR Hamann, W Boonchai, L Wen, E Nishijima Sakanashi, C-Yu Chu, K Hamann, CP Hamann, K Sinniah, D Hamann Review · December 20, 2013 Full Story:  http://www.practiceupdate.com/journalscan/7181 Journal Reference:  http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(13)01046-3/abstract TAKE-HOME MESSAGE Out of 549 mercury-containing skin-lightening cosmetic products purchased from 32 countries, 6% contained mercury […]

Keep Warning Teens of Tanning Bed Risks

IMNG Medical Media, 2013 Dec 02, MA Otto News December 03, 2013 Full Story (may require free registration):  http://www.practiceupdate.com/news/3833 Although efforts to keep minors out of tanning salons are gaining momentum, there’s still a need for dermatologists, pediatricians, and others to advocate for legislation and educate patients – especially teens and their parents – about […]

Does Early Life Exposure to Antibiotics Increase the Risk of Eczema?

A Systematic Review TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies, postnatal exposure to antibiotics during the first year of life was associated with an increased risk for eczema (odds ratio, 1.41), with an increased risk of 7% for each additional antibiotic course received. These data indicate that antibiotic use early in […]

Counseling Patients on Psoriasis Treatment

Eliot N Mostow, MD, MPH We are now in an age of treatments for psoriasis that some patients perceive as very expensive or risky, and yet, these patients have a skin disease that can be incredibly debilitating and significantly impacts their quality of life. More than ever, especially in more severe cases of psoriasis (based […]

Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity as an Allergic Condition

Personal Experience and Narrative Review A Carroccio, P Mansueto, A D’Alcamo, G Iacono Am. J. Gastroenterol 2013 Oct 29;[EPub Ahead of Print] TAKE-HOME MESSAGE What is the pathogenesis of non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS)? A review was conducted of 276 diagnosed patients. Patients might be suffering from non–IgE mediated food allergy, but other pathogenic mechanisms need to […]

Natural Course of Cutaneous Warts Among Primary Schoolchildren

A Prospective Cohort Study Ann Fam Med 2013 Sep 01;11(5)437-441, SC Bruggink, JA Eekhof, PF Egberts, SC van Blijswijk, WJ Assendelft, J Gussekloo TAKE-HOME MESSAGE What is the natural course of cutaneous warts, and is it reasonable to assume a “wait and see” policy? Somewhat over 350 of > 1000 children from three Dutch primary […]

Perioral Dermatitis and Diet

Skin of Color: Perioral Dermatitis and Diet News September 17, 2013 IMNG Medical Media, 2013 Sep 17, L Talakoub Perioral dermatitis is a common and frustrating skin condition that is often treatment resistant and recurs when treatment stops. Perioral dermatitis is classified in the rosacea family of skin diseases, and it is often associated with […]

Guideline$: Following the Money in Acne Treatment

Published: Sep 15, 2013 By John Fauber, Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today When the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed guidelines recommending expensive prescription drugs to treat childhood acne, it didn’t tell doctors this: 13 of the 15 experts who drafted the guidelines were paid consultants or speakers for companies that market the drugs recommended in the guidelines. […]

Skin Wrinkling: Can Food Make a Difference?

Journal of the American College of Nutrition Volume 20, 2001 – Issue 1 Published online: 27 Jun 2013 Martalena br Purba , BSc, MCN Abstract Objectives: This study addressed whether food and nutrient intakes were correlated with skin wrinkling in a sun-exposed site. Methods: 177 Greek-born subjects living in Melbourne (GRM), 69 Greek subjects living […]

What Matters – In Acne, Diet is a Probable Factor

Frontline Medical News, 2013 May 01, JO Ebbert If you see adolescents and young adults in your practice, you are managing complaints about acne. Acne pathogenesis is related to sebum production, occlusion of skin follicles, bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes), and inflammation. The social impact of this condition can be profound. I would be fascinated to hear […]