RxPG News : Dermatology

Natural secretion marks difference between mole and melanoma

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:30:00 PST

A protein naturally produced and secreted by the body can make the difference between your average mole and melanoma, which killed more than 8,000 people in the United States last year, reveals a new study in the February 8 issue of the journal Cell, a publication of Cell Press.

Protein that controls hair growth also keeps stem cells slumbering

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Like fine china and crystal, which tend to be used sparingly, stem cells divide infrequently. It was thought they did so to protect themselves from unnecessary wear and tear. But now new research from Rockefeller University has unveiled the protein that puts the brakes on stem cell division and shows that stem cells may not need such guarded protection to maintain their potency.

More sun exposure may be good for some people

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

UPTON, NY - A new study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory and colleagues in Norway suggests that the benefits of moderately increased exposure to sunlight - namely the production of vitamin D, which protects against the lethal effects of many forms of cancer and other diseases - may outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer in populations deficient in vitamin D. The study will be published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of January 7, 2008.

Stanford researchers produce short-term reversal of skin aging in mice

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

STANFORD, Calif. - Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have reversed the effects of aging on the skin of mice, at least for a short period, by blocking the action of a single critical protein.

Medical College of Wisconsin receives FDA grant

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee a three-year, $1 million Orphan Products Development grant to study infantile hemangiomas � a vascular tumor of the skin or internal organs.

New type of drug shows promise in attacking melanoma in an innovative way

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Barcelona, Spain: An experimental drug that attacks cancer in an entirely new way has shown promise in treating advanced melanoma, delaying progression of the disease and prolonging the lives of patients.

New study suggests cause of debilitating skin condition

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. � New findings from researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues suggest why some people with kidney failure can develop a rare tightening and swelling of the skin and other organs, including the lungs and heart.

New topical therapy safely treats nail fungus without systemic side effects

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- A new topical lotion that penetrates the skin deeply enough to target and eliminate serious skin infections, but without being systemically absorbed, has shown a high degree of safety and tolerability in patients with onychomycosis, or toenail fungus, a new study has shown.

Skin cooling associated with increased risk of discoloration after laser treatment

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A cooling technique intended to protect the skin may actually increase the risk of discoloration in dark-skinned patients undergoing laser treatments for mole-like skin lesions, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

M.D. Anderson-led team reports possible key to autoimmune disease

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

HOUSTON � A human peptide that acts as a natural antibiotic against invading microbes can also bind to the body�s own DNA and trigger an immune response in the absence of an infection, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports in an early online publication in Nature.

Dermatologists identify North Texas leishmaniasis outbreak

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

DALLAS � Sept. 14, 2007 � A team of dermatologists and dermatopathologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified nine North Texas cases of an infectious skin disease common in South America, Mexico and in the Middle East, where it is sometimes referred to as a �Baghdad boil.�

Skin as a living coloring book

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The pigment melanin, which is responsible for skin and hair color in mammals, is produced in specialized cells called melanocytes and then distributed to other cells. But not every cell in the complex layers of skin becomes pigmented. The question of how melanin is delivered to appropriate locations may have been answered by a study from researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC).

Bench-to-bedside look at MSC research at Case Western Reserve conference in Cleveland

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

CLEVELAND�Researchers from 22 countries will come to Cleveland for a bench to bedside examination of the developing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from regenerative medicine and stem cell research to therapeutics in patient care. The National Center for Regenerative Medicine for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (NCRM) and founding partner Case Western Reserve University have organized the 2007 Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine Conference, August 27-29, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland, to highlight advances in MSC research. The conference is the first organized by the two groups on MSCs.

Research suggests new options in treating skin pigment problems

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Melanocytes are not the only cells responsible for differences in skin coloration. New research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) has shown that some of the most basic cells on the skin�s surface influence pigment production and help regulate skin coloration.

Increased distance to physician associated with thicker skin cancer at diagnosis

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

The farther patients travel to reach the physician who diagnoses their melanoma, the more likely they are to have thicker skin cancer at diagnosis, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Natural chemical found in broccoli helps combat skin blistering disease

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Johns Hopkins scientists have found yet another reason why you should listen to your mother when she tells you to eat your vegetables. Sulforaphane, a chemical present at high levels in a precursor form in broccoli and related veggies (cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.), helps prevent the severe blistering and skin breakage brought on by the rare and potentially fatal genetic disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS).

Role seen for cannabis in helping to alleviate allergic skin disease

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Administering a substance found in the cannabis plant can help the body's natural protective system alleviate an allergic skin disease (allergic contact dermatitis), an international group of researchers from Germany, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the U.S. has found.

Green tea holds promise as new treatment for inflammatory skin diseases

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Green tea could hold promise as a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.

Computer graphics spills from milk to medicine

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new UC San Diego computer graphics model capable of generating realistic milk images based on the fat and protein content will likely push the field of computer graphics into the realms of diagnostic medicine, food safety and atmospheric science, according to a new study.

UCSD researchers discover cause of rosacea

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Doctors can describe the symptoms of rosacea, a common inflammatory skin disease that causes facial redness and affects nearly 14 million Americans. They can tell patients what triggers can worsen their condition: spicy foods, heat, alcohol, even embarrassment. But until now, they could not explain what caused rosacea.

Screening for fragile skin

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

White Dorper breeders and owners are hoping to eradicate a genetic disorder causing a lethal fragile skin condition among some of their drought-hardy flocks.

Scleroderma outlook improves as survival increases

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Washington, D.C. -- Individuals with scleroderma are living significantly longer today, compared with 30 years ago, and the physicians who treat this rare disease of connective tissue hope the newer drugs now on the market may extend lives even further.

Skin rash actually signifies better outcomes for pancreatic and lung cancer patients

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

The appearance of a rash in cancer patients treated with erlotinib (Tarceva) is strongly associated with longer survival, according to researchers from the drugs developer, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This is not the first time that rash has been associated with a survival advantage with EGFR inhibitors a class of drugs which includes erlotinib, cetuximab, panitumumab and others designed to block overproduction of the epidermal growth factor receptor but it is the most detailed analysis to date.

Natural signal holds promise for psoriasis, age-related skin damage

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

The body may hold a secret to normalizing skin cell growth that is over zealous in psoriasis and non-melanoma skin cancers and too slow in aging and sun-damaged skin, researchers say.

Long-term etanercept treatment reduces psoriasis severity without increased adverse events

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Extended exposure to the psoriasis medication etanercept does not appear to cause more infections or adverse events than placebo, and improvements in several measures of disease severity were observed for up to 96 weeks of therapy, according to a study in the June issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Rising skin cancer rates are more likely to affect wealthy people, says 12-year review

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Skin cancer levels have shown a significant increase in Northern Ireland since the early 1990s and are more likely to affect men, older people and those living in more affluent areas, according to a study just published in the June issue of British Journal of Dermatology.

Topical retinol helps reduce wrinkles associated with natural skin aging

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Applying vitamin A to the skin appears to improve the wrinkles associated with natural aging and may help to promote the production of skin-building compounds, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

First Demonstration of New Hair Follicle Generation

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:25:51 PST

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that hair follicles in adult mice regenerate by re-awakening genes once active only in developing embryos. These findings provide unequivocal evidence for the first time that, like other animals such as newts and salamanders, mammals have the power to regenerate.

New survey ranks the nation's most and least sun-smart cities

Mon, 07 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. (May 7, 2007) -- Most Americans are familiar with the popular city rankings of the fattest cities, the fittest cities, the most livable cities and the most expensive cities. Now, in the first-of-its-kind survey, the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) has identified the cities that take sun protection seriously and those that fail to make the grade despite repeated health warnings.

Clinical studies evaluate potential treatments for mouth ulcers

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

The drug pentoxifylline appears to have limited benefit in the first-line treatment of mouth ulcers due to recurrent apthous stomatitis, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. However, a second report in the same issue finds that a cream commonly used to treat eczema may be effective in patients with another ulcer-causing mouth disease, oral erosive lichen planus.

Detection of melanoma by dermatologists linked with earlier tumor stage, higher survival rates

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Individuals whose melanoma is diagnosed by a dermatologist may be more likely to have early-stage cancer and to survive five years than those with melanoma diagnosed by a non-dermatologist, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

MacroChem completes patient enrollment for Phase II trial of EcoNail for treatment of onychomycosis

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Wellesley Hills, MA, April 11 -- MacroChem Corporation (OTCBB: MACM.OB) announced the completion of patient enrollment in a 40 patient U.S. multi-center open label Phase II efficacy study of EcoNail, a topical antifungal lacquer for the treatment of onychomycosis (nail fungus). EcoNail is the company's patented lacquer which contains the antifungal econazole and MacroChem's enhancer SEPA®.

Scientists implicate gene in vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

In a study appearing in the March 22 New England Journal of Medicine, scientists supported by the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) have discovered a connection between a specific gene and the inflammatory skin condition vitiligo, as well as a possible host of autoimmune diseases.

Apple consumption during pregnancy reduces risk for childhood wheezing and asthma

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON (April 5, 2007) -- Eating apples while pregnant may give new meaning to an apple a day keeping the doctor away. Compelling new research has concluded that mothers who eat apples during pregnancy may protect their children from developing asthma later in life. The study was published in Thorax online.

Gender linked to development of skin cancer

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Inherent gender differences instead of more sun exposure may be one reason why men are three times more likely than women to develop certain kinds of skin cancer, say researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center.

Smoking associated with aging of nonfacial skin

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

A history of smoking may be associated with a higher degree of aging in skin not regularly exposed to light, such as that of the upper inner arm, according to an article in the March issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Molecular differences between early and advanced melanomas could provide new drug targets

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

The cell-signaling molecule Akt is a primary trigger that leads malignant melanomas on the skin's surface to begin growing vertically beneath the skin and turn into deadly invasive cancers, scientists have found. Understanding this key molecular difference between radial melanomas that spread on the surface of the skin and melanomas that grow vertically and invasively could provide new targets for the development of drugs to treat individuals with advanced stage melanomas.

Injection of 'skin filler' material appears to stimulate collagen production

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

Injections with dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid appear to stimulate production of collagen, a primary protein in the skin, and may partially restore the structure of sun-damaged skin, according to an article in the February issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Multiple low-energy plasma skin treatments may help diminish facial wrinkles

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

A study involving eight patients suggests that multiple low-energy treatments with a plasma skin regeneration tool may help to reduce wrinkles and improve facial appearance with minimal healing time, according to an article in the February issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The multiple treatments have about the same effect as one high-energy session but with less healing time.

Vitamin D3 protects the skin from harmful microbes

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:03:08 PST

Skin wounds breach the physical barrier that protects the body from harmful microbes in the environment. To counter this breach, wounding triggers an immune response that includes the production of antimicrobial peptides and the upregulation of receptors that recognize microbial components. However, the factors that trigger this immune response have not been well defined.

Human skin harbors completely unknown bacteria

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2007It appears that the skin, the largest organ in our body, is a kind of zoo and some of the inhabitants are quite novel, according to a new study. Researchers found evidence for 182 species of bacteria in skin samples. Eight percent were unknown species that had never before been described.

Scientists see DNA get 'sunburned' for the first time

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS , Ohio -- For the first time, scientists have observed DNA being damaged by ultraviolet (UV) light.

Chemicals in brown algae may protect against skin cancer

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS , Ohio Substances extracted from a marine seaweed may protect against skin cancer caused by too much sun, new research suggests.

Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice associated with increased risk of skin moles in childhood

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Children who received light therapy (phototherapy) for jaundice as infants appear to have an increased risk of developing skin moles in childhood, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Some types of moles are risk factors for developing the skin cancer melanoma.

Study identifies characteristics of fast-growing skin cancers

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Melanomas (skin cancers) are more likely to grow rapidly if they are thicker, symmetrical, elevated, have regular borders or have symptoms, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, rapidly progressing melanoma is more likely to occur in elderly men and individuals with fewer moles and freckles, and its cells tend to divide more quickly and have fewer pigments than those of slower-growing cancers.

Control mechanism for biological pattern formation decoded

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

How are simple embryonic structures able to produce the varied and complex manifestations of living nature Scientists in Freiburg have now identified proteins which regulate the pattern of hair formation in mice. They have found that proteins produced by the skin, WNTs, which are essential for the induction of hair follicles, together with so-called DKK inhibitors control the spacing of the follicles. Using a mathematical model based on protein reactions and diffusions, researchers have been able to explain the dynamics and parameters of hair formation and to provide for the first time experimental confirmation of the Turing hypothesis of biological pattern formation (Science Express, 2 November 2006).

Scientists harness diptheria toxin and interleukin 2 to help the immune system attack melanoma

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

Prague, Czech Republic: Researchers investigating ways of prompting the immune system to recognise and kill tumour cells have found that a drug containing parts of the diptheria toxin appears to work well in patients with advanced melanoma (skin cancer).

Adult beachgoers participating in research study accurately report their sun habits

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:26:00 PST

Adult beachgoers participating in a research study accurately report their sun habits, including sunscreen use and clothing worn on the beach, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The skin cancer cutaneous melanoma has become much more common and deadly in the United States over the past few decades, according to background information in the article. To reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, physicians recommend limiting the amount of time spent in the sun; seeking shade, especially during the hours at which ultraviolet rays are strongest; applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher; and wearing protective clothing, such as a hat, shirt, pants and sunglasses. Research on skin cancer prevention generally depends on the honesty of study participants reporting their behaviors.

Most beachgoers accurately report their sun habits

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

Psoriasis increases risk for heart attack

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 04:44:00 PST

Adults with psoriasis, especially younger patients with severe psoriasis, appear to be at increased risk for a heart attack, according to a study in the October 11 issue of JAMA. Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease that affects about 2 percent to 3 percent of the adult population. It is associated with markers of systemic inflammation, such as increased C-reactive protein levels, which have been linked to the development of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack), according to background information in the article. Several hospital-based studies have indicated that psoriasis is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack, but these studies did not control for major cardiovascular risk factors.

Psoriasis associated with increased risk for heart attack

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

Adults with psoriasis, especially younger patients with severe psoriasis, appear to be at increased risk for a heart attack, according to a study in the October 11 issue of JAMA.

New data reinforce safety profile of ENBREL®

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

Rhodes, Greece, 5 October 2006 -- There was good news for psoriasis patients today as the latest study confirming the established safety profile of ENBREL® (etanercept) for up to 2.5 years , was presented at the 15th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress. ENBREL is a biologic, meaning a biotechnologically produced medicine, which acts on one of the root causes of psoriasis by targeting one of the key mediators of the inflammatory process. It is the number one biologic prescribed worldwide and is now approved in 25 mg and 50 mg prefilled syringes offering flexibility to tailor treatment according to patient needs.

Infants targeted in the fight against skin disease

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

Residents and researchers in the Top End are fighting back against skin disease by targeting the prevention and treatment of scabies, tinea and skin sores in infants living in remote indigenous communities.

German researchers develop first non-invasive test to measure skin aging

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- Physicists and medical researchers for the first time have demonstrated a new technique that non-invasively measures in real time the level of damage to the skin from sun exposure and aging, and initial results suggest that women's skin ages faster than men's. Findings appear in the October 1 issue of Optics Letters, a journal of the Optical Society of America.

New insight into skin-tanning process suggests novel way of preventing skin cancer

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--Findings from a study led by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital Boston have rewritten science's understanding of the process of skin tanning -- an insight that has enabled them to develop a promising way of protecting fair-skinned people from skin cancer caused by exposure to sunlight.

Short-term topical corticosteroid use may offer relief for patients with acute form of psoriasis

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 04:00:00 PST

Researchers suggest a short-term application of topical corticosteroids and maintenance with a less potent agent for patients with intertriginous psoriasis (IP), according to a study published in the September issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

How do you use your sunscreen?

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:49:00 PST

WHEN out in the sun, how often do you apply sunscreen? If it's anything less than once every 2 hours, you might be better off not using any in the first place.

Even Superman couldn't win battle with pressure ulcers

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:00:00 PST

Toronto - While pressure ulcers are common among people with impaired mobility, a new study has found surprisingly inadequate scientific evidence on the best strategies to prevent them.

Acne medication associated with abnormal blood test results

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:00:00 PST

Elevated cholesterol levels and liver enzyme levels appear to be more common than previously thought among patients taking the acne medication isoretinoin, including those who had normal blood test results before beginning therapy, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Facial resurfacing treats precancerous skin lesions, may help prevent skin cancer

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:00:00 PST

A program that helps parents talk to their children about skin cancer risks may promote sun-safe behaviors, especially when parents and children have a high-quality relationship, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

With few factors, adult cells take on character of embryonic stem cells

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 04:00:00 PST

With the introduction of just four factors, researchers have successfully induced differentiated cells taken from mouse embryos or adult mice to behave like embryonic stem cells. The researchers reported their findings in an immediate early publication of the journal Cell.

Expression of 'Blimp1' gene leads to the discovery of cells responsible for skin's sebaceous gland

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 04:00:00 PST

Mice may not get zits, but they do have oily skin. This week, new research on mice from Rockefeller University shows how the cells responsible for oil production develop, and uncovers clues about how stem cells renew and differentiate.

Skin Cells Found to Use a Coordinate System to Deduct their Positional Identity

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:53:00 PST

Global-positioning system aficionados know that it's possible to precisely define any location in the world with just three geographic coordinates: latitude, longitude and altitude. Now scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that specialized skin cells use a similar mapping system to identify where they belong in the body and how to act once they arrive. These cellular cornerstones direct embryonic patterning and wound healing by sending vital location cues to their neighbors, and may help in growing tissue for transplant or understanding metastatic cancer.

UV-A therapy more effective than narrowband UV-B therapy in chronic plaque psoriasis

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 17:31:00 PST

UV-A therapy was found to be more effective than narrowband UV-B therapy in treating patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, according to an article in the July issue of Archives of Dermatology. It is unclear whether narrowband UV-B (NB-UVB) therapy is as effective as psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) therapy in treating psoriasis, according to background information in the article. PUVA therapy includes the combination of 8-methoxypsoralen medication (taken orally) and exposure to UV-A (long-wave) radiation. NB-UVB involves exposure to UV-B (short-wave) radiation and is thought to be safer than PUVA.

Malignant melanoma cells secrete protein required for embryo formation

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 04:00:00 PST

A Northwestern University research group has discovered that aggressive melanoma cells secrete Nodal, a protein that is critical to proper embryo formation.

NICE gives backing for the use of advanced biological therapies to treat severe psoriasis

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 04:00:00 PST

NICE's announcement comes as welcome relief to the thousands of UK patients who have exhausted current available treatment options and failed to sustain a long-term benefit. It is a positive sign for patients throughout Europe, whose healthcare systems are influenced by NICE decisions. Leeroy Blake in England was fortunate enough to be offered treatment with a biological therapy, after years of trying every other available psoriasis treatment: For many years, I tried every suitable treatment but nothing seemed to relieve the painful itching. As the itching got worse, I would get more stressed and this only made my condition worse. Following a treatment review with my doctor, I was prescribed a biological therapy and for the first time since developing psoriasis, my skin started to clear and my confidence came back. This treatment might not be suitable for everyone with severe psoriasis, but I think that it's important that patients at least discuss this option with their doctor.

Distress due to eczema very worrying

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 03:55:00 PST

Children with serious skin conditions feel their quality of life is impaired to the same extent as those with chronic illnesses such as epilepsy, renal disease and diabetes, according to research published in the July issue of British Journal of Dermatology.

Glucosamine can stop formation of new age spots

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:19:00 PST

For many women, accumulated sun exposure has already permanently damaged their skin cells, causing them to overproduce pigment that shows up as unsightly dark splotches and uneven skin tone over time. But new research indicates that glucosamine - a compound best known for treating arthritis can actually help stop the formation of new age spots, and help fade existing ones.

Mouse model aids discovery of novel melanoma metastasis gene

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a novel gene that facilitates the spread of malignant melanoma, a life-threatening skin cancer, using a technique they say can speed the discovery of hard-to-find cancer genes.

Microscopic scaffolding offers a 'simple' solution to treating skin injuries

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST

This ultra-fine, 3-dimensional scaffold, which is made from specially developed polymers, looks similar to tissue paper but has fibres 100 times finer. Before it is placed over a wound, the patient's skin cells (obtained via a biopsy*) are introduced and attach themselves to the scaffold, multiplying until they eventually grow over it. When placed over the wound, the scaffold dissolves harmlessly over 6 to 8 weeks, leaving the patient's skin cells behind.

Hispanics and blacks with melanoma more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST

The skin cancer melanoma has become increasingly more common, with incidence rates increasing 2.4 percent annually in the United States over the past decade, according to background information in the article. Because light-skinned individuals are at higher risk for melanoma, much of the prevention and early detection efforts have targeted white populations; this may help explain improving survival rates (up to 92 percent from 68 percent in the 1970s) among whites. However, similar progress has not been seen among black and Hispanic populations.

Low-dose Arsenic in drinking water increases risk of premalignant skin lesions

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 17:19:00 PST

Millions of persons around the world are exposed to low doses of arsenic through drinking water. However, up until now estimates of the health effects associated with low-dose exposure had been based on research from high-dose levels. In a study of more than 11,000 people in Bangladesh, research conducted by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health clearly provides evidence that a population exposed to well water with arsenic concentrations of as little as 50 ug/l is at risk for skin lesions. The report also concludes that older, male, and thinner participants were more likely to be affected by arsenic exposure.

Atorvastatin may increase new blood vessel formation

Thu, 25 May 2006 12:40:00 PST

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an uncommon and confounding disease characterized by excessive fibrous tissue formation and vascular abnormalities. Primarily affecting the small arties, SSc decreases blood flow to the body's extremities. This can lead to Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition that causes the hands and feet to feel extremely cold and numb; ulcers on the fingers and toes; and gangrene. SSc can also restrict blood flow to internal organs, resulting in lung, kidney, and heart damage. While its cause and cure have yet to be found, SSc is generally viewed and treated as an autoimmune inflammatory disorder.

Gene first linked to rare disease may trigger skin cancer, other tumors

Thu, 18 May 2006 04:00:00 PST

The disease familial cylindromatosis results from the loss of a gene called CYLD, causing tumors known as cylindromas to develop in hair-follicle cells. Earlier studies indicated a role for CYLD in inflammation, but the mechanism behind the gene's control over tumor growth had remained uncertain.

Studies shed new light on why exercise can protect against skin and bowel cancers

Fri, 12 May 2006 04:00:00 PST

Published in the journal Carcinogenesis, one study found that female mice that had 24-hour access to running wheels and were exposed to ultraviolet B light (UVB) took longer to develop skin tumours, developed fewer and smaller tumours, and had decreased amounts of body fat compared to mice that did not have access to running wheels. The second study looked at the development of pre-cancerous polyps in the intestines of male mice and discovered that voluntary exercise and a restricted diet reduced the number and size of polyps and improved survival.

Ineffective skin barrier may trigger immune reaction, illness

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:11:00 PST

A genetic finding by researchers at the National Institutes of Health provides new insight into the cause of a series of related, common and complex illnesses including hay fever and asthma as well as the skin disorders eczema and psoriasis and suggests a novel therapeutic approach. These illnesses are essentially inflammatory disorders of the tissues that separate the inside of the body from the outside world, such as the skin and the linings of the throat and lungs.

Recurrent melanoma may be more common than previously thought

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:23:00 PST

Approximately 8 percent of patients with melanoma skin cancer may develop an additional melanoma within two years of their initial diagnosis, and those with atypical moles appear to be at higher risk, according to an article in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Recurrent melanoma may be more common than previously thought

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 04:00:00 PST

Cutaneous (skin) melanoma begins in cells known as melanocytes, which produce the pigment that gives skin its color. Previous studies have evaluated the recurrence of melanoma among patients already diagnosed with the disease; most have estimated that less than 4 percent of them will develop additional tumors in the year following diagnosis, according to background information in the article.

Dark skin needs more sun exposure for Vitamin D

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:21:00 PST

Dark-skinned people need up to six times as much sunlight as those with fair skin to produce the same levels of Vitamin D, says a new study.

Addictive effects of frequent tanning - Study

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 06:36:00 PST

Frequent users of tanning beds may be getting more out of the experience than darker skin, according to researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. New evidence suggests that ultraviolet light has "feel-good" effects that may be similar to those of some addictive drugs.

Eczema Producing Gene Discovered

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 11:08:00 PST

Experts on genetic skin disorders at the University of Dundee, with collaborators in Dublin, Glasgow, Seattle and Copenhagen, have discovered the gene that causes dry, scaly skin and predisposes individuals to atopic dermatitis (eczema). Some of these individuals also develop a form of asthma that occurs in association with eczema. This work has been published in two consecutive papers in the March and April editions of the top genetics journal, Nature Genetics.

Defective immune system response to smallpox vaccine detailed in new study

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST

The investigators are part of NIAID's Atopic Dermatitis and Vaccinia Network, which was created in 2004 to integrate clinical and animal research aimed at reducing the risk of eczema vaccinatum, a potentially deadly complication of smallpox vaccination. Eczema vaccinatum occurs almost exclusively in people who have a history of atopic dermatitis, a common, non-contagious skin disorder also known as eczema.

Injection of synthetic polymer may improve facial wasting syndrome associated with HIV

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST

Advances in treatments for HIV, including combination antiretroviral therapy, have enabled patients with the disease to live longer and healthier lives, according to background information in the article. Because of their longer lifespans, some patients with HIV are now experiencing additional complications. Changes in body fat distribution, including loss of subcutaneous fat in the face, may be a side effect of antiretroviral therapy and affect somewhere between 10 and 62 percent of individuals with HIV, the authors write. This facial lipoatrophy or facial wasting may lead to anxiety, depression, self-image problems and difficulties in social or sexual relationships.

Corrective cosmetics may not boost quality of life for women with severe facial blemishes

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST

Imiquimod cream reduces fine lines and wrinkles

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:29:00 PST

Results from a new study show that Aldara (imiquimod) Cream, 5%, a topical skin cancer treatment, improved the structure and appearance of prematurely aged skin, including fine lines, wrinkles, dyspigmentations and texture. The findings, from researchers at S.K.I.N. Incorporated, a dermatology research facility, are presented as a poster this weekend at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in San Francisco.

Journal article validates the coming of age of hair replacement surgery

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 05:00:00 PST

Published in the January 2006 issue of Dermatologic Surgery, the article examines a study piloted by Dr. Harris to determine the efficacy of the SAFE Surgically Advanced Follicular Extraction (SAFE) System. The SAFE System SM, developed and patented by Dr. Harris in 2004, utilizes a small, self-contained device to isolate, extract and transplant singular units of hair without the trauma associated with other types of hair transplantation surgery.

Antibiotics For Acne May Increase Risk Of Common Infectious Illness

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 15:26:00 PST

Individuals treated with antibiotics for acne for more than six weeks were more than twice as likely to develop an upper respiratory tract infection within one year as individuals with acne who were not treated with antibiotics, according to an article in the September issue of the Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Dithranol may hold more hope for psoriasis sufferers

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 00:20:00 PST

Scientists at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, studying the effects of a drug used in the treatment of a distressing skin condition, have found that it is actually killing off the cells which are the cause of the problem.

Immune protection factor (IPF) in sunscreens is essential in determining cancer prevention ability

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 22:10:00 PST

Immune protection factor (IPF) in sunscreens and its relation to sun protection factor (SPF) is essential in determining skin cancer prevention ability, researchers found.

Immunotherapy Used Successfully to Treat Warts

Wed, 18 May 2005 16:59:00 PST

Injection of skin test antigens (preparations used in skin tests for immunity) into warts appears to stimulate the immune system and successfully treat the injected wart and also helps to treat distant non-injected warts, according to a study in the May issue of the Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Increased levels of estrogen may improve psoriasis

Wed, 18 May 2005 16:59:00 PST

Increased levels of estrogen that occur during pregnancy may be associated with improvement in psoriasis, according to a study in the May issue of the Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

A cause for skin blistering disease pops up

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 13:44:00 PST

Pemphigus is a skin blistering disease that causes separation of the layers of the skin, along with inflammation.

A pool of undifferentiated melanocyte stem cells resides in the hair follicle

Sun, 26 Dec 2004 05:24:00 PST

Few things about growing older are as inevitable and obvious as going gray, yet scientists have been unable to explain the precise cause of this usually unwelcome transformation.

In a report posted today on the Web site of the journal Science, researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital Boston say they have found the cellular cause of graying hair while investigating the origins of malignant melanoma, the potentially deadly skin cancer

Home-based treatment as effective as hospital-based treatment for hand eczema

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 16:51:00 PST

An at-home hand dermatitis treatment with oral medication and use of a portable tanning unit appears to be as effective as a hospital-based treatment in reducing the symptoms of hand dermatitis, according to an article in the December issue of The Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Patients with moderate or severe hand dermatitis responsive to drug therapy

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 16:45:00 PST

Use of the oral medication alitretinoin was effective in treating moderate or severe hand dermatitis in nearly half of patients previously unresponsive to standard treatment, according to an article in the December issue of The Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.