Medscape Dermatology Headlines

Interleukin 12/23 Monoclonal Antibody Useful for Psoriasis

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:38:04 EDT

Ustekinumab, a human monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin 12 and 23, is an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, according to the results of the PHOENIX 1 and 2 trials appearing in the May 17th issue of The Lancet.
Reuters Health Information

Shingles Vaccine Recommended for All Older Adults

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:52:00 EDT

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that all adults age 60 and older receive a dose of the zoster vaccine (Zostavax), even if they have had shingles previously.
Reuters Health Information

FDA Safety Changes: Cipro, Herceptin, Antimicrobial and Monolactam Antibiotics

Wed, 14 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for ciprofloxacin, trastuzumab intravenous infusion, erythromycin, and aztreonam injection for intravenous use.
Medscape Medical News

Trauma and Certain Exposures Linked to the Onset of Arthritis in Psoriasis

Wed, 14 May 2008 23:42:37 EDT

A number of environmental exposures, including trauma, are associated with the onset of inflammatory arthritis in patients with psoriasis, findings published in the May issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases indicate.
Reuters Health Information

What Are the Risks of Contracting MRSA From Domesticated Animals?

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:02:00 EDT

Is there a risk of contracting MRSA from domesticated animals? An expert answers a reader's question about disease transmission from animals to humans.
Medscape Infectious Diseases

Filaggrin Gene Mutations Predict Course of Eczema

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:25:01 EDT

Common mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) confer risk of eczema and are a strong determinant of disease duration with the development of asthma, according to a study conducted in the United Kingdom.
Reuters Health Information

Expert Consensus: Time for a Change in the Way We Advise Our Patients to Use Topical Corticosteroids

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:29:09 EDT

Current advice to patients to apply topical corticosteroid preparations 'sparingly' or 'thinly' contributes to 'steroid phobia', increasing the risk of poor clinical response and treatment failure.
The British Journal of Dermatology

An Update on New and Emerging Options for the Treatment of Vitiligo

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:29:31 EDT

The pathogenesis of vitiligo is not yet fully understood, but the autoimmune hypothesis is the most commonly accepted one, based on which, many treatment modalities have been described.
Skin Therapy Letter

Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar hHyperhidrosis With Type-A Botulinum Toxin Injections and Aluminum Chloride in Salicylic acid Gel

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:47:40 EDT

Botulinum toxin type A is known to be a safe and effective treatment for axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis, but little is known about its effect on plantar hyperhidrosis or its appropriate dosage.
Dermatology Online Journal

Relevance of Positive Patch-Test Reactions to Fragrance Mix

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:54:40 EDT

Fragrances are an important cause of allergic contact dermatitis. How well do patch tests spot reactions?
Dermatitis