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The article presents information on topical sunscreens. Topical sunscreens can be divided into two broad categories, namely, chemical and physical agents. Chemical agents absorb ultraviolet light based on the presence of alternating single and double bonds. Chemical agents are divided into ultraviolet light with long wavelength and ultraviolet light with short wavelength (UVB) absorbers. Physical sunscreens reflect and scatter ultraviolet and visible radiation. The major types of UVB-absorbing sunscreens are para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and its derivatives cinnamates and salicylates. Physical sunscreens reflect and scatter ultraviolet and visible radiation. Cross sensitization can occur with some sunscreens. In particular, PABA and its derivatives may cross react with sulfonamides and benzocaine.

Discusses an approach to classify arthropods which are commonly encountered by dermatologists in the U.S. Geographic distribution and habitat of arthropods; Morphology of arthropods; Key characteristics of adults of common arthropod groups; Medical and dermatologic importance of arthropods classification; Effective insect repellants.

Presents a case on lichenoid eruption following hepatitis B vaccination. Variation in the interval between vaccination and mucosal eruptions; Adverse reaction of hepatitis vaccination; Presence of lymphocytic infiltration in the dermis.

AbstractBackground Negative pressure suction blisters have been used as a reproducible and minimally invasive in vivo model of wound healing in human subjects. Despite advantages over other available methods, this technology has not been employed widely in wound healing research. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a higher pressure suction blister system as an in vivo human model for wound healing and to demonstrate the superiority of this method over previously used suction blister models of wound healing. Methods Four 5-mm-diameter suction blisters were induced on the medial upper arm of 18 healthy men and women using a negative pressure of 508 mmHg. Blister roofs were removed, exposing the underlying dermis. The time required for blister formation, the uniformity of wounds, and the degree of patient tolerance were assessed. The ability to monitor clinical re-epithelialization over 7 days was also evaluated by a team of investigators. Results Four partial-thickness wounds were produced on each subject in 25–45 min. Wound diameter and morphology were uniform in all subjects. Volunteers tolerated the procedure without complaints of pain or discomfort. Progressive, re-epithelialization was observed daily starting 24 h post-wounding. Conclusions This higher pressure suction blister system is an effective model for wound healing. Compared to reported methods, it is a better tolerated, more reliable, and more efficient approach to studying in vivo wound repair in human subjects. It is especially well suited for screening the wound healing potential of new pharmacologic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As clinical pharmacologists, the majority of the manuscripts that are submitted for publication report or discuss the results of drug trials. The pharmaceutical companies developing these therapeutic agents sponsor most drug trials. Referees who review papers for peer-reviewed journals remain anonymous and rightfully. These journals attempt to submit manuscripts for review to experts in the appropriate field, who can offer knowledgeable and unbiased evaluation of papers. If papers discussing clinical drug trials are to be reviewed and evaluated with the fairness they deserve, it is essential that reviewers with strong potential conflicts of interest voluntarily disqualify themselves as referees.

The elements of cutaneous aging have been well described and include changes of intrinsic or chronologic aging as well as changes of extrinsic or environmental aging. We also include male pattern alopecia in this category. The current dominance of tretinoin in cutaneous aging therapy is likely to be challenged by newer classes of retinoids, by topical antiandrogens, and by alternative treatments for proliferative lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In clinical dermatology, especially in drug trials, measurement of erythema is of paramount importance. Erytherna is one of the most important parameters in the visual assessment of skin lesions. For example, the clinical assessment of psoriasis includes evaluation of three major parameters: erythema, thickness and scale. The contact dermatitis clinic is the best-known and most widely utilized testing ground for evaluating different methods of quantitating erytbema. Visual grading of erythema as well as edema, scaling and fissuring lacks objectivity and parametric properties.

Cyclosporine is a powerful immunosuppressive agent with no appreciable affect on the bone marrow. During the past decade cyclosporine has proved effective in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune and cutaneous diseases. Cyclosporine would show more promise in the dermatological drug armamentarium if a vehicle could be developed that permitted topical use while minimizing systemic absorption and side effects.

The article discusses the medical treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). AGA occurs in both men and women. The pattern of hair loss varies by individual and gender, but in men it usually begins with a receding hairline with further loss at the vertex. The pathogenesis of AGA probably involves a genetic component as well as susceptibility to androgens. When castrated men with a family history of AGA were given testosterone, their hair line receded. Genetically AGA may be either autosomal dominant with variable penetrance or polygenic.

The article focuses on treatment of dermatophytoses-II. With newer antifungal drugs. It provides an overview of the newer topical antifungal drugs used to treat dermatophytoses, including the imidazoles, the allylamines (naftifine and terbinafine), and the morpholines (amorolfine). The newer topical fungicidal drugs, the allylamines and amorolfine, are theoretically and pharmacologically exciting. It is still unclear whether they will have a serious impact on the treatment of our most difficult dermatophytoses: onychomycosis and hyperkeratotic moccasin-type tinea pedis and tinea manuum. Current clinical trials may answer this question.

The article presents information on high-resolution ultrasound in dermatology. High resolution ultrasound is an exciting area of advance in non-invasive imaging of skin. The utility of ultrasound in dermatology has been primarily measurement of skin thickness and noninvasive imaging of the borders of tumors. The role of ultrasound for dermatology can be expected to increase greatly in the near future due to the availability of higher frequency transducers and experience gained in applications of computer analysis of images. While high-resolution ultrasound has had a limited role in dermatologic differential diagnosis to date, this situation should change.

The article discusses important and controversial features of systemic drugs currently available for the treatment of dermatophytoses. The most frequently prescribed oral drug in the management of dermatophytoses is griseofulvin. Griseofulvin disrupts the mitotic spindle structure by interfering with microtubule formation. This drug is also a weak vasodilator and inhibits leukocyte chemotaxis. Ketoconazole, an orally and topically active imidazole is usually used as a second-line of therapy for dermatophyte infections after griseofulvin has been used unsuccessfully or in the presence of contraindications to the older antifungal. With the exception of griseofulvin, all systemic drugs that are used to treat dermatophytoses act by blocking ergosterol synthesis.

The article discusses the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) which considers six locations on the face and chest, upper back, with a factor for each location based roughly on surface area, distribution, and density of pilosebaceous units. The merits of this system are accuracy, reproducibility, minimalization of inter and intra grader variability, and elimination of lesion counting. Using the GAGS, the grading of acne at each office visit takes under 1 mm. The possible pitfalls of the GAGS are that a patient with numerous lesions confined to only one or two locations may end up with a lower total score and a less severe classification than is observed clinically.

Background. Photography is integral to the practice of dermatology. Digital imaging techniques have only recently been used to assess cutaneous disorders. Previously reported imaging systems have been both expensive and cumbersome. Consequently, they have failed to gain wide- spread acceptance. Methods. We describe our experience using an inexpensive digital camera. Photographs taken with this portable digital camera (FotoMan) compare favorably to those obtained with conventional 35 mm cameras. Results. This inexpensive digital camera provides photographs of acceptable quality for a variety of dermatologic applications. Images created with this system are available within minutes and are less expensive than traditional photographs. Conclusions. Digital imaging is a new and exciting development. The digital camera described is simple to operate and provides a useful alternative or adjunct to conventional photography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on surface microscopy. Technologic advances alter the practice of dermatology as they influence all aspects of today's lives. Recent papers report dermatologic use of high-resolution ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and in vivo cutaneous surface microscopy (IVCSM). None of these has generated more excitement than the innovative variants of IVCSM known as epiluminescence microscopy and dermoscopy. The concept of IVCSM is not new, scholar Hans Hinsclmann, the father of IVCSM, published his classic paper entitled "Die Bedeutung der Kolposkopie füür den Dermatologen" in 1933. Scholar Leon Goldman used IVCSM to evaluate pigmented nevi more than 40 years ago. In 1974, scholar William Cunliffe and his associates employed a monocular surface microscope to assess cutaneous topography.

Examines the potential therapeutic applications of tea in dermatology. Chemistry of tea; Pharmacologic properties of tea; Proposed mechanisms of tea's anticarcinogenic effects.