Pityrosporum folliculitis, which is caused by naturally-occurring Malassezia yeasts, is a common condition especially in tropical countries. However, because it is easily confused with acne vulgaris, appropriate treatment can be delayed. A recent letter in response to a review article published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) detailed a small study where …
Some studies have suggested that female sex hormones may play a role in the development of malignant melanoma (MM). Though the data is far from conclusive, melanocytes appear to be hormonally responsive and there is the presence of estrogen receptors in melanocytic nevi and some melanoma cells. It is not known yet what contribution, if …
Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 4 Inhibitors (DPP-4), belong to a class of anti-hyperglycemic agents indicated for improving glycemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes. As their use has increased, so has the number of cases of Bullous Pemphigoid (BP), a chronic skin disorder characterized by blisters, hives and itching. A recent study used a case-control method to answer …
Response to treatments for vitiligo are highly variable from person to person. Experimentation with the optimal combination of medication and surgical modalities are underway to determine the best way to restore pigment. Microneedling is a method that can deliver transdermal drugs in a way that enhances absorption, which can also enhance the efficacy and decrease …
Liver cirrhosis is a concern for patients with psoriasis that are treated long-term with methotrexate (MTX). Previous studies have shown that patients with psoriasis who received long-term MTX were more likely to develop severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Based on this data, a recent study from Taiwan sought to explore the effects of MTX on …
Isotretinoin is frequently prescribed to treat and prevent severe inflammatory or scarring acne, but due to teratogenic risk, isotretinoin therapy is closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) via the iPLEDGE program. The iPLEDGE program requires patients to identify as either male, a female who can get pregnant, or a female who cannot …