Archive for the ‘Dermatology’ Category

Some cosmetic surgeons say that gum chewing can lead to facial wrinkles, as reported by MSNBC this week.  The surgeons contend that chronic, extensive gum chewing “promotes muscle over-activity and potentially breaks down support tissue within the skin.” Although this may be true, there are no studies that have been done which link gum chewing with wrinkling. Nor does money need to be spent on such a study – would it really matter? This makes me wonder whether we should tell perpetually happy people to stop smiling, or habitual snackers to quit munching. Yes, perhaps maniacal gum chewers should be warned, but personally, I’ll take my gum with all it’s wrinkle risks in stride. [via MSNBC]

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For the very first time, a surgical technique used to treat vitiligo patients in Europe, Asia and the Middle East has been performed in the US and shown to be effective in treating the skin condition. Called melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP), the surgical technique involves harvesting healthy skin cells from a part of the body unaffected by vitiligo, a disease which causes white patchy skin discoloration. These healthy cells are then applied to an affected area and covered with a specially developed adhesive biologic dressing. Over time, researchers have found that in some patients the affected areas of skin began to regain their ability to produce skin pigment. The study was presented yesterday, March 9, at the 68th annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting in Miami. [via PhysOrg]

Read more at the Guide To Vitiligo.

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Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of US-based non-profit health and environmental groups just released a report regarding contamination of Halloween face paints by heavy metals. Although the CDC recommends against using cosmetics which contain lead on children, there’s no way of telling whether the paints contain toxic metals since they are not required to be listed on product labels (there is no legal requirement to list them because they’re considered contaminants, not  ingredients). The group looked at 10 children’s face paint brands and found:

• 10 out of 10 children’s face paints contained lead at levels between 0.05 and 0.65 parts per million (ppm).
• 6 out of 10 children’s face paints contained nickel, cobalt and/or chromium at levels between 1.6 to 120 ppm (this is much higher than the industry safety standard of 1 ppm said the report). These metals can be allergens in children.
• Snazaroo Face Paint contained some of the highest levels of lead, nickel and cobalt found in the study. This product carries the words “non-toxic” and “hypoallergenic” on its label.

Continue reading at Medical News Today.

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Some researchers believe the popularity of indoor tanning among adolescent girls in recent years may be behind a recent increase in melanoma rates among U.S. women aged 15-39. Melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer. This has prompted the FDA to recommend to indoor tanning operators that teenagers be limited to three or fewer sessions in the first week of tanning. However, a new study published in the Archives of Dermatology shows that only about 11% of operators followed these guidelines, and 71% of tanning bed operators said they would allow a teen to tan seven days a week. “Exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning lamps has been linked with both melanoma and squamous cell cancer, and first exposure before age 35 years may increase melanoma risk by as much as 75 percent,” said the study authors. [CBS News]

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Most Americans dread loosing an hour of sleep when we “leap foward” each spring during the switch to daylight savings time. Now a new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that not only do we loose lose an hour of sleep, the physiological and psychological adjustment that our body goes through can pose dangerous consequences for those who work in hazardous environments. After looking at 24 years of data about mine workers, researchers noted that there were more injuries on the Mondays following the switch to daylight savings time. In addition there was a 68% increase in lost work days due to these injuries. The researchers did not find any significant changes in the number and severity of workplace injuries on the Mondays after the switch back standard time, when people gained an hour of sleep. This shows that even an hour of sleep can have drastic effects on human behavior. Also, based on this study, it’s probably a good idea to refrain from performing dangerous job duties following the daylight savings time change. [via Medical News Today]

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In 2007, 1.4 million prescriptions for AndroGel—the most commonly dispensed gel form of testosterone—were dispensed by U.S. retail pharmacies. Testim is the other prescription topical testosterone gel, both of which are used in men who either produce low levels of testosterone or no longer produce testosterone. They are also prescribed for some off-label uses in women. Safety concerns have arisen over adverse affects from children who were inadvertently exposed to testosterone through contact with another person being treated with these products. Currently, the FDA has received eight reports of secondary exposure in children with more reports being reviewed. Adverse events reported in these children included inappropriate enlargement of the genitalia (penis or clitoris), premature development of pubic hair, advanced bone age, increased libido, and aggressive behavior. Labels on current testosterone gel products caution the user to thoroughly wash their hands after applying the product and to cover the treated skin area with clothing. Failure to do so could result in exposure of the testosterone to others with whom they physically contact. The FDA is responding to the situation by requiring manufacturers to include these new warnings on their product labels.

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Traditionally, people with darker hair and skin color who do not sunburn easily were classified as lower risk for skin cancer. But new research is showing that even people with these traits can be at high risk for melanoma, based on their genetic factors. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that variations in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a molecule that controls skin pigmentation, in individuals with dark features can actually increase their melanoma risk by 2.4-fold. Although no test is currently available to detect whether one has a MC1R variant, this genetic contribution to melanoma risk will definitely be considered when stratifying individuals for skin cancer risk in the future.

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California based drug maker Genentech announced this week the withdrawal of the drug Raptiva from the US market. Raptiva, also known as efalizumab, is used in the treatment of the skin condition psoriasis. The move comes after the FDA noted the deathes of three people from a rare brain disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy while taking Raptiva. Genentech estimates about 2,000 patients in the US may currently be using Raptiva. Those who are actively using the medication should stop using it and speak to their physicians about alternative treatment.  Raptiva will no longer be available after June 8, 2009.

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In this month’s issue of the Archives of Dermatology researchers noted that common skin diseases can lead to poor morale and combat ineffectiveness of troops on the front line. Poor control and misdiagnosis of common, benign conditions such as itchy rashes, eczema, psoriasis, non-cancerous moles can often lead to evacuation of troops for evaluation and treatment. The study authors say that measures such as identification of individuals with chronic skin diseases during medical screening before they are deployed and emphasizing preventive measures to clinicians in the field can reduce the number of evacuations. Teledermatolgy may someday play a role as well, allowing physicians with dermatological expertise to visually examine soldiers remotely.

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German scientists published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association that drugs of the anti-TNF-α (anti-tumor necrosis factor) class used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are associated with an elevated risk of shingles. There are a number of anti-TNF-α drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, including Humira, Enbrel and Remicade. These drugs provide tremendous benefit to many with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. However, based on this new study, doctor’s should now be aware of this potential serious side effect.

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