Dermatology

Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara™, Graceway Pharmaceuticals) is an immune response modifier used for the topical treatment of anogenital warts in non-HIV-infected patients. Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that imiquimod 5% cream is a safe and efficacious treatment.

A review of the history surrounding the Skin-Cap controversy as it unfolded.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is believed to be a potent driver of plaque psoriasis. This article reviews efficacy and safety results from Phase 2 and 3 trials with monoclonal antibodies targeting IL-17RA (brodalumab), and IL-17A (ixekizumab and secukinumab) for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

With so many new peel preparations on the market today, the dermatologist must ask himself basic questions concerning the products. The most important question is directed to the medical literature rather than the advertising or marketing campaign so common among marketdriven cosmetic products.

The treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) still remains nonspecific and is based primarily on empirical data. The goals of therapy include the management of pain and functional impairment by suppressing inflammatory responses.

Fractional laser treatment with the 1,550nm erbium fiber laser (Fraxel® Laser, Reliant Technologies) has bridged the gap between the ablative and nonablative laser modalities used to treat the epidermal and dermal signs of skin aging.

Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment remains a challenge for interprofessional teams in all health care sectors. This article looks at multi-disciplinary approaches that supports patients and their circle of care for treatment and management of pressure ulcers.

Cosmetics are an important cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Fragrances and preservatives are the two most clinically relevant allergens found in cosmetic products. Common cosmetic allergens are reviewed. Practical methods of allergen avoidance are also discussed.

HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) may indeed have a therapeutic role in patients who suffer from dermatologic conditions that are associated with various strains of HPV.

Skin cancer, the most common human cancer, is now a global epidemic. The most prevalent form of nonmelanoma skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the incidence of which continues to increase prompting development of new treatment modalities designed to add or complement current therapies.

Sodium Deoxycholate for contouring the jawlines are discussed. With recent approval in Canada (Belkyra™), and the US (Kybella®) for the treatment of submental fat, this is a timely review of this injectable. Clinical trial results, indications, safety and efficacy are discussed.

Hand eczema is a common skin disease that tends to become chronic and may interfere with many types of work. Emollients have been shown to be useful in reducing eczema activity and in the primary prevention of hand eczema.

This review examines the clinical trials of topical diacerein and its role in Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex. Diacerein cream was recently US FDA-approved in May 2018 for treatment of patients with EBS.

Dryness and itching in the vulvovaginal area is an increasing problem as our female population ages and becomes menopausal. This dryness and itching is often the result of estrogen deficiency, and there are typically two types of treatment: Specific Therapy (or hormone replacement therapy), and Nonspecific Therapy.

Janus kinase inhibitors, also known as JAK inhibitors or jakinibs, represent a new class of medication that have broad potential to treat dermatologic disease.

Atopic dermatitis is a highly pruritic inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by onset in infancy or childhood and a chronically relapsing course. Mainstay treatments are emollients and topical corticosteroids, but the latter are limited by side-effects from longterm use.

Afamelanotide, an α-melanocyte stimulating hormone analogue, has become an emerging therapeutic option for a variety of skin conditions previously refractory to other treatments.

Sunscreens have been around for more than 70 years. This article will review some of the recent advances in photoprotection, including the development of sunscreen formulations offering higher and broader protection against solar radiation.

Standard therapies for atopic dermatitis have fallen short, prompting efforts to discover novel therapeutics for this disease. Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the actions of both IL-4 and IL-13, has shown promise.

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss occurs with an estimated incidence of 65%. This article discusses hair loss, topical minoxidil, scalp cooling and chemotherapy induced hair loss.

Topical products commonly used to treat acne include retinoids and antimicrobials, due to their effects on different components of pathogenesis. Accordingly, a fixed combination of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5% was developed (Epiduo™, Galderma) and was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of acne.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) have been proposed as an alternative, long-term treatment option to topical corticosteroids. Currently, TCIs are only approved for treatment of atopic dermatitis in patients 2 years of age or older. This article reviews the off-label uses of TCIs and their efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous diseases.

There are no specific antipruritic drugs on the market, but there are a high number of case reports and experimental investigations describing medications with antipruritic potency. It is therefore the aim of this article to review the major systemic antipruritic drugs and give a short overview on the different types of pruritus.

Scalp conditions such as itchy scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis are common. The emotional effect these complaints cause are often ignored or trivialized, but as dermatologists we should appreciate the relief that appropriate advice and treatment will bring to our patients.

Dermatosis papulosa nigra is a benign skin lesion found most frequently on the face of patients with skin of color. This article compares treatment modalities for DPN.

High intensity long-wavelength ultraviolet A (340-400 nm; UVA1) lamps were developed as skin research tools; over time they have proven useful for treating numerous dermatoses. This article discusses the evidence evidence for its use in other skin diseases, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and mastocytosis.

Men are a fast growing segment of the aesthetic industry. This article discusses important gender differences in facial anatomy and behavior that are relevant, as well as the requirement for different injection techniques when using dermal fillers and Botulinum toxins.

Current practice guidelines recommend administration of oral isotretinoin with high-fat meals, which may pose issues with patient compliance. This article discusses Isotretinoin-Lidose (Epuris™), pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and increased drug absorption rate, and how it may improve patient compliance.

Common diaper dermatitis is an irritant contact diaper dermatitis (IDD) created by the combined influence of moisture, warmth, urine, feces, friction, and secondary infection. This article will focus on practical management strategies for IDD.

Glycopyrronium tosylate (Qbrexza), a topical anticholinergic therapy, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Methotrexate has been an important agent in the management of dermatologic conditions for decades. Although first indicated for the treatment of psoriasis, MTX has been shown to be a successful treatment option for a wide array of skin diseases.

Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) and solar urticaria (SU) are two photodermatoses that are induced by ultraviolet radiation and sometimes by visible light. This article will review the various means of preventing PLE and SU with an emphasis on the role of sunscreens.

Tobacco smoking is a serious and preventable health hazard that can cause or exacerbate a number of diseases and shorten life expectancy. This article delves into the role of smoking as an etiologic factor in the development of skin disease.

Wound care after laser skin resurfacing is critical for achieving a successful result. The superficial thermal injury created by laser skin resurfacing heals more quickly and with a reduced risk of scarring under occlusion. Effective management techniques can help minimize expected negative effects.

This review summarizes and discusses the role and efficacy of moisturizers, particularly the more recently introduced ceramide-based formulations, in the skin care regimen of patients with both active and quiescent atopic dermatitis.

Introduced in the 1970s as a treatment for psoriasis, mycophenolic acid has since been reformulated as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). With an improved side-effect profile and enhanced bioavailability, MMF is a promising drug for immune-mediated skin disease.

The Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA) is a gene expression test that helps rule out melanoma and has the potential to reduce the need for surgical biopsies of atypical pigmented skin lesions.

Imiquimod 3.75% cream has recently been approved by both the FDA and Health Canada for the treatment of external genital warts. This article is an overview of EGW, phase 3 clinical trials leading to the approval of imiquimod 3.75% cream, and comparison with imiquimod 5% cream.

This paper reviews current evidence presented by recent studies on the impact of acne on psychosocial health. Effective treatment of acne was accompanied by improvement in self-esteem, affect, obsessive-compulsiveness, shame, embarrassment, body image, social assertiveness and self-confidence.

The development of selective photothermolysis has enabled removal of targets such as melanin. Both lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) sources have been used in the treatment of pigmented lesions, however careful selection is important to ensure success.