Baldness Cure?

Some Men Experimenting With Eyelash-Enhancement Drug As Baldness Treatment.

The New York Times (5/5, E3, Quenqua, Subscription Publication) reports in "Skin Deep" that "a growing number of men [are] experimenting with Latisse [bimatoprost ophthalmic solution] as an antidote to encroaching baldness." Manufactured by Allergan, "the drug has already won a following among women for helping them grow long, fluttery eyelashes." Therefore, "it was only a matter of time before it made the leap to denuded pates." The drug is not approved for such a use by the Food and Drug Administration, but some dermatologists are now prescribing it off-label.

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What are the best foods for healthy skin?

From the Mayo Clinic, Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.

Research on the best foods for healthy skin is limited. Still, antioxidant-rich foods seem to have a protective effect for the skin. Consider these skin-friendly foods:

• Carrots, apricots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
• Blueberries
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Beans, peas and lentils
• Fish, especially salmon
• Nuts

On the flip side, some foods seem to be associated with skin damage. For example, some research suggests that a diet high in fat and carbohydrates promotes skin aging. Remember, many of the best foods for healthy skin also promote good health overall. Rather than focusing on specific foods for healthy skin, concentrate on a healthy diet in general. Drink plenty of water. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Trade red meat for fish. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Include nuts, seeds and beans in your favorite meals. Opt for whole-grain breads and pasta. Limit sweets. Strive for variety as you're making healthy choices.

Click here to get your skintastic diet started in time for summer with my favorite, affordable personal chef, SakaraLife.

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Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Winter Symposium December 2010

At the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Winter Symposium December 2010, Dr. Robert Buka leads a dermatology seminar on cutting-edge eczema research and therapy.

See it here!

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Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis (CARP)



CARP - upper back

 Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis (CARP) - Ok, last obscure one for a while. CARP is a condition of unknown cause. It's more common in skin of color and is characterized by a thickening of the epidermis. Treatments range from creams that exfoliate to minocycline. Can be cosmetically unsettling but is always benign.

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Macular Amyloidosis

Upper Back - Macular Amylodosis

Macular Amyloidosis. Here's an obscure one. See the brown discoloration between the purple pen marks? A condition brought about by vigrous scratching or rubbing, leaves behind this obscure protein called amyloid. Typically found on the upper back. Totally benign, but cosmetically undesireable. A real challenge to treat, but should subside with decreased scratching.


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SPIDER ANGIOMA

Spider angioma. These vascular lesions are dilations of small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface. They are never dangerous and tend to be more prominent in sun-exposed areas. One or 2 zaps with the  pulsed-dye laser does a nice job of getting rid of these without a scar.

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Common Warts

Back to basics with warts. Hands and feet are usually the most recalcitrant to therapy. Usual therapies begin with liquid nitrogen or excision. 2nd line therapies include candida antigen and the pulsed dye laser. Always benign, always annoying with potential for self-esteem impact.

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Time Out for Medical Ethics in Dermatology - Please Vote!

A 17y.o. presents to the office with an enlarging abscess on his back. He's a foreign exchange student and claims to have no access to a parent or legal guardian. No one whom he can reach by phone/email in a small town in Upper Mongolia. Your staff tries to reach his exchange program supervisor without success. Federal law prohibits seeing a patient under 18 without parental/guardian consent - typically we require a note from parents in order to see an unaccompanied minor. However, the law also permits physicians to act in an emergency in the patient's best interests, regardless of parental consent. The patient has no fever or evidence of bacteria in the bloodstream. His vital signs and medical hisotry are otherwise unremarkable.

You're the dermatologist...Do you:
A) Practice standard of care and drain the enlarging abscess - this isn't an emergency but may quickly become one if untreated.
B) Take the hard line and refuse to see the patient.
C) Not my problem - send this patient to the ER across the street.
D) Take the middle road and prescribe antibiotics. While not the standard of care for an abscess, maybe this will work and its alot less invasive than incision and drainage.

...Retweet or comment with your answer!...Follow Up to Come.

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Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Acne Keloidalis Nuchae. A chronic and sometimes very painful condition, this severe follicular inflammation can lead to permanent scarring. We use antibiotics like doxycycline to keep this condition at bay. Intralesional injections of steroids can hep with excess inflammation. For very severe cases, isotretinoin and even surgical intervention has been shown to have remarkable, long-term clearence results.

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Henoch Schonlein Purpura

Henoch Schonlein Purpura - a small vessel "vasculitis" (inflammation of small blood vessels) more common in children, but seen at all ages. These bruise-like lesions are clasically located on the legs and are associated with abdominal and joint pain.  

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Melanoma in situ

This mole is as irregular as they come - note the lack of distinct edges and the variegate color. A biopsy of this lesion revealed a Melanoma in situ.



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Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp/Folliculitis Decalvans

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1071957-overview
A challenging, chronic condition to treat. Oral antibiotics are inconsistently effective, probably because bacterial cultures are usually negative for known pathogens. Isotretinoin usually has the best track record in my experience.

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