July 24
Wound care after dermatologic procedures lacks uniformity
In a recently published study in Dermatologic Surgery, investigators performed an assessment of postoperative dermatology handouts that shows high variability in patient instructions for wound care.
A total of 169 handouts associated with mostly non-academic dermatology clinics were evaluated, all of which were publicly available online. The majority (84%) recommended applying a petrolatum-based product, like Vaseline (75%) and Aquaphor (43%). Nearly half of the handouts (43%) recommended the use of topical antibiotics, whereas only 24% advised patients against using antibiotic ointments.
The study authors conclude that greater efforts should be made to ensure patients receive consistent and evidence-based wound care guidance, and this can, in part, be accomplished by addressing the gap between clinical practice and research evidence.
Learn more about how dermatologists have broken new ground in the treatment of wounds and scars in Dermatology World.
Related Content:
- Addressing adversity – Dermatology World (July 2015)
- Finding closure – Dermatology World (November 2014)
- Skin-shedding mouse offers potential wound healing insights – Dermatology World (June 2013)
- Hands-On: Cosmetics course
- For your patients: How to minimize a scar
DW Insights and Inquiries: Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy: Reality bites
Virtually everyone is sensitive to mosquito bites. However the intensity of bite reactions varies between individuals. Aside from serving as a vector for infectious diseases such as Dengue fever, malaria, and others, mosquito bites are most commonly just a nuisance. Reactions may be immediate or delayed — a puffy whitish papule may appear a few minutes after the bite, frequently with a small red punctum. Reactions that occur after 24 hours may display hard, reddish papules, swelling around the bites, small blisters, and purpuric changes. In healthy individuals, there are age-dependent reactions to mosquito bites, as adults typically have less serious reactions to the bites than do children. Lesions usually resolve spontaneously; occasionally, symptomatic treatment with ice, antihistamines, or topical steroids are utilized.
For some unfortunate patients, mosquito bites can cause a severe reaction, which may be accompanied by fever and systemic symptoms. Keep reading!
A look back at dermatology’s past with an eye on the future
The feature article “Back in the Day” in July’s Dermatology World is a fascinating read. Having finished my training five years ago, I am part of that ill-defined generation sandwiched between the Gen Xers and millennials. I didn’t grow up with internet access in my home and social media played no role in my adolescence, yet I am comfortable enough with computers to maintain a personal blog and do much of my shopping online.
I was a medical student during my school’s transition to electronic health records, and again a resident during a different hospital’s conversion. I saw how dermatology in particular suffered in efficiency as the paper charts with easily notated body maps and one-page notes gave way to multiple clicks and bloated notes filled with unnecessary information automatically placed to fulfill vague administrative requirements. Read more from DW Young Physician Advisor Stephanie Jacks, MD.
A customized vaccine for advanced melanoma?
According to a presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), early trial results showed that the NEO-PV-01 vaccine used in patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma resulted in progression-free survival at 36 weeks for 11 of 23 patients (48%) — 35% of patients did not achieve this. Data was not yet available for 17% of the patients.
NEO-PV-01, an investigational agent, is a custom vaccine intended to generate immune responses against specific neoantigens found in a patient’s tumor, reports Dermatology Advisor. The vaccine “educates” the immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells. NEO-PV-01 contains up to 20 neoantigen peptides personally selected for each patient by analysis of the tumor and a proprietary computational system that makes the final calculation. The treatment is being tested in clinical trials for metastatic melanoma, bladder cancer, and lung cancer — all chosen for their high mutational burden.
Learn more about how a new generation of non-invasive tools and apps reduces unnecessary biopsies and promotes self-surveillance in Dermatology World.
Related Content:
- What are the updated guidelines of care for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma? – Dermatology World (December 2018)
- New approaches to skin cancer treatment and prevention – Dermatology World (August 2016)
- AAD product: Dialogues in Dermatology podcast subscription
Nominations sought for 2020 Academy election
Nominations for Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee Member Representatives (West Region) are now being accepted through Oct 1.
House votes to repeal ‘Cadillac Tax’
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act's “Cadillac Tax,” which was designed to help keep health care costs down by discouraging overly generous “Cadillac” health insurance plans. Read more.
Sheila Fallon Friedlander, MD, will be presenting at the “Topical Drug Development — Evolution of Science and Regulatory Policy” workshop hosted by the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation. Dr. Friedlander will cover an overview of dermal absorption and skin factors on Monday, July 29, 2019.
The two-day workshop will focus on the current state of maximal usage trials (MUsT) and its successful incorporation in drug development. Data from the recent FDA publication of its pilot sunscreen MUsT program will be discussed, along with a discussion as to how this information can be used to augment and improve the development of non-prescription drugs, both under the rubric of a new drug application (NDA) and the monograph system.
Learn more and register*.
*There is a live stream webinar-only access option for those who cannot attend the live event.
Read the Academy's comments on the FDA sunscreen proposal in DW Weekly.
