Does an increase in omega-3 fatty acids improve acne?
Authors of a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology aimed to determine whether increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids through diet and supplementation improved acne severity for patients not taking prescription medication. The study included 60 patients who followed a Mediterranean diet and took oral algae-derived omega-3 fatty acids with 600 mg of DHA and 300 mg of EPA from week one to eight and then 800 mg DHA and 400 mg EPA from week eight to 16. At baseline, 98.3% of patients had an EPA/DHA deficit, defined as less than 8% compared with the target level of 8% to 11%. The mean EPA/DHA level was borderline severely deficient at 4.9%. By the end of the study, the mean EPA/DHA level increased to 8.3%.
The researchers also observed objective improvements in both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions. Compared with baseline, 79.2% of patients reported that their acne severity improved, whereas 13.2% said it remained unchanged and 7.5% reported worsened acne severity. After adhering to the Mediterranean diet and taking EPA/DHA supplementation for 16 weeks, patients’ DLQI scores decreased from 4.9 to 2.4. Those with acne papulopustulosa saw more improvement than those with acne comedonica.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Which treatment modality of pyogenic granuloma is worth its weight in salt?
I get palpitations with every pyogenic granuloma (PG) I encounter. Even though the clinical diagnosis is instant, my personal Jiminy Cricket dermatologist reminds me not to miss an amelanotic melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or cutaneous metastasis. If I remove it, will it be a bloody mess? On most occasions, I get the anxious patient (Who wouldn’t be worried about a rapidly appearing nodule that constantly bleeds?) and myself to take a breath, relax, remove the lesion under local anesthesia, cauterize the base, and submit the friable lesion for histopathologic confirmation. That is the ideal scenario. As every dermatologist knows, life is not always so straightforward. What are therapeutic alternatives to PGs when surgical removal may not be desired by the patient, parent, or even clinician?Keep reading!
Is there an association between HS and risk of venous thromboembolism?
A study published in JAAD evaluated if hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adulthood is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence. The authors identified 14,550 patients with HS and 14,550 matched controls. The authors found that patients with HS had a significantly increased risk of VTE and pulmonary embolism (PE) compared to the control group. Males with HS had a higher risk of VTE and PE than females. According to the authors, “These findings may be explained by the overactivation of proinflammatory cytokines from HS, resulting in platelet activation, neutrophilic infiltration, thrombosis, and endothelial dysfunction.”
FDA approves third JAK inhibitor for alopecia areata
The FDA has approved deuruxolitinib 8mg, a twice-daily, oral selective Janus kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor used to treat severe alopecia areata in adults. The approval was supported by data from two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trials, THRIVE-AA1 and THRIVE-AA2, and two open-label, long-term extension trials.
[Dermatologists discuss the influx of new JAK inhibitors in dermatology and how they are breaking new ground for the specialty. Read more.]
At baseline, patients had an average 13% scalp hair coverage. After 24 weeks of treatment with deuruxolitinib, more than 30% of patients experienced 80% or more scalp hair coverage, and 25% had nearly 90% or more of their scalp hair return. This trend continued without plateau through 24 weeks. The data showed that only 3.1% of patients discontinued the trials due to adverse reactions, the most common being headache (12.4% vs. 9.4% with placebo), acne (10% vs. 4.3%), and nasopharyngitis (8.1% vs. 6.7%).
Efficacy of tirbanibulin in treatment of actinic keratoses
A multicenter, retrospective trial published in the International Journal of Dermatology assessed the outcomes of treatment with tirbanibulin 1% ointment daily for five days in 250 patients with actinic keratoses (AKs). A satisfactory clinical response, defined as at least 75% improvement in the number of AKs, was noted in nearly 90% of patients. The response was also significant among patients with higher-grade AKs and the limited number of patients with AKs on the trunk or limbs. The treatment was well tolerated.
FDA warns against purchasing, using chemical peel skin products without professional supervision
The FDA warned consumers not to purchase or use certain chemical peel skin products without appropriate professional supervision due to risk of serious skin injuries. These products, sold in beauty products stores and online, are marketed for purposes such as acne, discoloration, wrinkles, and collagen production. They contain ingredients such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid in varying concentrations that are too high to be used safely at home without supervision by a dermatologist or other licensed and trained practitioner.
These products remove layers of skin to varying depths and may cause severe chemical burns, pain, swelling, infection, skin color changes, and disfiguring scars. Some injuries may even require emergency or specialty care from a dermatologist or surgeon.
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