Benzyl benzoate vs. permethrin in treating scabies
According to study findings published in the British Journal of Dermatology, among patients with scabies infestation, treatment with 25% benzyl benzoate may be more efficacious than topical 5% permethrin. The double-blind randomized single-center prospective trial included patients 12 years and older, presenting with symptoms of scabies infestation and a diagnosis confirmed via dermoscopic examination. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 5% permethrin or 25% benzyl benzoate.
At a three-week follow-up visit after therapy concluded, the researchers observed a dermoscopy-verified cure rate of 26.9% in the permethrin group and 87% in the benzyl benzoate group. The permethrin group showed excellent signs of tolerability, with only 6% of patients reporting mild itching after application. In the benzyl benzoate group, 47% of patients reported mild treatment-related adverse effects, including mild or moderate burning or stinging in the application area. Symptoms resolved within minutes to an hour and no treatment discontinuation occurred due to adverse effects.
Experts discuss treatment options and tips for successfully diagnosing and treating lice and scabies. Read more in DermWorld.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Hemochromatosis — Beyond 50 shades of gray
As a medical student, I was enamored by the term “bronze diabetes” as a depiction of hemochromatosis; ever since, I have been magnetically attracted to the disease. Hereditary (primary) hemochromatosis is a common autosomal-recessive disorder, with a prevalence up to one in 300 white people. Secondary hemochromatosis is seen in patients with erythropoietic disorders requiring periodic blood transfusions, such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Hemochromatosis results in excess iron deposition as hemosiderin causing multiple organ dysfunction (liver, pancreas, heart, thyroid, joints, pituitary, gonads, and skin), by inducing cell death and fibrosis. There are multiple cutaneous manifestations of hemochromatosis, of which hyperpigmentation in sun-exposed sites is most frequent. Keep reading!
Oral acitretin plus topical triamcinolone vs. topical triamcinolone for oral lichen planus
A clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology compared the efficacy of oral acitretin plus topical triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) 0.1% with TAC monotherapy in patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus. Sixty-four patients with oral lichen planus were randomized to receive 28 weeks of oral acitretin and TAC or TAC and placebo. At week 36, oral acitretin plus TAC therapy demonstrated superior efficacy in improving symptoms and lesion severity. Nearly twice as many patients in the oral acitretin plus TAC group compared with the TAC plus placebo group achieved the primary endpoint of a 75% reduction in oral disease severity score.
Authors of a JAAD study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib in scalp psoriasis. This pooled secondary analysis of two phase 3 randomized trials included 1,084 patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis who were treated with deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily, apremilast 30 mg twice daily, or placebo. The study found that there was a significantly greater clinical improvement at week 16 in patients treated with deucravacitinib than in those treated with placebo or apremilast. The responses were maintained through 52 weeks with continuous deucravacitinib treatment. The incidence of adverse events through week 16 in the deucravacitinib group was lower than in the apremilast group but higher than in the placebo group.
Read about the most effective medications for plaque psoriasis inDermWorld Weekly.
Outcomes of same-day treatment with chemical peel and neurotoxin
A study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology explored the safety and efficacy of treatment with a chemical peel and neurotoxin on the same day for addressing sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles in 30 patients — including Fitzpatrick skin type I-VI. The study results showed that the same-day combination was safe, with no adverse events reported. Significant improvements were observed in the Wrinkle Severity Scale, Uniformity of Pigment Scale, and Skin Tone Scale, representing a 60%, 59%, and 70% improvement, respectively.
Dermatologists discuss the consequences of self-practiced medicine and what physicians can do to educate patients. Read more.
The data submission period is open for Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)-eligible clinicians who participated in the 2023 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Clinicians can submit and update their data until 8 p.m. ET on April 1, 2024.
Please note the AAD’s Registry DataDermTM submission deadline for 2023 reporting is Friday, March 15.
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