Topical cetirizine with minoxidil vs. minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia
Authors of a study published in the Archives of Dermatological Research evaluated the efficacy and safety of topical cetirizine with topical minoxidil versus placebo plus topical minoxidil in the treatment of female androgenetic alopecia. The trichoscopic parameters, patients’ self-assessment, side effects, and global photographic assessment were evaluated. In both groups, the terminal and vellus hair density significantly increased in the frontal and vertex areas at 24 weeks.
[Dutasteride microinjections with oral minoxidil vs. oral minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia. Read more inDermWorld Weekly.]
There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of side effects. Patients in the combination treatment group reported better scores. The authors conclude that topical cetirizine increases hair shaft thickness and results in a higher clinical improvement from patients’ perspective with a good safety profile.
6 factors that influence PRP efficacy in adrogenetic alopecia. Read more inDermWorld Weekly.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: A checkup on immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced subacute cutaneous lupus
Keeping up with the expanding indications and adverse reactions to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can be a full-time job. These drugs are anti-neoplastic because of cytotoxic T-cell activation. ICIs include the anti-CTLA-4 agent ipilimumab, anti-PD-1 antibodies including pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and cemiplimab, and anti-PD- L1 inhibitors such as atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab. More than 60% of patients develop adverse effects, potentially involving any organ, resulting in diverse disorders such as thyroiditis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, uveitis, polyneuritis, pancreatitis, colitis, myocarditis, and cutaneous eruptions. Cutaneous side effects (CSE) in patients treated with ICIs include morbilliform, follicular, pruritic, pustular, vesicular, acneiform, and exfoliative eruptions. CSE occur in up to 45% of patients treated with ipilimumab and 34% of patients treated with nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Keep reading!
DermWorld Young Physician Focus: Putting the proper safeguards into place
This month’s DermWorld article “Estate planning 101” is especially important for young physicians to read. The long, all-consuming years between adolescence and physicianhood can become a blur — attending university, working a job, completing medical school, matching into residency and maybe even fellowship, perhaps moving across the country (several times). Some of us also get married, have children, serve in the military, attain additional degrees, or tend to other obligations during these years. After all this, it’s no surprise that new physicians may not have their legal or financial ducks in a row. There are crucial aspects of non-medical life that young dermatologists must have in place to protect ourselves and our dependents. For me, the critical distinction between these necessary tasks is their due date: Do they need to be done before or after completion of postgraduate medical training? Read more from DermWorld Young Physician Advisor Bridget McIlwee, DO, FAAD.
Safety of UV filters in the U.S. and EU
Authors of a JAAD study reviewed and compared the safety data of 17 ultraviolet (UV) filters from the United States and 29 UV filters from the European Union, including 18 EU-approved–only UV filters. Almost all U.S. filters possessed sensitization data (94%) with the majority (76%) showing minimal skin sensitization. The minority of EU-approved–only filters (33%) possessed sensitization data, all showing no sensitization. Some filters possessed dermal absorption data (U.S.: 76%; EU: 44%). Oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate, and octocrylene, approved in the U.S. and EU, were shown to have plasma levels exceeding the FDA exposure threshold.
Dermatologists discuss the debate about the effects of sunscreen ingredients on the environment. Read more inDermWorld.
Evaluating parental leave policies at medical schools
In an original investigation published in JAMA Network Open, authors evaluated policies at the 90 medical schools ranked by US News & World Report for birth, nonbirth, adoptive, and foster physician parents. In this study, 87 medical schools had available parental leave policies. Nearly half provided no paid leave for birth (42%) or nonbirth (44%) parents. Similarly, 40% and 75% of medical schools offered no paid parental leave for adoptive and foster parents, respectively.
[Dermatologist parents share their experiences managing their families and practices. Read more in DermWorld.]
Sixty-three medical schools (72.4%) had some paid leave for birth mothers, but only 14.9% offered 12 weeks of fully paid leave. While 12.6% of medical schools offered 12 weeks of full paid leave for nonbirth parents, 43.7% had no paid leave for nonbirth parents. Median paid parental leave was four weeks for birth parents, four weeks for adoptive parents, three weeks for nonbirth parents, and zero weeks for foster parents. About one-third of medical schools required birth mothers to use vacation 33.3%, sick leave 35.6%, or short-term disability 10.3%. The authors find that leave policies are currently inadequate for physician parents and likely further contribute to career inequities and burnout.
Experts discuss how the conversation surrounding physician mental health has changed. Read more in DermWorld.
The FDA has updated the public and physicians on reports of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the capsule around breast implants. The FDA is aware of 19 cases of SCC in the capsule around the breast implant. While the FDA continues to believe that the SCC occurrences may be rare, physicians should be aware that cases have been reported to the FDA and in the literature. The FDA continues to ask physicians to report cases of SCC or any other cancers around breast implants. Read more from the FDA’s safety communication.
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