An article published in the International Journal of Dermatologyreviewed available oral nail growth supplements, their mechanisms of action, and side effects. The authors found that while biotin may be beneficial for the treatment of brittle nails, there is no clear evidence that biotin alone has a positive effect on nail growth. There is weak evidence supporting the use of bioactive collagen peptides, solubilized keratin, choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid, and methylsulfonylmethane for various aspects of nail growth.
Given the lack of U.S. Food and Drug Administration efficacy and safety requirements for these types of over-the-counter products and supplements, the authors believe it is important for dermatologists to be aware of these data.
Was the FDA’s biotin warning enough to educate physicians and patients about the risks? Read more inDermWorld Weekly.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Granular detail on granular parakeratosis
After attending a clinic at the University of Pennsylvania 30 years ago, I recall relaxing in the cafeteria, coffee in one hand and JAAD in the other, being impressed with an article by Northcutt et al, describing cases of a new entity they called “axillary granular parakeratosis.” I thought this would be worth remembering. Time would prove me right. The disorder is now referred to as granular parakeratosis (GP) because of its presence at other (mostly flexural) sites. My interest in GP was rekindled after reading the article by Fujii et al detailing their mouse model where topical aluminum chloride caused apoptosis, maturation arrest, and GP. Keep reading!
Coding guidance on reporting lesion services
Dermatologists have notified the Academy coding team that they have experienced payer reimbursement challenges on claims submitted for shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions, as well as excision or destruction of cutaneous lesions for which histopathologic examination is separately performed. Specifically, some payers have misinterpreted the coding guidance resulting in these services being bundled. In collaboration with the American Medical Association CPT Assistant Editorial Board (CPTA), the Academy has published CPT Assistant coding guidance on reporting lesion services. View the coding guidance.
Implementation of COVID-19 phototherapy guidelines
Authors of a JAADletter describe their experience resuming phototherapy treatments for patients at a safety-net hospital in New York City. From March 2020 until July 2020 all in-person clinic visits and phototherapy sessions were suspended. Phototherapy sessions resumed August 2020 for patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. From July 1, 2020, to Jan. 1, 2021, 36 patients completed 440 phototherapy appointments. Five patients tested negative for COVID-19 infection during this period, and one patient tested positive.
As the number of phototherapy visits increased over six months, there was no surge in COVID-19 cases. With the exception of patients receiving full body treatment, all patients were supplied with and required to wear surgical masks in the phototherapy booths as well as other safety precautions including use of individual goggles, application of hand sanitizer, social distancing, and patient screening.
Visit the Academy’s COVID-19 resource center, which includes guidance on how to adjust to outbreaks in your clinic, legislative and regulatory updates, information about vaccines, and more.
What happened to phototherapy? – DermWorld (August 2012)
Dialogues in Dermatology podcast subscription
FDA recalls compounding pharmacy products
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted patients and health care professionals not to use compounded products intended to be sterile produced and distributed nationwide by Prescription Labs Inc. doing business as Greenpark Compounding Pharmacy due to lack of sterility assurance.
On Aug. 18 and Aug. 31, 2021, the compounder initiated a recall of several lots of a compounded ophthalmic drug. On Sept. 2, 2021, the FDA recommended Greenpark Compounding Pharmacy expand its recall to all unexpired compounded drugs intended to be sterile and stop sterile production until it implements corrective actions.
The FDA is not aware of any adverse reactions associated with the use of compounded drugs from Greenpark Compounding Pharmacy. Health care professionals and patients should report adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these drugs to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
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