Acitretin, like all retinoids, promote the differentiation of keratinocytes. It is useful in combination with other therapies, particularly with phototherapy, or as a maintenance therapy after control with a faster reacting agent. Dosing of acitretin is usually started at 10-25 mg per day, with a slow titration up in dose. Recent studies have shown that…
Acne scarring is a common complaint in acne patients. This is a visible sequlae of active acne and persists for a lifetime. Treatments can be costly and include chemical peels and fractionated CO2 laser therapy. This study measures the effect of adapalene in the treatment of acne scars Methods prospective study single-center, open-label, pilot study…
Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody against TNF. It is currently approved for the treatment of psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Dosing is 40 mg subcutaneously every other week. Phase III trial results showed excellent results in the treatment of psoriasis. There has also been a recent placebo controlled trial presented comparing methotrexate to…
Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNF, with human constant regions and murine variable regions. Studies have shown that it is the most effective biologic agent for the treatment of psoriasis at the usually prescribed doses. Since dosing is weight-based (start 0.5 mg/kg on weeks 0, 2, and 6, then 0.5 mg/kg every 8…
Cryotherapy is a mostly destructive method and therefore biopsies tend to be less reliable but it does act through other mechanisms: direct injury: location: center of the lesion when: acts when the lesion is frozen vascular injury: location: periphery of the lesion when: acts upon thawing (reheating) of the lesion apoptosis: location: periphery of the…
Etanercept is a fusion protein consisting of two tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors linked to the Fc protein of human immunoglobulin (IgG). It works by inhibiting the pro- inflammatory action of TNF in psoriasis. Patients inject the medication subcutaneously, with dosing either at 50 mg weekly (either as a single dose or divided into two…
Outline: Acne Vulgaris – New Insights From The Bench To The Clinic + overstimation of the risks of oral isotretinoin Recent advances in acne research have allowed a better understanding of the pathogenesis and etiological factors associated with acne: sebum overproduction by sebaceous glands is influenced by: dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 PPAR ligands…
Metformin in dermatology: an overview. Badr D, Kurban M, Abbas O. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Nov;27(11):1329-35. doi: 10.1111/jdv.12116. Epub 2013 Feb 26. Metformin is an oral hypoglycaemic agent. It acts by decreasing hepatic glucose output and increases the glucose utilization by muscles and adipocytes (increase in sensitivity to insulin) It also has a…
Sildenafil which is more commonly known by its brand name ©Viagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and therefore acts as a vasodilator In this prospective study 7 female patients with systemic sclerosis were enrolled: all of them had digital ulcerations and Raynaud’s phenomenon treatment with calcium channel inhibitors was ineffective dosage of sildenafil was 50-75mg per…
Endogenous ochronosis (also called alcaptonuria) is a rare autosomal regressive disorder where there is enzymatic deficiency of homongentisic acid oxydase (AHG). This results in accumulation of AHG which is oxydized and polymerized in a substance close to melanin called benzoquinone acetic acid (ABQA). Its accumulation in the skin results in the clinical pigmentation. The…
