Skin and Aging Current Issue

A NEW APPROACH TO MANAGING ATOPIC DERMATITIS

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:45:13 -0400

Despite some bumps, The Eczema Center at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego is making headway toward showing that dedicated services can improve care.

The good thing about being the first to attempt a new concept that finds success is the recognition that eventually ensues. The downside is that treading unfamiliar turf inevitably involves mis-steps, tough learning lessons, and in the context of a large organization, dealing with politics and unreasonable expectations.

That just about sums up the state of things at the recently opened pediatric eczema center at Rady Children

ECTODERMAL DYSPLASIAS: DON’T SWEAT IT

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:02:03 -0400

Three cases seen by a busy dermatologist illustrate how to make a correct diagnosis and direct management for patients affected by these genetically inherited conditions.

The ectodermal dysplasias are a diverse group of disorders with more than 250 subtypes distinguished by widely variable defects in the embryonic ectodermal structures, including the hair, nails, teeth and sweat glands. Many classification schemas have developed and evolved over the years — the original purely descriptive, while newer approaches have utilized both clinico-genetic and functional subgroups to help

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY REVIEW

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:29:45 -0400

Research highlights and trends in treating pediatric dermatology conditions.

TRENDS IN PEDIATRIC S. AUREUS HEAD AND NECK INFECTIONS

Seeking to evaluate the epidemiologic manifestations of pediatric Staphylococcus aureus head and neck infections nationwide and to identify possible trends in the antibiotic drug susceptibility of S. aureus during a 6-year period, researchers conducted a retrospective review of microbiologic data from a peer-reviewed national database. The researchers, Iman Naseri, MD, Robert C. Jerris, PhD, and Steven E. Sobol, MD, MSc, reviewed data on all

Extreme Pediatric Skin Conditions

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:38:23 -0400

Pediatricians and family practitioners are likely to be the first to see young patients with troubling skin conditions and can often respond quickly with a number of effective therapies. However, as pediatric dermatologist Tor Shwayder makes clear in this interview with Skin & Aging, sometimes even general dermatologists need to call in a pediatric specialist to manage what he calls “extreme skin conditions.”

There comes a point at which general practitioners such as pediatricians and family practice physicians should refer patients to a dermatologist, or even a pediatric dermato

SIZE MATTERS

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:51:51 -0400

What you and your staff need to know about lesion measurement and how to differentiate the various size categories described by the dermatology CPT codes for surgical procedures to avoid over-coding or undercharging.

Many dermatologic surgical CPT codes are selected based on certain size configurations. Examples of CPT codes that use size as one of the criteria in code selection include shave removals (11300 to 11313), excisions (11400 to 11646), repairs (12031 to 12057, 13100 to 13153, 14000 to 14300, or 15100 to 15260), destruction of vascular lesions (17106 to 17108), and destruct

SPOTLIGHT ON: MICHAEL H. GOLD, MD, FAAD

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:18:38 -0400

In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many of our profession’s innovators and great teachers still among us. This column was created so that we may gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them. Some are bright stars in our special universe — others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life.

_______________________________

Dr. Michael H. Gold is the founder of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, The Laser and Rejuvenation Center and Tennessee Clinical Res

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CLINICAL TIPS

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:26:11 -0400

As dermatologists we all have our individual styles of practice and favorite areas of dermatology on which we prefer to focus. But we all share one thing in common: We have a strong desire to improve our skills. Getting input from colleagues can help us achieve this goal, and it was why this column was created. This column will highlight a wide range of pearls from practicing dermatologists — everything from a better way to perform a clinical procedure to a more effective method for communicating with patients to advice for improving an office function.

Tip 1: Developing Great

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ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO STRETCH MARKS

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:38:25 -0400

Yes, the good news is that something can be done, but you won’t find it online or in U.S. health food or department stores.

A friend of mine is 7 months pregnant and is horrified by the stretch marks on her abdomen. She read on the internet that rubbing Vics VapoRub on the stretch marks several times daily will get rid of them. She also read that she could open a Vitamin E capsule and rub the contents onto the marks, so she’s been doing that. too. So far, she has noticed no change. No surprise there!

The medical term for stretch marks is striae distensae. These occur when t

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BEING A GOOD SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN: IT’S MORE THAN JUST CHART REVIEW

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:45:53 -0400

The relationship between a supervising physician and his or her physician assistant (PA) is a dynamic one that must be built on trust, mutual respect and inter-dependency. An ideal relationship is one that develops over many years, as such a longstanding association can greatly benefit you and your practice. It allows you and the PA to know one another’s practice styles, habits, limits and preferences. It also offers patients familiar with the PA to feel a continuity of care in seeing the same person regularly over a long period of time, thus building a strong patient following that can buil

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WHAT CAUSED THIS RASH ON THIS MAN’S WRIST AND HAND?

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:02:42 -0400

PATIENT PRESENTATION

A 29-year-old left-handed man presented for evaluation of hyperpigmented patches and resolving erythema on the right flexor wrist and dorsal hand; the hand also had residual desquamation at the sites of prior blisters. There were no abnormalities on the left wrist or hand. The appearance of pruritic and erythematous-based bullae had begun 2 weeks earlier when the patient spent several hours outside on a porch drinking margaritas. In addition to pre-made mixes, sliced and squeezed fresh limes were used in the preparation of the drinks. He was not on any me

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Skin and Aging Current Issue

A NEW APPROACH TO MANAGING ATOPIC DERMATITIS

ECTODERMAL DYSPLASIAS: DON’T SWEAT IT

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY REVIEW

TRENDS IN PEDIATRIC S. AUREUS HEAD AND NECK INFECTIONS

Extreme Pediatric Skin Conditions

SIZE MATTERS

SPOTLIGHT ON: MICHAEL H. GOLD, MD, FAAD

CLINICAL TIPS

Tip 1: Developing Great read more

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO STRETCH MARKS

BEING A GOOD SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN: IT’S MORE THAN JUST CHART REVIEW

WHAT CAUSED THIS RASH ON THIS MAN’S WRIST AND HAND?

PATIENT PRESENTATION

Tip 1: Developing Great

read more