If you have ever had chickenpox, or been vaccinated for it, you are at risk for getting shingles – a painful, blistering rash. This is because after the chickenpox clears, the virus stays in the body. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you could get shingles.
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project found that melanoma in some adolescent and adult patients involves many of the same genetic alterations and would likely respond to the same therapy. The research appears in the March issue of the Journal of Investigational Dermatology.
Melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, was to blame for approximately 9,700 deaths in 2014. And with the number of melanoma cases increasing each year, it is believed that the disease could become one of the most common types of cancer in the United States by 2030. Promoting and developing national screening strategies may help to reduce deaths due to melanoma. According to Vernon K. Sondak, M.D., chair of the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center, “it is time to embrace the opportunity to decrease melanoma mortality through risk-stratified education and screening.”
In what is believed to be the largest epigenetic analysis to date of cell-signaling molecules in early-stage melanoma, researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and its Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center have identified two tiny bits of non-coding genetic material in primary tumors that appear critical to stalling the cancer’s spread -- and essentially setting the biological fate of the disease.
Despite advances in melanoma treatment, many patients with advanced melanoma will need several lines of therapy according to a recent paper in Current Opinion in Oncology.
Do you have a favorite black sweater, but you’re afraid to wear it because of dandruff? Fear not, say dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy). Although those pesky white flakes of dry skin can be annoying, especially if you’re wearing dark colors, it’s fairly easy to treat and control dandruff with patience – and the right dandruff shampoo.
Popularized by celebrities and featured in news segments, unique – sometimes offbeat – beauty treatments promise the fountain of youth. While some initial research studies have shown these fad treatments to be effective, dermatologists remain cautious about recommending them over proven therapies, which have been more extensively studied and can provide longer-lasting results.
Eating healthier is a common recommendation for people looking to reduce their risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other medical concerns. Now a growing body of research is evaluating whether certain dietary changes can impact the skin by reducing the signs of aging and improving some skin conditions. Nutricosmetics – the use of nutrition or nutritional supplements for skin health and beauty – is popular abroad and may be the next frontier for improving skin health and beauty in the United States.
While complete scar removal is not possible, dermatologists are harnessing a laser technology originally developed as an anti-aging treatment to improve the appearance of scars – especially hard-to-treat or older ones. This new treatment option is bringing renewed self-confidence to patients, helping to ease traumatic memories, and in some cases, increasing lost mobility.
Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, from the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, offers practical advice and treatment options for dealing with ingrown hair, also known as "razor bumps."
This feature provides tips from physicians on how those interested in getting a tattoo can protect themselves from also getting an unwanted disease during the tattoo process.
Winter months often bring in cold, harsh changes for skin and hair, but a few good habits can alleviate dryness as well as the discomfort of itchy skin. UT Southwestern dermatologists offer some insight on the role moisture plays, and how to keep your skin and hair healthy when the temperatures drop.
Case Western Reserve scientists have taken a leap toward identifying root causes of psoriasis. Of the roughly 50,000 proteins in the human body, researchers have zeroed in on four likely contributors to this inflammatory skin condition. The findings were published Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks. Frostbite occurs when the skin – and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin – freezes due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Depending on how long and how frozen the tissue, frostbite can result in severe, sometimes permanent, damage.
Researchers have discovered a way to repurpose fibroblasts into functional melanocytes, the body's pigment-producing cells. The technique has immediate and important implications for developing new cell-based treatments for skin diseases such as vitiligo, as well as new screening strategies for melanoma.
Everyone wants a happy, healthy baby, however, babies often experience discomfort from diaper rash. Help your baby by following dermatologists’ tips to prevent and treat diaper rash at home.
Clinical trials have shown that a preparation of rose bengal called PV-10 has induced regression of both injected lesions and uninjected bystander lesions in patients with melanoma, and tumor ablation with PV-10 has been shown to increase certain T-cell populations in patients' peripheral blood.
The stress of the holidays, poor nutrition and the cold weather can take its toll on nail health, according to Loyola University Health System dermatologist Rebecca Tung, MD.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published online this week in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics reports anti-cancer activity in 10 out of 11 patient tumor samples grown in mice and treated with the experimental drug TAK-733, a small molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2.
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have determined the specific type of cell that gives rise to large, disfiguring tumors called plexiform neurofibromas, a finding that could lead to new therapies for preventing growth of these tumors.
Studies have demonstrated that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and indoor tanning damages the DNA in our skin cells. This not only increases a person’s risk for skin cancer, it can also lead to premature skin aging in the form of wrinkles and sun spots. November is National Healthy Skin Month – the perfect time to learn how to maintain healthy skin care habits.
The most obvious effects of too much sun exposure are cosmetic, like wrinkled and rough skin. Some damage, however, goes deeper—ultraviolet light can damage DNA and cause proteins in the body to break down into smaller, sometimes harmful pieces that may also damage DNA, increasing the risk of skin cancer and cataracts. Understanding the specific pathways by which this degradation occurs is an important step in developing protective mechanisms against it.
Patients with more severe psoriasis are also more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension, according to new research by a team at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Through a cross-sectional study using information collected from a medical records database, the results provide further evidence of a strong link between psoriasis and hypertension. Full results are now available in JAMA Dermatology.
In rare cases, patients with allergies to metals develop persistent skin rashes after metal devices are implanted near the skin. New research suggests these patients may be at increased risk of an unusual and aggressive form of skin cancer.
Although ear piercings are more common and can be less risky than other body piercings, they can still cause complications if not handled safely. For anyone thinking about getting their ears pierced, dermatologists urge people to take care of their pierced skin to avoid infection.
Dermatology researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center examined extenuating factors, such as socioeconomic trends and changes in fashion, that may have contributed to rise in melanoma over the past century.
UCLA researchers have demonstrated how resveratrol, an antioxidant derived from grapes and found in wine, works to inhibit growth of the bacteria that causes acne.
The team also found that combining resveratrol with a common acne medication, benzoyl peroxide, may enhance the drug’s ability to kill the bacteria and could translate into new treatments.
The American Academy of Dermatology’s (Academy) newly updated guideline of care for the management of adult and pediatric atopic dermatitis focuses on the management and control of the condition, the co-existence of allergic disease, and the use of alternative approaches to supplement medical therapies. Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, this evidence-based guideline is the final section of a four-part series on the care and management of atopic dermatitis developed by dermatologists who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
A leading Dartmouth researcher, working with The Melanoma Genetics Consortium, GenoMEL, an international research consortium, co-authored a paper published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that proves longer telomeres increase the risk of melanoma.
A treatment regimen is safe and effective for restoring skin pigmentation in vitiligo patients, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.
“Our findings offer patients with vitiligo worldwide a renewed hope for a bright future in the treatment of this disfiguring disease,” says Henry Lim, M.D., chair of Dermatology at Henry Ford and the study’s lead author. “Patients with lesions on their face and arms could have a more rapid response to the combination treatment.”
Dartmouth researchers have found that the genetic mutation BRAFV600E , frequently found in metastatic melanoma, not only secretes a protein that promotes the growth of melanoma tumor cells, but can also modify the network of normal cells around the tumor to support the disease’s progression. Targeting this mutation with Vemurafenib reduces this interaction, and suggests possible new treatment options for melanoma therapy. They report on their findings in “BRAFV600E melanoma cells secrete factors that activate stromal fibroblasts and enhance tumourigenicity,” which was recently published in British Journal of Cancer.
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) is excited to announce their partnership with the Dallas Cowboys in an effort to raise awareness of skin cancer. Through this partnership, the American Academy of Dermatology will host free SPOT me™ skin cancer screenings at the Dallas Cowboys home opener on Sunday, September 7 and at the ensuing Rally Day on Monday, September 8 at AT&T Stadium.
Michael Marchetti, M.D., of the Emergency Department at Bayshore Community Hospital, and Kevin Roma, M.D. of Riverview Medical Center’s Emergency Department share their advice on safe fun in the sun.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified the immune cells responsible for destroying hair follicles in people with alopecia areata, a common autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, and have tested an FDA-approved drug that eliminated these immune cells and restored hair growth in a small number of patients. The results appear in today’s online issue of Nature Medicine.
Unique in appearance and structure, African-American hair is especially fragile and prone to injury and damage. More than half of African-American women will cite thinning hair or hair loss as their top hair concern. Fortunately, there are a lot of things African-Americans can do to help minimize damage and keep their hair beautiful.
The American Academy of Dermatology, in response to the JAMA Dermatology article “Scope of Practice Procedures Independently Billed by Mid-Level Providers in the Office Setting” released today, reiterates its position in support of a physician-led care team approach to patient care.
For decades, dermatologists have been researching the genetic cause of aging skin so that the perfect antidote could be developed. When examining genes and proteins, a difference between younger and older looking skin has not been found. Now, dermatologists have a new theory – the secret to aging skin may lie in the glycans, which are sugars on the surface of cells.
From lotions to sprays to sticks, consumers already have a myriad of options to choose from when selecting a sunscreen. Now, several additional sun protection tools have become available, including sunscreen pills, drinkable sunscreen, and ultraviolet (UV) monitoring bracelets.
Anyone who’s had a pimple form right before an important event may wonder if stress caused the break out. While commonly linked anecdotally, proving the relationship between stress and inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis and rosacea, is another matter.
Before the advent of Internet search engines, parents obtained much of their medical advice from their child’s doctor. Today, with a plethora of information available at their fingertips, parents have more sources to consult than ever before. Yet dermatologists warn parents that not everything they read on blogs and websites about the safety of skin care products is true.
Brief, acute psychological stress promoted healing in mouse models of three different types of skin irritations, in a study led by UC San Francisco researchers.
Researchers have identified genetic variants that are associated with severe adverse skin reactions to the antiepileptic drug phenytoin, according to a study in the August 6 issue of JAMA.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering have now developed a probe that combines into one device three unique ways of using light to measure the properties of skin tissue and detect cancer. The researchers have begun testing their 3-in-1 device in pilot clinical trials and are partnering with funding agencies and start-up companies to help bring the device to dermatologists’ offices.
Females, white non-Hispanic, and younger service members had the highest incidence rates of sunburn diagnoses among active component service members, according to a new health surveillance report released today.