There are some great new topics under discussion in the dermatology world. They are researching and helping to continue the field or dermatology. Dermatologists are constantly looking for processes and drug combinations that can help treat their patients without harmful and dangerous side effects. Spending time researching and performing clinical trials is the way they gather insight into the best course of action for the skin disorder at hand.
Sunscreen Ingredients
Every dermatologist you meet is going to tell you the same thing; use sunscreen when you are in the sun. They are very serious about the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays on your skin. However, there are problems with the recommendation, because there are some harmful chemicals found in sunscreen that can be dangerous to your health. After extensive research, it turns out that titanium oxide and zinc oxide are the only components in sunscreen that seem to be safe and effective. Ingredients that are not safe are PABA and tolamine salicylate, which are not allowed in products in the U.S. There are also a few other ingredients that are being investigated at the moment.
Pediatric Psoriasis
Managing pediatric psoriasis is different than when treating adults. New recommendations state that topical steroids are absorbed and that the systemic side effects can be dangerous. The emotional toll of having psoriasis can also be very problematic. Cyclosporine is still considered safe and effective, especially since side effects of renal issues are not usually a problem in children.
Actinic Keratosis Treatment
Actinic keratosis is a skin condition in which skin is damaged by chronic exposure to UV rays. This is a type of precancer that forms on the skin that is rough and scaly on the skin. Current treatment of lesions involves either 5% fluorouracil cream, 5% imiquimod cream, methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) or 0.015% ingenol mebutate gel. One important clinic trial showed that the most effective treatment of the lesions was found by using 5% fluorouracil cream. The next most effective was 5% imiquimod, then MAL-PDT and ingenol mebutate.
Metastatic Melanoma Treatment
Skin cancer can be one of the most dangerous skin conditions a dermatologist comes across. A recent study looked at 5-year outcomes with dabrafenib plus trametinib. The progression-free survival rates were 21% at 4 years and 19% at 5 years. This combination treatment is highly recommended, but some of the side effects can be severe. Another study showed trametinib and hydroxychloroquine worked together to stop tumor growth in pancreatic cancer and uveal melanoma (eye cancer).
Chilblain-like Skin Lesions
Chilblains are the painful inflammations of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold. They can cause red patches, swelling and blistering on hands and feet. These lesions have been showing up linked to COVID-19, mostly on the toes and feet and less frequently on the hands. The condition did not continue and there were no further complications. They believe that COVID and chilblain are linked through the interferon-I response in the body.