Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is a crucial tool for assessing diagnostic microvascular abnormalities in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). A recent study sought to determine whether skin pigmentation affects the interpretability of nailfold evaluation.
Eczema Management in Gulf War Veterans: Emerging Therapies, Evolving Treatment Strategies
Persistent skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis (AD), have plagued Gulf War veterans since they were deployed in the early 1990s. Now, they and other patients with AD are benefiting from the development of nonsteroidal topical treatments shown to be effective for their conditions without the bothersome side effects associated with continuous steroid use.
Mapping the VA Dermatology Workforce: Where Veterans Have—and Lack—Access to Skin Care
The VA is one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the United States, serving nearly 8 million enrolled veterans. Yet, despite veterans’ elevated risk of skin disease and skin cancer, few national studies have examined who VA-affiliated dermatologists (VADs) are or where they practice.
Cigarette Smoking, Smoke Residue Negatively Affect Autoimmune Skin Disorder
In patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune skin disorder linked to cigarette smoking, smoking is associated with treatment resistance, and smoke residue on clothing and sheets may negatively affect the skin.
Decreased Risk of Some Skin Cancers With OTC Nicotinamide Use
Many dermatologists already suggest nicotinamide supplementation to help reduce the incidence of future skin cancer in patients who already had the condition.
Photodynamic Therapy for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
The majority of cancer diagnoses in the United States each year are for skin cancer, including melanoma and nonmelanoma variants. Increasingly, those are the focus of research on treatment and prevention, according to a new study.
More Low-Value Skin Procedures With VA-Purchased Care
In an effort to improve care, in 2014, the VA implemented the Veterans Choice Program, which allowed enrollees to receive care outside VA facilities if they met eligibility requirements tied to wait times, travel and availability of services.
System Immunomodulators for Military Skin Conditions
The U.S. military has always had specific guidelines regarding the entry and retention of personnel with eczema and atopic dermatitis.
Mohs Surgery at NY Harbor VAMC Reduced Reexcision, Rerepair Needs
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the standard of care for treating certain types of keratinocyte carcinoma (KCs), but it has not been uniformly accessible to veterans treated by the VHA, according to a recent research letter.
Changing DoD Drug Policy Could Open Enlistment for Psoriasis, Eczema Patients
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are disqualifying for entrance into the military. Both of the chronic, immune-mediated skin disorders can create difficulties wearing body armor and other protective equipment when poorly controlled, limiting a servicemember’s ability to train and deploy worldwide.
Skin Disorders Such as Atopic Dermatitis Can Have Extracutaneous Effects
Aging can lead to the development of cutaneous symptoms and disorders, and in many older adults the effects often are not limited to the skin, according to a new VA study.
CDC: More Research Needed on High Melanoma Rates in AI/AN People
Non-Hispanic American Indian/ Alaskan Native (AI/AN) people have the second-highest rate of melanoma in the United States after non-Hispanic white people.
New Guidelines Address Use of Topical Ruxolitinib in Atopic Dermatitis
Using topical ruxolitinib cream to treat atopic dermatitis decreases the need for other AD treatments, according to new research.
Atopic Dermatitis, Other Skin Issues Are Challenging for U.S. Military
Military servicemembers are often exposed to drastic climates, environments, and living conditions which may make them more susceptible to cutaneous diseases, according to a new study.
More Research Needed on High Melanoma Rates in AI/AN People
Non-Hispanic American Indian/ Alaskan Native (AI/AN) people have the second-highest rate of melanoma in the United States after non-Hispanic white people.
Dermatology Group Seeks Better Stevens-Johnson Severity Tool
Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (EN) is a severe adverse mucocutaneous drug reaction with life-threatening implications, usually caused by drug reactions.
Not Enough Research on Pharmacological Treatments for Digital Ulcers
A recent review has found too little evidence on pharmacological treatments for systemic sclerosis (SSc) digital ulcers (DU) and was unable to promote the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Surgical Excision Found More Cost-Effective Than Mohs Surgery
A retrospective study examined the cost differences between total surgical excision and Mohs surgery to treat skin cancer in the Miami VA Healthcare system.
Understanding the Drug-Drug Interactions of Erlotinib and Gefitinib
Two drugs used in the treatment of several cancers have poorly understood drug-drug interactions that could have significant implications for patients.
Higher Melanoma, Other Cancer Rates in Aviators, and Crew Remain a Mystery
Military aviators and the ground crews that service their planes are at a greater risk to develop melanoma and other types of cancer, according to a Pentagon study released last month. Just what factors are contributing to that risk remains unknown, however.
VA Receives First Doses of Vaccine to Help Combat Monkeypox Outbreak
When the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency on July 23, there were more than 4,000 reported cases in the United States. By mid-September, the number of reported U.S. cases had surpassed 24,000.
Aspirin Helps Protect Hypertensive Patients from Melanoma
Dose aspirin used by hypertensive patients reduce their risk of melanoma?
Melanoma Cases Went Undiagnosed Earlier in Pandemic
Too many melanoma cases went undiagnosed during the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently presented at later stages, according to a letter published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
MHS Researchers Found Current Antibiotic Dosing Guidelines Adequate for Critically Ill Patients With Trauma, Burn
Critical illness caused by burn and sepsis doesn’t alter how the body processes piperacillin and tazobactam (pip-tazo), an antibiotic and beta-lactamase inhibitor drug combination
Wounding Therapies Show Promise in Skin Cancer Prevention
The most common form of cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) — composed primarily of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — affects about 3.3 million people annually.
Shingles Vaccination Rates Struggle to Improve at VA
Efforts to promote use of a vaccine against herpes zoster, commonly called shingles, have been fraught with difficulty.
When Is a Biopsy Appropriate to Diagnose, Rule Out Skin Cancer?
Skin malignancy has increased in prevalence over the last 15 years, but it is not clear how military personnel have been effective.
Skin Cancer Screening Rates Low for Veterans but Higher Than Usual
While it is well known that military veterans are at increased risk for skin cancer, what is less understood is how often they are screened for skin cancer.
Total Margin-Controlled Excision Best for Keratinocyte Carcinoma
The most common human malignancy is keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), which includes basal and squamous cell cancers.
Biomarker IDs Veterans at Risk of Poor Skin Cancer Prognosis
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) biomarker is associated with systemic inflammation and poor prognosis in solid tumors.