An ointment made from indigo naturalis, the dark blue plant-based powder used in traditional Chinese medicine, appears effective in treating plaque-type psoriasis, according to a new report. In the study, doctors in China conducted a randomised trial of an ointment containing indigo naturalis in 42 patients with treatment-resistant psoriasis. Participants enrolled in the study between [...]
Dr Benvon Moran and Prof Sarah Rogers explain the range of systemic treatments available for patients with psoriasis in the first part of a two-part article and discuss dosage, side-effects and monitoring. (Part 2 next week). Psoriasis affects one per cent to three per cent of people in Europe and so almost 100,000 people in [...]
An infant diet that includes fish before the age of nine months can curb the risk of developing eczema, new research from Sweden has found. Researchers quizzed the parents of six-month-old babies born in western Sweden in 2003 about their child’s diet and any evidence of allergic eczema. They were quizzed again when the children [...]
Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing appears to be an effective long-term treatment for facial wrinkles, according to a new study. In the study, doctors assessed 42 women and five men whose average age was 52 years and who underwent carbon dioxide laser resurfacing on their entire face between 1996 and 2004. Some 45 per cent of [...]
Psoriasis is a very common disease and has been known since Biblical times. In the Old Testament, Naaman had a scaly eruption which was labelled leprosy, but some dermatologists believe it might have been psoriasis. The leper complex attached to people with skin disease, and perhaps particularly in the case of psoriasis, can cause them [...]
Polyalkylimide implants may be associated with infrequent but sometimes severe immune-related adverse effects months following the procedure, according to a new study. In the study, doctors assessed 25 patients who developed adverse effects 12 months or longer after polyalkylimide implant injection. These include swelling, hardening and swollen or tender nodules near the injection site, as [...]
Specialised bath products to relieve the symptoms of atopic eczema are of “questionable” value, according to a new report from the UK’s Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin. According to the report, there is little published research on the benefits of the gels, creams and lotions applied to ease the symptoms of various dry skin conditions, including [...]
Researchers have questioned the effectiveness and value of an increasingly popular treatment used in the treatment of long-term wounds– topical negative pressure. Topical negative pressure, also known as ‘VAC’ Therapy, involves first placing a foam dressing, cut to shape, into a wound. A tube attached to a canister at one end and a suction device [...]
Men are 12 times more likely than women to sustain severe human bite injuries for which surgery may be necessary, according to a new Irish study. Injuries are most likely to occur during brawls at weekends or public holidays and in most cases alcohol is involved. Researchers led by Ms Patricia Eadie, Consultant Plastic Surgeon [...]
Dr Ronan O’Sullivan reports on a Primary Care Dermatology Society Meeting which discussed a number of issues relating to conditions, including acne, psoriasis and eczema. The meeting, chaired by Dr Hilda O’Shea, began with a presentation by Dr Johnny Loughnane, a GP from Newcastle West with a special interest in dermatology. He spoke on ‘The [...]
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