Azelaic acid in the treatment of acne in adult females: case reports.

Acne, one of the most common skin problems in dermatological practice, is a condition that affects not only adolescents but also adults. While approximately 80% of cases occurring in adulthood are persistent from teenage years, around 20% are described as 'late-onset' disease, appearing for the first time in adulthood. The disease can be triggered by hormonal changes (including a change from one contraceptive to another), or it can be induced by certain nonhormonal medications, emotional stress, and various underlying diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome. In many cases acne becomes a chronic skin condition with undulating activity, including improvement and relapse phases, and is often experienced as a major psychological burden. It is, therefore, even more important to provide an effective as well as a safe and tolerable treatment. The spectrum of topical acne treatments has expanded substantially in recent years and various topical medications are available, ranging from azelaic acid, antibiotics, retinoids and benzoyl peroxide to several fixed combinations of these active compounds. The following case collection illustrates how 15% azelaic acid gel, as a well-established monotherapy, can be successfully employed to treat mild-to-moderate forms of adult female acne.

[Natural physical factors of the Kuban' Black Sea coastal area in the rehabilitative treatment of children with psoriasis and concomitant ophthalmoherpes].

The primary objective of this study was to optimize the process of remedial treatment at health reports of Sochi, Gelendzhik, and Anapa by introducing sun, air, and sea water baths in the system of sanatorium-and-spa treatment of the children with various nosologic forms of psoriasis and concomitant ophthalmoherpes that necessitated keratoplastic surgery. The study included children at the age of 7-13 years with plaque and nummular psoriasis vulgaris who received rehabilitative treatment after keratoplasty for ophthalmoherpes. The children were randomly allocated to two groups. One comprised patients based at the specialized children's sanatoria "Yunost", "Vulan", and "Bimlyuk" (Roszdrav) (group 1, n = 278). Patients of the control group were given conventional treatment in municipal outpatient settings in compliance with the existing standards (group 2, n = 278). The study showed a 2.39-fold decrease of the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in the children of group 1 compared with its 1.38-fold decrease in group 2. It is concluded that a combination of natural physical factors of the Kuban' Black Sea coastal area has highly beneficial effect on the outcome of postoperative treatment of children with plaque and nummular psoriasis vulgaris and concomitant ophthalmoherpes responsible for corneal ulceration that requires corrective keratoplastic surgery.