New horizons in treating disorders of hyperpigmentation in skin of color.

Pigmentary abnormalities are among the most common reasons why patients with skin of color visit a dermatologist. Hydroquinone has been a cornerstone for the treatment of hyperpigmentation; however, concerns regarding adverse effects have prompted a search for alternative agents. Some promising topical treatments include soy, licorice, rucinol, mulberry, niacinamide, ellagic acid, resveratrol, and dioic acid. Oral agents, primarily used for the prevention of postprocedural hyperpigmentation, include procyanidins, tranexamic acid, and Polypodium leucotomos. Advances in Q-switched lasers, intense pulse light, fractional photothermolysis, and the advent of tretinoin peeling add to the clinician's armamentarium for treating hyperpigmentation.

Topical retinoids for pigmented skin.

Topical retinoids are an important class of drugs for treating several dermatoses occurring more frequently in patients with pigmented skin, such as melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, pseudofolliculits barbae and keloids. They also play a role in managing acne, psoriasis, photoaging, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma and disorder of hyperkeratosis in this demographic as well. In general, topical retinoids are well tolerated in pigmented skins. There is little evidence to suggest that patients with darker skin are at increased risk of irritation. However, retinoid dermatitis can induce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and attempts should be made to reduce its occurrence by modifying treatment regimens in patients with pigmented skins.

A survey of skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: South Asians represent a rapidly growing part of the U.S. population, increasing 188 percent from 1990 to 2000 (0.27% to 0.78%). Studies investigating the epidemiology of skin disorders in South Asian Americans are lacking. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine common skin conditions and concerns among this population. METHODS: This was a community-based survey study. The IRB-approved survey tool was distributed to South Asians adults in the New York City area. All data was self-reported. RESULTS: 190 surveys were completed. 54 percent of responders were female and 46 percent were male. The age of participants ranged from 18-74 years. The respondents were predominantly foreign born (76%), but a large minority (32%) reported living in the U.S. for over 20 years. Nearly half (49%) of the study population reported having visited a dermatologist in the past. The five most common dermatologic diagnoses included: acne (37%), eczema (22%), fungal infection (11%), warts (8%) and moles (8%). The five most common concerns included: dry skin (25%), hair loss (22%), uneven tone (21%), dark spots (18%) and acne (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the leading skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans are similar to those reported in other populations with skin of color.

Impetigo update: new challenges in the era of methicillin resistance.

Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the superficial epidermis most commonly seen in infants and children. It is clinically characterized by crusted erosions or ulcers that may arise as a primary infection in which bacterial invasion occurs through minor breaks in the cutaneous surface or a secondary infection of a preexisting dermatosis or infestation. Impetigo occurs in 2 forms: bullous and nonbullous. Staphylococcus aureus currently is the most common overall cause of impetigo, but Streptococcus pyogenes remains an important cause in developing nations. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant S aureus (CA-MRSA) poses a challenge because of its enhanced virulence and increasing prevalence in children. For limited uncomplicated impetigo, either topical mupirocin or fusidic acid is as effective if not more effective than systemic antibiotics. For extensive or complicated impetigo, systemic antibiotics may be warranted, but beta-lactam antibiotics should be avoided if methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) is suspected.

Necrolytic acral erythema: a review of the literature.

Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) has been described as an early cutaneous marker for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It most commonly presents as a well-defined, dusky, erythematous eruption with marked hyperkeratosis and a dark red rim associated with pruritus or burning. Necrolytic acral erythema bears microscopic and clinical resemblance to other necrolytic erythemas, including necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) and several nutrient-deficient syndromes. It is distinct, however, in its predominantly acral distribution and strong association with HCV infection. The pathogenesis is unknown, but a relationship to metabolic alterations has been hypothesized. Optimal therapy appears to be treatment of the underlying HCV infection using a combination of ribavirin and interferon alfa; oral zinc therapy may be an alternative but useful therapy. Cases of NAE without HCV infection suggest that more work needs to be done defining NAE and its relationship to HCV.

Minocycline-induced skin pigmentation: an update.

Minocycline is a commonly used antibiotic for long-term treatment of acne vulgaris. A well-documented and cosmetically dis-pleasing side effect is skin pigmentation. Three distinct types occur: Type I, blue-black/grey pigment on the face in areas of scarring or inflammation associated with acne; type II, blue-grey pigment on normal skin on the shins and forearms; type III, diffuse muddy-brown discoloration in areas of sun exposure. Types I and II stain for iron and melanin extracellularly and within macrophages in the dermis. Type III shows nonspecific increased melanin in basal keratinocytes and dermal melanophages staining for melanin only. The etiology of this pigmentation is unknown, but may be related to polymerized reactive metabolites, insoluble chelation products, and lengthy treatment durations of minocycline compared to other tetracyclines. Types I and II tend to resolve slowly over time, whereas type III persists indefinitely. Treatment involves early recognition, discontinuation of the drug, sun protection, and laser for persistent pigmentation.

Talarozole, a selective inhibitor of P450-mediated all-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of psoriasis and acne.

Talarozole, being developed by Barrier Therapeutics Inc under license from Johnson & Johnson, is a potent and selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450 26-mediated breakdown of endogenous all-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of psoriasis and acne. Phase II clinical trials of an oral formulation of talarozole in patients with psoriasis and with acne, and a phase I clinical trial of a topical formulation have been completed. At the time of publication, Barrier Therapeutics had suspended the development of talarozole as part of a series of cost-cutting initiatives; the company had also been acquired by Stiefel Laboratories Inc. No formal announcement had been made regarding the further development of talarozole.

Pramiconazole, a triazole compound for the treatment of fungal infections.

Pramiconazole from Barrier Therapeutics Inc is a new addition to the family of triazole antifungal agents that act by inhibiting fungal cell membrane ergosterol synthesis, thereby leading to increased cell permeability and destruction. Barrier Therapeutics was developing an oral formulation of pramiconazole for the potential treatment of seborrheic dermatitis (erythematosquamous skin disease), onychomycosis and dermatomycosis (including tinea versicolor, tinea pedis and tinea cruris/corporis). In preclinical studies, pramiconazole exhibited similar or superior antifungal activity to ketoconazole and itraconazole, and selectively inhibited ergosterol synthesis with a broad spectrum activity. Pramiconazole was absorbed rapidly and had a long half-life, allowing for once-daily dosing. In phase I and II clinical trials, pramiconazole reduced the growth of Candida albicans, Malassezia globosa, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum, and was generally well tolerated. At the time of publication, Barrier Therapeutics had suspended the development of pramiconazole as part of a series of cost-cutting initiatives; the company had also been acquired by Stiefel Laboratories Inc. No formal announcement had been made regarding the further development of pramiconazole. The results of studies performed to date suggest that pramiconazole may be useful in the treatment of dermatomycoses when oral treatment is mandated. Promising preclinical and early phase II clinical data warrant the further development of the drug in larger clinical trials.