Photoprotection With Mineral-Based Sunscreens.

BACKGROUND: Although chemical sunscreens have traditionally been at the forefront of sun protection, safety concerns and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of personal-care products have led to greater interest in the use of mineral blockers as photoprotective agents. OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety and efficacy of mineral-based sunscreens to allow patients to make informed choices about ultraviolet (UV) protection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the literature was performed using the PubMed database. RESULTS: This article provides an overview of physical blockers and focuses on the efficacy of mineral sunscreens in offering broad-spectrum UV protection and safety concerns, including the controversy surrounding the use of nanoparticles. Practical tips for application are also reviewed. CONCLUSION: Mineral sunscreens are an attractive, efficacious option for consumers who prefer alternative choices in sun protection.

Undergraduate Dermatology Medical Education: Results of a Large-Scale Patient Viewing Program.

BACKGROUND: Delivering quality dermatologic instruction to medical students can be difficult; time constraints, limited clinical teachers, and a lack of standardization pose challenges. The literature suggests that many trainees and primary care physicians could benefit from increased clinical dermatology teaching. OBJECTIVE: We sought to deliver and analyze the results of a large-scale patient-viewing undergraduate dermatology education program. METHODS: A total of 250 third-year medical students participated in a 32-station patient-viewing program. Voluntary pre- and posttest surveys were administered to evaluate knowledge and self-perceived abilities in dermatology. The identical tests were composed of 20 multiple-choice and 5 self-perception questions. RESULTS: The response rate for completion of pre- and posttests was 24% (N = 59). Pre- and postknowledge test score means were 69.0% and 93.20%, respectively. Pre- and post-self-perception test score means were 3.95/10 and 7.25/10, respectively. Positive student feedback was received on the patient-viewing educational experience. CONCLUSION: Improvements in knowledge scores and self-assessment scores support the potential integration of structured patient-viewing teaching into undergraduate dermatology medical education curricula.

Transverse nasal crease and transverse nasal milia: clinical variants of the same entity.

BACKGROUND: Transverse nasal crease is an uncommonly reported entity. It likely represents an embryologic fault line. Transverse nasal milia have also been reported in the same location, both as an isolated finding and in a transverse nasal crease. This observation suggests they are variants of the same entity. OBSERVATIONS: Two cases, one of transverse nasal crease with milia and one of transverse nasal milia in the absence of a crease, are reported. A review of the literature on these rarely reported conditions was performed. CONCLUSIONS: It is important for clinicians to be aware of transverse nasal creases, since they may be encountered in a dermatologic practice. Transverse nasal creases, milia in transverse nasal creases, transverse nasal milia, and transverse nasal comedones in the absence of a transverse nasal crease are likely variants of the same entity. They most probably occur because the triangular cartilage and the alar cartilage attach in a linear fashion at the junction of the middle and lower third of the nose. This produces a potential embryonic fault line in which retention cysts presenting as milia and comedones can occur. These clinical presentations merit attention because they are likely much more common than reported.