Open-Label assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of a skin care regimen for treating subjects with visible and physical symptoms of sensitive skin.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin is a common concern with 60%-70% of women and 50%-60% of men reporting skin sensitivity and redness. Facial redness is associated with a higher incidence of embarrassment, social anxiety, and diminished quality of life. While there is no cure for sensitive skin, it can be controlled. AIMS: The objective of this 12-week, open-label clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a topical facial regimen for treating subjects with facial redness and sensitive skin. PATIENTS/METHODS: Enrolled subjects were healthy male and female individuals, 25-60 years old with Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI who were seeking treatment for moderate or severe facial redness. Subjects were provided with products which were applied each morning and evening. The investigator assessed change in subject appearance using Overall Redness and Global Improvement Scales and subjects rated changes in appearance and tolerability with self-assessment scales. RESULTS: The mean Overall Redness Scale Score improved by 34% and 25% at Weeks 8 and 12, respectively. There was Mild or Moderate improvement in Global Improvement Scale scores beginning at Week 2 with over 50% achieving Marked improvement by Week 12. All subjects Agreed or Strongly Agreed that their facial redness was less noticeable, their skin appeared less inflamed, overall skin appearance improved, and skin looked and felt healthier at Week 12. The regimen was well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a treatment regimen designed to neutralize skin redness and calm inflamed skin was well-tolerated and improved the symptoms of sensitive skin.

Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Management of Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) Envenomations Reported to the North American Snakebite Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Few of the 5000-8000 snakebites reported to poison control centers annually in the USA are attributed to coral snakes. This study describes Texas coral snake envenomations reported to the North American Snakebite Registry. METHODS: All Texas coral snake envenomation cases reported to the registry were identified for the period from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2019. Data reviewed for this study included details regarding the snake encounter, patient demographics, signs and symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to report results. RESULTS: Ten men and four nonpregnant women reported coral snake bites. The median patient age was 15.5 (range 5-72 years). There were 12 upper extremity bites and two bites to the lower extremity. The most common symptoms reported were paresthesias and pain. All subjects had paresthesias, often described as an "electric" sensation. Seven patients described them as painful. The most common clinical findings were erythema and swelling. No patient developed tissue damage, hematotoxicity, rhabdomyolysis, hypotension, weakness, or respiratory symptoms. Thirteen subjects were treated with opioids. Six patients were treated with antiemetics: three prophylactically and two for opioid-induced nausea. One patient developed nausea and non-bloody, nonbilious emesis within 1 hour of the bite, prior to receiving opioids. No patients were treated with antivenom. Antibiotics were not administered to any patient, and no infections were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Envenomations from M. tener in Southeast Texas are characterized by painful paresthesias. Mild swelling and erythema are common. Neurotoxicity necessitating antivenom or mechanical ventilation did not occur.

High-resolution ultrasound for keloids and hypertrophic scar assessment.

Most of the widely used scales to evaluate scars are subjective relying on clinical observations. There is a growing need to find out a noninvasive objective tool for this purpose. The study is aimed at evaluating the value of the high-resolution ultrasound in the assessment of the scars when compared with a clinical evaluation scoring system, the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The study included 22 patients with hypertrophic scars or keloids. At baseline, scars were assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale and high-resolution ultrasound (13-MHz probe). Patients received three Nd:YAG laser sessions (100 J/cm2 fluence, pulse width 50 ms, frequency rate 2 Hz, and spot size 7 mm) at 1-month intervals. Pulses were applied in a painting motion till reaching the clinical end point which is mild erythema. After the 3rd session, lesions were evaluated again using the VSS and the high-resolution ultrasound. The Vancouver Scar Scale decreased significantly after treatment in both treatment groups. Radiological evaluations showed significant improvement in lesion thickness and echogenicity, but not the lesion vascularity. There was a significant difference between the improvement percent measured by the VSS and high-resolution ultrasound (p = 0.001). The percent of HTS improvement was higher than that of keloid improvement. Among all the studied variables, it seems that female sex is the only factor which predicts better treatment outcome. The combined clinical and radiological assessment of scars is helpful in assessing these lesions and comparing the efficacy of different treatment modalities.

Assessment of Skin Physiology Change and Safety After Intradermal Injections With Botulinum Toxin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Split-Face Pilot Study in Rosacea Patients With Facial Erythema.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin (BTX) has been used cosmetically with good clinical efficacy and tolerable safety. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of intradermal BTX in patients with rosacea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four participants were enrolled and randomly given intradermal injections of BTX and normal saline in both cheeks. Clinician Erythema Assessment (CEA) score, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) score, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin content, erythema index, elasticity, and sebum secretions were evaluated at baseline and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: On the BTX-treated side, the CEA score significantly decreased and the GAIS score significantly increased. The erythema index decreased at Weeks 4 and 8. Skin elasticity was improved at Weeks 2 and 4 and skin hydration, at Weeks 2, 4, and 8. However, TEWL and sebum secretion did not show significant differences. CONCLUSION: Intradermal BTX injections reduced erythema and rejuvenated the skin effectively and safely in patients with rosacea.

Role of Topical Oxymetazoline for Management of Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea.

OBJECTIVE: To review and summarize topical oxymetazoline's pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, cost, and place in therapy for persistent redness associated with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. DATA SOURCES: Literature searches of MEDLINE (1975 to September 2017), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1975 to September 2017), and Cochrane Database (publications through September 2017) using the terms rosacea, persistent redness, α -agonist, and oxymetazoline. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Results were limited to studies of human subjects, English-language publications, and topical use of oxymetazoline. Relevant materials from government sources, industry, and reviews were also included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data support the efficacy of oxymetazoline for persistent facial redness. Little study beyond clinical trials cited in the drug approval process has been conducted. Current data suggest that oxymetazoline is similar in safety and efficacy to brimonidine. Head-to-head comparisons of topical α-agonists for erythema caused by rosacea are needed. CONCLUSION: The topical α-agonist, oxymetazoline, is safe and effective for reducing persistent facial redness associated with erythematotelangiectatic subtype of rosacea. Health care practitioners selecting among treatments should consider not only the subtype of rosacea but also individual patient response, preference, and cost.

Brimonidine for erythema caused by rosacea.

Brimonidine gel (Mirvaso-Galderma) became available in February of this year for the symptomatic treatment of facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults.1 Here, we review the evidence on brimonidine gel and consider its place in the management of erythema associated with rosacea.

Radiotherapy-induced skin reactions: assessment and management.

Radiotherapy, the use of high-energy rays to either kill cancer cells or treat some benign tumours, is undoubtedly a positive intervention. However, as the primary mode of action in radiotherapy treatment is the killing of cells to prevent replication, other non-cancerous cells may be affected. For example, up to 85% of patients will experience some form of skin reaction, which will range from local erythema to moist desquamation. Such reactions are not only distressing and painful for the patient, if severe enough, they may warrant a halt in treatment. This article outlines the aims and nature of radiotherapy, and then discusses the aetiology of skin reactions, risk factors for reaction, and assessment tools. Management interventions will also be shown, with emphasis on silicone dressings.

Analysis of epidemiology, clinical features and management of erysipelas.

BACKGROUND: Erysipelas is a superficial form of cellulitis affecting the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics. The widespread use of antibiotics may affect clinical findings and response to therapy of infectious disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of erysipelas and to compare the results of treatment with penicillin vs. other antibiotic regimens. METHODS: All charts of erysipelas patients treated at the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece from 1994 to 2002 were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Median age of the 99 patients was 54.5 years; 59% were females. The most frequent site involved was the lower extremity (76%), followed by the face (17%) and upper extremity (6%). In 61 patients (62%), a possible entry portal was identified. The most common manifestation of erysipelas was local symptoms and signs (pain, erythema, and swelling) in all patients, together with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (60%). Fever was present in 25% of patients. The most commonly used antibiotic was intravenous penicillin G (64%). In the penicillin group, mean duration of fever after treatment initiation was shorter than in the nonpenicillin group (1.7 vs. 4.5 days, P = 0.002). Both treatment failures and recurrences were the same between the two groups. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of erysipelas can be based on careful examination for local signs and symptoms. The role of ESR in primary diagnosis needs further investigation. Penicillin seems to preserve its fundamental role in the treatment of disease.

[Efficacy assessment of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops versus tobramycin 0.3% on clinical signs of purulent bacterial conjunctivitis]. / Evaluation de l'efficacité d'un collyre azithromycine 1,5% versus tobramycine 0,3% sur les signes cliniques de la conjonctivite bactérienne purulente.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by hyperemia and discharge of one or both eyes. These clinical signs appear quickly and are contagious. This study compares the clinical efficacy (signs and symptoms) and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops with tobramycin 0.3%. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, investigator-masked study including 1,043 patients with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis. Patients received either azithromycin twice daily for 3 days or tobramycin, 1 drop every 2 hours for 2 days, then four times daily for 5 days. The primary variable was clinical cure at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit (D9) on the worst eye. The cure was defined as bulbar conjunctival injection and discharge scores of 0. Clinical signs were evaluated at D0, D3, and D9. RESULTS: In the azithromycin group 87.8% of patients and in the tobramycin group 89.4% were clinically cured at D9. Clinical cure with azithromycin was not inferior to tobramycin at D9: discharge was absent in 96.3% of patients treated with azithromycin and 95.1% with tobramycin. Azithromycin was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Azithromycin 1.5% for 3 days (six drops) was as effective as tobramycin for 7 days (36 drops). Furthermore, patients on azithromycin presented earlier clinical cure on Day 3 than patients on tobramycin. Azyter, with its convenient dosing (bid for 3 days), is a step forward in the management of purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

Assessment of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in animal models.

Four commercial gel preparations of topical anti-inflammatory agents have been assessed in six animal models commonly used to determine the biological activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents for systemic administration. Only UV-induced erythema of the skin, adjuvant induced arthritis and the measurement of vascular permeability proved suitable for differentiation of the potency of the four topical agents. Carrageenin-induced paw oedema, the cotton pellet test and the assessment of the pain threshold according to Randall and Selitto were of little value. The effects of the gel preparation of diclofenac (CAS 15307-86-5) diethylammonium (Voltaren Emulgel) were comparable to two preparations containing 1% and 5% active ingredient, respectively. Gel 4 showed low overall activity. The experiments demonstrated that some of the models used for the assessment of anti-inflammatory agent for systemic administration proved suitable for the testing of topical preparations and that percutaneous absorption was insufficient to elicit anti-inflammatory effect in the animals at sites remote from the site of application.