Female Genital Itch.

Vulvar pruritus is a common complaint among young girls and women presenting to primary care physicians, gynecologists, and dermatologists. Female genital itch is especially disruptive because of its interference with sexual function and intimacy. Causes of vulvar itch are vast and may be inflammatory, environmental, neoplastic, or infectious, often with several causes coexisting simultaneously. Diagnosis may be difficult because of the unique anatomy and inherent properties of genital and perianal skin. Treatment is aimed at eliminating outside irritants, restoring epidermal barrier function, and suppressing inflammation.

Understanding the influence of social media in medicine: lesson learned from Facebook.

Atopic dermatitis is a very common chronic skin disease. With increasing number of patients searching social media outlets such as Facebook for medical information, social media can be used by physicians as a powerful educational tool. We analyzed the unmoderated Q&A series on Facebook begun by members of National Eczema Association Scientific Advisory Committee. Four respondents accounted for more than 50% of all responses and the most common were negative posts about topical steroids (61%). Possible strategies to accomplish the safe dissemination of information in a public forum may include a moderator role for physicians.

Inflammatory nodules following soft tissue filler use: a review of causative agents, pathology and treatment options.

Nodule development is a common complication following the use of fillers for soft tissue augmentation and is commonly categorized as inflammatory or non-inflammatory in nature. Inflammatory nodules may appear anywhere from days to years after treatment, whereas non-inflammatory nodules are typically seen immediately following implantation and are usually secondary to improper placement of the filler. Although inflammatory nodules are more common with permanent fillers such as silicone, inflammatory nodule development following administration of temporary fillers such as hyaluronic acid and collagen has also been reported. Treated many times with corticosteroids due to their anti-inflammatory properties, inflammatory nodules may be secondary to infection or biofilm formation, warranting the use of alternative agents. Appropriate and prompt diagnosis is important in avoiding delay of treatment or long-term complications for the patient. This paper addresses the etiology, development, and studied treatment options available for inflammatory nodules secondary to each of the major classes of fillers. With this knowledge, practitioners may expeditiously recognize and manage this common side effect and thus maximize functional and aesthetic benefit.

Carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations (lymphangioma circumscriptum): a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is a rare, superficial, cutaneous lymphatic malformation. Management is difficult because of high recurrence rates, regardless of the treatment modality chosen. The carbon dioxide (CO2 ) laser may offer a less-invasive option than surgery that provides satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of the CO2 laser for the treatment of LC. METHODS: The terms "lymphangioma circumscriptum" and "microcystic lymphatic malformation" were combined with "treatment," "laser," and "carbon dioxide" during separate searches in the PubMed database. The articles retrieved were then evaluated based on set criteria. RESULTS: We identified 16 studies (11 case reports, 5 case series) with a total of 28 separate patients who had been treated for LC using a CO2 laser. Eight patients remained disease free from 4 months to 3 years, 10 experienced partial recurrence, and two experienced complete recurrence. Various laser parameters were reported, and adverse effects were generally minor and infrequent, such as dyspigmentation and mild scarring. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence indicates that the CO2 laser is a safe and efficacious option for the treatment of LC, particularly in large lesions that may not be amenable to surgical intervention.