Acne conglobata; use of cortisone and corticotropin in therapy.
(41/415)
Six patients with acne conglobata were treated with cortisone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Definite immediate improvement was observed in all of them. In three cases control of the disease was maintained on relatively low doses of steroid. In one case there was response to superficial x-ray therapy after the acute phase of the disease had subsided in response to steroids. Resistance to steroid therapy apparently developed in one patient after approximately 18 months of treatment. One patient responded to treatment and then remained well (for two months when last observed) although steroids and all other treatment were discontinued. The combined use of antibiotics and steroids in the patients treated gave the best results. (+info)
Detection of functional ovarian hyperandrogenism in women with androgen excess.
(42/415)
BACKGROUND: Distinguishing between ovarian and adrenal causes of androgen excess may be difficult. We have found that women with the polycystic ovary syndrome have supranormal plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone responses to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist nafarelin. We determined the usefulness of testing with nafarelin to distinguish ovarian causes of hyperandrogenism in women. METHODS: We studied 40 consecutive women with hyperandrogenism who had oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, or acne. All 40 underwent testing with nafarelin, dexamethasone, and corticotropin with measurement of circulating concentrations of gonadotropins and steroid hormones, and 19 underwent ovarian ultrasonography. RESULTS: The plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to nafarelin was supranormal in 23 of the 40 women (58 percent), and the plasma androgen response to corticotropin was elevated in 23; 13 women had both abnormalities. Only one woman had conclusive evidence of a steroidogenic block; she had nonclassic adrenal 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Of the 23 women with abnormal responses to nafarelin, only 11 (48 percent) had elevated base-line serum luteinizing hormone concentrations. Of the 13 women with abnormal responses to nafarelin who underwent ultrasonography, 7 (54 percent) had polycystic ovaries. Peak plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations after nafarelin administration correlated closely with plasma free testosterone concentrations after dexamethasone administration (r = 0.75, P less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of women with oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, or acne have an abnormal response to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist nafarelin, suggesting an ovarian cause of their androgen excess. (+info)
Skin disease in Lambeth. A community study of prevalence and use of medical care.
(43/415)
A community survey of skin disease was carried out in Lambeth, London. A postal questionnaire asking recipients to give details of the presence of skin disease was sent to a stratified sample of 2180 adults; a subsample of 614 persons were interviewed at home and an inspection was made of the exposed parts of their skin. Altogether 92 conditions were identified. These were graded for clinical severity and classified into 13 groups. The overall prevalence of skin disease thought to justify medical care was 22-5%. The most common important condition was eczema with a prevalence of 6-1%. Age, sex, and social class trends in prevalence were found in certain groups of skin disease. Of those with a skin disease thought to justify medical care, only 21% reported having attended their general practitioner in the past six months for a skin complaint. The reported use of medical care and self medication is discussed in relation to the presence of skin disease and other factors. (+info)
Common skin conditions.
(44/415)
Four common conditions: acne, psoriasis, eczema and urticaria are considered. Guidance is given on appropriate topical and systematic treatment for the different types and degrees of these conditions, with notes on management in general and criteria for referral to hospital outpatient departments. Where there are different types of the condition, with varying aetiology, for example in urticaria and eczema, management of the common types is outlined. (+info)
Graded abrasion--a treatment for acne.
(45/415)
Long term continuous superficial abrasion with abrasive compounds of various degrees of roughness was used over an 11-year period in over 1,500 patients with acne of all types. The following observations were made:* That when a material with a specific abrasive quality is used for a period, desquamation stops despite continued use of the material, and then use of material of the next higher degree of roughness is indicated until the patient's skin is blackhead-free and minutely flaky.* When long term continuous superficial graded abrasion is used alone or with other treatment, it permits the young patients to outgrow the disease with little or no scarring.* The routine of abrasive washing seems in a large measure to replace the constant fingering of lesions by the patient.* No untoward effects were observed clinically. There was no hyperpigmentation of Negro or Caucasian skins. (+info)
Changing patterns of plasmid-mediated drug resistance during tetracycline therapy.
(46/415)
The patterns of drug resistance and the frequency of conjugative R plasmids in intestinal Escherichia coli from 88 patients treated for a skin disease (acne vulgaris) with low oral doses of tetracycline are reported. The proportion of patients with resistant bacteria was progressively greater in patients who received tetracycline for 1 week, 4 weeks, or longer (from 50 to 88%). No multiply drug-resistant bacteria were detected before treatment or after 1 week of treatment. After more than 4 weeks of treatment, multiply drug-resistant E. coli were isolated from about 50% of the patients. The origin and selection of R plasmid-determined multiple drug resistance are discussed. (+info)
THERAPEUTIC AGENTS IN ACNE VULGARIS. I. TETRACYCLINE.
(47/415)
A total of 120 consecutive patients with pustular and cystic acne vulgaris were selected for study. Patients were assigned a placebo and a tetracycline medication in a random method. Of the 53 patients who were given tetracycline, 45 showed some response, which was fair in 19 and excellent in 26. Of the 55 patients who received placebo, 24 showed no response while 31 showed some improvement. No side effects were reported. The difference in response between the two groups is statistically significant. It is concluded that administration of 250 mg. tetracycline four times daily, even for periods as short as two weeks, enhances the likelihood of improvement of cystic or pustular acne vulgaris. (+info)
ACNE VULGARIS. EVALUATION OF A MEDICATED CLEANSING PAD.
(48/415)
Using the technique of simultaneous, symmetrical paired comparisons, a medicated cleansing pad that can be easily used at work or at school as an adjunctive in the treatment of acne vulgaris was evaluated.The experimental pads were significantly beneficial in reducing skin oiliness and in clinical improvement of the acne. Response to standard acne therapy was faster when the pads were used adjunctively, although the significant results seen initially tended to even out as therapy continued. Use of the medicated pads produced no untoward side effects and were well accepted by patients. (+info)