Rosacea afflicts 16 million Americans and most of them don’t know it, but the public can now learn more about this chronic skin disorder from their own dermatologist.

Now, as part of Rosacea Awareness Month, leading dermatologists are helping the public learn more about this chronic skin disorder and the availability of safe and effective treatment options.

Vivacare has provided in-depth rosacea education resources to the 3,000 dermatologists that use Vivacare’s “From Your Doctor” patient education service. Vivacare has expanded the patient education content regarding rosacea to include patient handouts about the different subtypes of rosacea and rosacea treatment options, including topical medications (Finacea®, MetroGel®), oral medications (Oracea®), surgical procedures, IPL for rosacea, and a rosacea diary.

Dr. Mark Becker, pediatrician and President of Vivacare said that “by providing dermatologists with in-depth resources about rosacea, we help them inform their communities about this under diagnosed skin condition and the availability of safe and effective treatments.”

Leading Dermatologists Review Basal Cell Skin Cancer Treatment

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer with more than one million cases diagnosed each year. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring. Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed following a skin biopsy. A person diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma faces a number of treatment options including excision, curettage and electrodessication, cryosurgery, Mohs surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), laser surgery, and topical medications, such as Aldara (imiquimod) and 5-FU.

Dermatologist Todd Minars of Minars Dermatology wrote, "There are a few criteria that we use when deciding who is appropriate for Mohs Surgery. This technique is usually used to treat high-risk or difficult basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. A few reasons for referring a patient for Mohs Surgery: location of tumor - if the tumor is in a location that makes it difficult to excise, for example on the nose (where there is very little tissue to work with) or on the face near an important structure like an eye..."

Read more expert opinions about Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment.

Acne Education by Dermatologists Improved by New Online Resources

Acne patients can now learn about acne from an expert source, their own dermatologist.

Dermatologists that use Vivacare’s “From Your Doctor” patient education service have access to up-to-date acne handouts that cover a wide range of issues, including mild acne, moderate acne, severe acne, adult acne, acne medications, and acne myths.

The new handouts provide in-depth and practical information to help their patients understand and manage their acne. Dermatologists can select specific handouts for use on their own Websites and customize the content to reflect their own clinical perspective and unique approach to care.

The online delivery of patient education by dermatologists helps to reinforce important information that may be shared during the medical office visit, but later forgotten.

Acne Treatment with Non-Prescription Medications

When asked about the proper role for over-the-counter, non-prescription acne medications, leading dermatologists offered their opinions.

“OTC acne medications can help many patients - and trying them first can be a great first step in treating acne”, said Dr. Jeffrey Ellis of Belaray Dermatology in Plainview, New York. “If you try out an OTC acne product for 2-4 weeks, and find that your skin is not yet clear - it is time to call a dermatologist.”

According to Dr. Steven Feldman, professor of pathology and dermatology at Wake Forest University Medical Center, "For patients with relatively mild disease, a topical vitamin A medication with a topical antibiotic can be used. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, but combined use with a benzoyl peroxide product helps prevent resistant organisms from developing. This topical approach is the foundation of treatment.”

The clinical judgment provided by dermatologists are published by Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and offer skin care advice.

Leading Dermatologists Discuss Stelara for Psoriasis

Expert dermatologists have published their perspective regarding the use of Stelara™ for Psoriasis via Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and offer skin care advice.

According to Steve Feldman, M.D., PhD, Professor of Dermatology at Wake Forest University Medical Center, "Stelara appears to be an excellent new option for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, offering patients who have failed other (psoriasis) treatments new hope, and offering the most convenient options yet for treating severe disease. The primary benefits are high efficacy and, so far, good safety (measured over about 2 years of use).”

Stelara™ is the most recent biologic to become available to people with psoriasis, a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. The medication is administered twice in the first month, followed by dosing just four times per year. The relatively long duration of relief between treatments (only 5 doses per year) is perceived has having significant advantages. Stelara™ also has a unique mechanism of action by selectively targeting immune system signals called "cytokines" that are responsible for the inflammation seen with psoriasis, specifically interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23). Other biologics regulate different immune system components, such as T-cells or tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Bleach Bath Instructions Provided by Dermatologists

Bleach baths have antibacterial properties that decrease the number of staph. bacteria (staphylococcus), such as MRSA, on the skin. This can reduce the number of atopic dermatitis flares and decrease the use of antibiotics to control skin infections.

Bleach bath instructions are now available for dermatologists to deliver to their patients with atopic dermatitis. Dermatologists that use Vivacare’s “From Your Doctor” patient education service can display bleach bath information along with other patient handouts regarding a wide range of skin care issues, including atopic dermatitis, bleach baths, corticosteroids, itching, moisturizers, and general skin care advice.

The use of bleach baths had been shown to provide rapid and significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of bacterial infections associated with atopic dermatitis when used in conjunction with oral antibiotics.

Leading Dermatologists Review Topical Acne Medications

Topical retinoids, such as Differin™, Epiduo ™, Retin A Micro™, Tazorac ™, and tretinoin, are effective for the treatment of both comedonal acne and inflammatory acne. New York dermatologist, Jeffrey Ellis, M.D., said that "most patients with acne will benefit from a topical retinoid. It is one of the few medications we prescribe topically that helps to prevent new pimples from forming. Retinoids do not help patients overnight, but in the long run they can make acne much better. It is important for patients to continue using the medication -- even if they don't think it is helping.” Furthermore, according to Marta Rendon, M.D., topical retinoids can be used in conjunction with topical or oral antibiotics to treat more serious cases of the disease such as inflammatory acne.

The clinical perspective of these leading dermatologists and other skin care experts are made available through Vivacare’s From Your Doctor patient education service.

Dr. William Paronish provides his expert opinion about the use of Latisse for eyelash growth.

He reports that, "Across the board our results have been excellent resulting in a very happy group of patients and side effects have been minimal. Mild irritation is very common the first week but quickly resolves spontaneously."

Dr. Paronish added that "The only reason I've had to stop Latisse so far has been because of darkening in the lateral cheek region that resulted from the lid application of the product which resolved quickly with discontinuation of the product."

Dr. William Paronish is in private practice in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania. He uses Vivacare's "From Your Doctor" patient education service to provide his patients with access to practical health information to improve clinical care and patient satisfaction.

Laser Hair Removal Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists

Laser hair removal uses laser light to heat the hair follicle deep within the skin and permanently eliminate unwanted hair. 82% of dermatologists prefer lasers to any other technology to achieve permanent hair removal.

People seeking information about this cosmetic procedure can now learn what leading dermatologists say. What should patients expect in terms of removal of unwanted hair? What about new at-home laser options? How do the results from these at-home lasers compare to those achieved from a dermatologist? Vivacare has made available the clinical opinion of skin care experts about laser hair removal.

Dermatologist Jeffrey Ellis, M.D. stated, "Laser hair removal done by a skilled physician in the medical office setting is a reliable, safe and effective procedure."

Dermatologist Jeffrey Dover, M.D. stated, "If you are thinking about purchasing an at-home laser hair removal device, first, be sure you are a good candidate for this treatment. Fair skinned individuals with dark hair do the best while dark skinned individuals are more tricky to treat. The risks of skin discoloration after using one of these home devices for darker skinned individuals and for the most part the devices are not indicated for anybody except those with fair to moderately light skin with dark hair. But if you do have dark hair and light skin, and you don’t have a huge area to treat, it might be worth trying one of these devices."

Leading dermatologists publish their perspective on a variety of skin care topics at the From Your Doctor Website.

New Expert Opinion Page

Patients with acne can now find the opinion and expert advice of leading dermatologists online.

A recent Los Angeles Times article by Dr. Valerie Ulene covered her experience seeking acne treatment for her teenage daughter and the over reliance on OTC and at-home therapies which are often ineffective.

The article indicated that most dermatologists think that non-prescription topical medications might be advised for the first line treatment of mild acne, but that only benzoyl peroxide has sufficient evidence to support it's use as acne treatment.

Dr. Ulene concluded that in order to combat acne, her daughter needed a dermatologist. Her acne had progressed beyond what over-the-counter products could do to help her with her condition. "When it comes to anything beyond mild acne, doctors hold the cards. The most effective medications all require a prescription."

These expert opinions are a great resource for getting up to the minute advice from practicing dermatologists with specific knowledge of your condition. The clinical judgments provided by dermatologists are published by Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and skin care advice.

Latisse Safety and Benefits for Eyelash Growth Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists

Patients considering Latisse, a popular prescription medication that grows longer and darker eyelashes, can now learn the opinion and experience of skin care experts.

Dermatologists have published their expert opinion about Latisse, providing patients with a reliable source of health information.

Latisse (bimatropost) is applied once a day to the eyelashes with a disposable eyelash brush that dispenses the recommended dose. Results are usually reported after 4 to 6 weeks of use with full results seen after 12 to 16 weeks.

Many patients have been satisfied with the results and the Los Angeles Time recently ran a story that quoted a Latisse patient who said ."It does what it says it's going to do and my lashes look nice and healthy. It gives me a more youthful appearance. Younger gals have gorgeous lashes, and now I don't have to wear false lashes." However, some concerns of side effects remain, including eye redness, itchiness, irritation, infection, darkening of the skin around the application area. A possible change in eye color is also reported, particularly in people who have any amount of brown pigment in their eyes.

Christine Brown, M.D., a Dallas dermatologist in private practice, suggested that the incidence of side effects, such as pigmentation of the eye or surrounding skin is exceptionally rare. The most common side effect is redness, which is a transient problem. Latisse works well, especially under the supervision of a dermatologist."

Amy McMichael, M.D., a dermatologist at Wake Forest University Medical Center, pointed out that "The data for the safety of Latisse is well studied since this medication has been around in eyedrop form for more than 8 years. The post-marketing studies of Lumigan [the active ingredient of Latisse] and the more recent FDA pivotal studies for Latisse underscore the safety of the drug. Anecdotally, many patients who used Lumigan for glaucoma in one eye only have applied the Lumigan to the other eye to even out the lash growth--under the supervision of their ophthalmologist and without unwanted side effects."

The clinical judgments provided by dermatologists are published by Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and skin care advice.

The Link Between Diet and Acne Still Unclear

An acne survey of 461 acne patients, 98.5% of which had an acne breakout in the last 12 months, concluded that people suffering from acne are still uncertain about the relationship between what they eat and the frequency and severity of their acne. 47.7% of the respondents indicated that they think "eating some foods" can make their acne worse, while only 22.8% report noticing their own acne worsening after eating certain foods.
Chocolate and french fries are two foods that are often thought to contribute to acne breakouts. In this survey, each participant was asked to determine whether or not they believe that these foods affect acne outbreaks and, also, whether or not these particular foods affect the participant's own acne. Though 76.3% of the survey participants reported hearing that chocolate can make acne worse, only 25.1% reported that chocolate made their own acne worse. Similarly 69.4% reported that they believe French Fries can make acne worse, but only 16.6% reported that French Fries worsened their own acne.
Vivacare recommends that people suffering from acne seek the help of a board-certified dermatologist. To find one in your area visit Find a Dermatologist. Furthermore, you can find additional information about acne as well as many ways to combat outbreaks and prevent future ones.

Depression Increase Risk of Developing Skin Disease

A large Australian study regarding the relationship of mental health and skin disease published in the Archives of Dermatology (Arch Dermatol; 145:896-902) has confirmed that stress and depression can be factors in the development of dermatological conditions.

Using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, researchers tested their hypothesis that psychological factors can precipitate or exacerbate skin disease. Women between the ages of 22 and 27 at baseline in 1996 were surveyed about physical and mental health symptoms then and on three follow-up occasions. As part of these surveys, women were asked how often they had experienced skin problems in the previous year.

In the generalized estimating equation models, depression symptoms and stress (but not anxiety) were significantly associated with skin problems. The findings of this relationship of depression and stress to skin disease may have considerable clinical implications, including the possible benefits of psychological interventions in the management of patients with skin disease.

Previous studies have evaluated the emotional burden of chronic skin disorders, such as psoriasis.

People with chronic skin disorders should seek care from a dermatologist and openly share the emotional aspects of their lives that may be critically important for managing their condition.

Find a Neurologist Directory of Neurology Experts

Vivacare recently re-launched it's leading Find a Neurologist Directory of leading neurologists, medical specialists who specialize in the treatment of brain and nervous system disorders.

The Find a Neurologist directory now includes a list of neurology experts in various regions, including New York Neurologists, Chicago Neurologists, San Francisco Neurologists and other major metropolitan areas.

The Find a Neurologist directory is designed to help patients, families and caregivers find neurology specialists in their region that can help them to diagnose and manage neurologic conditions.

A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Neurological conditions include epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis (MS), dementia (Alzheimer's Disease), and movement disorders (Parkinson's Disease), Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), stroke, and tremor. Neurologists may perform diagnostic tests such as CT scans, MRI, EEG and EMG.

Some neurologists listed appear with the professional suffix “F.A.A.N.” or “FAAN” with their name. This means that they area “Fellow” of the American Academy of Neurology. Being a Fellow means that the neurologist is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has completed an evaluation designed to asses the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to provide high quality neurology care.

Latisse for Eyelash Growth

Latisse, the FDA-approved eyelash growing medication, is selling well according to statements made by the manufacturer, Allergan.

According to the Los Angeles Times article "Lash Enhancers Now a Growth Business," Latisse "grossed $25.4 million in sales in the first half of this year, and the company says it anticipates doing $60 million in total by year's end."

Latisse is available by prescription only, usually from a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, or plastic surgeon.

For instance, Dr. Gerald Goldberg, a dermatologist in private practice in Tucson Arizona makes Latisse available to his patients and provides educational content regarding its benefits and tips on how to apply Latisse.

The brand has become better known to many from its advertisements showing Brooke Shields and the before and after photographs of her eyelashes following her use of Latisse.

Psoriasis Experts Discuss New Psoriasis Treatments

The 2009 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference convened October 15-18 in Las Vegas where psoriasis experts, such as Mark Lebwohl, M.D. and Alice Gottlieb, M.D. provided clinical updates on psoriasis management, including the use of topical medications (corticosteroids, Vectical) and biologics, such as the TNF Inhibitors (Amevive, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade) and a new biologic, Stelara, that blocks IL-12 and IL-23 that are associated with inflammation the the overgrowth of skin cells.

Some of the key points discussed included the importance for dermatologists to inquire about symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Given the risk that long-term disability that may be caused by psoriatic arthritis, it is critical that any psoriasis therapy for a patient with arthritic symptoms, also help to minimize joint damage.

Botox and Dysport Receive New Generic Names

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the language of new safety warnings and revised the generic names of a vareity of botulinum toxins used for the treatment of medical conditions.

The FDA also announced it was changing the generic names for different types of botulinum toxins used for medical treatments. (The brand names remain unaffected)

• Botox (new generic name is "onabotulinumtoxinA")
• Myobloc (new generic name is "rimabotulinumtoxinB")
• Dysport (new generic name is "abobotulinumtoxinA")

Botox and Dysport have been FDA approved for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. Both are safe and effective non-surgical alternatives to other anti-aging treatments. It is frequently used for the following:

• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Horizontal forehead creases
• Crow's feet around the eyes
• Lines on the upper lip caused by pursing the lips
• Downturned corners of the mouth
• Neck wrinkles and bands

Your dermatologist will determine where to inject and how much medication to use. Following treatment, you will see start seeing results in a few days, with peak results after a week. Repeat treatments are usually needed after 3-5 months when the Botox slowly wears off.

Psoriasis Patients at Risk for Other Medical Conditions

"Psoriasis is a very serious condition that impacts the body well beyond the skin," said
Mark Lebwohl, M.D., dermatologist, chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board.

His comments were in response to a recent survey by the National Psoriasis Foundation of of 5,000 people with psoriasis that showed that people with psoriasis are at risk for developing other serious medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

According to the patient survey:

• Nearly 70 percent of people with psoriasis are overweight or obese.
• 33 percent have high blood pressure.
• 28 percent have another chronic, inflammatory disease such as lupus, Crohn's disease or multiple sclerosis.
• 24 percent have high cholesterol.
• 11 percent have diabetes.

Additionally, up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints.

Dr. Mark Lebwohl added "Like any patient with a chronic disease, people with psoriasis must see their doctor regularly and adopt a healthy lifestyle to lessen their risk of developing another serious disease."

Stelara, New Biologic for Psoriasis, Offers Efficacy and Convenience

Stelara (ustekinumab) is a new "biologic" medication that was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in adults.

Stelara is given twice in the first month, followed by dosing just four times per year. The relatively long duration of relief between treatments (only 5 doses per year) is one of the benefits of Stelara that psoriasis patients will appreciate.

Stelara (ustekinumab) has a unique mechanism of action. It blocks IL-12 and IL-23, immune-system proteins linked to inflammation and rapid skin cell growth which are the precursors to psoriasis lesions. Other biologic medications, such as Humira and Remicade block different components of the immune system, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Three clinical studies of 2,266 psoriasis patients showed Stelara to be safe and effective for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

Unlike some biologic medications that may be self-injected at home, Stelara should be administered by a medical professional.

Psoriasis Expert Steve Feldman, M.D. Provides Patient Education Service to Patients.

Dermatologist, psoriasis expert, and author, Steve Feldman, M.D. understands the importance of physician-patient communication as a key component of patient satisfaction and medication adherence.

By creating a patient education library with Vivacare. Dr. Feldman provides his patients with convenient access to a variety of skin care resources to help them better understand their skin condition and dermatological treatment options.

Because of Dr. Feldman’ expertise in psoriasis, including topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, and new psoriasis medications, including Vectical and “biologics”, he has been highlighted on the "Psoriasis-Doctors" Website, a resource for patients and health consumers seeking advice on psoriasis directly from psoriasis experts.

Dr. Steve Feldman is Professor of Pathology (Anatomic Pathology) and Dermatology at Wake Forest Univeristy Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Feldman also serves as Chief Medical Editor of Skin & Aging magazine, a professional publication for dermatologists, and is the founder of DrScore. He is also the author of “Compartments”, a book that explores the unseen world of healthcare.