Mobile Dermatology Apps Offer Benefits and Drawbacks

There are currently more than 200 dermatology apps, which offer
benefits and drawbacks for patients and dermatologists alike.

Welcome back to my blog. The purpose of this blog has been to shine a light on interesting development and trends in the world of general dermatology so that patients and healthcare providers alike are better informed. When treating patients at The Dermatology Center in New Albany, Indiana, I have recently noticed patients using dermatology related mobile apps. A new report in JAMA Dermatology uncovered more than 200 dermatology apps, with half of them created for non-doctors. These apps offer benefits and drawbacks when it comes to addressing dermatology issues.

Popular dermatology related mobile apps include sunscreen recommendation guides, mole photo storage apps, and other tools to aid in the prevention and diagnosis of melanoma. Researchers divided the 229 dermatology-related apps into the following categories:

• General dermatology reference (26.6%)
• Self-surveillance/diagnosis (17.9%)
• Disease guides (17%)
• Educational aids (8.7%)
• Sunscreen/UV recommendations (8.3%)
• Calculators (5.2%)
• Teledermatology (3.5%)

These categories represented less than 3% of the apps available in the marketplace: conference, journal, photograph storage/sharing, dermoscopy, pathology, and other. Researchers broke the 229 apps down into 209 unique apps and another 17 versions of existing apps on other operating systems. More than half of these apps are offered free of charge (51.1%) with the most expensive app costing $139.99. The identified target audiences were:

• Patients (51.1%)
• Health care providers (41%)
• Both (7.9%)

While these apps increase access to medical knowledge, the study’s senior author, Dr. Robert Dellavelle, is concerned that people are getting the wrong information. He added that very few of these apps are clearly made by medical professional and that patients and doctors should maintain a healthy sense of skepticism when using these apps; especially ones that claim to help spot conditions such as skin cancer. Misinformation on these apps could delay a real diagnosis and jeopardize patient health. Ideally, these apps should not be used in place of visiting a dermatologist but patients should instead consult with a doctor before using the app’s data to make treatment decisions.

You can learn more about this study here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/us-health-dermatology-app-risk-idUSBRE98P0KN20130926

Thank you for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty

You can learn more about me by subscribing to my Tumblr blog or by viewing my profile on Expertfile: http://www.expertfile.com/experts/sudhir.polisetty

Sunscreen Recommendation Rates Low

Welcome back to my general dermatology blog. I have written in past blog posts about skin care and the benefits of regular sunscreen usage, so a recent article on new sunscreen research caught my eye. According to findings published in the September 4^th issue of JAMADermatology, physicians discussed sunscreen rates with patients during less than 1% of visits.

Researchers at the University of Wake Forest conducted their study on trends in sunscreen recommendations among physicians after recognizing that sunscreen might not be recommended as often as guidelines dictate. They worked with the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to identify patient visits to non-federal outpatient physician offices at American ambulatory care practices during which the physician recommended sunscreen. The data covered patient visits between January 1, 1989 and December 26, 2010.

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey reported an estimated 18.30 billion patient visits nationwide during the survey time frame. Physicians mentioned sunscreen during 12.83 million patient visits, which amounts to just 0.07% of all visits, although mention of sunscreen was reported for 0.9% of patients visits in which a patient was diagnosed with skin disease. Dermatologists fared a little better, mentioning sunscreen during 1.6% of dermatology visits while being responsible for 86.4% of all sunscreen mentions in the survey time frame. The researchers also found that sunscreen was recommended most frequently to patients aged 80 or older and to white patients, while children were the least likely to receive this recommendation.

Researchers concluded that sunscreen mentions during patient visits are still too low, even with patients who have a history of skin disease. They also suggested that high incidence and morbidity of skin cancer can be greatly reduced if patients exercise sun-protective behaviors, but it is up to physicians and dermatologists to make sure patients are properly educated on these behaviors.

Find out more about the study’s findings here: http://dermatologytimes.modernmedicine.com/dermatology-times/news/sunscreen-recommendation-rates-low?contextCategoryId=116

Thank you for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty 

Learn more about me on my Weebly page or learn about other dermatology news that interests me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sudhirpolisetty/

Researchers Uncover Molecule Responsible for Sunburn Pain

Image courtesy of WebMD

Welcome back to my general dermatology blog. An interesting new breakthrough in sunburn research recently made waves in the scientific community. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the red skin developing from sunburn is caused by a molecule called TRPV4. This molecule, which is abundant in the skin’s epidermis, could be blocked to greatly protect against the pain caused by sunburn.

This discovery originated from a collaboration between researchers at Duke University, the University of California-San Francisco, and Rockefeller University’s Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development. Rockefeller University researchers discovered TRPV4, an ion channel shown to be involved in other pain processes, more than ten years ago.  Duke’s Wolfgang Liedtke and Rockefeller’s Elaine Fuchs recently began testing the role of TRPV4 in the epidermis by building a mouse model missing TRPV4 in the outermost layer of its skin. The mouse’s hind paws, which most closely resemble human skin, were exposed to UVB rays. According to the researchers, unlike normal mice, the mutant mice showed little tissue injury and sensitivity.

Researchers then uncovered the sequence of events in the pain pathway. They found that UVB exposure on the skin activates TRPV4, which causes an influx of calcium ions into the skin cells, which then brings in endothelin (the molecule causing pain and itching in humans), which causes TRPV4 to send additional calcium into skin cells. Finally, researchers attempted to blow the pain pathway by applying GSK205 (a compound that selectively inhibits TRPV4) to the hind paws of normal mice. After doing so, the mice were resistant to the pain-inducing and skin-disrupting effects of sunburn.

These results seem to suggest that blocking TRPV4 channels could keep the epidermis from communicating with the skin’s sensory neurons and ease pain from sunburn. Additional tests will be necessary, but TRPV4 could be a new target for treating and preventing sunburn. TRPV4 might also potentially combat chronic sun damage such as skin cancer and skin photo-aging. For now, however, make sure you are still wearing sunscreen.

View Rockefeller University’s press release here: http://newswire.rockefeller.edu/2013/08/08/researchers-find-molecule-that-causes-sunburn-pain/

Thanks for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty 

You can learn more about me on LinkedIn or read more of my dermatology blog posts on my Wordpress blog: http://sudhirpolisetty.wordpress.com/

Treating Varicose Veins with Minimally Invasive Ablation Techniques

This image from WebMD depicts varicose veins
in a patient's legs.

Welcome back to my general dermatology blog. As a general and surgical dermatologist, I help patients treat and control a number of skin conditions. One condition that usually requires surgical treatment is varicose veins, defined as enlarged veins near the surface of the skin filled with an abnormal amount of blood. New information presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAOD)’s Annual Summer Meeting in New York indicates that two minimally invasive techniques could serve as an alternative to surgery for individuals with varicose veins.

Todd Cartee MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Penn State’s Hersey Medical Center, presented data to AAOD conference attendees regarding two ablation techniques:

• Endovenous laser ablation: This procedure involves putting patients under using local anesthesia and a ¼” incision. An infrared laser directs heat to the vein, through the incision, in order to destroy the affected vein.

• Radiofrequency ablation: This process utilizes radiofrequency energy and waves to heat veins and spur their collapse.

According to Cartee, these two procedures allow patients to recover more quickly than traditional methods that require general anesthesia and a long recovery time. He adds that with these two ablation techniques, patients can expect to return to their normal routine one day after the procedure is completed.

Patients who seek treatment for their varicose veins often do so after complaining of leg pain, rashes, blood clots, fatigue, cramping in the calves, skin darkening, itching, and burning. Spider veins, which are similar to varicose veins but smaller and closer to the surface of the skin, do not produce severe symptoms but are instead treated for cosmetic reasons. Cartee reminded attendees that leg vein problems are treatable and then encouraged patients to seek out a board-certified dermatologist if they are concerned by the appearance of their legs or are experiencing problematic symptoms.

View a summary of the presentation here: http://www.healio.com/dermatology/lasers/news/online/%7BDF039561-F519-42DD-B9F9-839426B1B806%7D/Minimally-invasive-ablation-techniques-used-to-treat-varicose-veins

Thanks for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty

Learn more about me by following my blog on Tumblr: http://sudhirpolisetty.tumblr.com/

Are Pimples Starting Younger?

Adolescent acne (above) is becoming more common.

Welcome back to my general dermatology blog. Although I do not perform cosmetic dermatology procedures, I often see patients with questions about these services. One popular topic, especially among teenagers, is how to treat acne.

Acne vulgaris is a human skin disease characterized by pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes scarring. Skin areas that are most frequently affected are those with dense sebaceous follicles, including the face, back, and top half of the chest. Conventional wisdom is that acne occurs most commonly during adolescence and continues in adulthood. Acne’s prevalence during the teenage years is attributed to an increase in testosterone, with testosterone levels typically dropping by age 25. I recently read an interesting article from NBC News that suggests more and more elementary school-aged children are developing pimples.

Recent anecdotes from dermatologists indicate that cases of pediatric acne are becoming more common, even in kids as young as 7. Doctors hypothesize that earlier onset puberty is to blame, as this process causes levels of pimple-producing adrenal androgens to increase. Dr. Andrea Zaenglein estimated in the article that she now sees 10-15 new pediatric acne cases each month. She responded by authoring a new set of guidelines for treating kids of all ages, which the American Academy of Pediatrics then endorsed. Zaenglein presented this information at the summer’s American Academy of Dermatology meeting, explaining that the principles of adolescent and preadolescent acne are the same and should both be treated aggressively to get symptoms under control.

Fortunately, parents of children with acne are more likely to make sure the child sticks to the dermatologist’s prescribed treatment plan. Parents should recognize that acne in adolescents is a major problem that could require professional care. Pre-teen acne can be an indicator of more severe acne in teenage years, so it is important to recognize the problem and get children the care they need.

Thanks for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty

To learn more about me by following me on Twitter or read more of my Dermatology blog posts on my website: http://sudhirpolisetty.com/

Consumers Prefer Dermatologists for Cosmetic Procedures

Welcome back to my general dermatology blog. As a general and surgical dermatologist, I do not handle cosmetic dermatology procedures. I do, however, often get questions from patients seeking advice. It is no surprise that a new study from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) found that for consumers considering cosmetic procedures, dermatologists are most likely to influence that decision.

The ASDS conducted its first-ever blind Consumer Survey on Cosmetic Dermatologic Procedures by reaching out to 6,300 consumers. Each participant shared his or her opinions on cosmetic treatments in general and then provided ratings for ten specific procedures. 6.4% of those surveyed had undergone a cosmetic treatment before while roughly 30% indicated that they are considering such a procedure. When respondents were asked to choose a provider for these procedures, nine out of ten picked dermatologists. Additionally, nine out of ten identified dermatologic surgeons as the dermatologist of choice for all but one of the identified procedures.

When it comes to patient trust, respondents noted that dermatologists have the greatest influence on decisions to have cosmetic procedures. They also added that the specialty in which a physician is board certified is the most important factor when contemplating a decision, making it more important than cost or physician referral. In short, patients were more likely to adhere to advice from board certified dermatologists over recommendations from friends or other physicians.

The cosmetic condition that bothers respondents the most is excess weight, which affected 80% of respondents. Other unwanted conditions included lines and wrinkles around the eyes (63%); skin texture and/or discoloration (62%); sagging facial skin (61%); excess fat under the chin (60%); and wrinkles, lines, and/or folds in the mid-face around the mouth and cheeks (60%).

Learn more about the study here: http://www.healio.com/dermatology/aesthetic-cosmetic-surgery/news/online/%7B5A128759-AEC9-4CE1-AC9B-170A38564D7A%7D/Consumers-prefer-dermatologists-for-cosmetic-procedures

Thanks for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty

Read more of my dermatology blog posts on my Wordpress blog or learn more about me on my about.me page: http://about.me/sudhir.polisetty

Daily Sunscreen Could Prevent Skin Aging

Hello all! My name is Sudhir Polisetty and I am a General and Surgical Dermatologist continuously reading up on the newest breakthrough treatments and advancements concerning dermatology. I began studying dermatology at Northeast Ohio Medical University and obtained my medical degree in May of 2007. I continued my education by completing a Preliminary Medicine Internship at Summa Health Systems’ Akron City Hospital and then pursued specialized training with Wright State Dermatology. During my training I gained hands-on experience with a wide variety of complex General and Surgical Dermatology procedures.

I recently read about a new study from Australia that addressed daily sunscreen use as a method for protecting against aging skin, or photoaging. Over a four-year period, Dr. Adele Green and her colleagues at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research examined data from 903 adults under 55 years old. The researchers asked half of participants to place sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher on their hands, neck, back, arms, and face each morning and to reapply it as needed. The other half of the group could use sunscreen at their discretion. Dr. Adele Green and her colleagues measured photoaging from each participant at the beginning and end of the study by examining the skin on the back of every participant’s left hand. Following the conclusion of the four year study, researchers found no detectable changes in the skin condition of people who applied daily sunscreen. Australians in this first group were 24% less likely to show increased signs of aging than individuals in the second group who applied sunscreen at their own discretion.

This study reinforces what most dermatologists already know, with most dermatologists currently recommending that patients use sunscreen and avoid smoking in order to deter photoaging. You can also reduce skin aging over time by developing healthy sunscreen habits at a young age. As summer temperatures continue to rise, consider applying sunscreen before you step outside.

View the full article here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-sunscreen-aging-idUSBRE95215U20130603

As always thanks for reading,

Sudhir Polisetty

Learn more about me on my Expertfile profile or read my other Dermatology blog posts on my personal website: http://sudhirpolisetty.com/blog/

About Sudhir Polisetty

Sudhir Polisetty began pursuing his dream of being a General and Surgical Dermatologist in June 2000. He enrolled at one of the leading urban research institutions in the country, Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. While rigorously studying for his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Psychology, Sudhir Polisetty was able to hone his exceptional medical and interpersonal skills and achieve academic excellence. He was also placed on the Dean’s List each academic year and even became a Presidential Scholarship Recipient.

After graduating in May 2002, he transitioned to Northeast Ohio Medical University in order to obtain his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). Sudhir Polisetty attended this highly acclaimed university from August 2002 until May 2007. After receiving his M.D., he was able to start gaining hands-on medical training with the professional clinical staff at Summa Health System’s Akron City Hospital. This hospital allowed him to complete a one-year Preliminary Medicine Internship. Upon completion, Sudhir Polisetty was awarded “Intern of the Year.” In 2008, he went on to gain specialized training Wright State Dermatology. During the next four years, he performed a wide range of advanced General and Surgical Dermatologic procedures.

Sudhir Polisetty also served as Chief Resident for one year and performed medical research and poster presentations for numerous issues related to Dermatology. He delivered these poster presentations at the Ohio Dermatological Association Annual Conference in four consecutive years. One of his journal articles was even published in the October 2006 issue of Dermatologic Surgery. Sudhir Polisetty has written several other medical articles that will appear in future journals.

Sudhir Polisetty became a Dermatologist in July of 2013 when he joined The Dermatology Center in New Albany, Indiana, where he still practices today as a General and Surgical Dermatologist.

Find more about him on his Speakerfile profile: http://speakerfile.com/speakers/sudhir.polisetty or by visiting his website.