Update on antibacterial soaps: the FDA takes a second look at triclosans.

In December of 2013 the Food and Drug Administration announced it would look further into the safety and efficacy of the biocide triclosan and requested further safety data as part of a new review with the Environmental Protection Agency. The use of triclosan has increased exponentially since its introduction in in 1972, to the point that 75% of commercial soap brands contain triclosan and 76% of a nationwide sample of adults and children excrete triclosan in the urine. This announcement raised an important dialog about the appropriate use of all over the counter biocides.

News, views, and reviews. Less may be more for MRSA: the latest on antibiotics, the utility of packing an abscess, and decolonization strategies.

The management of skin infections has evolved over time and new evidence suggests that less acute intervention may be as good or better. For acute treatment, evidence from the emergency medicine literature shows that empiric oral antibiotics may not improve outcomes relative to incision and drainage alone. The use of packing material for wounds after draining does not lead to a decreased rate of recurrence, more rapid healing, or fewer physician visits, but does cause more pain.

News, views, and reviews. Carrots before sticks: appealing to vanity promotes sun protection.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen use is an important intervention to prevent squamous cell carcinoma and invasive melanoma. Now dermatologists can feel confident confirming that it prevents photoaging in middle aged adults as well. A new randomized trial from Australia confirms that consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen can slow photoaging in adults in as little as four years in middle-aged adults.

Chronic urticaria: omalizumab and review of therapeutic options.

Chronic idiopathic urticaria is a rare but significantly life-altering skin disease. Recent developments in immunology have promoted our understanding of its autoimmune pathology, but treatment options have not yet developed at the same pace. When antihistamines aren't sufficient, the next steps for treatment have less evidence for support.

Truth or fiction: risk factors for childhood atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is increasing in prevalence throughout the developed world, in parallel with asthma and hay fever. The reasons for the increase remain unclear. As a practical question, it is valuable to understand which interventions might decrease risk for childhood atopic disease.

Merkel cell carcinoma: banal-appearing, aggressive actor.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but often deadly cutaneous malignancy. It carries a 40 percent five-year mortality rate, in contrast to 15 percent for malignant melanoma, and the incidence is increasing among older and immunosuppressed patients. Dermatologists need to be aware of the particular diagnostic and treatment challenges as the incidence increases.

Tamiflu: what dermatologists need to know.

This article is a review of this winter's common infections and their treatments. As infectious agents become more aggressive and more resistant, new medications are needed to fight them. The recent outbreak of the H1N1 ("swine flu") influenza strain has increased, by several-fold, the use of the oral antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zenavimir).

Hyperpigmentation: old problem, new therapies.

Hyperpigmentation has frustrated men and women as a cosmetic concern and as a reminder of past skin injury. While photoprotection is an important part of preventing dark marks on skin, therapeutic interventions are important as well. The authors review new treatment data for fractional thermolysis,Tri-Luma, azelaic acid and chemical peels.

Beyond tretinoin: cosmeceuticals for aging skin.

In contrast to youthful skin, mature skin undergoes well-established clinical and microscopic changes, particularly after menopause. In particular, dermal thinning, loss of dermal collagen and decreased lipid production are complicated by the effects of life-long sun exposure. These changes manifest as wrinkling, loss of elasticity, dryness and textural changes that characterize mature skin.