Dermatology Drugs

Dermatology DrugsDerm drugs are used to treat diseases of the SkinDermatologic ConditionsDiseases/Conditions Include:Acne VulgarisAcne RosaceaPsoriasisInfections-BacterialFungalYeastViral

DermatitisPoison ivyDiaper rashAlopeciaScabiesVitiligoPediculosisBurnsSkin ulcers

Topical formsBecause of the superficial nature and location to most dermatologic conditions they respond well to topical treatments and drug therapy.GelCreamLiquid Lotion MousseShampooointment

Types of DrugsTopical drugs for the skin can include:KeratolyticAntibioticVitamin AVitamin DCoal tar drugsPsoralenAntifungalAntihistamineAntipruritic

Acne VulgarisThis is the type of acne that is common during adolescence.Large amounts of oil harden and block the pores forming reddish papules. As bacteria feed on the oil, they cause infection.DRUGS to TREAT-Keratolytic/Astringent=remove oil & dead skin to cleanse the pores

Acne VulgarisOTCTRICLOSANRxClearsilOxyStri-DexPro ActiveClindamycinPanOxylErythromycinMany of the Rx drugs contain benzoyl peroxide

TRICLOSANTriclosan is a common ingredient in many products. It is also found in deodorantsTOOTHPASTESHAVINGcREAMMOUTHWASH

Topical or OralAntibiotic drugsAbx drugs for Acne can be Topical or OralMany of them contain Salicylic Acid (ASA)Oral Drugs, which can provide a systemic effectThey travel through the blood to kill bacteria in the deep layers of the skin. DoxycyclineMinocyclineTetracycline

Topical Vitamin AAKA- Retinoic AcidOral drugs can be prescribed for severe acne VulgarisA deficiency of Vitamin A can produce abnormal changes in the epithelial cells of the skin.

These cause the epidermal cells to multiply more rapidly preventing pores from clogging. These drugs also decrease inflammation.

Acne RosaceaAdult form of acneRosy Red cheeksCharacterized by constant blotchy redness of the cheeks. Caused by dilated blood vessels and excessive oil on the face.Exacerbated by heat, stress, skin irritationTreated with topical Abx

PsoriasisPsoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is characterized by scaly, raised, silvery-red patches on the skin. It is often resistant to treatment.

With this condition, the skin is abnormal at the cellular level, exhibiting abnormally accelerated rate of epithelial cell division and an abnormality of the keratin producing epi cells.=Keratinocytes Heart brake of heartbrakesoriasis

Topical Coal Tar DrugsOTC such as Neutrogena & T-GelCleanse away dead skin & decrease itchingCoal Tar is a by product of the processing of bituminous coal used for over 200 years

PsoriasisTopical Vitamin ATreats Adeficiency

Oral Vitamin AActs systemically to treat severe casesTopical Vitamin DActiviates receptors in the keratinocytes to slow their abnormal cell growth

Topical Corticosteroids-Reduce inflammation & itching

Other Drugs-Adalimumab-HumiraCyclosporinEfalizumab- RaptivaInflizimab- RemicadeSirolimus RapamuneTacrolimus Protopic

Other topical & oral drugs can be used for moderate to severe cases.They are prescription only and can act as an immunosuppressant to suppress the activity of the T-lymphcytes and the immune system.

Psoralen- treats severe disabling psoriasis by exposure to ultraviolet light

Bacterial InfectionsCan occur with breaks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter.Can be treated with topical Abx drugs such as; Bacitracin, Neosporin, GentamicinBetadine, Polysporin- All OTCFor serious widespread bacterial infections of the skin, oral or intravenous Abx that work systemically are prescribed.

Antibacterial hand gelConvenient, butDeadly?The Soap and Detergent Assoc. reports that 45%-75% of hand & body wash products contain antibacterial compounds.

Widespread use of these products and routine use of Abx drugs in animal feed are believed to have contributed to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria.MRSA-found in the noses of healthcare workers who passed the bacteria to their patients who could not fight it off.

Fungal & YeastFungal InF

Yeast INF-conazole- common to generic antifungal TxLike to grow in warm, dark, moist environmentsRingwormAthletes FootNail fungus

Candida AlbicansMouth, nails, vaginal, diaper rashTreated with anti-yeast drugs that disrupt the cell wall of the fungusFungi & yeast are closely related

Viral Infections of the skinHerpes Simplex Virus type 1-cold soresHerpes type 2-STD causes genital herpesHerpes Zoster VirusChicken pox & shinglesHPV-Human Papilloma Virus causes-genital wartscancer

Type 1-Acyclovir (Zovirax)Docosanol (Abreva)PenciclovirType 2-Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Chicken Pox & ShinglesHerpes Zoster Virus can be prevented with a vaccineChicken Pox VaccineShingles VaccineThey keep the virusFrom reproducingBy working systemically in theblood Warts (Verrucae)can be treated with OTC and Rx drugs

CorticosteroidsOTC & RxPoison ivy, insect bites, seborrhea, eczema, as well as yeast, fungal & psoriasis.Treat inflammation & itchingHydrocortisone 1st topical corticosteroid drug approved as OTCCorticosteroids can be given, intradermally, injected directly into an infected site, orally, which exhibits a systemic effect and topically which gives a local effect.ZINGO!

Zingo is a new form of delivering the anesthetic lidocaine to the skin prior to IV administer. The device is held firmly to the skin. When the start button is pushed, the powder form drug is administered with a loud popping sound like a zing!

Hair loss & WrinklesHair Loss- AlopeciaAffects both men & womenMale pattern baldness can be caused by low testosterone levelsHormone changes in women during menopause can cause hair to thin as well.Drugs to treat Alopecia include :Minoxidil (Rogaine)Finasteride (Propecia)They work by blocking enzymes that cause hair loss and dilate arteries in the scalp to increase blood flow to stimulate hair growth.

WRINKLESDrugs used to treat wrinkles include topical Vitamin A type drugs, Injected Muscle relaxant drugs, or filler drugs to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Botulinum Toxin Type A= Botox relaxes the muscles so that wrinkles smooth awayBotox is Clostridium botulinum= the bacterium that causes food poioning.

Bo-ToxBotulinumToxinEating spoiled food that contains this bacterium results in muscle paralysis & eventually death from respiratory arrest.Botox parties have become popular. Food, drinks and botulinum. Hurray!

Scabies & PediculosisScabies-Caused by tiny parasites called mites that tunnel under the skin and cause tiny lesions. They lay eggs which hatch in a week. Can be transmitted through furniture, clothing, towels, as well as contact.Rx drugs are necessary-Elimite, LindanePediculosis-Infestation of lice and their eggs (nits) that can be found on the body, hair & pubic area. They feed on blood. Their bites cause itching.Treated with the same meds, and OTC drugs such as RIDThe nits must be completely removed and the area treated. It can be a painstaking process-

24Nit-PickingA parasite or a louseIs shaped like a crab. The infestations sometimes referred toAs crabs The phrase nit-picking refers to pointing out tiny details, comes from the process of picking out the nits from the hair looking for lice eggs.

Burns, Ulcers, WoundsCan be difficult to manage medically.May contain necrotic (dead) tissue which must be debrided (removed) may contain exudate (drainage) prone to infectionSome OTC drugs contain seaweed and manuka honey which has been used since the Ancient Egyptians discovered it over 4,000 years ago.

Vitiligo

Autoimmune disorder in which pigment cells in the skin are slowly destroyed resulting in patchy, whitish areas which slowly spread.

Drugs can be used to produce pigment (color) Benoquin, Oxsoralen, Chromelin all Rx