Transcribing Dermatology Dictation

Most dermatologic diseases respond well to topical drug therapy. There are mild cases of skin diseases like acne, psoriasis, and poison ivy that can be successfully treated with topical agents.

Acne drugs consist of various creams, lotions, and gels to apply topically. These drugs act to cleanse away oil and dead skin, to close the pores, to inhibit the growth of skin bacteria and kill skin bacteria.

Some prescription antibiotics used topically to treat more serious cases of acne vulgaris include:

• Cleocin T, clindamycin
• Meclan, meclocyline
• Topicycline or tetracycline

Severe cystic acne that is unresponsive to antibiotic treatment may be treated with topical tretinoin (Retin-a), which is a form of vitamin A.

Acne rosacea is an adult form of acne not caused by excessive oil but exacerbated by heat, stress, and skin irritation. It is treated with metronidazole (Metro-Gel).

Various topical agents are used to treat psoriasis and include coal tar lotions, gels, and shampoos that cleanse away dead skin and decrease itching. Trade name products include:

• Balnetar
• Denorex
• Estar
• Tegrin
• Zetar

Contact dermatitis, poison ivy, insect bites, seborrhea and eczema are treated with the use of topical corticosteroids both over-the-counter and prescription. Some common over-the-counter and prescription generic and trade name topical corticosteroid agents are: amcinonide (Cyclocort), betamethasone (Diprosone, Uticort, Valisone), clocortolone (Cloderm). The endings –sone, -olone, and –onide are common to some generic corticosteroids.

Common laboratory tests and surgical procedures found in dermatology dictation include:

• Biopsy, excisional, which is a complete excision or removal of a skin lesion with some adjacent, normal-appearing tissue also removed for comparison
• Biopsy, incisional, is partial removal of a lesion by making an incision into the lesion and removing a section of it as well as some adjacent, normal-appearing tissue for comparison.
• Biopsy, punch is removal of one section of a lesion using a sharp instrument known as a punch
• Bx is the abbreviation for biopsy
• Intradermal test is the injection into the intradermal layer of the skin of a chemical or other type of substance known to produce an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
• KOH test: KOH (potassium hydroxide) and methylene blue dye are applied to scrapings from the skin to detect under microscope the presence of a fungal infection.
• Skin scrapings are removal of a thin layer of skin cells by lightly scraping the skin with a scalpel and placing the cells on a slide for examination under the microscope after they have been stained.

The medical transcriptionist transcribing medical dictation in a dermatology office or hospital will encounter many of these terms.

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Anti Aging Skin Care and Treatments Dermatologists Use and Recommend

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's fairest of them all" might have been the uttering of one of the most hated characters we have come across, but this concern for outward good looks is too deep-rooted in the human psyche. The basic concept of beauty has been and remains to be soft, flawless, glowing skin. Advancing age, however, takes its toll and the skin becomes blotchy, rough and dull. Seen from this angle, the topic 'anti aging skin care and treatments' calls for sincere reflection. The sagging and sinking skins have had enough of natural beauty tips that do really well unless scars and wrinkles steal appearances and the once healthy skin falls an easy prey to advancing age. It is time now that they get some insight into the steps being taken in anti aging skin care and treatments.

A number of aesthetic or cosmetic plastic surgery like face-lifts, thread lifts, fat transfer and a host of non-surgical skin refinishing treatments are now available to fight back the impacts of aging and the harsh treatments meted out to skin. Given the wide selection of skin-rejuvenating treatments, it is preferable that a reliable dermatologist be entrusted with the responsibility of working out the ideal anti aging skin care treatment to eliminate and soften the effects of aging.

The recommended skin care regimen prescribed by the skin specialist may be a singular or a combination cure, depending on the seriousness of the condition, age and other health related issues. The surgical part of the treatment is handled by the skin specialists but the follow-up skin care program necessitates total patient involvement.

The following section elaborates some of the anti aging skin care treatments, which can be used at home:

Glycolic Acid - Glycolic or 'fruity acid' treatments are good for pigmented aging skin. The bleaching-cum-moisturizing action of this anti aging skin care treatment removes the skin blotches and smoothens the rough, sun-damaged skin, reviving its natural freshness. Available in two forms (cream and face wash), Glycolic Acid should be applied to the face twice daily or as recommended by the skin specialist. There are no serious medical problems associated with the usage of glycolic acids other than causing temporary skin irritation and redness sometimes. It is regarded as a safe anti-aging skin treatment. Caring for the rejuvenated skin involves use of sun block creams too.

TCA Skin Peels - The TCA skin peels are the most sought after anti-aging skin care treatments, because these medium strength peels are perfectly safe and essentially effective. They fight back the ravages of advancing years by removing facial lines and wrinkles and give back the skin its lost elasticity, suppleness.

The best thing about this easy-to-apply, home-based anti-aging skin care treatment is that its effect lasts up to a year or so. Twice a year application of TCA peels will certainly benefit the skin and are now available for at home use (see the link below).

Adding some natural skin care tips like hydrating the body inside out, going for a balanced diet (containing anti-oxidants), a little meditation and other health tips summarize a full-fledged anti aging skin care program.

David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He can be reached at http://www.bestskinpeel.com.