Lilia G Zisova | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

Topically applied vitamins and their cutaneous effects.

The number of cosmetic products which include vitamins as a constituent has increased three-fold since 1991. Vitamins are commonly used as ingredients of products designed to improve the appearance and health of the skin; for this reason the cutaneous benefits of such products are actively researched by dermatologists and chemists. The present study does a review of the action of topically applied vitamins for local use which improves the function of the skin. We specifically consider the biologic activity of topically applied vitamins, their stability and usefulness. Ways of stabilizing different kinds of vitamins, as well as their stability to oxygen, light, temperature, acids, and bases, are shown. The conclusion suggested by the review is that the efficiency of topically applied vitamins is dependent not only on their good stabilization and concentration but also on the clinical individual tests that can determine the best product for each particular patient.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2004

Fluconazole (Fungolon) in the treatment of onychomycoses.

UNLABELLED: Onychomycoses are fungal infections of the hand and foot nails, caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds. These conditions are difficult to treat, spontaneous remissions are rare and recurrences are not infrequent. AIM: The present study aimed at establishing the efficacy of pulse fluconazole therapy (200 mg once weekly for 4 months) in cases of hand nails infections and 200 mg once weekly for 6 months in cases of feet nail infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 36 patients--23 with hand onychomycosis and 13 with feet onychomycosis (patients' age ranging from 22 to 67 years). More than 25% of the nail bed was affected in all cases. Diagnosis was based on direct microscopy of KOH treated specimens and by culturing on Sabouraud medium. RESULTS: Treatment outcome was categorized as follows: clinical cure--in 91.3% of the cases with hand onychomycosis and improvement--in 8.7% of the cases; eradication of fungal infection--in 95.6% of the cases. Feet onychomycosis--clinical cure--61.5% of the patients, improvement--in 38.5% and eradication of fungal infection--in 69.2 % of the cases. Fluconazole (Fungolon) has only been recently used in the treatment of nail fungal infections. So far, no standard dosage has been established. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the accumulated evidence it is concluded that pulse fluconazole (Fungolon) therapy--200 mg once weekly is effective and safe. However, for better disease outcome, especially in cases of foot nail infections--dosage of 300 mg once weekly and 300-450 mg once weekly (if molds are the offending agents) is recommended.

Adult↗