fluticasone propionate

Commentary on: "Optimizing topical glaucoma treatment outcomes: When less is better. A review on the clinical benefits of reducing treatment burden in glaucoma management".

Arnould Louis L

Treatment of Mixed Dry Eye Disease with Topical Azithromycin: A Prospective Controlled Pilot Study.

Cestnik Blaž B, Dovžak Fritz Ana A, Bone Tomaž T, Stunf Pukl Spela S

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of topical azithromycin ophthalmic solution (Azyter®, 15 mg/g) as second-line treatment for mixed dry eye disease (DED), given the drug's known non-antimicrobial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Methods: In this pilot, prospective, controlled, non-randomized interventional study, fifteen patients with mixed DED refractory to first-line treatment received topical azithromycin for 30 days (twice daily for 3 days, then once daily for 27 days); ten healthy individuals served as controls. Clinical evaluation was performed before and after treatment in the study group and once in controls, and included the Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5), Schirmer test, non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT, Sirius PLUS corneal topography), tear meniscus height (TMH; Sirius PLUS corneal topography), Efron scale grading of blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and conjunctival hyperemia; Oxford-scale grading of corneal fluorescein staining, and corneal epithelial thickness (swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography, AS-SS-OCT). Results: After treatment, DEQ-5 scores improved significantly (p < 0.001) and no longer differed from controls. Schirmer test and NITBUT values increased significantly (p = 0.003 and p = 0.027, respectively), becoming comparable to controls. Blepharitis, MGD, and corneal fluorescein staining scores also improved significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.002), as did maximum corneal epithelial thickness (p = 0.037). Conclusions: In this pilot cohort, second-line treatment of mixed DED with topical azithromycin significantly improved disease symptoms and signs, supporting its potential as a treatment option. Larger randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal treatment regimen and duration.

Development and Characterization of Carrageenan-Based Hydrogels Enriched with Calendula officinalis Extract for Topical Skin Applications.

Kozlowska Justyna J, Bakula Anna A, Noryca Katarzyna K

Carrageenan-based hydrogels are promising matrices for topical cosmetic applications because their highly hydrated polymer networks can be modified to incorporate bioactive compounds and adjust functional properties. In this study, Calendula officinalis flower extracts were incorporated into κ-carrageenan-based hydrogels either directly or after loading into chemically crosslinked gelatin microspheres. The obtained formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, compressive modulus, swelling behaviour, thermal stability, and selected biophysical skin parameters. The hydrogels showed formulation-dependent differences in surface morphology, mechanical properties, water uptake, and thermal behaviour. The compressive modulus ranged from 14.10 ± 1.15 to 23.20 ± 1.46 kPa, with the highest value observed for the hydrogel containing directly incorporated hydroglycolic extract. This formulation also exhibited the lowest degree of swelling, whereas higher swelling was generally observed in microsphere-containing systems. All formulations showed three main stages of thermal mass loss. Preliminary skin measurements showed no pronounced persistent increase in transepidermal water loss or marked changes in the A* parameter following hydrogel application. The results show that direct and microsphere-mediated incorporation represent distinct formulation strategies resulting in different physicochemical properties of carrageenan-based hydrogels. Preliminary skin measurements additionally provided initial information on their short-term response following topical application.

Common Skin Rashes in Children.

Wilson J Lane JL, Swanson Allison A, Rajpara Anand A

Childhood skin rashes are frequently evaluated by primary care physicians and are often diagnosed by recognition of distinguishing features. Atopic dermatitis affects 15% to 20% of children, usually with onset before the age of 2 years. Treatment is based on severity and begins with emollients and topical steroids. Erythema infectiosum presents with the slapped cheek rash that progresses to reticular lesions on the trunk and extremities. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease presents with painful oral ulcers and vesicular eruption of the hands, feet, buttocks, and genitals. Nonbullous impetigo is characterized by lesions with honey-colored crusting, whereas bullous impetigo presents with flaccid bullae; both are treated with antibiotics. Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by dome-shaped umbilicated papules that spontaneously resolve over months to years without intervention but may be treated with cryotherapy, curettage, or topical agents. Pityriasis rosea usually presents with a large herald patch on the trunk followed by the eruption of numerous smaller lesions aligned with Langer lines. Scarlet fever is a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection with a sandpaper-like rash and should be treated with antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever. Tinea capitis requires treatment with systemic antifungals, whereas tinea corporis is usually treatable with topical agents.