I have an occasional “phantom” itch in the middle of my back in a place I can’t reach. I use a long-handled comb to give it a good scratch. There’s no obvious cause — no rash, no irritation or redness, no diagnosed skin disorder. It’s annoying, but it doesn’t disrupt my life.
Author: tolliver.m
Topical immunotherapy keeps skin cancer risk at bay (Links to an external site)
A combination of two topical creams already shown to clear precancerous skin lesions from sun-damaged skin also lowers the risk that patients will later develop squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
Medication for severe acne alters skin microbiome (Links to an external site)
Isotretinoin, a form of vitamin A, has been prescribed to treat acne for decades. It reduces oil production in the skin, which helps prevent acne from forming.
Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea traced to immune cells (Links to an external site)
Washington University researchers have found that immune cells called macrophages can trigger smooth muscle contractions in the intestinal tract, independent of nerve cells. The research in mice suggests that targeting a receptor (green) on macrophages (red) holds potential for treating chemotherapy-induced diarrhea.
Sun Pharma Advanced Research Co. commits $10 million to drug development (Links to an external site)
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is joining with Sun Pharma Advanced Research Co. (SPARC) to support new drug development through the university’s Center for Drug Discovery and the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Potential new therapy relieves chronic itch (Links to an external site)
The roots of chronic itching have long remained a mystery. Meanwhile, those with the condition suffer from an unrelenting and sometimes debilitating urge to scratch. Now, new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified immune signaling molecules that are essential for activating neurons in the skin to cause chronic itching.
New group supports LGBTQ community at medical school (Links to an external site)
The realization that it can be difficult for LGBTQ faculty, staff and students to connect, develop networking relationships and find mentors helped lead to the creation of OUTmed at the School of Medicine.
New topical immunotherapy effective against early skin cancer (Links to an external site)
A combination of two topical drugs that have been in use for years triggers a robust immune response against precancerous skin lesions, according to a new study. The research, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Harvard Medical School, shows that the therapy activates the immune system’s T cells, which then attack […]
Itching for no reason? Immune system may be at fault (Links to an external site)
In a small study of patients who have chronic itching with no known cause, researchers from the Center for the Study of Itch at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identified immune system irregularities that may prompt the urge to scratch.
Washington People: Susan Bayliss (Links to an external site)
Director of pediatric dermatology dedicated to helping children at home and abroad