Consider blue-green algal blooms this summer: Identifying and managing suspected cyanotoxin poisoning in primary care

Cyanobacteria, also referred to as blue-green algae, are micro-organisms...

Reducing the burden of melanoma in New Zealand Part 1: Prevention and risk assessment

Limiting UV radiation exposure through sun smart behaviour is...

Reducing the burden of melanoma in New Zealand Part 2: Early detection of melanoma

Identification of melanoma at the earliest possible clinical...

Topical antibiotics: keep reducing use

Encouraging progress has been made by prescribers in New Zealand...

News item: Discussion on Zostavax

Since publication of our article on Zostavax vaccine in March,...

Zostavax vaccine: now fully subsidised

Zostavax is a herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine that will become...

4% dimethicone lotion: a subsidised treatment for head lice

From 1 May, 2017, 4% dimethicone lotion can be prescribed fully...

Topical antibiotics for skin infections: should they be prescribed at all?

Clinical indications for the use of topical antibiotics are continuing...

Topical antibiotics for skin infections: when are they appropriate?

In the community, many patients have skin and soft tissue infections...

1. Chronic plaque psoriasis: an overview of treatment in primary care

Most patients with psoriasis have chronic plaque psoriasis,...

2. Choosing a topical treatment for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis

Finding a treatment that works for patients may require trial...

3. Monitoring patients with moderate to severe psoriasis

Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis are usually managed...

Prescribing isotretinoin for patients with acne in primary care

Isotretinoin is recommended for patients with moderate acne...

How to use fluorouracil and imiquimod for non-melanoma skin cancer in a general practice setting

Fluorouracil and imiquimod creams are fully subsidised topical...

Childhood eczema: improving adherence to treatment basics

Emollients form the basis of treatment for all patients with...

Topical corticosteroids for childhood eczema: clearing up the confusion

Topical corticosteroids are one of the key medicines used in...

Rosacea: seeing red in primary care

Rosacea is an inflammatory facial skin disease that can cause...

Valaciclovir – a first line antiviral medicine

Valaciclovir is an antiviral medicine which can be used for...

Treating childhood eczema - a topical solution for a topical problem

Cellulitis: skin deep and spreading across New Zealand

Responsible use of antibiotics in general practice

Should I prescribe a topical antiseptic cream instead of a topical antibiotic for minor skin infections?

Increasing rates of resistance to topical antibiotics continues...

Cellulitis: skin deep and spreading across New Zealand

Adults and children with uncomplicated cellulitis can usually...

News Update

The Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases (ASID) annual...

Treating childhood eczema - a topical solution for a topical problem

Emollients, topical corticosteroids and avoidance of triggers...

Tinea pedis: not just the curse of the athlete

Tinea pedis is a common fungal foot infection that is often...

Melanoma of the foot

Acral melanoma is a subtype of cutaneous melanoma, which manifests...

Plantar warts: a persistently perplexing problem

Plantar warts, also known as plantar verrucae, are manifestations...

Ingrown toenails: digging out the facts

The best method for treating patients with an ingrown toenail...

Cracked Heels: stop them in their tracks

Cracked heels are most often caused by a lack of moisture in...

News Updates

Medicines update: removal of Special Authority status | Antianginal...

Safer prescribing of high-risk medicines - Methotrexate: potentially fatal in overdose

Low-dose methotrexate is commonly used in the treatment of patients...

Topical antibiotics: very few indications for use

Topical antibiotics in general have been excessively used in...

Vulvovaginal health in post-menopausal women

Age-related changes in women can result in an increased occurrence...

“Seventh age itch”: Preventing and managing dry skin in older people

As skin ages, increased transepidermal water loss leads to dry...

Rural infections series: Rural round up

In the final instalment of the rural series we present a round-up...

Contact dermatitis: a “working” diagnosis

Contributed by: Dr Lissa Judd, Occupational Dermatologist,...

The diagnosis and management of herpes zoster and its complications

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a self-limiting condition caused...

Managing non-melanoma skin cancer in primary care: A focus on topical treatments

When a patient presents with a suspicious skin lesion the first...

Prescribing update: Low dose isotretinoin for acne?

New evidence is increasingly suggesting that isotretinoin may...

Causes, complications and treatment of a red eye

Most cases of “red eye” seen in general practice are likely...

Laboratory testing for isotretinoin

Oral isotretinoin is a highly effective treatment for severe...

Microbiological assessment of infected wounds: when to take a swab and how to interpret the results

Identifying and managing infection in wounds is an important...

Managing acne in primary care

Acne is a common dermatological condition that affects most...

Managing skin infections in Māori and Pacific families

Compared to other developed countries, New Zealand has one of...

Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria

Urticaria is a common condition, which is usually non-allergenic,...

Vulvovaginal health in premenopausal women

Symptoms relating to the vulvovaginal area such as abnormal...

Collecting specimens for the investigation of fungal infections

Fungal infections of the skin, nails and hair are caused by...

Detecting malignant melanoma

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the...

News in brief

Changes to nicotine replacement therapy prescriptions | Topical...

Skin infections in Pacific peoples

Serious skin infections such as cellulitis, abscesses and impetigo...

TNF inhibitors - an update

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used in the treatment...

The treatment of psoriasis in primary care

Psoriasis is an emotionally and physically debilitating disease...

Topical corticosteroid treatment for skin conditions

Topical corticosteroids are used to treat many skin conditions....

Practice tips: PPIs and Paraffin

All about PPIs, Fire hazard with paraffin

Managing eczema

Eczema can have a significant impact on the lives of patients...

How to treat acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at...

Upfront: The isotretinoin debate

There are two major safety concerns with isotretinoin :
• It...

Scabies - diagnosis and management

Scabies manifests as an itchy skin rash, as a result of an allergic...

Removal of isotretinoin prescriber restrictions

From 1 March 2009 PHARMAC will widen access to vocationally...

Management of fungal nail infections

Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) accounts for around 50%...

Management of impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious, bacterial infection of the...

Mastitis and sore nipples while breastfeeding

The management of two conditions that commonly, but unnecessarily,...

Imiquimod cream (Aldara) for genital warts and basal cell carcinoma

Imiquimod enhances the immune response to viral infections and...

Treating head lice

Head lice are non-discriminatory in who they affect, however...