Although acne is not an infectious disease, oral antibiotics have remained a mainstay of treatment over the last 40 years. The anti-inflammatory properties of oral antibiotics, particularly the tetracyclines, are efficacious in treating inflammatory acne lesions. Common prescribing practices in Dermatology exert significant selection pressure on bacteria, contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic use for acne not only promotes resistance in Propionibacterium acnes, but also affects other host bacteria with pathogenic potential. This review will summarize the commonly used treatments for acne vulgaris, and how they should be combined as rational treatment. The indications for using oral antibiotics in acne will be highlighted. Strategies described in the literature to conserve the utility of oral antibiotics will be summarized. These include limiting the duration of antibiotic therapy, concomitant use of a topical non-antibiotic agent, use of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline, and the introduction of topical dapsone.

Our results indicate that tandem CC --> TT mutations involving codons 247 and 248 of the p53 gene are associated with an increased risk of BCC but cannot be used as an accurate measure of total UV-radiation exposure.

Of the 2923 cases of colorectal carcinoma treated from 1970 to 1, only 12 (0.4%) were under the age of 30 years, Analysis of this group confirmed the higher incidence of more advanced tumours, as well as a higher frequency of predominantly mucin‐secreting adenocarcinoma. Regardless of the mode of treatment, survival is particularly poor in the young patients, and, in our opinion, this is a reflection of the more aggressive behaviour of the type of carcinoma afflicting young patients.

An Australian Mohs surgeon is capable of correctly identifying and interpreting histopathology in non-melanoma skin cancers, and this compares favourably to an overseas study.

Spider telangiectasia is a common benign vascular malformation which can be a source of cosmetic concern for the patient. A retrospective review of 30 adults and children with spider telangiectasia treated by the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser was undertaken. There was complete clearance of treated spider telangiectasia in 93% of patients after a single treatment. There were no reported permanent adverse effects with purpura being the only transient problem. Most patients were satisfied with the eventual results of treatment and would recommend treatment to other people with a similar problem. This laser should be considered as the treatment of choice for spider telangiectasia.