Minoxidil, a vasodilator, was first marketed in 1979 as an oral antihypertensive. Since hypertric... more Minoxidil, a vasodilator, was first marketed in 1979 as an oral antihypertensive. Since hypertrichosis occurred as an adverse effect in most patients treated, a 2% topical solution was developed for use in men with androgenic alopecia. It was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration and by the Israel Ministry of Health. A follow-up of 30 cases treated with the preparation is presented. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by hair counts in a marked area on the balding scalp, as well as by subjective evaluations of patients and physicians. The treatment was beneficial in 63%: balding was slowed in most, while in a minority hair density actually increased. However, in only 6.6% was dramatic cosmetic improvement achieved.
A 74-year-old man developed an extensive erythematous skin eruption, fever, lymphadenopathy and e... more A 74-year-old man developed an extensive erythematous skin eruption, fever, lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia probably due to methyldopa. The symptoms reappeared shortly after unintentional reexposure to the drug. The positive results of two in vitro tests for the detection of drug allergy not only give further support to the causal relationship between the drug and the symptoms, but also indicate the involvement of an immunologic, allergic mechanism. Although every individual symptom represented in our case has been reported in previous cases, the association of the symptoms together in one patient has never before been reported. An awareness that adverse reactions to methyldopa can mimic a variety of acute infectious diseases and lymphoproliferative disorders is the key to diagnosis and might prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, procedures, and use of potentially toxic antibiotics and chemotherapy.
The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians... more The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians and researchers. An example is the well-established relationship between the exacerbation of acute gouty arthritis and high purine foods. A recent phenomenon of the link between diet and skin disease is that between certain foods--including garlic, onion and leek--and pemphigus. This connection is being intensively researched by us in collaboration with Ruocco and colleagues at the University of Naples II School of Medicine and Surgery. Case studies with supporting histological and immunological evidence are accumulating showing the role of these foods in provoking and exacerbating pemphigus.
In this article, we describe a case of seemingly stress-induced SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosi... more In this article, we describe a case of seemingly stress-induced SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome in a man who exhibited the central features of palmoplantar psoriasis and anterior chest involvement. We also review the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of SAPHO syndrome and emphasize the important differences between this syndrome and psoriatic arthritis.
Various plants induce dermatitis in man. There have been only a few published cases of contact de... more Various plants induce dermatitis in man. There have been only a few published cases of contact dermatitis caused by Agave americana (AA). We report intentional exposure to AA in a soldier seeking sick leave, and review our previously reported cases. Treatment with oral antihistamines and topical saline compresses resulted in subsidence of the systemic symptoms within 24 h and regression of cutaneous manifestations in 7-10 days. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of self-inflicted contact dermatitis induced by exposure to plants, especially to A. americana. Systemic signs may accompany the cutaneous lesions.
A case of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and acquired ichthyosis in... more A case of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and acquired ichthyosis in conjunction with Kaposi's sarcoma is reported. The possibility of a connection between acquired ichthyosis and immune deficiency, particularly AIDS, is presented.
In the current scabies pandemic, classic scabies is seen less frequently and special forms are be... more In the current scabies pandemic, classic scabies is seen less frequently and special forms are becoming more common. The diagnosis of scabies has become, therefore, a challenge for clinicians. The well-known scabietic burrow is seen only very rarely today and, therefore, pathognomonic as it is, the diagnosis of scabies should not rely on this clinical sign. In our experience, examination of skin scrapings mounted on a slide with saline is the most practical bedside method and ideal for screening patients with suspected scabies. It is easy to perform, requires neither sophisticated tools nor special skill, and can be done in less than five minutes by every practitioner.
We present a case of a bullous eruption appearing in a patient with pediculosis pubis. The erupti... more We present a case of a bullous eruption appearing in a patient with pediculosis pubis. The eruption was apparently a reaction to the pediculi, possibly to their salivary secretions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case. We have called this condition "bullous pediculid."
A case is described in which a papulonodular eruption developed all over the body. Histologic exa... more A case is described in which a papulonodular eruption developed all over the body. Histologic examination of one of the lesions revealed the dermis to contain mucin (hyaluronic acid). In some areas there was perforation through the epidermis of the mucinous material.
Autoimmune vesiculobullous skin diseases are a common occurrence in dermatology practice and do h... more Autoimmune vesiculobullous skin diseases are a common occurrence in dermatology practice and do have gender differences. While most dermal antigens and autoantibodies in these diseases have been identified, the etiology and clinical characteristics of the autoimmunity remain obscure, such as why more than 70% of autoimmune diseases are more frequent in women. Researching gender differences and the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases will shed light on the answers to such questions.
The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians... more The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians and researchers. An example is the well-established relationship between the exacerbation of acute gouty arthritis and high purine foods.
Minoxidil, a vasodilator, was first marketed in 1979 as an oral antihypertensive. Since hypertric... more Minoxidil, a vasodilator, was first marketed in 1979 as an oral antihypertensive. Since hypertrichosis occurred as an adverse effect in most patients treated, a 2% topical solution was developed for use in men with androgenic alopecia. It was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration and by the Israel Ministry of Health. A follow-up of 30 cases treated with the preparation is presented. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by hair counts in a marked area on the balding scalp, as well as by subjective evaluations of patients and physicians. The treatment was beneficial in 63%: balding was slowed in most, while in a minority hair density actually increased. However, in only 6.6% was dramatic cosmetic improvement achieved.
A 74-year-old man developed an extensive erythematous skin eruption, fever, lymphadenopathy and e... more A 74-year-old man developed an extensive erythematous skin eruption, fever, lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia probably due to methyldopa. The symptoms reappeared shortly after unintentional reexposure to the drug. The positive results of two in vitro tests for the detection of drug allergy not only give further support to the causal relationship between the drug and the symptoms, but also indicate the involvement of an immunologic, allergic mechanism. Although every individual symptom represented in our case has been reported in previous cases, the association of the symptoms together in one patient has never before been reported. An awareness that adverse reactions to methyldopa can mimic a variety of acute infectious diseases and lymphoproliferative disorders is the key to diagnosis and might prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, procedures, and use of potentially toxic antibiotics and chemotherapy.
The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians... more The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians and researchers. An example is the well-established relationship between the exacerbation of acute gouty arthritis and high purine foods. A recent phenomenon of the link between diet and skin disease is that between certain foods--including garlic, onion and leek--and pemphigus. This connection is being intensively researched by us in collaboration with Ruocco and colleagues at the University of Naples II School of Medicine and Surgery. Case studies with supporting histological and immunological evidence are accumulating showing the role of these foods in provoking and exacerbating pemphigus.
In this article, we describe a case of seemingly stress-induced SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosi... more In this article, we describe a case of seemingly stress-induced SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome in a man who exhibited the central features of palmoplantar psoriasis and anterior chest involvement. We also review the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of SAPHO syndrome and emphasize the important differences between this syndrome and psoriatic arthritis.
Various plants induce dermatitis in man. There have been only a few published cases of contact de... more Various plants induce dermatitis in man. There have been only a few published cases of contact dermatitis caused by Agave americana (AA). We report intentional exposure to AA in a soldier seeking sick leave, and review our previously reported cases. Treatment with oral antihistamines and topical saline compresses resulted in subsidence of the systemic symptoms within 24 h and regression of cutaneous manifestations in 7-10 days. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of self-inflicted contact dermatitis induced by exposure to plants, especially to A. americana. Systemic signs may accompany the cutaneous lesions.
A case of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and acquired ichthyosis in... more A case of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and acquired ichthyosis in conjunction with Kaposi's sarcoma is reported. The possibility of a connection between acquired ichthyosis and immune deficiency, particularly AIDS, is presented.
In the current scabies pandemic, classic scabies is seen less frequently and special forms are be... more In the current scabies pandemic, classic scabies is seen less frequently and special forms are becoming more common. The diagnosis of scabies has become, therefore, a challenge for clinicians. The well-known scabietic burrow is seen only very rarely today and, therefore, pathognomonic as it is, the diagnosis of scabies should not rely on this clinical sign. In our experience, examination of skin scrapings mounted on a slide with saline is the most practical bedside method and ideal for screening patients with suspected scabies. It is easy to perform, requires neither sophisticated tools nor special skill, and can be done in less than five minutes by every practitioner.
We present a case of a bullous eruption appearing in a patient with pediculosis pubis. The erupti... more We present a case of a bullous eruption appearing in a patient with pediculosis pubis. The eruption was apparently a reaction to the pediculi, possibly to their salivary secretions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case. We have called this condition "bullous pediculid."
A case is described in which a papulonodular eruption developed all over the body. Histologic exa... more A case is described in which a papulonodular eruption developed all over the body. Histologic examination of one of the lesions revealed the dermis to contain mucin (hyaluronic acid). In some areas there was perforation through the epidermis of the mucinous material.
Autoimmune vesiculobullous skin diseases are a common occurrence in dermatology practice and do h... more Autoimmune vesiculobullous skin diseases are a common occurrence in dermatology practice and do have gender differences. While most dermal antigens and autoantibodies in these diseases have been identified, the etiology and clinical characteristics of the autoimmunity remain obscure, such as why more than 70% of autoimmune diseases are more frequent in women. Researching gender differences and the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases will shed light on the answers to such questions.
The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians... more The role of nutrition in causing or preventing skin diseases is an ongoing interest to clinicians and researchers. An example is the well-established relationship between the exacerbation of acute gouty arthritis and high purine foods.
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