Dermatitis

Neutrophil infiltration into inflammatory sites is one of the hallmarks of acute inflammation. Locally produced chemotactic factors are presumed to mediate the sequence of events leading to the infiltration at inflammatory sites. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a novel leukocyte chemotactic activating cytokine (chemokine), is produced by various types of cells upon stimulation with inflammatory stimuli and exerts a variety of functions on leukocytes, particularly, neutrophils in vitro. However, no definitive evidence has been presented on its role in recruiting and activating neutrophils in the lesions of various types of inflammatory reactions. We administered a highly specific neutralizing antibody against IL-8 in several types of acute inflammatory reactions, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced dermatitis, LPS/IL-1-induced arthritis, lung reperfusion injury, and acute immune complex-type glomerulonephritis. Anti-IL-8 treatment prevented neutrophil-dependent tissue damage as well as ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Doppler ultrasonography to monitor vascular blood flow dynamics in defined diseases of the equine digit in a noninvasive way. Doppler sonography was used to evaluate medial digital artery blood flow in eight horses with septic pododermatitis and four horses with laminitis in comparison with 10 horses of a control group. Doppler sonographic measurement and lameness examinations were performed in lame horses before treatment (day 0) and at 3, 6, and 9 days following treatment. Before treatment, blood flow velocities, arterial diameter, and flow volume were significantly higher in the lame horses, while pulsatility indices (PIs) were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference of resistive indices (RI) in the septic pododermatitis group, but these indices were significantly lower in the laminitis group. No significant difference between the two lame groups was recorded. After tr...

The Chief Nurse National Health Service Wales initiated a national survey of acute and community hospital patients in Wales to identify the prevalence of pressure ulcers and incontinence-associated dermatitis. Teams of two nurses working independently assessed the skin of each inpatient who consented to having their skin observed. Over 28 September 2015 to 2nd October 2015, 8365 patients were assessed across 66 hospitals with 748 (8.9%) found to have pressure ulcers. Not all patients had their skin inspected with all mental health patients exempt from this part of the audit along with others who did not consent or were too ill. Of the patients with pressure ulcers, 593 (79.3%) had their skin inspected with 158 new pressure ulcers encountered that were not known to ward staff, while 152 pressure ulcers were incorrectly categorised by the ward teams. Incontinence-associated dermatitis was encountered in 360 patients (4.3%), while medical device-related pressure ulcers were rare (n=33)...

Incontinent patients are at risk for incontinence-associated dermatitis. Prolonged exposures of the skin to urine and/or stool are causal factors but the exact aetiology and pathophysiology are not fully understood. The aim of the current investigation was to identify person and health-related variables most strongly associated with incontinence-associated dermatitis development. Secondary data analysis of a multicentre-prevalence study in 2012. Hospitals, nursing homes, home care in Austria and the Netherlands. Nursing home residents, hospital patients, home care clients who completed an incontinence assessment and who were incontinent (n = 3713). Mean age 81.2 (SD 11.2) years. Demographic, functional and physiological parameters were compared between subjects with incontinence-associated dermatitis and without. A logistic regression model predicting incontinence-associated dermatitis was build. Subjects with incontinence-associated dermatitis were statistically significantly more ...

A mu-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi by using biotinylated purified B. burgdorferi flagella was developed. The diagnostic performance of the mu-capture ELISA was compared with that of a conventional indirect ELISA. Sera from untreated patients with erythema migrans (n = 50), neuroborreliosis (n = 100), and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA; n = 48) were investigated. The cutoff of the ELISAs was adjusted to a diagnostic specificity of 98% on the basis of examination of 200 serum specimens from healthy controls. The mu-capture ELISA increased the diagnostic sensitivity in patients with erythema migrans from 32 to 48% (P less than 0.01) and in patients with neuroborreliosis from 37 to 57% (P less than 0.001). Because of an increased signal/noise ratio, the mu-capture ELISA yielded a significantly better quantitative discrimination of individual positive measurements from the cutof...

BACKGROUND The erbium:glass laser is approved to treat inflammatory acne on the back.OBJECTIVE This aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the 1,540-nm erbium:glass laser in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne on the face.METHODS AND MATERIALS An erbium:glass laser (Aramis, Quantel Medical, Clermont-Ferrand, France) was used to treat 15 patients with moderate to severe acne four times at 2-week intervals. Active lesions were first treated with six pulses at 10 J/cm2. The entire face was then treated with a single pass using bursts of four pulses at 10 J/cm2. Sebum measurements were performed. Six patients continued in a double-arm study to determine whether an additional treatment at 6 months would prolong the lesion-free period. Final evaluation was at 9 months.RESULTS At 6-month follow-up, patients rated improvement as 68%, and the mean investigator improvement assessment was 78%. Sebum measurements did not change. No patients required anesthesia, and no side effects were observed. A single retreatment session 6 months after the initial course held clearance at 80% at 9-month follow-up, whereas patients without retreatment had 72% clearance.CONCLUSION Treatment of inflammatory facial acne with the 1,540-nm erbium:glass laser is effective and relatively painless. Papules, pustules, and nodules all respond well to therapy. Additional treatment sessions may prolong the lesion-free period, and maintenance therapy should be included as a part of the treatment course.

A spotless skin is a rarity. Both women and men have different problems related to the complexion. One of the most common problems is acne, which affects an increasing number of people of all ages. Seborrhea skin areas rich in sebaceous glands, the formation of comedones, inflammation, and scars are characteristic for this disease. The aim of the study was to discuss the causes of acne vulgaris, methods of treatment, and proper care of the skin affected by this problem.

A 23-year-old, dark-skinned man presented at the dermatology department with pigmented macules over the trunk and proximal thighs of 2 months’ duration. He reported that the number of lesions had increased progressively for a few weeks and then remained stable. Skin examination showed oval brown macules and patches, 5–40 mm in diameter, involving mainly the anterior trunk and proximal thigh, but also the neck and dorsum (Fig. 1). The lesions were asymptomatic. There was no previous history of an inflammatory process, erythema, scaling, or drug intake. The mucous membranes, palms, and soles were clear. The pigmentation was not influenced by sunlight. Darier's sign (urticaria or erythema around the macules after scratching or rubbing of the lesions) was absent. The previous use of emollients, keratolytics, and topical antifungal agents did not alter the aspect of the lesions. The results of physical examination and routine laboratory tests (blood cell count, blood chemistry) were normal. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test and direct skin examination and culture for fungus were negative. A biopsy specimen was obtained from a pigmented macule. The histologic study showed hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, epidermal basal layer pigmentation with an irregular distribution, focal mild lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in the papillary dermis and dermal–epidermal junction, and discrete pigmentary incontinence (Figs 2–4). The mast cell population was normal. A further biopsy 1 year later showed similar findings.Figure 1. Multiple brown macules involving the trunkDownload figure to PowerPointFigure 1. Multiple brown macules involving the trunkDownload figure to PowerPointFigure 2. Mild inflammation in the papillary dermis and dermal–epidermal junction with focal lichenoid changes (hematoxylin and eosin, ×40)Download figure to PowerPointFigure 2. Mild inflammation in the papillary dermis and dermal–epidermal junction with focal lichenoid changes (hematoxylin and eosin, ×40)Download figure to PowerPointFigure 3. Mild inflammation in the papillary dermis. Melanin pigmentation with an irregular distribution in the epidermal basal layer (hematoxylin and eosin, ×250)Download figure to PowerPointFigure 3. Mild inflammation in the papillary dermis. Melanin pigmentation with an irregular distribution in the epidermal basal layer (hematoxylin and eosin, ×250)Download figure to PowerPointFigure 4. Detail of the epidermal basal layer showing irregular melanin pigmentation; there are a few extravasated red cells and a melanophage in the papillary dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400)Download figure to PowerPointFigure 4. Detail of the epidermal basal layer showing irregular melanin pigmentation; there are a few extravasated red cells and a melanophage in the papillary dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400)Download figure to PowerPoint After 3 years of follow-up, mild spontaneous fading occurred in some of the trunk lesions, but most remained unchanged.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by recurrent cyclic eruptions with variable morphology occurring during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with recurrent pruritic eruptions of 8 years' duration. The possibility of autoimmune progresterone dermatitis was raised because of the cyclic nature of the exacerbations. We used oral estrogen both to confirm the diagnosis and to treat the patient. A brief review of the clinical features of the disease is also presented.

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a common problem in older people. However, it is frequently misdiagnosed and poorly treated. There is often uncertainty about which product to use to prevent and treat IAD; the different types, brands and how to apply them. This literature review looks specifically at the use of barrier products in the prevention and treatment of IAD. A systematic search found six primary research papers that analysed the effectiveness of various barrier products; they will be compared and contrasted in this review. There is a lack of evidence to recommend any one barrier product over another for use in a standardised skin care protocol such as the regimen suggested by Gray et al (2012). More research needs to be conducted to establish the most effective barrier products on the market. More research is also needed on the efficacy of barrier products in the prevention and treatment solely of IAD rather than combined studies looking at IAD with pressure ulcers.

Dermatitis cruris pustulosa et atrophicans (DCPA) is a distinctive type of chronic superficial folliculitis, with a number of unique features such as its peculiar symmetric localization to legs, extreme chronicity, resistance to therapy, and inevitable alopecia and atrophy. All patients with DCPA, attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) Hospital, Pondicherry, from December 2006 to June 2008 were included. Parameters recorded were detailed history and examination, hemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, random blood sugar, skin biopsy and cultures from pus and carrier sites (nares, axillae and gluteal fold). 37 patients were studied (35 males and 2 females). Sixteen patients (43.24%) belonged to the 21-30 year-old age group. The disease most commonly began on the legs (81.1%). Majority (78.38%) had a disease duration of less than 5 years. Itching was the most common symptom (89.19%), followed by bleeding and scaling, with no significant systemic symptoms. The lower limbs were involved in all patients. Eleven patients (29.73%) had involvement of other sites--beard, axillae, chest, moustache, abdomen, and eyebrows. Pustules, papules, and scaling were seen in all patients, followed by wiry roughness, atrophy, alopecia, and pigmentation. Aggravating factors included use of full-length synthetic trousers, occupational exposure to potential irritants, and season (summer). Pus culture from the folliculitic lesions grew Staphylococcus aureus in 32 (86.49%) patients. Twenty one patients (56.75%) were carriers of S. aureus in one or more sites. DCPA is a chronic folliculitis of the legs, with a multifactorial etiopathogenesis, in which staphylococcal carrier status may be a new potential pathogenetic factor.