Allergic contact dermatitis to propyl gallate and pentylene glycol in an emollient cream.

A 62-year-old man, with a 20-year history of seborrhoeic dermatitis, presented with a worsening of his dermatitis. He had previously been demonstrated to be allergic to various topical corticosteroids, so he had been using an emollient cream (Sebclair), containing piroctone olamine and various anti-inflammatory substances, for 6 months, with good effect. Patch testing to the cream and its ingredients revealed positive reactions to both propyl gallate and pentylene glycol.

Cutaneous manifestations of Mycobacterium gordonae infection described for the first time in Italy: a case report.

Introduction: Mycobacterium gordonae is one of the least pathogenic of the mycobacteria. This pathogen may produce caseating or non-caseating granulomas, and skin lesions showing acute or chronic inflammation with scattered histiocytes and giant cells have been seen. The mortality rate is less than 0.

Allergic contact dermatitis with a fertilizer containing hydrogen cyanamide (Dormex).

Cyanamide is a chemical substance used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism as well in agriculture as a fertilizer. We report the case of a 28-year-old healthy non-atopic man that developed a severe skin eruption after the accidental penetration of a small amount of Dormex (a plant growth regulator containing cyanamide) through the patient's gloves. Patch tests revealed positive reactions to Dormex 1% pet.

Contact dermatitis with clostridiopeptidase A contained in Noruxol ointment.

Clostridiopeptidase A, also called collagenase 1, is a proteolytic enzyme capable of digesting collagen. Preparations containing clostridiopeptidase A are used topically for the debridement of dermal ulcers, burns and other necrotic lesions to facilitate the formation of granulation tissue and subsequent epithelization. We observed 4 patients with a periulcerative eczema after repeated applications of Noruxol ointment (Smith & Nephew Ltd, L Hull, UK).

Allergic contact dermatitis to regenerated oxidized cellulose contained in a matrix employed for wound therapy.

We describe a case of a 40-year-old non-atopic woman with recurrent leg ulcers because of the factor V Leiden mutation who developed a severe eczematous lesions of the skin surrounding an ulcer of the right leg after the use of a protease-modulating matrix (Promogran, Johnson and Johnson, Gargrave, Skipton, UK). The patient was patch tested with the SIDAPA (Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology) standard series, a piece of the device as is, of the bovine collagen (Zyderm, Collagen Corporation, Palo Alto, CA, USA) as is, a piece of the gauze containing only regenerated oxidized cellulose (Tabotamp, Johnson and Johnson, Gargrave, North Yorkshire, UK) and of a fold towels in pure cellulose (Foscart, Bassano del Grappa, Italy). Patch tests gave a positive reactions to nickel sulphate and Promogran as is.

Alterated integrin expression in lichen planopilaris.

Background: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is an inflammatory disease characterized by a lymphomononuclear infiltrate surrounding the isthmus and infundibulum of the hair follicle of the scalp, that evolves into atrophic/scarring alopecia. In the active phase of the disease hairs are easily plucked with anagen-like hair-roots. In this study we focused on the expression of integrins and basement membrane components of the hair follicle in active LPP lesions.

Occupational contact dermatitis to a limonene-based solvent in a histopathology technician.

Recently, D-limonene-based solvents are used as a safe alternative to xylene for histological and cytological application to dissolve paraffin. We report the case of a histopathology technician with a recalcitrant hand contact dermatitis strictly related to the use of a limonene-based solvent agent. Patch tests with SIDAPA (Italian Society of Allergological, Professional and Environmental Dermatology) standard series, limonene-based solvent used by the patient and D- and L-limonene (both oxidized and nonoxidized form) and with Giemsa and methylene blue stains were performed.

Erythema infectiosum following generalized petechial eruption induced by human parvovirus B19.

Parvovirus B19 is a DNA virus responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical illnesses. Among dermatological manifestations, the most common is erythema infectiosum, also known as the fifth disease. In 1990 Harms et al first described a papular-purpuric gloves and socks syndrome (PPGSS) due to parvovirus B19.

Tolerance to calcitriol and tacalcitol in three patients with allergic contact dermatitis to calcipotriol.

We describe 3 cases of psoriatic patients who developed a severe eczematous eruption after the use of calcipotriol ointment. For all of them, the dermatitis recovered after the suspension of the calcipotriol ointment and topical application of corticosteroids. We performed patch tests with the standard series of SIDAPA (Italian Society of Environmental, Occupational and Allergological Dermatology), with an integrative series of vehicles and preservatives, with the commercial ointment containing calcipotriol, with its excipients and, finally, with a series of diluted calcipotriol in isopropanol and petrolatum.

Recalcitrant scalp folliculitis: a possible role of herpes simplex virus type 2.

We report the case of a 70-year-old man with a 1 year history of relapsing folliculitis of the scalp. Bacteriological, mycological and the Tzanck tests from the lesions were negative. Histopathological study showed suppurative perifollicular flogosis.

Long-term toxic effects of radiations: sarcomatoid carcinoma and multiple basal cell carcinoma of the limbs in chronic radiodermatitis.

A 73-year-old woman was referred to our attention for the presence of severe chronic lymphoedema and neoplastic lesions of the limbs. When she was 19 years old, the patient had undergone X-ray epilation of the limbs to remove unwanted body hair. The neoplastic lesions, observed 2 years before our observation, were excised, and histological examination revealed multiple basal cell carcinomas and a spindle squamous cell carcinoma on the left thigh.

Relapsing herpes simplex-2 folliculitis in the beard area.

We describe the case of a 52-year-old immunocompetent man with recurrent folliculitis on the left cheek, associated with intense pain. Bacteriological, mycological and Tzanck tests from the lesions were negative. Histopathological study showed an aspecific flogosis pattern.

Transverse leukonychia in severe hypocalcemia.

We report the case of a 26-year-old man with acral tetany and muscular cramps of the upper limbs associated with hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism and celiac disease. Physical examination revealed a transverse leukonychia which disappeared after treatment with calcium lactogluconate, calcium carbonate and calcitriol. Hypocalcemia may induce nail alterations with a double mechanism represented by angiospasm and disorganization of the hard keratin and of the integrin subunits.