Clinical Features and Awareness of Hand Eczema in Korea.

Background: Hand eczema is one of the most common skin disorders and negatively affects quality of life. However, a large-scale multicenter study investigating the clinical features of patients with hand eczema has not yet been conducted in Korea.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of various hand diseases, which is defined as all cutaneous disease occurring in hands, and to investigate the clinical features of patients with hand eczema and the awareness about hand eczema in the general population and to compare the prevalence of hand eczema between health care providers and non-health care providers.

Induction of a hardening phenomenon and quantitative changes of ceramides in stratum corneum.

Background: Hardening phenomenon of human skin after repeated exposure to the irritants is well-known, but the precise mechanism remains elusive.

Objective: To modify the previous experimental model of hardening phenomenon by repeated applications of two different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) solutions to Korean healthy volunteers and to investigate the quantitative changes of ceramides in stratum corneum before and after chronic repeated irritation.

Methods: Eight hundred microliters of distilled water containing 0.

Use of S-LANSS, a tool for screening neuropathic pain, for predicting postherpetic neuralgia in patients after acute herpes zoster events: a single-center, 12-month, prospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most severe sequelae of herpes zoster events. Several risk factors have been reported for PHN, including old age, severe skin rash, and intense pain. This study therefore aims to evaluate the usefulness of the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S-LANSS) in conjunction with previously reported risk factors for predicting PHN.

Improvement of atopic dermatitis severity after reducing indoor air pollutants.

Background: Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that environmental contaminants such as air pollution and tobacco smoke play an important role in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of AD and indoor air pollution.

Methods: The study population consisted of 425 children from 9 kindergartens, Korea.

Dose-dependent effects of evening primrose oil in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Previous clinical trials with evening primrose oil in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment have shown different results. In addition, the optimal dose and duration of treatment with evening primrose oil have not yet been determined.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the dose-response treatment effects of evening primrose oil on clinical symptoms of AD and serum concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Food hypersensitivity in patients with childhood atopic dermatitis in Korea.

Background: It is well known that atopic dermatitis (AD) is related to food hypersensitivity, although its prevalence varies among several studies according to age group, severity, country, survey time, and test method.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and status of food hypersensitivity among childhood AD patients in Korea.

Methods: A total of 95 patients were enrolled in the study.

Lack of association of plasma histamine with diamine oxidase in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is considered a complex and multifactorial disease. Excessive histamine intake may induce an attack of urticaria. The main enzyme for histamine metabolism is diamine oxidase (DAO).

Multicenter study of preservative sensitivity in patients with suspected cosmetic contact dermatitis in Korea.

As many new cosmetic products are introduced into the market, attention must be given to contact dermatitis, which is commonly caused by cosmetics. We investigate the prevalence of preservative allergy in 584 patients with suspected cosmetic contact dermatitis at 11 different hospitals. From January 2010 to March 2011, 584 patients at 11 hospital dermatology departments presented with cosmetic contact dermatitis symptoms.

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of fractional radiofrequency microneedle treatment in acne scars and large facial pores.

Background: Fractional technology overcomes the problems of ablative lasers, such as inaccurate depth control and damage to the epidermis. Minimally invasive fractional radiofrequency microneedle devices allow for more-selective heating of the dermis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of fractional radiofrequency microneedle (ERM) treatment in acne scars and large facial pores.

Epidermal cysts in a tacrolimus treated renal transplant recipient.

Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, formerly also known as FK506, is a macrolactam drug isolated from Streptomyces tsukubaensis. Its mode of action closely parallels the action of cyclosprorin A (CsA) and can be used for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases in which systemic CsA has proved effective against psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, atopic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus and graft versus host disease (GVHD). Although several cases of epidermal cysts have been reported in patients using cyclosporine and other immunosuppressants after organ transplantation; such types of cases have yet not been reported after administration of tacrolimus.

Primary malignant rhabdoid melanoma.

Melanoma with rhabdoid features is an uncommon variant of malignant melanoma. Here, we describe a rare case of primary rhabdoid malignant melanoma. A 54-year-old man presented with a black tumor measuring 3×4 cm on the right forearm.

Quantitative study of stratum corneum ceramides contents in patients with sensitive skin.

People with sensitive skin (SS) are those who state their skin is more sensitive than that of average persons. The stratum corneum is responsible for maintaining skin barrier function. Ceramides, major constituents of stratum corneum lipids, have been shown to predominantly contribute to the role.

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis with a Low-histamine Diet.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has numerous trigger factors. The question of whether foods can aggravate AD remains open to debate. Although a number of published papers have detailed the relationship between food allergies and AD, little research has examined the question of how food intolerance affects AD.

A Case of a Subepidermal Calcified Nodule on the Sole without Trauma.

Subepidermal calcified nodule is an uncommon form of calcinosis cutis, which most commonly occurs in children. It usually presents as an asymptomatic, solitary verrucous nodule on the head and neck region, but occasionally as multiple lesions. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels are usually normal.

[Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and related factors in the jurisdictional areas of primary health care posts in a rural community of Korea].

Objectives: This study aimed to identify and assess the factors related to the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension based on jurisdictional areas of primary health care posts in a rural community of Korea.

Methods: This study was performed on 4598 adults aged over 30 years in a rural community and we measured their blood pressure (BP) from October. 2007 to August.

Diagnostic Usefulness of the Serum-Specific IgE, the Skin Prick Test and the Atopy Patch Test Compared with That of the Oral Food Challenge Test.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is frequently associated with food allergies. In addition to the skin prick test (SPT) and serum-specific IgE, the atopy patch test (APT) has been introduced as a diagnostic procedure for food allergies.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the APT, the SPT and the serum-specific IgE levels compared with that of oral food challenge test against milk and egg in AD patients.

A case of wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Foods are recognized as a common cause of urticaria; however, the role of food is considered to be more important in acute not chronic urticaria. Wheat is a basic ingredient found in many common foods. Food allergy to wheat is primarily described in children in the form of atopic dermatitis.

A case of churg-strauss syndrome.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) or allergic granulomatosis angiitis is a rare primary vasculitic disease. CSS can be diagnosed by the presence of any four or more of the six criteria, which include asthma, eosinophilia greater than 10%, paranasal sinusitis, pulmonary infiltration, histological proof of vasculitis and mono- or poly-neuropathy. We report here on a 45-year-old male who developed erythematous macules, papules and hemorrhagic vesicles on both right extremities along with a tingling sensation and sacral pain.

Wheat-dependent, Exercise-induced Anaphylaxis: A Successful Case of Prevention with Ketotifen.

Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is the triggering of anaphylaxis after ingestion of certain foods when followed by physical exercise. Symptoms vary from the typical generalized urticaria to severe allergic reactions. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman who had a 7-year history of recurrent wheals and dyspnea after ingesting several kinds of food (wheat, pork, and beef) along with physical exercise.

[Acute health effects of the Hebei oil spill on the residents of Taean, Korea].

Objectives: On December 7, 2007, the Hebei Spirit oil tanker spilled out 12,547 kl of crude oil on the Yellow Sea 10 km away from the cost of Taean Province, Korea. As the coastline has been contaminated, local residents have been exposed to crude oil. Because the residents were showing many symptoms, we investigated the acute health effects of this oil spill on them.

[Factors associated with cancer screening intention in eligible persons for national cancer screening program].

Objectives: To identify factors associated with cancer screening intention using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).

Methods: Among 55,920 eligible persons for National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in J city, 1,100 individuals were contacted. Of these, 797 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Effects of tacrolimus ointment on the expression of substance P, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3 in atopic dermatitis.

Background: There is increasing evidence that neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives To investigate the effects of tacrolimus on the neuropeptides substance P (SP), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the skin, and SP and NGF in the serum, of patients with AD.

Methods: Lesional skin specimens were obtained from eight AD patients and eight normal controls.

A case of congenital leukemia cutis.

Congenital leukemia is a rare disease that develops from birth to 6 weeks of life. Leukemia cutis involves cutaneous infiltration by leukemic cells and is an unusual manifestation of leukemia, and has been documented in 25~30% of patients with congenital leukemia. The authors report a case of congenital leukemia cutis.

Fragrance contact dermatitis in Korea: a joint study.

The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of responses to selected fragrances in patients with suspected fragrance allergy and to evaluate the risk factors. 9 dermatology departments of university hospitals have participated in this study for the past 1 year. To determine allergic response to fragrances, 18 additional fragrances in addition to the Korean standard and a commercial fragrance series were patch-tested in patients with suspecting cosmetic contact dermatitis.