Atopy Associated With Positive Patch Test and Possible Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Background: Atopy is a genetic predisposition to the development of allergic reactions and the increased production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) upon exposure to environmental antigens. Clinical manifestations of atopy include asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD), and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC).

Objective: To determine if cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reactions (CDHRs) as assessed by patch testing are higher among patients with a history of atopy and with a familial predisposition to atopy.

Methylisothiazolinone Contact Allergy Prevalence in Western Canada: Increased Detection With 2000 ppm Patch Test Allergen.

Background: Contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone (MI) or to the combination of methylchloroisothiazolinone and MI (MCI/MI) is an important and increasing cause of allergic contact dermatitis, with prevalence rates higher than 10% in some centers.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective chart review is to provide a western Canadian perspective on whether the positive patch testing rate to MCI/MI or MI increased during the testing period of 2008 to 2015 and whether the addition of MI at 2000 ppm resulted in increased detection.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who tested positive (n = 104) of 2177 total patients who were patch tested for MCI/MI or MI at a community dermatology clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from January 2008 through April 2015.

Friction-induced pagetoid dyskeratosis.

Background: Pagetoid dyskeratosis (PD) is characterized by pale cells within the epidermis resembling those of Paget disease. These cells have been seen as an incidental finding in a variety of benign papules most commonly located in intertriginous areas. The lesion is considered a reactive process in which a small proportion of the normal population of keratinocytes is altered.

The health controversies of parabens.

Parabens are preservatives used in a variety of personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food products. Studies have confirmed the ubiquitous presence of parabens, with levels detected in wastewater, rivers, soil and house dust. Parabens have also been detected in human tissues and bodily fluids, but it is the discovery of these chemical compounds in the breast tissue of patients with breast cancer that has raised public concern over their use.

Allergic contact dermatitis to preservatives and fragrances in cosmetics.

Cosmetics are an important cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Fragrances and preservatives are the two most clinically relevant allergens found in cosmetic products. Patch testing remains the gold standard for identification of causative allergens.

HIV dermatology in Canada: cutaneous disease burden and demographic characteristics of a specialized urban practice.

Background: The introduction of antiretroviral therapies has changed the pattern of cutaneous disease in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Objective: To assess demographic characteristics, severity of immunosuppression, and frequency of dermatologic disorders in patients presenting to a Canadian specialized HIV dermatology practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed of 183 consecutive outpatient and inpatient consultations to a single HIV dermatology practice from January 2007 to December 2008.

Psoriasis and pustular dermatitis triggered by TNF-{alpha} inhibitors in patients with rheumatologic conditions.

Background: New onset or worsening of psoriasis has been reported in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors for a variety of rheumatologic conditions. There is mounting evidence that a key innate immune pathway for triggering common human autoimmune disease, including psoriasis, involves plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors (PDCs) and type 1 interferon (IFN) production. We present herein a case series with clinical and histopathologic evidence of psoriasis in patients with rheumatologic disease treated with TNF-alpha inhibitors.

Early detection of skin cancer by family physicians: a pilot project.

Background: Malignant melanoma is rising quickly in incidence and mortality rates. Family physicians (FPs) have been reported to lack confidence in diagnosing skin cancers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether an educational intervention can improve FPs' abilities to diagnose skin cancers.