Erythema Multiforme: Recognition and Management.

Erythema multiforme is an immune-mediated reaction that involves the skin and sometimes the mucosa. Classically described as target-like, the erythema multiforme lesions can be isolated, recurrent, or persistent. Most commonly, the lesions of erythema multiforme present symmetrically on the extremities (especially on extensor surfaces) and spread centripetally.

Annular Lesions: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Annular lesions can present in a variety of diseases. Knowledge of the physical appearance and history of presentation of these skin findings can help in the diagnosis. A pruritic, annular, erythematous patch that grows centrifugally should prompt evaluation for tinea corporis.

Dermatological Implications of Coining: An Eastern Medicine Cultural Practice.

A 36-year-old Chinese man with no significant medical history presented to his clinician's office for follow-up of results from recent blood work. Upon entering the room, the patient was wearing a mask. After reviewing his lipid panel, he mentioned that he had been "fighting a cold.

Edema: diagnosis and management.

Edema is an accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space that occurs as the capillary filtration exceeds the limits of lymphatic drainage, producing noticeable clinical signs and symptoms. The rapid development of generalized pitting edema associated with systemic disease requires timely diagnosis and management. The chronic accumulation of edema in one or both lower extremities often indicates venous insufficiency, especially in the presence of dependent edema and hemosiderin deposition.

Bedbug infestation.

The significant resurgence of bedbugs in the past decade has been attributed to pesticide resistance, more frequent travel, lack of public awareness, and inadequate pest control programs. Bedbugs are obligate blood parasites (insect family Cimicidae). They can withstand a large range of temperatures but are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide.

Angioedema after local trauma in a patient on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy.

Angioedema is a side effect that is often associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medications. These medications result in increased levels of circulating bradykinins. This case illustrates the result of a local traumatic event to the upper lip, presumably causing marked bradykinin release in a patient who was taking an ACE inhibitor.

Eczema herpeticum: making the diagnosis in the emergency department.

Eczema herpeticum (EH), a form of Kaposi's varicelliform eruption, is the dissemination of herpes simplex virus in the setting of preexisting eczema. We discuss the case of an 18-year-old woman with underlying atopic dermatitis (AD) who presented to an Emergency Department complaining of malaise, fever, and a spreading, burning, vesiculopapular facial rash. She was treated for both presumed impetigo and a flare of her underlying AD with cephalexin, bacitracin ointment, topical steroids, and diphenhydramine.

An update on the diagnosis and treatment of early Lyme disease: "focusing on the bull's eye, you may miss the mark".

To confidently diagnose and treat Lyme disease, the clinician must first understand the natural history of this disease, especially its protean early manifestations. Emergency physicians, primary care physicians, and other providers need to be vigilant in terms of the timely recognition of erythema migrans (EM), the unique marker of early localized stage 1 disease. The classic EM, originally described as a slowly expanding bull's eye lesion, is now recognized to be present in only the minority of cases (9%); the dominant morphologic lesion of EM is now recognized to be the diffusely homogenous red plaque or patch, which occurs in over 50% of cases.

Primary care physician beliefs regarding usefulness of self-monitoring of blood pressure.

Background: Recent studies suggest that the self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) may improve the identification and control of hypertension. Although endorsed by the Joint National Committee VII guidelines, home monitoring is not currently part of the standard care of hypertension.

Objective: To assess community- and university-based primary care physicians' opinions of SMBP.

The reliability of patient self-reported blood pressures.

Self-monitoring of blood pressure actively involves patients in hypertension management. However, the usefulness of self-monitoring of blood pressure may be limited by inaccurate patient reporting. The study objective was to assess reliability of patient blood pressure reporting over 6 months.