Dermato-allergological risks in beauty operators.

Beauticians, hairdressers, and barbers are among the occupations with the highest rates of work-related skin diseases, especially occupational contact dermatitis (OCD). Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) due to chronic mild trauma (frictional dermatitis), contact with soaps, detergents, and wet work is frequent in beauty operators. Para-phenylenediamine (PPD), acrylates, essential oils, fragrances, colophony, and preservatives are most frequently responsible for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in these professional categories.

Topical botanically derived products: use, skin reactions, and usefulness of patch tests. A multicentre Italian study.

Background: The evidence on the safety of topical preparations containing botanical extracts is limited.

Objectives: To assess (i) the use of botanically derived compounds in a large population, (ii) the incidence of cutaneous side-effects, and (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing.

Methods: A questionnaire was used in 2661 patients to assess both the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used, and the occurrence of adverse skin reactions.

Irritant and sensitizing potential of eight surfactants commonly used in skin cleansers: an evaluation of 105 patients.

Background: Irritation from surfactants contained in detergents is a frequent adverse reaction to cosmetics. Sensitization to surfactants is also possible. In the literature, comparative studies about irritant and sensitizing potential of different surfactants are heterogeneous and inconclusive about the best molecules to use.

Sweet's syndrome: a retrospective clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 11 cases.

The aim of this paper is to report our clinical experience of Sweet's syndrome, a severe dermatological disease which may be extremely important to recognize for the early diagnosis of a neoplastic disorder. Eleven patients affected by Sweet's syndrome, treated at the Department of Dermatology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy, during 1998 to 2004, were evaluated. A retrospective analysis was performed.

Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment: is it really effective in plasma cell vulvitis? Report of four cases.

Background: Plasma cell vulvitis is a clinically and histologically well-characterized chronic disease that usually relapses after various topical therapies. Considering the inflammatory nature of the disease, the new topical calcineurin inhibitors have been also employed successfully in few cases of Zoon's balanitis, the corresponding male condition.

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of tacrolimus ointment in a small group of plasma cell vulvitis sufferers.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus: 11 women treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic relapsing disease, usually treated with ultra-potent corticosteroids. As immunological alterations are considered important aetiopathogenetic factors in lichen sclerosus, the new immunomodulating topical agents, such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, have been employed sporadically as alternative therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of tacrolimus 0.

An unusual local reaction after microsclerotherapy with chromated glycerin.

A case of papular itching lesions after microsclerotherapy with chromated glycerin (CG) at a 72% concentration for telangiectases of the thighs is reported. Patch-test results were strongly positive for nickel sulfate (+++/+++) and thimerosal (++/++) whereas results were negative for the sclerosing agent CG 72% and glycerol (control). Intradermal injection of CG 72% in the thigh and intravascular injection of CG 72% into telangiectases of the knee produced erythematous papular itching lesions in about 5 to 6 hours.

Acquired ichthyosis and hypertrichosis due to autoimmune thyroiditis: therapeutic response to thyroxine replacement.

Thyroid diseases may be associated with a wide variety of dermatologic disorders. We report a 15-year-old girl with acquired ichthyosis and hypertrichosis associated with hypothyroidism resulting from autoimmune thyroiditis. Her skin lesions progressively resolved after 8 months of replacement therapy with L-thyroxine.