Laser hair reduction for hidradenitis suppurativa warrants insurance coverage.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, painful disease that significantly reduces quality of life. Laser hair reduction is one modality that can be used in combination with other treatments to ameliorate the condition. We argue that insurance should provide coverage for this necessary service.

Seven-year itch: a perplexing case of lichen planus-lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome.

Lichen planus-lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by clinical and histopathological features of both lichen planus (LP) and lupus erythematosus (LE). Cutaneous lesions commonly affect the distal arms, legs, face, and trunk and these plaques are often large, scaly, painful, and atrophic, often exhibiting hypopigmentation or a red to blue-violet color. We report a case of LP-LE overlap syndrome diagnosed in a man previously believed to have atypical lichen planus who presented with an exacerbation of exuberant pruritic erythematous scaly plaques.

Bullous sweet syndrome healing with prominent secondary anetoderma.

A 15-month-old boy presented with 1-4 cm, pink edematous plaques with overlying round erosions and hemorrhagic bullae in the setting of a gastrointestinal illness and was ultimately diagnosed with bullous-type Sweet syndrome. Despite appropriate treatment with oral steroids, the patient's cutaneous lesions healed with secondary anetoderma. This case should prompt practitioners to be aware of bullous-type Sweet syndrome and the possibility of lesions healing with postinflammatory scarring.

A pediatric case of unusual melanocytic proliferation of the nail.

Pigmentation of the nail plate, or melanonychia, is typically a benign condition caused by melanocyte activation. Although rare, melanonychia may be the initial presentation of melanoma, thus all cases require an in-depth examination. Evaluation in pediatric patients can prove especially difficult as benign cases have a higher prevalence of atypia compared to adults.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis masquerading as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus - case report.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown origin. Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) is an autoimmune disease that is associated with autoantibody production and T-cell dysfunction. Cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis may mimic CCLE and vice versa making it difficult to reach a diagnosis clinically.

Risk of Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized patients receiving metronidazole for a non-C difficile infection.

Background & Aims: Antibiotics often are given to prevent infections but also constitute a risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Metronidazole is an effective treatment for CDI. We investigated whether prophylactic administration of metronidazole to patients before they receive other antibiotics reduces the risk of CDI.