Background: Approximately 30% to 40% of alopecia areata (AA) patients have atopic dermatitis. Studies suggest that antihistamines and dupilumab may be effective treatments; however, the potential benefit of these therapies as either adjunct or monotherapy has yet to be elucidated.
Objective: To evaluate the use of antihistamines and dupilumab in the treatment of AA.
Importance: Dermatology is encountering increasing rates of autoimmune disease manifesting in primary skin conditions that are difficult to treat without a risk of immunosuppression. Naltrexone is an orally active opioid antagonist that influences a variety of systemic pathways, including the immune system, in low doses of 1.5 to 4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a lymphoma that expresses CD30. Cutaneous ALCL presents either as primary cutaneous disease or as secondary skin involvement due to the systemic disease. Herein, we describe two patients who presented to dermatology for evaluation of skin lesions diagnosed by non-dermatologists as a cutaneous abscess and lupus erythematosus, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe characteristic presentation of herpesvirus infections is a vesicular rash. The initial lesions appear as erythematous papules that turn into grouped vesicles and pustules eventuating into crusts. In most cases, the features are so characteristic that a diagnosis can be made by history and physical examination without further diagnostic testing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnemic-appearing macules of the extremities that fluctuate with temperature and position have been referred to as Bier spots. After review of the literature and innumerable clinical presentations, we propose that the best description and better nomenclature is physiologic anemic macules. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with physiologic anemic macules and review the history of this condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report a patient with punctate keratosis of the palmar creases appearing concurrently with focal acral hyperkeratosis. This presentation is a unique coexistence of 2 simple and punctate hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLoss of eyebrow hair may come to the attention of the dermatologist as a presenting complaint or as an unexpected finding on routine physical examination. Because eyebrows serve important cosmetic and social roles, their loss can be quite distressing to patients. While eyebrow loss may be an isolated finding of no medical consequence, it may also be an initial manifestation of a systemic condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRetinoids, a group of compounds encompassing Vitamin A and its analogs, have been shown to inhibit tumor growth in laboratory studies. Based on these findings, a number of clinical trials have been conducted to investigate the chemoprotective and chemotherapeutic effects of retinoids. This paper reviews the current database regarding the use of oral and topical retinoids in the prevention and treatment of cutaneous and internal malignancies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Dermatol Sci
May 2005
Biologically based agents (biologics) are novel therapeutic options in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Unlike traditional systemic anti-psoriatic drugs, which are chemically synthesized, these agents are unique in that they are derived from living organisms and hence called "biologics." In addition, they are the first group of "custom-designed" molecules that precisely target steps in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiffuse gingival enlargement is defined as an excessive growth of periodontal tissue. It can be considered a relatively common finding, as thousands of patients have been described in the literature. Patients may seek medical attention because of pain, tenderness, interference with speech and/or mastication, halitosis, or unsightly appearance, or gingival enlargement may be an unexpected finding on routine physical examination.
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