Obtaining an Adequate Specimen for the Diagnosis of Pigmented Lesions.

Melanoma is a common, potentially deadly disease but is curable if caught early. A specimen of a pigmented lesion must capture the entire width and depth of the lesion to evaluate the lesion's size, symmetry, and circumscription. Saucerization shaving, punching, and excision biopsy are 3 techniques that can be used to achieve a satisfactory specimen.

Ice-pack dermatosis: a cold-induced dermatitis with similarities to cold panniculitis and perniosis that histopathologically resembles lupus.

Importance: Cold panniculitis is a self-limited condition, manifesting as erythematous plaques or nodules after cold exposure, that typically affects infants and children. Recently, a variant involving the lateral thighs of equestrians has been described. Since the original report of this variant, some confusion has arisen in the literature in which the terms equestrian cold panniculitis and equestrian perniosis are both used.

Tanning themselves to death: a new teen fad.

Incidence rates of melanoma continue to rise, especially in young women, despite the enormous body of evidence that identifies ultraviolet radiation as a skin carcinogen. It is time for a change in societal norms, an increase in counseling of young adults about the risks of indoor tanning facilities, and to prevent young adults from tanning by introducing new legislation.