Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy with systemic involvement.

Background: There is a growing literature regarding sclerotic and panniculitic cutaneous conditions seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (eg, calciphylaxis and soft tissue calcification). Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) is a recent designation to describe cutaneous findings in patients with end-stage renal disease who developed sclerotic plaques with scleromyxedema-like histologic features. Soft tissue calcification is rare in patients with NFD and systemic involvement has not been reported.

Practical and experimental consideration of sun protection in dermatology.

Much is known regarding the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on the skin. As more epidemiologic and basic research continues to characterize the impact of sun exposure and other sources of UV radiation upon the development of cutaneous neoplasm and a variety of photosensitive dermatoses, it is crucial for the dermatologist to promote sun protection among his/her patients as well as the primary care physician who has a greater reach of the community than the skin specialist. Practical steps to achieve optimal sun protection include avoidance of UV radiation, avoidance of photosensitizing drugs, use of photo-protective clothing, and diligent application of broad-spectrum sunscreens.