Management of Pain Associated with Selected Conditions in Dermatology.

Dermatologists face a wide range of pain control challenges in daily practice, from the transient pain of dermatologic surgery to the persistent pain that plagues some chronic dermatologic conditions. Although the pathophysiology of pain is well described and the profound impact of dermatological pain on patients' quality of life is well appreciated, there is an identified need for clear therapeutic plans for providing symptomatic pain relief of common painful dermatoses. In this paper, we will review and clearly outline approaches to pain management of a number of common painful dermatoses such as herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia, ulcers, oral dermatoses, dysesthesias, and many others.

Contact Cryoprobe Sterilization Practices: A Patient Quality and Safety Issue for Dermatologists.

Background: Cryotherapy is a commonly employed treatment modality in dermatology. There is literature to suggest that sterilization of the contact cryotherapy probe is needed for proper decontamination.

Objective: To determine the status on the usage and sterilization methods employed by dermatology staff and residents affiliated with an academic training centre in Ontario, Canada, with the overall goal of improving patient safety.