Pulsed dye laser treatment of telangiectasia after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast.

Background: Chronic radiodermatitis after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast is a common sequela of treatment and can be distressing for the patient. The skin is atrophic and shows prominent telangiectasia due to dilatation of a reduced or poorly supported skin vasculature. The pulsed dye laser (PDL) is an established treatment of cutaneous telangiectatic disorders including facial telangiectasia and spider naevi, and is safe and efficacious.

Severe phototoxic reaction to laser treatment in a patient taking St John's Wort.

Potential patients in the developed world are increasingly turning to treatment with herbs. One of the most popular herbs taken for depression is St John's Wort, which contains the potential photosensitizer hypericin. 'Hypericism' is a term used to describe a state of skin sensitivity to visible light in animals following ingestion of hypericin-containing plants and feed.