Poly sensibilisation dans le cadre d'un eczéma de contact des mains chez une aide-ménagère dans le nord du Bénin / Poly sensitization in the context of hand contact eczema in a household helper in northern Benin

L'eczéma des mains est fréquent. Son étiologie est souvent multifactorielle comprenant les facteurs environnementaux et des facteurs individuels prédisposants. Il pose des problèmes de diagnostic étiologique en particulier dans un contexte de poly sensibilisation. Observation Il s'est agi d'une employée de maison âgée de 17 ans sans antécédents allergiques connus. Elle a développé un eczéma bilatéral des mains six mois après embauche. Le patch test avec la batterie standard européenne a montré une poly sensibilisation à plusieurs allergènes contenus dans les détergents et désinfectants. Le patch test aux gants est revenu négatif mais n'exclut pas son implication dans la survenue des lésions devant le caractère bilatéral et symétrique des lésions. Une réorientation professionnelle a été proposée devant le jeune âge de la travailleuse Conclusion La connaissance des allergènes en cause au cours d'un eczéma est un atout pour une meilleure prise en charge du patient mais leur identification n'est pas toujours aisée. La réorientation professionnelle lorsqu'elle est possible assure la guérison.

Introduction: Hand eczema is common. Its etiology is often multifactorial, including environmental factors and individual predisposing factors. It poses problems of etiological diagnosis, particularly in the context of poly sensitization. Observation: This case involved a 17-year-old domestic worker with no known allergic history. She developed bilateral hand eczema six months after hiring. The patch test with the standard European battery showed poly-sensitization to several allergens contained in detergents and disinfectants. The glove patch test came back negative, but did not rule out its involvement in the lesions, given the bilateral and symmetrical nature of the lesions. In view of the young age of the worker, a vocational reorientation was carried out. Conclusion: Knowledge of the allergens involved in eczema is an asset for better patient management, but identifying them is not always easy. When possible, professional reorientation ensures recovery

Un cas de polysensibilisation à neuf allergènes de contact au Bénin

Introduction : La polysensibilisation est définie par une réaction positive à au moins trois allergènes de contact chez la même personne. Nous rapportons ici le premier cas de polysensibilisation à neuf allergènes de contact observé dans notre pays. Observation : il s'agissait d'un cas de patch-test réalisé chez un homme de 35 ans qui était suivi pour un eczéma chronique récidivant des mains et des pieds sur un terrain d'atopie. Résultat : la lecture faite à 48 h et à 96 h a objectivé une polysensibilisation à neuf allergènes de contact. Discussion : Il s'agit du premier cas de polysensibilisation à neuf allergènes de contact décrit au Bénin. Dans une publication récente nous avions présenté les trois cas de polysensibilisation à six allergènes de contact observés dans notre pays. Conclusion : l'originalité de cette observation réside à la fois dans le nombre impressionnant d'allergènes de contact positifs et dans la forte intensité de ces réactions pour les neufs allergènes

Soaps and cleansers for atopic eczema, friends or foes? What every South African paediatrician should know about their pH

Background.Knowledge of the pH level of soaps and cleansers used by patients with atopic eczema and sensitive skin is crucial, as high-alkalinity products are irritants and impair the normal skin barrier, so interfering with the adequate control of atopic eczema.Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the pH of various bar soaps and cleansers that are usually recommended and used by patients with atopic diseases and dry, sensitive skin in South Africa.Methods. Forty-nine commercial soap bars and cleansers were randomly selected for pH analysis. The samples were prepared as 8% emulsions in tap water. Nine undiluted liquid facial cleansers were also evaluated. Deionised water was used as a negative control. The pH of each emulsion or liquid cleanser was recorded in duplicate using a Metrohm pH meter model 827 (Metrohm, Herisau, Switzerland).Results. Of the 49 samples analysed, 34 (69.4%) were alkaline with a pH ranging from 9.3 - 10.7. Two samples (4.1%) were within the acceptable range of (5.4 - 5.9), and 2 samples (4.1%) had pH levels of below 5. In total, 5 samples (10.2 %) had a pH of 4 - 6.Conclusion. The majority of soaps and cleansers analysed in this study were alkaline, with only 2 falling in the acceptable pH range of 5.4 - 5.9 and 5 within the pH range of 4 - 6, thus raising concerns regarding the optimal management of atopic eczema patients

An Approach to Mild to Moderate Atopic Eczema

Atopic eczema is a chronic; relapsing inflammatory disease of the skin characterised by dryness and itching; with typical distribution on the elbows and knees in younger children and on the cubital and popliteal fossae in older children and adults. It can be classified as mild; moderate or severe

Impetigo in Children: A Clinical Guide and Treatment Options

Impetigo is a contagious; superficial bacterial infection of the skin; most frequently encountered in children. Causative organisms are almost always Staphylococcus aureus or streptococci; or a combination of the two. Predisposing factors are nasal and perineal colonisation; overcrowding; poor personal hygiene; minor skin trauma and preexisting skin diseases with disrupted skin barrier function; like eczema. Infection is mainly acquired through contact with sufferers or nasal carriers. Treatment should be given to avoid spread of the disease; and to minimise the risk of infecting others. Although the majority of cases of impetigo are self-limiting; under certain circumstances complications like toxic shock syndrome; staphylococcal osteomyelitis; septic arthritis and pneumonia can occur. Furthermore; certain strains of group A ?-haemolytic streptococci causing impetigo may result in poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis; just like streptococcal throat infections can result in rheumatic fever in children; but the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. It appears to be due to abnormal immune response or hypersensitivity to streptococcal antigens

Eczema in North West of Libya

The life style and demographic structure of Libyan society is changing; and this could affect the epidemiology of certain diseases; including eczema. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of eczema among a selected patient population in the Zliten area in the northwest of Libya. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing case notes and records in public and private dermatology practices in the Zliten area. The frequency of eczema among patients attending dermatology clinics in the Zliten area was 12.8; and the male to female ratio was almost 1:1. The most affected age group among patients was 20-29 years. Eczema represented a larger proportion of dermatologic conditions during spring and summer. Of all cases of eczema; 72.6were endogenous and 24.9were exogenous (p0.001). The most common type of eczema was contact dermatitis (22.7of all cases); followed by atopic dermatitis (19.7) and pityriasis alba (10.5). In conclusion; eczema is a public health problem in Zliten-Libya; and this necessitates prospective studies to determine its incidence and prevalence

A survey of skin diseases seen at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital; Accra; Ghana

A survey of 784 consecutive patients seen in the skin clinic at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital; Accra; Ghana is presented. The ratio of males to females was 0.9:1.0. Various skin diseases were seen with dermatitis/eczema being the most common 44.8 per cent while infectious diseases accounted for only 16.8 per cent of the total