ABSTRACT
Sulfur mustard gas is a chemical agent that has been used in many wars, especially in Iran-Iraq war. This chemical agent affects many organs including lungs, eyes and skin, causing numerous acute and chronic lesions including erythema and hyperpigmentation, respectively. This study was conducted to evaluate erythema and melanin in subjects with a history of exposure to sulfur mustard. This case-control study was done on 309 subjects. They were divided into four groups: sulfur mustard-exposed patients with skin lesions [n=87], sulfur mustard-exposed cases without current skin lesions [n=71], non sulfur mustard-exposed patients with dermatitis [n=78] and normal controls [n=74]. Erythema and melanin were measured in 4 areas [forehead, suprasternal, palm and back of hands] by Mexameter MX18 [Courage-Khazaka, Germany]. Erythema was significantly lower in suprasternal and palmar aspect of hands in sulfur mustard-exposed patients with dermatitis [P<0.05] while there was no significant difference in other areas. In terms of melanin, there was a significant difference in the dorsal aspect of hands in all four groups [P<0.05], where patients with dermatitis [both sulfur mustard exposed and normal population] had higher levels of melanin, probably due to pruritus in such areas. Forehead melanin of the normal population was also significantly lower than other three groups [P<0.05] while there was no significant difference between the melanin level of sulfur mustard exposed subjects [with or without dermatitis] and patients with dermatitis. Sulfur mustard contact can affect erythema and melanin content of the skin
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Erythema , Melanins/analysis , Case-Control Studies , Skin/injuriesABSTRACT
Laser is one of the most recent techniques which has widespread use in the treatment of many skin diseases. This technique has been successfully used to remove unwanted hairs in hirsutism. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of long-pulsed 755 nm alex and rite and long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd: YAG lasers individually and in combination for permanent hair removal. This single-blind r and omized clinical trial was conducted on 25 patients. They were treated by alex and rite or Nd: YAG or combination of them in 4 sessions with 8 weeks intervals. The treatment was applied on their medial and lateral sides of both legs. All the parameters of the systems were set on the company defaults. Subjects were evaluated 1 and 8 months after completion of the treatment. Hair count was measured by Visiomed device and digital camera photographs every session. To calculate mean hair reduction, the difference between hair count before and after treatment was divided by hair count before treatment. Pain severity, measured by Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], and side effects [bullae, scar and pigmentation changes] were recorded every session. The data were analyzed with ANOVA, post hoc Tukey and chi square tests. Fifteen patients completed the study and 10 patients were excluded due to appearance of bullae in 2 patients and refuse to continue in 8 patients. The mean hair reduction measured by Visiomed 8 months after last treatment was: 61.96 21.09, 60.03 23.40 and 68.05 21.23 percent for alex and rite, Nd: YAG and combination therapy, respectively. When digital camera photos were used for measurement of hair reduction these values were 85.99 11.62, 73.60 16.57 and 79.61 18.08 percent, respectively. The differences between the systems were not significant [ANOVA, P>0.05]. In paired comparison of the systems, no significant differences were observed either [Tukey test]. The incidence of adverse effects [hyperpigmentation] and pain severity were significantly greater in area received combination therapy [P<0.001]. Both alex and rite and Nd: YAG laser systems were effective in hair removal. In contrast, combination therapy did not have more efficacy and also caused more side effects