A Clinical Study on the Effect of a Cream Containing Ramulus Mori Extract and Tea Tree Oil on Acne Vulgaris and Aerobic Skin Flora / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The exact role of aerobic bacteria in the pathogenesis of acne remains controversial but several reports showed that these microorganisms were important in the development of acne lesions and affected the severity of acne by being involved in the inflammatory process. There were several attempts to improve and prevent the acne lesions by using soap or cosmetics containing anti-microbial agents. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the sebum secretion rates and the number of aerobic bacteria in acne patients after 4 weeks trial of RT cream containing 0.1% tea-tree oil and 0.01% Ramulus mori extract. METHODS: We studied 10 normal controls and 20 acne patients. Sebum secretion was measured by Sebumeter. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing numbers of non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions. Aerobic bacteria was also cultured from control group and acne patients group before and after RT cream use. RESULTS: Sebum secretion rates in acne patients were higher than those in control, but not statistically significant. Total number of aerobic bacteria in acne patients was higher than that in control (p<0.05). The aerobic bacteria consisted of coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus sp., S. aureus in both acne patients and control. After 4 weeks, the number of inflammatory lesions had decreased (p<0.05%). In addition, the number of aerobic bacteria showed the tendency of decrease after RT cream use. CONCLUSION: RT cream consisting of 0.1% tea tree oil and 0.01% Ramulus mori extract was found to be effective and safe for acne patients with especially inflammatory lesions.

Investigation of Occupational Dermatological Problem with Additives in Polypropylene Manufacturing Process / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the causative agents for the dermatological problems associated with the polypropylene manufacturing process. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 44 male workers involved in the polypropylene manufacturing process. Twenty-seven of them had been exposed to additives, and the remaining 17 had not. Among the 27 exposed, 10 had been exposed previously, and 17 are currently being exposed through their duties. Patch test were performed with three different concentrations, 0.1%, 1% and 10% of 10 different additives that was diluted with Vaseline. RESULTS: 18 subjects (41%) had positive reactions to the patch tests. Exposed group had a higher reaction rate (51.9%) than the control group (23.5%). When the positive reactions were further classified, 7, 6 and 5 were compatible with probably irritant, probably allergic, and multiple hypersensitivity reactions respectively. The most frequent reactions were from Ultranox-626 followed by Millad 3988, Armoslip-E and Songstab Sc-100. CONCLUSIONS: When considering the significantly higher probability of an allergic reaction rate among the currently exposed group compared to non- or previously-exposed groups, the nature of dermatological problems in a polypropylene plant is probably allergic. Ultranox-626, Millad3988, Armoslip-E and Songstab Sc-100 were the main causatives agents found in the process.

Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of a Moisturizer Containing Green-Tea Extracts / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: For the long-term management of chronic dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis or xerotic eczema, it is important for a clinician to choose a medication that has the least side effects. OBJECTIVE: We planned to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of a moisturizer containing green-tea extracts compared with 1% hydrocortisone lotion. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effects of 1% hydrocortisone lotion and a moisturizer containing green-tea extracts were evaluated in the inflammation of skin induced by ultraviolet B(UVB) irradiation and sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) irritation. Twice a day application of topical agents for reducing artificially induced local inflammation was done. Mexameter and chromameter were used for the evaluation of erythema. RESULTS: UVB induced erythema continued to increase regardless of applying topical agents. In contrast, SLS-induced erythema slowly decreased with time duration. Furthermore, increasing pattern of erythema was irregular after UVB irradiation. These results suggest that SLS-induced erythema was more reliable for evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of topical agent. In addition, we found that a moisturizer containing green tea extracts showed nearly the same effect as or even more effective than 1% hydrocortisone lotion. CONCLUSION: A moisturizer containing green tea extracts would be effective for improving dry skin and also for the treatment of atopic dermatitis or xerotic eczema.

Two Cases of Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus / 대한피부과학회지

Neonatal lupus erytematosus is characterized by cutaneous findings showing the morphology of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, congenital heart block, and anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB autoantibodies which result from the transplacental passage of maternal autoantibodies. We report two cases of a 25-day-old female infant and a 30-day-old male infant who presented with characteristic clinical features of cutaneous neonatal lupus erythematosus but without evidence of congenital heart block. The serological studies in both infants revealed the presence of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies and antinuclear antibodies. We diagnosed their mothers as systemic lupus erythematosus with the clinical and laboratory findings.

A Clinical Study of Facial Wrinkles Affected by Facial Expression Muscles Treated with Botulinum Toxin(Botox(R)) / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A is being widely used for the treatment of facial wrinkles affected by facial expression muscles. Due to the sudden and exponential surge in popularity of its use for facial wrinkles, there are scanty reports of facial wrinkles treated with botulinum toxin type A especially in Asians. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the clinical features of facial wrinkles affected by facial expression muscles and the effects of botulinum toxin A on the treatment of wrinkles. METHODS: Medical records of 61 patients with facial wrinkles treated with botulinum toxin type A were reviewed. Demographic profiles of the patients, the age of onset of facial wrinkle, the distributions of facial wrinkles, treatment dose of botulinum toxin type A, side effects, and follow up data were analyzed. RESULTS: Female patients were predominant(93.4%) than male patients(6.6%). The mean age of the patients was 41.3 years. Crow's feet were the most frequently treated site of facial wrinkles. Average number of treated sites were 2.38. Side effect profiles were similar as previous reports in Cauca sians. The number of patients who took the regular retreatment was less than expected. CONCLUSION: The clinical profiles of wrinkle patients in Koreans treated with botulinum toxin A were assessed. We think it is one of the effective treatment modalities for antiwrinkling.

Two Cases of Relapsed Primary Cutaneous CD30 Positive Large Cell Lymphoma / 대한피부과학회지

The clinical characteristics of primary cutaneous CD30-positive large cell lymphoma are solitary or localized skin lesions, frequent relapses, spontaneous regression and a favorable prognosis. These relapses and spontaneous regressions occur frequently in borderline cases between CD30-positive large cell lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis. Regression and relapse, which occurs in both cutaneous CD30 positive large cell lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis, dose not help distinguish one from the other. We report two cases diagnosed as clinically and histologically primary cutaneous CD30-positive large cell lymphoma, recurred respectively on the same anatomic site and on the different anatomic site.

A Case of Malignant Melanoma Arising in a Long Standing Melanocytic Nevus on the Palm / 대한피부과학회지

We present a case of malignant melanoma arising in a longstanding melanocytic nevus on the palm. Histological examination showed mature nevoid cell nests in the dermis underlying atypical melanocytic lesion. Along the dermoepidermal junction spindle-shaped atypical melanocytes with dermal invasion are observed as well as pagetoid spreading of cells with clear cytoplasm or of spindle cells upward the epidermis. Subtypes of this case is difficult to conclude, because this case shares both histopathologic characteristics of superficial spreading melanoma and those of acral lentiginous melanoma.