Comparison of efficacy of cryotherapy versus trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of solar lentigo on hands

Solar lentigines are common sun-induced benign melanocytic proliferations that present a significant cosmetic problem for many middle- aged and elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of cryotherapy in comparison to trichloroacetic acid [TCA] 33% on solar lentigines on the back of the h and s [SLBH]. Each h and of 33 patients with SLBH was treated randomly with either cryotherapy or TCA 33% solution. Photographs of the h and s were taken prior to and two months following the treatment. Therapeutic response and side-effect were compared using chi-square test. Twenty five patients completed the study. Cryotherapy was more likely to produce substantial lightening of the solar lentigines than TCA 33% solution [P=0.025] but was more painful and took longer to heal. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation [PIH] was almost equal in two types of treatment. Statistically, better results were seen in lower Fitzpatrick's skin types. Cryotherapy appears to be superior to TCA 33% solution in the treatment of SLBH particularly in lower Fitzpatrick skin types. PIH is the major complication of both particularly in higher Fitzpatrick skin types. Generally, the major criterion for treatment of SLBH with cryotherapy or TCA is Fitzpatrick's skin type

Skin lesions in 800 Iranian victims of mustard gas, 14-20 years after exposure

Mustard gas is a disabling chemical weapon and was widely used in First World War and Iraq-Iran war. Its toxic effects could be acute or chronic and they could particularly affect lungs, eyes and skin.To study the frequency of chronic complications of sulfur mustard gas in Iranian victims 14 to 20 years after exposure. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 800 patients that were randomly selected from different provinces of Iran, who had been exposed to sulfur mustard gas during 1983 to 1988. These patients were clinically re-evaluated in 2002-2003 and laboratory tests were performed if necessary. The mean age of the patients at the time of study was 39.3 [ +/- 9.8] years. Three types of skin lesions were observed. Non-specific lesions including 39.6% xerosis, 19% pigmentary disorders, 17.4% cherry angioma, 12.7% seborrheic dermatitis, 12.2% eczema [dermatitis], 11.6% acneiform lesions, 7% tinea versicolor, 5.1% urticaria,, 3.6% vitiligo, 2.5% alopecia areata, 2% psoriasis, and 1.3% aphthous stomatitis. Specific skin lesion called mustard scar was defined according to morphology, location, history and observed in 44 [5.5%] patients. Malignant neoplasms including basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, squamous cell carcinoma, mycosis fungoides and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans occurred in 9 victims [1.1%]. Mustard gas can cause acute and late-onset skin lesions. Specific lesion of mustard gas called mustard scar is the most important finding of this study