Exploiting the igloo principle and greenhouse effect to regulate humidity and temperature.

BACKGROUND: Toxic epidermal necrolysis can be fatal and nursing care with careful monitoring of temperature and humidity can improve survival rate. We adapted the greenhouse and igloo principle using a common hood to monitor the temperature and humidity. METHODS: A small heater with a regulator was placed in a mini hood and temperature was recorded inside the uncovered hood and hood covered with green cloth and aluminium foil separately. The regular hood was placed over a volunteer and the temperature was measured inside the open hood and hood covered with green cloth and aluminium foil separately. The relative humidity was also monitored using Zeal mercury dry--wet bulb hygrometer. RESULTS: Temperature increase was most marked in the foil-covered hood followed by cloth-covered hood, both with the heater and the volunteer. Similarly, in the volunteer study, the humidity was best maintained inside the aluminium foil-covered hood. CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of regular hood with suitable cover to monitor the humidity and temperature of patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Achieving asepsis of banana leaves for the management of toxic epidermal necrolysis.

BACKGROUND: Banana leaf is used in many centers in India during the care of patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and other extensive blistering disorders. Sepsis is an important cause of death in TEN patients and use of banana leaf may be a source of such infection. AIMS: We conducted this study to detect the bacterial flora of the banana leaf and to examine various methods of rendering the leaf aseptic. METHODS: Five pieces of banana leaf, 2 x 2 cm in size, were cultured separately in blood agar as follows: One piece was heated over a flame and one was soaked in boiling water and one was autoclaved. Methylated spirit was applied over one piece and ignited. One piece was placed on the media, 'as is.' The Petri dishes were incubated examined after 48 h. RESULTS: All the pieces except the autoclaved specimen of the leaf grew coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) when aseptic precautions were not maintained and aerobic spore bearers when all aseptic measures were subsequently instituted during the procedure. CONCLUSION: We recommend measures to prevent possible transmission of bacterial infection by the leaf. Autoclaved and aseptically handled banana leaves may be used to reduce chance of infection in the treatment of TEN.

KOH mount for superficial fungal infections using cellophane tape: comparison with standard technique.

Fifteen patients with superficial fungal infections (tinea versicolor--9, dermatophytic infections--6) were included in this study. Skin scrapings were collected directly on to the glass slide and also by using cellophane tape. Both the samples were mounted with KOH. Fungal elements were detected by both the methods in all cases and was better visualised by the tape method.