AI Rudi's Experience in Differentiating and Treating Facial Hormone-dependent Dermatitis by Stages Using the method of Clearing Heat and Protecting Yin / 中医杂志

This paper summarized the clinical experience of AI Rudi in the treatment facial hormone-dependent dermatitis with the method of clearing heat and protecting yin. It is believed that the key pathogenesis is the heat toxin accumulation， yin depletion and collaterals obstruction. The clinical treatment should focus on “heat exuberance” and “yin depletion”. It is advocated that “half treatment is from heat and half from yin” is the general principle， and the treatment is staged. In the acute phase， the treatment is half from cooling blood and dispersing wind to dispel heat pathogen， and half from protecting fluid and moisturizing skin to strengthen yin； and the modified Liangxue Xiaofeng Powder （凉血消风散） could be used. In the chronic phase， half treatment is from clearing residual toxin to eliminate heat pathogen， and half from nourishing yin and unblocking collaterals to strengthen yin， for which Xuanmai Ganju Decoction and Erzhi Pills （玄麦甘桔汤合二至丸） can be used and modified according to the symptoms. At the same time， we should pay attention to the simultaneous internal and external treatment， and emphasize the importance of daily protection in the treatment of the disease.

AI Rudi's Experience in Differentiating and Treating Facial Hormone-dependent Dermatitis by Stages Using the method of Clearing Heat and Protecting Yin / 中医杂志

@#This paper summarized the clinical experience of AI Rudi in the treatment facial hormone-dependent dermatitis with the method of clearing heat and protecting yin. It is believed that the key pathogenesis is the heat toxin accumulation， yin depletion and collaterals obstruction. The clinical treatment should focus on “heat exuberance” and “yin depletion”. It is advocated that “half treatment is from heat and half from yin” is the general principle， and the treatment is staged. In the acute phase， the treatment is half from cooling blood and dispersing wind to dispel heat pathogen， and half from protecting fluid and moisturizing skin to strengthen yin； and the modified Liangxue Xiaofeng Powder （凉血消风散） could be used. In the chronic phase， half treatment is from clearing residual toxin to eliminate heat pathogen， and half from nourishing yin and unblocking collaterals to strengthen yin， for which Xuanmai Ganju Decoction and Erzhi Pills （玄麦甘桔汤合二至丸） can be used and modified according to the symptoms. At the same time， we should pay attention to the simultaneous internal and external treatment， and emphasize the importance of daily protection in the treatment of the disease.

Dermoscopy of topical steroid-dependent or damaged face: A cross-sectional study

Background: Topical corticosteroid (TCS) abuse is rampant and results in steroid addiction labeled as topical steroid-dependent or damaged face (TSDF). Indian market is replete with triple combination creams containing TCS sold as over-the-counter products at low cost, luring people to use them without prescription. The resultant damage if detected late is irreversible and difficult to treat. Dermoscopy can help in the early identification of features of TSDF at a preclinical stage resulting in better prognosis. However, the literature on the same is limited. Aims: This study is undertaken to characterize dermoscopic features of TSDF and to correlate them with potency and duration of application of the TCS. Methods: One hundred and thirty-two patients aged 18 years or above, with clinical symptoms and signs suggestive of TSDF and with history of application of TCS on the face for a period of more than one month, were enrolled in the study. Their demographic details, clinical features, and dermoscopy findings were recorded using a predesigned structured format. Comparison of dermoscopic findings with clinical examination, gender, potency of TCS, and duration of TCS use was done using Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and one-tailed Z-test. Results: Mean age of the patients was 31.7 ± 8.1 years. Male to female ratio was 2:9. Sixty-nine (52.3%) patients abused TCS for more than one year. Clinical findings noted in the patients were erythema (81.1%), hyperpigmentation (80.3%), and hypertrichosis (68.2%). The most common dermoscopy findings seen were brown globules (96.2%), red diffuse areas (92.4%), vessels (87.1%), white structureless areas (86.4%), and hypertrichosis (80.3%). Red diffuse areas, vessels, brown globules, white structureless areas, and white hair were observed in a statistically higher proportion of cases dermoscopically. Y-shaped vessels and brown globules were seen in significantly higher number of patients, using TCS for more than three months and in those continuing it beyond six months, polygonal vessels were predominant. Limitations: Lack of histopathological correlation is the limitation of our study. Furthermore, brown globules seen in 96.2% patients of TSDF on dermoscopy may have been over-estimated and not always signify TSDF; instead, it could represent melasma for which patient applied TCS. Conclusion: Dermoscopy in TSDF can help dermatologists in a multitude of ways from confirming the diagnosis to differentiating from other causes of red face and predicting the approximate duration of TCS abuse.

Importance of the Patch Test for Patients with Recurrent Facial Erythema / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: One of the most frequent symptoms encountered at a dermatology out patient clinic is recurrent or persistent facial erythema (red face). The face is exposed to many allergens including metals, cosmetic ingredients and environmental pollutants, therefore, it is very difficult to treat recurrent or persistent facial erythema patients if they are sensitized by these allergens. Although facial erythema could be a manifestation of various diseases, there have only been a limited number of clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: To find out how often patients with recurrent facial erythema were sensitized by contact allergens. METHODS: A total of 136 patients with recurrent or persistent facial erythema were enrolled and the patch test was done. RESULTS: First clinical impressions were allergic contact dermatitis, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, steroid induced rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis in order of frequency. Patch test was performed on 84 patients, and 70 patients (83.3%) showed positivity to one or more antigens. Common antigens included nickel sulfate, cobalt chloride, and fragrance mix in the standard patch tests, and octyl galate, thimerosal, and dodecyl galate in the cosmetic series patch tests. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we strongly recommend patch test for patients with recurrent or persistent facial erythema.