Acquiring allergen information from condom manufacturers: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis from condoms is a problem that carries significant morbidity and that has been increasingly reported due to the use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases as well as for birth control. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the process by which condom manufacturing companies divulge product allergen information to health care professionals. METHODS: An interviewer-administered telephone questionnaire eliciting the staff member's knowledge of condom allergens was utilized. Eligible respondents were condom manufacturers' service staff over 18 years of age. RESULTS: Complete surveys were obtained regarding 36 (85.7%) of the 42 subtypes of condoms. Telephoning was the primary (75%) method of obtaining allergen information. The majority (63.9%) of the information was obtained within minutes to hours of the initial contact. Nearly two-thirds of the interviews evaluated the condom manufacturers' service staff as good and effective in their knowledge base and in providing product information. CONCLUSION: The study determined that the extent of knowledge, helpfulness, and effectiveness of the customer service personnel in relaying product allergen information to clinicians were generally good. The study additionally generated a reference table outlining the common allergens in major manufactured condoms.

Inflammation in green (chromium) tattoos during patch testing.

We report three patients with permanent tattoos and chronic dermatitis. During patch testing, the patients' dermatitis worsened, and the previously quiescent green-colored portions of the tattoos became inflamed. All three patients were patch-tested and had positive reactions to potassium dichromate 0.25% in petrolatum. Avoidance led to the resolution of both the dermatitis and the tattoo inflammation. We recommend assessment of permanent tattoos for inflammation in all patients undergoing patch testing, for additional diagnostic correlation.

Cutaneous manifestations of thyroid disease.

The diagnosis of thyroid disease can often first be identified by recognizing various cutaneous manifestations associated with an imbalance of circulating thyroid hormone. This article reviews the pathophysiology of thyroid disease, characteristic cutaneous findings of the hypothyroid and hyperthyroid states, and cutaneous conditions associated with thyroid disease.

Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment.

Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is an uncommon, acquired spectrum of skin conditions that poses various challenges to patients as well as clinicians. It is a difficult and debatable disorder to diagnose, categorize, and treat. Besides these inherent obstacles, PL merits awareness because of its potential to progress to cutaneous lymphoma or an ulceronecrotic presentation, both of which carry a significant risk of mortality. The scope of PL presentations is delineated along a continuum of multiple variants including pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), and febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease (FUMHD). Classification of these presentations as separate subsets is debatable in view of their overlapping clinical, histopathologic, and etiologic features. PLEVA generally presents as an acute-to-subacute skin eruption of multiple, small, red papules that develops into polymorphic lesions and vacillates with periods of varying remissions as well as possible sequelae of hyper/hypopigmentation and varicella-like scars. PLC has a more gradual manifestation of very small red-to-brown flat maculopapules with mica-like scale; it also follows a relapsing course but with long periods of remission. FUMHD is an acute and severe generalized eruption of purpuric and ulceronecrotic plaques with associated systemic involvement and a mortality rate of up to 25%; hence, it should be approached as a dermatologic emergency.Histopathological evaluation of PL usually reveals dermal, wedge-shaped, lymphocytic infiltrate, epidermal spongiosis, parakeratosis, and variable necrosis of keratinocytes. PLC demonstrates more subtle histology whereas, at the other end of the spectrum, febrile ulceronecrotic FUMHD exhibits the most exaggerated histological features. The pathogenic mechanism behind PL is unclear although infectious or drug-related hypersensitivity reactions versus premycotic lymphoproliferative disorder are the mainstay theories. The foremost therapies for PLEVA and PLC are phototherapy, systemic antibacterials, and topical corticosteroids. Aggressive treatment with immunosuppressant and/or immunomodulating agents as well as intensive supportive care are recommended for FUMHD. We first describe a representative case of a 14-year-old boy with PLC who was successfully treated with narrow-band UVB. We then review the pathophysiology, classification, and treatment of PL.

Tazarotene cream (0.1%) in combination with betamethasone valerate foam (0.12%) for plaque-type psoriasis.

A combination of multiple agents is often required to achieve treatment success for plaque-type psoriasis. We report a case series of 10 patients that were treated with betamethasone valerate foam (0.12%) in the morning and topical tazarotene cream (0.1%) in the evening for a total of 12 weeks or until plaques cleared. Erythema, scale, and thickness along with an aggregate severity score were determined at weeks 4, 8, and 12. One patient was lost to follow-up. Eight of the other 9 patients experienced improvement in their disease by week 12. Two patients were clear of their psoriasis at week 4 and 4 were clear at week 8. No adverse events, including irritation were reported; the use of the corticosteroid foam may protect against potential local irritation reported with tazarotene. The combination of tazarotene cream and betamethasone valerate foam is an effective combination approach to treating localized plaque-type psoriasis.

Sneddon-Wilkinson disease resistant to dapsone and colchicine successfully controlled with PUVA.

A 28-year-old man with a 6-year history of subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) is presented. This case reviews the clinical features, differential diagnosis, etiology, and treatment options of SPD. In particular, this case emphasizes the absence of response to dapsone and colchicine and control with PUVA therapy.