Idiopathic Flushing with Dysesthesia: Treatment with the 585nm Pulsed Dye Laser.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of the 585nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of idiopathic flushing with dysesthesia. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of patients treated with a 585nm pulsed dye laser with fluences ranging from 3.5 to 7.5J/cm(2) (purpura threshold fluences), a pulse duration of 450µsec, and a spot size of 5 or 10mm. SETTING: The Ronald 0. Perelman Department of Dermatology at New York University Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS: Ten adult subjects who presented with flushing with dysesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: PARTICIPANTS subjectively evaluated the decrease in dysesthesia and the number of flushing episodes. The objective response to treatment was evaluated by a single physician using pre- and postoperative photographs. The severity of postoperative erythema was compared with baseline using an ordinal scale ranging from zero (resolution of erythema) to four (76-100% of baseline erythema). RESULTS: The mean number of treatments received by the subjects was seven. The mean fluence was 6.66J/cm(2). Subjectively, 100 percent of subjects reported a decrease in dysethesia and the number of flushing episodes. OBJECTIVEly, subjects demonstrated at least a 62.5-percent reduction in erythema. CONCLUSION: Laser surgery provided subjective relief of dysesthesia and decreased the number of flushing episodes with a greater than 62-percent objective reduction in the severity of erythema. The 585nm pulsed dye laser is a safe, efficacious treatment for the signs and symptoms of idiopathic flushing with dysesthesia.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption in a patient with Grover's disease.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption is a secondary herpes simplex virus infection that affects patients in the setting of primary dermatologic conditions. It occurs with a variety of skin diseases, although association with Grover's disease has never been reported in the literature. This report describes the manifestations and clinical course. A review of the literature on Kaposi's varicelliform eruption includes disease associations, pathogenesis, and treatment.

Identification and quantification of para-phenylenediamine in a temporary black henna tattoo.

BACKGROUND: Temporary black henna tattoos are very popular as body adornment. Although contact allergy to natural henna is unusual, the inclusion of hair dye, p-phenylenediamine (PPD), increases the risk of contact sensitization. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to identify the presence and concentration of PPD in a black henna tattoo mixture to which our patient developed contact allergy. METHODS: The presence of PPD in a black henna tattoo mixture, various samples of commercially available henna powders, and several hair dye products was qualitatively and quantitatively detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: This study demonstrated that PPD was present in the black henna tattoo mixture at a concentration of 15.7%, which is significantly higher than commercial hair dye preparations. CONCLUSION: The presence of PPD in black henna tattoo mixtures in high concentration poses a health hazard and a risk of allergic contact sensitization with potential long-term consequences.

Allergic contact dermatitis to propolis in a violin maker.

Allergy to colophony is well noted in the literature, however, there have been few case reports of allergic contact dermatitis to propolis in musicians and instrument makers. We report a case of a stringed instrument craftsman who developed allergic contact dermatitis to propolis, a component of Italian varnish. A review of the components, applications, and the clinical manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions to propolis are presented.