Subject(s)
Glucosyltransferases/genetics , Hyperpigmentation/genetics , Mutation, Missense/genetics , Skin Diseases, Genetic/genetics , Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous/genetics , Aged , Female , Humans , Hyperpigmentation/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Pedigree , Skin Diseases, Genetic/diagnosis , Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous/diagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous scleroderma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the dermal and subcutaneous connective tissue leading to sclerosis. Sclerosis of the skin can lead to dysmorphism, contractures and restrictions of movement. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate sclerosis in cutaneous scleroderma patients and to determine the efficacy of water-filtered infrared A plus visible light treatment, wIRA(+VIS), in 10 patients. METHODS: Hardness of the normal and diseased skin was measured by durometry in 10 controls and 8 patients. Moreover, circumscribed scleroderma (CS) was treated with wIRA(+VIS) irradiations in 10 patients who had not responded to conventional therapies. RESULTS: wIRA(+VIS) therapy led to a marked improvement, persistent even during long-term follow-up, in 7 out of 10 patients with CS. Of the other patients, 1 showed decreased sclerosis and disease activity and developed a worsening after cessation of therapy. In 2 further patients, where previous UVA1 treatment had failed to reduce disease activity, wIRA(+VIS) produced a slight decrease in sclerosis, but disease activity was still present. CONCLUSION: wIRA(+VIS) appears to be effective in the treatment of CS. Durometry proved to be helpful in assessing the degree of sclerosis and in documenting the response to therapy in these patients.
Subject(s)
Infrared Rays/therapeutic use , Phototherapy , Scleroderma, Systemic/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome , Water/chemistry , Young AdultSubject(s)
Hemangioma, Cavernous/congenital , Hemangioma/congenital , Skin Neoplasms/congenital , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/adverse effects , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use , Disease Progression , Female , Hemangioma/diagnosis , Hemangioma/drug therapy , Hemangioma, Cavernous/diagnosis , Hemangioma, Cavernous/drug therapy , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous , Orphan Drug Production , Prognosis , Propranolol/adverse effects , Propranolol/therapeutic use , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Ultrasonography , Ultrasonography, Doppler, DuplexABSTRACT
Perianal streptococcal dermatitis is a common disease. The typical clinical picture includes perianal erythema, pruritus, painful defaecation and bloody stools. The diagnosis is made by a swab taken from the affected skin with bacterial culture. Therapy consists of penicillin for 10 days. Screening for affected persons in contact with the patient is indicated because perianal streptococcal dermatitis is known to be highly contagious. Relapse is common and therefore follow-up visits are recommended. In case of relapse, a first or second generation cephalosporin may be considered.
