The role of cosmetics in postadolescent acne.

The role of cosmetics in the induction and perpetuation of adult acne has been debated. This study reports the effects of a cosmetic regimen consisting of six formulations of low predicted acnegenic potential on the course of mild postadolescent acne in ten young women. No increase in activity of disease as measured by comedo and inflammatory papule counts was noted in these subjects; on the contrary, a decreasing trend in the total number of comedones and papules was noted throughout the cosmetic use period of the study. The premarketing "in-use" testing of cosmetic formulations intended for use by the postadolescent consumer with mild acne is suggested.

The phototoxic effects of benoxaprofen and their management and prevention.

During clinical trials with benoxaprofen, some patients noted burning and stinging in the skin when exposed to light and some developed onycholysis. A four-part prospective study was undertaken. During the first part of the study it was demonstrated that (1) benoxaprofen is associated with a hypersensitivity to long wave-length ultraviolet light (UVA). During the remaining three parts of the study, patients were exposed to very high doses of UVA light in order to try to induce a photosensitivity response. These studies demonstrated that (2) the symptoms of burning and stinging in the skin and signs of erythema and induration after very high-dose UVA exposure (30 Joule) may be prevented by the prophylactic application of a factor 15 sunscreen; (3) exposure to sunlight is required for the development of onycholysis in patients on benoxaprofen; and (4) the development of onycholysis was prevented by the regular use of a nail polish containing sunscreen. A commercially available, colored, opaque nail polish also would be expected to provide protection from onycholysis.

Erythema nodosum in an epidemic of histoplasmosis in Indianapolis.

Eleven patients seen at the Indiana University Medical Center and the Indianapolis Veterans Administration Hospital had erythema nodosum complicating a histoplasmosis infection. A massive, severe outbreak of histoplasmosis occurred in Indianapolis between September 1978 and August 1979. Four hundred thirty-five laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, although serologic findings suggested that from 20,000 to 200,000 persons were actually infected. During this epidemic, 18 (4.1%) of 435 patients were initially seen with erythema nodosum. Ten of 11 patients seen at the Indiana University Medical Center were women, and nine of 11 patients were seen during the first half of the epidemic; race was not a predisposing factor. Seven of 11 patients had respiratory or rheumatologic complaints. None of these 11 patients had evidence of dissemination, died, or required specific antifungal treatment.