General Dermatology Archives - Dermatology Advisor

Recent data show that clinical morphology and history, as well as dermal eosinophilia, psoriasiform changes, and periadnexal inflammation, can improve diagnostic accuracy of lichenoid granulomatous dermatitis.

PCT manifests when hepatic UROD activity is <20% of normal.1 As porphyrins accumulate in the liver, they are transported to the skin, leading to phototoxicity as light exposure causes the porphyrins to release photons.1 Subsequently, patients develop blisters on sun-exposed areas of their skin, particularly the hands, face, neck, and forearms. These areas are also prone to blisters and peeling after mild trauma. When the lesions scar, they may resemble systemic scleroderma. In some cases, lesions become painful. Patients may also have abnormal hair growth, skin thickening, and hypopigmentation. PCT is diagnosed when elevated porphyrins are detected in the plasma. Urine and fecal studies can confirm the diagnosis when they show similarly elevated porphyrin levels, with urine typically showing excess uroporphyrin and 7-carboxylate porphyrin and feces showing excess isocoproporphyrin.6 Patients with a PCT diagnosis should be tested for HCV if their status is unknown. Photo Credit: Dr Harout Tanielian/Science Source.

General Dermatology

Patients With Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Have Higher Mortality Risk

By

Brandon May

August 30, 2019

Patients with porphyria cutanea tarda have increased all-cause mortality and risk for death because of gastrointestinal diseases and cancer of the gut, liver, gallbladder, and lungs.

Urticaria is common during pregnancy and presents as wheals, angioedema, or a combination of the two. Chronic cases last for 6 weeks or more.3,9 Urticaria is not specific to pregnancy, and data are insufficient to determine whether pregnancy improves or exacerbates the condition in women with preexisting chronic urticaria. However, chronic urticaria is twice as common in women, and evidence suggests sex hormones may affect urticaria in some women.2 Standard treatment in pregnant women with urticaria is oral antihistamines.2,9 No antihistamines have been shown to pose a risk for fetal harm. Chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, and cetirizine are preferred.2,3 Expectant mothers should avoid using antihistamines late in pregnancy because they can stimulate uterine contractions and newborn infants may experience withdrawal.2

General Dermatology

Add-On Methotrexate Plus Antihistamine Nonsuperior to Placebo in Difficult-to-Treat Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

By

Brandon May

August 30, 2019

Although methotrexate is used as third-line therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria, this study does not support the superiority of methotrexate added to H1 antihistamines for treatment.

General Dermatology, News

Prurigo Nodularis Associated With Mental Health Disorders

August 30, 2019

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is associated with mental health disorders, systemic illnesses, and HIV infection.

General Dermatology

Skin Improvement Parallels Global Diffuse Cutaneous SSc Disease Improvement

By

Brandon May

August 27, 2019

Disease improvement parallels skin improvement in early dcSSc — this is important for prognosis, and reflects the value of mRSS as an outcome measure in trials.

General Dermatology

Male Sex, Multibacillary Leprosy, and Leprosy Reactions Associated with Disability Risk

By

Brandon May

August 26, 2019

Study findings can guide the early identification of individuals at higher risk of developing physical disabilities and the development of targeted preventive interventions.

General Dermatology

Skin Manifestations of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

August 20, 2019

Cutaneous manifestations may be the first indication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and should prompt HCV testing. In most cases, skin manifestations disappear after appropriate HCV treatment or viral clearance.

General Dermatology, News

Recommendations Developed for Management of Lyme Disease

August 20, 2019

The Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American College of Rheumatology have released a draft of their joint clinical practice guidelines for the management of Lyme disease.