Background: The use of drug samples is a controversial issue in medicine. Objective: We sought to determine the pros and cons of drug sampling, and how drug sampling in general medicine differs from dermatology. Methods: Literature searches were…
A 57-year-old woman presented with a rash on her legs that had recurred several times over the last 2 weeks. Initial treatment consisted of prednisone, 30 mg/day, for 5 days, but the rash had recurred when therapy was discontinued. Laboratory…
A healthy 10-year-old boy presented with a widespread, nonpruritic, pustular rash of 3 days' duration. He reported having no fever, chills, or other systemic symptoms. Physical examination revealed perifollicular pustules concentrated in the swimsuit…
Darier's disease is an inherited dermatitis that is due to a mutation in the ATP2A2 gene. This mutation causes disrupted signaling within cells and leads to a skin condition that is resistant to many dermatologic treatments. Though serious…
Genital warts (condyloma acuminatum, venereal warts) are common highly contagious benign epithelial lesions occurring on the genitals, perianal area, and inguinal folds, and are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Diagnosis is based largely on the…
The ethical foundation on which my medical practice is based was recently shaken by an episode involving the intrusion of managed care into my practice. With the patient's informed consent, I prescribed a medication that I knew would not work.
As we approach the 21st century, specialty training programs in dermatology are feeling increasing pressures that have begun to erode clinical teaching. Full-time faculty members are being asked to spend more time in patient care to support an…
BACKGROUND: The treatment of palmar and plantar warts is difficult and often frustrating. The need for multiple destructive treatments and recurrences after apparent cure are common. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if…
Background: Psoriasis is a hyperproliferative and inflammatory skin disorder that affects roughly 2 percent of the worldwide population. Clobetasol propionate is the most common corticosteroid used to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis but the…
Superficial fungal infections are easily managed once the proper diagnosis is made. However, misdiagnosis is not uncommon, and many standard approaches to treatment popular just a few years ago are now out of date or in need of refinement. Through…
Patients with scabies may present with urticarial, eczematous or excoriated papules, eczematous patches or, occasionally, nodules. It is often difficult to differentiate scabies from eczema, folliculitis, drug eruption or lichen planus. The…
Patients with scabies may present with urticarial, eczematous or excoriated papules, eczematous patches or, occasionally, nodules. It is often difficult to differentiate scabies from eczema, folliculitis, drug eruption or lichen planus. The…
Whether a vesicobullous disease is intraepidermal or subepidermal is often difficult to determine from the clinical examination. The Tzanck preparation can provide clues that aid in the diagnosis of a number of diseases. It is particularly helpful in…
Whether a vesicobullous disease is intraepidermal or subepidermal is often difficult to determine from the clinical examination. The Tzanck preparation can provide clues that aid in the diagnosis of a number of diseases. It is particularly helpful in…
Inadvertent drug substitution occurred in several instances in our practices due to the combination of the physician's illegible handwriting on prescriptions and the pharmacist's misinterpretation of subtle clues, which might have prevented the…
A potassium hydroxide preparation is used to confirm the diagnosis of a superficial fungal skin infection. Adding black or blue-black ink to the potassium hydroxide solution highlights fungal organisms and distinguishes them from surrounding cellular…
A potassium hydroxide preparation is used to confirm the diagnosis of a superficial fungal skin infection. Adding black or blue-black ink to the potassium hydroxide solution highlights fungal organisms and distinguishes them from surrounding cellular…
Stump pemphigoid is a localized variant of bullous pemphigoid characterized by specific clinical, pathological, and immunofluorescent characteristics. The early diagnosis of this entity guides treatment toward this specific immunologically mediated…
