Pulsed Dye Laser for Early Treatment of Scars After Dermatological Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing is a complex process; during the process angiogenesis takes place, that presents clinically as erythema, telangiectasia and edema. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) has a wavelength of 585-595 nm, which targets the chromophore hemoglobin. OBJECTIVE: Determine the level of improvement of post-dermatological surgery scars. METHODS: Thirty patients attending for excision lesion were recruited. They were randomized to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 scar was randomly divided into 2 parts, one half received PDL 595 nm on 3 occasions; the first after suture removal, 15 and 45 days. Group 2 in one half laser application was simulated while the other was left untreated. The Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used by an external evaluator to assess the scars. Two skin biopsies were also obtained one before and one after laser treatment. RESULTS: The VSS at 45 days decreased in a significant way in the treatment group from 4 to 1 (P = .005). In the control group decreased from 2 to 1.3 (P = .056). No significant difference was found between the presence of inflammatory infiltrate of patients in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the usefulness of pulsed dye laser for improving the appearance of scars.

Tropical dermatology: cutaneous larva migrans, gnathostomiasis, cutaneous amebiasis and trombiculiasis.

In today's world, many people can travel easily and quickly around the globe. Most travel travel-related illnesses include fever, diarrhea, and skin disease, which are relatively uncommon in returning travelers. We review four of the most common emerging infestations and skin infections in the Americas, which are important to the clinical dermatologist, focusing on the clinical presentation and treatment of cutaneous larva migrans, gnathostomiasis, cutaneous amebiasis, and trombiculiasis.

Pemphigus foliaceus in an 11-year-old mexican girl with response to oral dapsone.

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is rarely described in the pediatric population with less than 40 cases reported in the literature. We report the case of an 11-year-old girl who was diagnosed with PF after 6 months of starting with symptoms and who responded well to therapy with oral dapsone. Although therapeutic guidelines for PF in children are lacking, oral corticosteroids in combination with dapsone have proven to be effective as first-line treatment in this setting.

Hyperpigmentation following Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia.

INTRODUCTION: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia characterized by progressive recession of the frontotemporal hairline. Current treatment is aimed at stopping progression, and the combination of dutasteride and pimecrolimus is the most effective therapy. Side effects associated with dutasteride are erectile dysfunction as well as breast tenderness and enlargement, while pimecrolimus produces a burning sensation. CASE REPORT: We present a 57-year-old postmenopausal female with a 3-year history of a scarring alopecic plaque in her frontotemporal region. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of FFA, and she was started on dutasteride 0.5 mg p.o. q.d., and later, topical pimecrolimus 1% b.i.d. was added. Eight months after initiating treatment, she showed hyperpigmentation on her metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, as well as on the cheeks and on the chin; dutasteride and pimecrolimus were discontinued. After 5 months of follow-up, her hyperpigmentation improved by 80% only by using photoprotection. CONCLUSION: Because of the variable clinical course of FFA, treatment is focused on halting its progression. Several therapeutic agents have been evaluated and the combination of dutasteride and pimecrolimus has shown a high response rate. There is no reported evidence of hyperpigmentation associated with this combination.