[Non-melanoma skin cancer]

Non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC] is the most common malignancy in humans. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of NMSCs that originates from the keratinocytes of the basal layer. It usually has slow growth and only local invasion. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second common type of NMSCs, which is malignant neoplasm of keratinocytes with involvement of full thickness of epidermis

Evaluation of the efficacy of the Q switched ruby laser in the treatment of benign pigmented skin lesions

It is possible to use light sources such as lasers to destruct melanosomes and treat pigmented skin lesions. One of the most commonly used laser systems is Q switched ruby laser with a wave-length of 694 nm. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the Q switched ruby laser in the treatment of pigmented skin lesions including lentigines [simplex or solar] and cafe-au-lait macules. After physical examination for ruling out the possibility of malignancy by two dermatologists, patients were treated with Q switched ruby laser. Response to treatment was categorized in four groups of equal interval according to the 0-100% lesion lightening. Ninety patients including 81 patients with solar lentigo and 9 cases of lentigo simplex were recruited into this study. Mean st and ard deviation [SD] of the number of treatment sessions for solar lentigo and lentigo simplex cases were 1.0 0.5 and 3.6 1.3 respectively. Although the mean of sessions was increased in darker skin types, there was no statistically significant difference between different skin types [p=0.335]. In addition, there was no significant relation between mean treatment sessions and location of the lesions [p=0.685]. Cure rate was 100% in all lentigo cases and after a mean SD of 8.7 2.3 months follow up there was no recurrence. Also, there was neither pigmentary change nor folliculitis during treatment. In 7 cases with cafe-au-lait macules, the mean SD score of improvement was 2.4 0.8, which was achieved after 3.1 0.4 treatment sessions. In 6 cases whom were followed up for 10.2 3.1 months, despite primary disappearance, recurrence of cafe-au-lait macules was observed. It seems Q switched ruby laser is an appropriate method for treatment of lentiginous lesions in Caucasians with Fitzpatrick's skin types II to IV

Mucocutaneous candidiasis or psoriasis? A case report

Pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis in childhood. The prevalence of psoriasis in various parts of the world varies from 0.1% to 3% and the most frequently observed variant is the plaque type, followed by the guttate psoriasis. A 4-year-old boy with a history of repeated self-limited arthritis, onycholysis, recurrent erythematous skin, diaper rash, fever and pustular lesions, had several hospital admissions with no benefits. After a 2-year delay in the diagnosis, he was treated as a case of pustular psoriasis which was shown by skin biopsy

[Evaluation of hand eczema patients by performing patch test]

Various environmental factors can induce or exaggerate hand eczema. Evaluation of patch test results in hand eczema patients. In this descriptive study 100 patients with hand eczema referred to Loghman Hakim and Booali Hospital in Tehran underwent patch testing with 23 allergens obtained from Hermalcompany. 240 positive reactions observed in 86 patients. The most common positive reactions were related to nickel sulfate [30 patients, 13.5%] and potassium dichromate [28 patients, 11.7%]. In positive group 28 patients were male and 58 were female. In negative group 3 patients were male and 11 were female [P > 0.05]. The mean age was 31.7 +/- 11.9 years and 24.8 +/- 9.2 years for positive group and negative group, respectively [P < 0.05]. In positive patch test group 49 patients had subacute and 37 patients had chronic eczema. In negative patch test 11 patients had subacute eczema and 3 patients had chronic eczema [P > 0.05]. Performing patch test, the allergens involved in hand eczema can be detected. Detecting type of allergens, patients will be able to avoid those materials, which can lead to improvement of disease