A case of latanoprost-induced diffuse facial skin hyperpigmentation.

INTRODUCTION: Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analogue, which has been used as a first-line drug for open-angle glaucoma. Common side effects of latanoprost include hyperpigmentation. While it usually occurs on irides or periocular skin, diffuse facial hyperpigmentation is rarely reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old woman was presented with diffuse gray-brown colored maculopatches on her face. The symptom appeared 1 week after she started to use latanoprost eye drops for glaucoma. Biopsy specimen revealed vacuolar degeneration of dermo-epidermal junction and pigment incontinence in dermis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to introduce a rare adverse effect of latanoprost and effective way of treatment. METHODS: We stopped her from using latanoprost. She was also treated with 532-nm potassium titanyl phosphate laser and low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, while using topical agents. RESULT: After 10 weeks, we observed hyperpigmentation of her face was effectively and safely treated. The patient was satisfied with the result. CONCLUSION: Diffuse facial pigmentation could be one of the latanoprost-induced adverse effects and the laser treatments with topical agents we used can make it improve faster.

Survey of disease awareness, treatment behavior and treatment satisfaction in patients with atopic dermatitis in Korea: A multicenter study.

In Korea, there is a high dependency on oriental medicine and folk remedies (Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol, 25, 2005, 110). In addition, inaccurate information available through the Internet is increasing (Korean J Dermatol, 44, 2006, 137). So, there is always a possibility that patients may have difficulty obtaining accurate information about atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim was to determine the awareness, treatment behavior and treatment satisfaction of patients with AD and their caregivers. In October 2017, patients diagnosed with AD at nine hospitals were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was completed by each patient. A total of 371 subjects were surveyed. In response to the question asking about knowledge of AD, the correct answer rate was 55.4%. Bathing using soap, body scrub and moisturizer showed favorable outcomes. A total of 54.9% patients responded that they were reluctant to use steroid ointment. When asked about their previous treatment, 39.6% reported using oriental medicine and 26.5% had tried folk remedies. The hospital treatment satisfaction score was 6.6. Patients usually applied their knowledge in their daily lives. However, there was a lot of inaccurate knowledge. Therefore, it is important for patients to understand the characteristics of this disease and obtain correct information.

Skin Wound Healing Is Accelerated by a Lipid Mixture Representing Major Lipid Components of Chamaecyparis obtusa Plant Extract.

In chronic nonhealing wounds, the healing process is disrupted and wounds are often infected with bacteria. About 85% of lower extremity amputations in diabetes are attributed to deep infection of foot ulcers. Therefore, infection control is critical for wound care. In this study, we analyzed lipid composition of Chamaecyparis obtusa extract, and we describe the wound-healing properties of its combination of 10 major lipid components. A 10-lipid mixture up-regulated HBD-3 and LL-37 through the olfactory receptor 2AT4 and induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in primary human keratinocytes. In addition, the 10-lipid mixture had direct bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes and protected against staphylococcal α-toxin-induced keratinocyte cell death. In an animal model, the 10-lipid mixture accelerated skin wound healing and was also effective in healing wounds superinfected with S. aureus. We suggest that the 10-lipid mixture, because of its wound-healing and antimicrobial properties, can be beneficial for wound treatment.