Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus: An uncommon manifestation in pediatric population. / Lupus eritematoso sistémico buloso: Una manifestación infrecuente en población pediátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease se condary to the presence of autoantibodies against type VII collagen of the basement membrane zone. It is considered a variant of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and is uncommon in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of a pediatric patient with a bullous eruption compati ble with BSLE. CLINICAL CASE: A 16-year-old female patient of Mapuche descent with history of SLE diagnosed at age 10, undergoing treatment. She consulted due to a six-week history of a generalized bullous eruption with no systemic symptoms. Biopsy for histology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) confirmed the diagnosis of BSLE. The patient responded favorably to dapsone 100 mg/day (associated with her baseline treatment), without new reactivations after 8 years of follow-up. Con clusion: BSLE is an infrequent manifestation of SLE. The clinical presentation is similar to other bullous dermatoses, but the histopathology and DIF in correlation with the presence of SLE confirm the diagnosis. Although indigenous ancestry is associated with SLE high-risk alleles, studies regarding the association of BSLE in this ethnic group are still lacking.

Pelo lanoso generalizado: reporte de un caso / Generalized woolly hair: case report

Introducción: El pelo lanoso (PL) es una rara alteración del tallo piloso que puede ser localizada o generalizada y puede asociarse a alteraciones cutáneas o extracutáneas. Objetivo: Analizar un cuadro clínico de muy escasa frecuencia y enfatizar la importancia del examen físico en el enfrentamiento de ésta. Caso clínico: Preescolar de tres años de edad con pelo fino, claro, corto y rizado. En los antecedentes familiares, destacaba la madre con historia de alopecia desde la infancia y disminución de la velocidad de crecimiento del pelo del cuero cabelludo; cuadro compatible con pelo lanoso generalizado forma hereditaria, sin anomalías asociadas. Conclusiones: El pelo lanoso es una rara anormalidad del tallo piloso. El diagnóstico de certeza se obtiene mediante la microscopía electrónica, sin embargo, el uso de la dermatoscopía constituye una buena herramienta diagnóstica en la práctica diaria. Puede asociarse a anomalías cutáneas y extracutáneas, por lo cual el enfrentamiento clínico y estudio complementario es primordial para descartar anomalías asociadas.

Introduction: Woolly hair (WH) is a rare abnormality of the hair shaft that can be localized or generalized and may be associated with cutaneous or extracutaneous abnormalities. Objective: To analyze a rare clinical case and emphasize the importance of physical examination. Case report: A three year old child with fine, light, short and curly hair is reported. Regarding family history, his mother reports alopecia since childhood and decreased growth rate of the hair of the scalp. The clinical picture is compatible with generalized hereditary woolly hair without associated anomalies. Conclusions: Woolly hair is a rare abnormality of the structure of the scalp hair. Electron microscopy allows the definitive diagnosis, however the use of dermoscopy is a practical and effective diagnostic tool in everyday practice.

Conocimientos y hábitos de exposición solar de la población chilena / Sun exposure behaviors and knowledge among Chileans

Background: Ultraviolet light exposure has a pathogenic effect on the development of skin cancer, whose prevalence increases worldwide. In Chile and the rest of the world, preventive educational campaigns are carried out to change high risk sun exposure behaviors. Aim: To study the behavior of the Chilean population towards skin cancer prevention and to identify erroneous preventive practices and concepts. Material and methods: A survey containing 17 questions about sun exposure behaviors, photoprotective measures and knowledge about ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer was used. It was applied during January and February 2004, to 1,143 subjects (mean age 30 years, 409 males), taking vacations in beach resorts in Chile. Results: The hours of higher sun exposure ranged from 12 AM to 4 PM. Thirty seven percent of subjects were exposed more than 2 hours during this high risk lapse. Women and subjects aged less than 25 years were those with the riskiest behaviors. Fifty four percent used some type of photoprotection and 50% used ocular protection. Seventy percent used creams with sun screen and 74% used a sun protection factor higher than 15. Seventy percent applied the sun screen as recommended. Thirty eight percent had at least one sun burn in the last two years. More than 90% of subjects were aware of the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer but 60% did not know the hours of higher ultraviolet radiation. The information about sun exposure was obtained from television in 57% of surveyed individuals. Conclusions: More educational campaigns about the risk of sun exposure are needed to reduce risky behaviors in the Chilean population.