Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation in solar urticaria.

A man in his 50s was diagnosed with solar urticaria following monochromated light testing that demonstrated exquisite photosensivity to ultraviolet (UV) A, UV B (UVB) and visible light.Treatment options for this photodermatosis are limited; UVB phototherapy is one modality that can be appropriate in some patients. This is administered at very low doses in a controlled environment to induce skin hardening.1 To self-treat his condition, the patient used a commercial sunbed on two occasions several days apart. He noted an immediate flare of solar urticaria after first use with associated dizziness. Following the second use, he felt generally unwell and was witnessed to lose consciousness and displayed jerky movements of his limbs while a passenger in a car. Investigations including a head MRI and an EEG were normal; an anoxic seizure caused by a flare of solar urticaria was later confirmed.Solar urticaria is a rare photodermatosis that is poorly understood and difficult to treat. The condition has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Severe cases can be associated with systemic symptoms that could be life-threatening.

Pimecrolimus for psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: Pimecrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor which has a role in the treatment of psoriasis. However, it remains an off-license treatment, despite its potential use in patients with treatment-resistant psoriasis or in those who have had multiple adverse effects to other therapies. AREAS COVERED: This review covers the efficacy and role of both topical and oral Pimecrolimus in the management of psoriasis and compares them to other available treatments. The paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on topical and oral Pimecrolimus and its utility in the treatment of patients with psoriasis following literature searches via PubMed and Embase. EXPERT OPINION: Topical Pimecrolimus is an effective, off-license treatment option particularly for facial and intertriginous psoriasis. Oral Pimecrolimus shows great promise as an alternative systemic treatment option, but Phase III trials are required before further recommendations can be made.

Human skin buffering capacity against a reference base sodium hydroxide: in vitro model.

This study assesses the possibility of using an in vitro model as an introduction to clinical human models for evaluating the buffering capacity of skin when an irritant is topically applied. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was utilized as a model base with a view to elucidate information on preventing and/or treating base-induced damage and better understand buffering mechanisms. NaOH was evaluated in 3 concentrations (0.1N, 0.05N, and 0.025N) to determine if the skin's ability to buffer these solutions was dependent on the concentration of the topically applied solution. De-ionized water (negative control) and unexposed skin (blank control) were also utilized. The model permitted quantitative estimates of buffering capacity and its rapid diminution.