Multisegmental herpes zoster in an immunocompetent girl.

Children infrequently are afflicted with herpes zoster (HZ). Activation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in a partially immune host results in HZ. Herpes zoster in children can be benign or with varied severity, especially in cases associated with malignancy. Because of its rarity, we report widespread multisegmental HZ primarily presenting on the right side of the body and abdomen in a 6-year-old immunocompetent girl.

Skin tightening of aging upper arms using an infrared light device.

BACKGROUND: Upper arm skin laxity is an important area of cosmetic concern. Recent studies using a noninvasive infrared device has demonstrated its efficacy in tightening skin in various body regions. The use of this device in upper arm loose skin has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety and efficacy of an infrared device to treat upper arm laxity in aged skin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty women with mild to very loose aged upper arm skin underwent two treatments with an infrared device 1 month apart. Nineteen patients completed the study with a 3-month follow-up. Outcome measures included investigator and participant evaluations of skin laxity improvement, blinded photographic assessments of skin tightening, and differences in circumferences and spectrophotometric analysis of collagen content in the treated arms. Two patients participated in histological evaluations. RESULTS: The patient and investigator clinical assessments showed minimal improvement in skin laxity. There was a statistically significant decrease in arm circumference. Blinded photographic assessments and spectrophotometric analysis revealed no statistical improvement in skin laxity. The immediate post-treatment histological evaluations showed architectural disarray of dermal collagen and elastin. CONCLUSION: An infrared device is safe, well tolerated, and minimally effective in treating aged upper arm skin laxity.

Short anagen syndrome in an African American woman.

Short anagen syndrome is an uncommon condition characterized by the inability to grow long hair and an increase in the number of hairs in telogen. The incidence of short anagen syndrome is poorly documented in the medical literature. In all reports, patients are Caucasian and usually have fine blond hair. We report a case of a 38-year-old African American woman with short anagen syndrome.

Inguinal hyperhidrosis misdiagnosed as urinary incontinence: treatment with botulinum toxin A.

Hyperhidrosis is a psychosocially embarrassing condition with a treatment history of varied success, including topical application of antiperspirants with aluminum salts (e.g., Drysol), oral anticholinergics, iontophoresis, and endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy. The use of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) in humans for the treatment of hyperhidrosis didn't emerge until 1996. Botulinum toxin A is a safe and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis, and it has been shown to improve the quality of life in affected patients. The toxin works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, and affecting the postganglionic sympathetic innervation of sweat glands. The authors report a case of inguinal hyperhidrosis treated with botulinum toxin A. Very few cases with similar treatments have been found in the medical literature. More work should be done to find the optimal dose for treating this area, and affected patients should be informed of the potential benefits of botulinum toxin therapy.

Acquiring allergen information from condom manufacturers: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis from condoms is a problem that carries significant morbidity and that has been increasingly reported due to the use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases as well as for birth control. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the process by which condom manufacturing companies divulge product allergen information to health care professionals. METHODS: An interviewer-administered telephone questionnaire eliciting the staff member's knowledge of condom allergens was utilized. Eligible respondents were condom manufacturers' service staff over 18 years of age. RESULTS: Complete surveys were obtained regarding 36 (85.7%) of the 42 subtypes of condoms. Telephoning was the primary (75%) method of obtaining allergen information. The majority (63.9%) of the information was obtained within minutes to hours of the initial contact. Nearly two-thirds of the interviews evaluated the condom manufacturers' service staff as good and effective in their knowledge base and in providing product information. CONCLUSION: The study determined that the extent of knowledge, helpfulness, and effectiveness of the customer service personnel in relaying product allergen information to clinicians were generally good. The study additionally generated a reference table outlining the common allergens in major manufactured condoms.