Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Jul 1987
Case ReportsRecurrent eruptions following unusual solitary coelenterate envenomations.
The case history of four patients is presented. The first patient exhibited normal immunologic reactions to large artificial intradermal challenge with jellyfish venom and later, multiple small natural stings. ⋯ The third and fourth patients exhibited recurrent eruptions after solitary envenomations by different coelenterates. These case histories demonstrate that multiple recurrent eruptions may follow solitary envenomations by different subphyla of coelenterates, that the initial eruption induced by the sting may be delayed by the administration of high doses of systemic corticosteroids, and that an immunologic reaction in both the B and T cell systems can follow jellyfish envenomation.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Jul 1987
Treatment of chronic postherpetic neuralgia with topical capsaicin. A preliminary study.
Continuing pain following herpes zoster is common in patients 60 years of age or older. Current treatments are generally unsatisfactory. The endogenous neuropeptide substance P is an important chemomediator of nociceptive impulses from the periphery to the central nervous system and has been demonstrated in high levels in sensory nerves supplying sites of chronic inflammation. ⋯ Of the 12 patients completing this preliminary study, 9 (75%) experienced substantial relief of their pain. The only adverse reaction was an intermittent, localized burning sensation experienced by one patient with application of capsaicin. Although these results are preliminary, they suggest that topical application of capsaicin may provide a useful approach for alleviating postherpetic neuralgia and other syndromes characterized by severe localized pain.