Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Oct 1999
Clinical TrialEfficacy and safety of naltrexone, an oral opiate receptor antagonist, in the treatment of pruritus in internal and dermatological diseases.
The perception of pruritus is modified by endogenous opiates via central opiate receptors in a histamine-independent manner. ⋯ The study suggests that oral opiate antagonists might be a well-tolerated and effective therapy for pruritic symptoms in many diseases.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · May 1999
Case ReportsTreatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis using phonophoresis.
Sarcoidosis is a multiple-system disorder of unknown origin characterized histologically by epithelioid granulomas with little or no necrosis. We describe a 32-year-old female patient with a history of systemic sarcoidosis and common variable immunodeficiency with recurrent, multiple, soft, erythematous and violaceous nodules on the back of her left hand. Her lesions responded to phonophoresis after unsuccessful treatment with topical and intralesional corticosteroids. However, nodules appeared on other parts of her body after phonophoresis was stopped, which suggests that phonophoresis had a localized rather than systemic effect.
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Anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine is rare. We report a patient who experienced anaphylaxis during a whole body bath with chlorhexidine. Early signs of a type I allergy may have been masked because of previous concomitant treatment with corticosteroids and PUVA.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Mar 1999
Plasmapheresis as an adjunct treatment in toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe, progressive disease characterized by the sudden onset of skin necrosis. It is frequently associated with systemic involvement and has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Standard therapy includes meticulous wound care, fluid replacement, and nutritional support in an intensive care setting. ⋯ Plasmapheresis is a safe intervention in extremely ill TEN patients and may reduce the mortality in this severe disease. Prospective studies are needed to further define its usefulness.