The British journal of dermatology
-
The bacterial flora of chronic venous ulcers treated with an occlusive hydrocolloid dressing were studied over a period of 8 weeks. A novel exudate sampling method was used in an attempt to isolate anaerobic bacteria. ⋯ Once a species was present, it remained with the exception of Pseudomonas, which appeared to be inhibited by the dressing. Twelve out of 20 ulcers contained anaerobic bacteria and healing did not appear to be impaired by the presence of any particular species of bacteria.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Treatment of chronic urticaria with cetirizine dihydrochloride a non-sedating antihistamine.
The efficacy of cetirizine dihydrochloride, a new H1-antagonist with minimal sedative or anticholinergic side effects was evaluated in 30 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. In the first part of the study, cetirizine 10 mg and placebo were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial. In the second part, patients who did not respond adequately in the first part were randomized, still double-blind, to receive 10 mg cetirizine either once daily or twice daily. ⋯ Cetirizine dihydrochloride was found significantly to reduce occurrence of weals, erythema and pruritus compared with placebo (P less than 0.001). Twenty-six of the patients improved on cetirizine and two on placebo. Mild sedation was noted by two patients on cetirizine and by one on placebo.
-
We describe seven patients, four female and three male, who developed intense pruritus on sun-exposed skin without visible change. The clinical features resembled those of polymorphic light eruption (PLE) without rash. Four patients also occasionally developed typical PLE upon sun exposure, but sun-induced pruritus alone occurred most frequently. ⋯ All other laboratory investigations were negative. Treatment with low dose UVB phototherapy or PUVA therapy was effective. The condition, which we have called polymorphic light eruption sine eruptione (PLESE), appears to be a variant of PLE not previously reported.
-
The erythemal response of normal human skin to UVA and UVB radiation was measured objectively using a reflectance instrument in seven subjects, and a laser Doppler velocimeter in two subjects. UVA radiation was produced using a newly-developed high-intensity UVA lamp. ⋯ The time course of UVA erythema was biphasic; erythema was present immediately after irradiation, fell to a minimum at about 4 h and then rose to a broad plateau between 6 and 24 h. The intensity of the early phase was dose-rate dependent, whereas that in the later phase depended on dose only.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Prophylactic PUVA and UVB therapy in polymorphic light eruption--a controlled trial.
A double-blind controlled trial of low-dose prophylactic oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation therapy was undertaken from April to September 1983 in 42 patients with polymorphic light eruption (PLE). Patients were randomly allocated to three groups, PUVA with oral 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), UVB with oral placebo, and control low-dose UVA with oral placebo. ⋯ Patients recorded their symptoms on a visual analogue scale. Symptoms of rash and itch in patients treated with PUVA and UVB were significantly less affected by increasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation than were these symptoms in control patients.