Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Sep 2010
ReviewTherapeutic and experimental therapeutic studies on acupuncture and itch: review of the literature.
Itch accompanies most inflammatory skin diseases but may occur as a solitary sensation in otherwise normal skin. Chronic itch often requires combined treatments but some cases remain therapy resistant. ⋯ Acupuncture is the oldest and most well-studied alternative option with evidence-based effect on pain. This article summarizes the rational for the use of acupuncture in treatment of itch and reviews therapeutic and experimental therapeutic studies on acupuncture and itch.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Jul 2010
ReviewTattoo removal by non-professionals--medical and forensic considerations.
Tattoos are common phenomena in the western world and the demand for their removal has become widespread in the recent years. The introduction of quality-switched lasers has provided an effective removal method that is increasingly being exploited by tattoo studios themselves. Dermatologists, however, are frequently confronted with complications and side effects of tattoo removals that were performed by non-professionals. ⋯ The methods followed are systematic and evidence-based review of the literature. Four major problem areas were identified: rare but potentially severe allergic or toxic effects of decomposition products of the tattoo pigments; bodily harm caused by out-of-specification usage of the laser devices; malignant disease that is obscured within the area of a tattoo and requires meticulous dermatological diagnosis; and insufficient pre-operative consultation of patients about the risks, side effects and realistic expectations on the therapeutic outcome. We came to a conclusion that tattoo laser removal by medical laymen is unacceptable from the point of view of patient safety and the laws need to ban this practice swiftly.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Apr 2010
ReviewCardiovascular risk factors in patients with plaque psoriasis: a systematic review of epidemiological studies.
Many epidemiological studies have associated psoriasis with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, resulting from a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in psoriasis patients compared with unmatched controls. However, the results of epidemiological studies vary depending upon the populations studied. The aim of this systemic review was to evaluate the risk of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity in adults with plaque psoriasis. In addition, we assessed the relationship between the risk of cardiovascular risk factors and psoriasis severity. ⋯ There is an increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome in psoriasis. For hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia no consistency was found across studies. Prospective epidemiological studies with thorough recording of cardiovascular risk factors are required in psoriasis patients.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Feb 2010
ReviewSarcoidosis of the skin--a dermatological puzzle: important differential diagnostic aspects and guidelines for clinical and histopathological recognition.
Sarcoidosis of the skin may have an extremely heterogeneous clinical presentation, so that the definitions of 'great imitator' and 'clinical chameleon' have long been used. There is, in fact, a large group of skin diseases that can enter the differential diagnosis with cutaneous sarcoid manifestations, either clinically or/and pathologically. ⋯ For practical reasons, four main groups of skin conditions capable of mimicking sarcoidosis can be identified: (i) transmissible, infectious diseases; (ii) allergic and immunological manifestations of various aetiologies; (iii) granulomatous diseases of various aetiologies; and (iv) lymphomas and pseudolymphomas. The aim of this article is to describe the main clinical and histopathological findings of such disease entities, and to discuss the role of those features (morphological, pathological and laboratory) that can help distinguish them from sarcoidosis of the skin.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyIs superficial burn caused by ultraviolet radiation (sunburn) comparable to superficial burn caused by heat--a histomorphological comparison by in vivo Reflectance-Mode-Confocal Microscopy.
Regardless of the underlying cause, both sunburn and superficial thermal injuries are classified as first-degree burns, since data on morphological differences are scarce. Reflectance-Mode-Confocal Microscopy (RMCM) enables high-resolution non-invasive investigation of the human skin. ⋯ Ultraviolet radiation seems to influence predominantly deeper epidermal layers, whereas heat-induced burns affect more superficial epidermal layers. The term 'First-degree burn' should not be used synonymously for sunburn and superficial thermal burn injuries. Conflicts of interest None declared.