Dermatologica
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Local blanching after epicutaneous application of EMLA cream. A double-blind randomized study among 50 healthy volunteers.
EMLA cream is a topical formulation based upon the eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine and is used in clinical settings to produce local analgesia after application under occlusive dressing. A blanching reaction has been reported to occur locally after application, but it is not clear whether this reaction is caused by the anesthetic mixture, by the vehicle or the occlusion. We studied this blanching reaction in 50 healthy volunteers in a double-blind randomized assay: EMLA versus placebo, under occlusive dressing for 1 h, each subject being his own control. ⋯ Blanching was observed without delay, after removal of the dressing, and was very transient, disappearing in less than 3 h in all cases. We thus conclude that the blanching reaction is (1) frequent but very transient, and (2) determined by the anesthetic mixture included in EMLA cream and not by the vehicle alone, nor by the occlusion, since it is not found with the placebo. The precise mechanism of this reaction is unknown.
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We report the case of a patient with pemphigus who presented Nocardia asteroides septicemia. The infection was controlled with an original association of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and amikacin.
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Case Reports
Skin necrosis after injection of aminosides. Arthus reaction, local toxicity, thrombotic process or pathergy?
A case of extensive skin necrosis following intramuscular injections of sisomycin is described. Eight cases of necrosis following subcutaneous injections of aminoside antibiotics have been reported in elderly females under anticoagulant theray, but the pathogenic mechanisms of these lesions have not been investigated. ⋯ Four major mechanisms are discussed: an Arthus reaction, a thrombotic process, a direct toxicity of aminosides for subcutaneous tissue, or a pyoderma-like neutrophilic reaction. Subjects with a tendency to thrombosis and/or abnormalities of neutrophil functions may be predisposed to these skin necroses.
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Hereditary disorders of keratinization may be a considerable handicap. Oral treatment with retinoids has been shown to be effective in many of these diseases. In the group of ichthyoses, the best results can be obtained in the various types of nonbullous congenital ichthyosis (erythrodermic autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis, nonerythrodermic autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis, autosomal dominant lamellar ichthyosis). ⋯ Papillomatous epidermal nevi should also be excluded because they do not respond to the drug. Hailey-Hailey disease may even be worsened by this treatment. According to our experience, oral retinoid therapy has no effect in monilethrix.
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A 70-year-old white woman with sarcoidosis and insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus presented with extensive cutaneous ulcerations. Both the cutaneous lesions and the systemic features of sarcoidosis showed a dramatic improvement during oral corticosteroid therapy. When extensive cutaneous ulcerations are present, it is important to consider sarcoidosis, as these may be the only presenting sign of the disease. Unlike ulcerated necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, sarcoidal ulcerations may respond well to treatment with oral corticosteroids.