Photodynamic therapy is painful: any way around it ?

Pain associated with aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy of skin disease. Warren CB, Karai LJ, Vidimos A, Maytin EV. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Dec;61(6):1033-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2009.03.048. Photodynamic Therapy (or PDT) is a treatment involving the application of a photosensitizing substance (aminolevulinic acid (ALA), methyl-aminolevulinate MAL) for a few hours before shining a light for a few…

Welcome to the Skin Planet !

The skin microbiome: current perspectives and future challenges. Chen YE, Tsao H. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013 Jul;69(1):143-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.01.016. Different bacteria, fungi and viruses live on the skin. The type of microorganisms as well as their density depends on “environmental” factors. “Tropical” areas include the skin folds such as axillae, inquinal folds… ‘Desert” areas…

Metastatic lung-cell cancer treatment with Erlotinib: its cutaneous side effects and practical management advice

Erlotinib-related skin toxicities: treatment strategies in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Kiyohara Y, Yamazaki N, Kishi A. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013 Sep;69(3):463-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.02.025. Targeted treatments against cancers have enhanced therapeutic properties as compared with older treatments. But with this also comes an array of new unwanted side-effects which are the results…

The Role of Tyrosine Kinases in Dermatology

Tyrosine kinases in inflammatory dermatologic disease. Paniagua RT, Fiorentino DF, Chung L, Robinson WH. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Aug;65(2):389-403. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.04.026. Tyrosine kinases (TK) have been identified as critical to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: Systemic Sclerosis Graft-versus-host-disease Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Psoriasis Pemphigus vulgaris Bullous Pemphigoid Dermatomyositis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus…

Skin signs of Internal Disease: do NOT confuse Peutz Jeghers and Carney Syndromes

Carney syndrome in a patient previously considered to have Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Richey JD, Bradish JR, Lacy SR, Warren S. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Feb;70(2):e44-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.017. Some skin conditions ar associated with internal diseases. Some of these conditions can be syndromic and the existence of skin signs is associated with internal conditions Peutz-Jegher’s Syndrome…

Alcohol-induced vasculitis

Alcohol-induced vasculitis: case report and commentary. Abuabara K, Samimi S, Chu EY, Bluebond ND, James WD, Merkel PA. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Feb;70(2):e42-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.014. In this interesting case report, the authors depict the story of a 26 year old woman developing erythematous macules and papules occuring a few hours after consuming an alcoholic…