The skin is routinely exposed to mechanical stimuli such as: stretching, contraction, compression, torsion Cyclical stretching : increases secretion of humoral factors and proteolytic enzymes by activating inflammatory signaling pathways in keratinocytes and fibroblasts induces degradation of the extracellular matrix …the response to it depends on the nature of the stimulus and its duration Methods…
DetailsSemi permanent tattoos are often used to alleviate tedious daily make-up but they also, like other tattoos can become cosmetically unacceptable. Treatment: Available classical treatments include, surgery, dermabrasion but both induce scarring which is not acceptable for patients who are looking for a cosmetic procedure to correct another one. Q-Switched lasers have been tried and…
DetailsTuberous Sclerosis (TSC) is a multisytemic condition characterized by numerous skin signs (shagreen patch, ash leaf macules…). Of these, hypomelanotic macules are the most frequent sign and are present in 90% of patients with TSC. (Macules have to be 3 or more in number to fit in the diagnosis of TSC). The cause of TSC…
DetailsThe Greek word of origin is: πομφολυξ = pompholyx = vesicle This term was given to what is now pemphigus by Robert Willan (a British physician, 1757-1817, the real founder of dermatology). Alibert (a French physician, 1766-1837) decided then to use this term for all bullous skin conditions originating from pemphix. This term will persist…
DetailsThe cause of scabies was unknown and in the early decades of the 19th century, the mite being the cause of scabies were controversial. Simon François Renucci a Corsican medical student had seen native women remove mites from people with “the itch”; it amused him to see the professors of Paris in the dark. In…
DetailsThe isomorphic phenomenon is the occurrence of the skin lesions in traumatized areas. This occurs in the following dermatoses: vitiligo, psoriasis, lichen planus, lichen nitidus, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and keratosis follicularis (Darier’s disease). It was described by Dr Heinrich Koebner (1838-1904) in 1876, a German dermatologist who trained in Paris and Vienna: he showed it…
DetailsThis term comes from the Greek word: συριγξ = surinx = canal. The word is pronounced as ” surinx”. This origin is used in other medical fields (syringomyelia, syringobulbia, syringotomy) Information on Syringoma: Syringoma develop from the excretory lining of eccrine glands They are frequent benign tumors and affect more often females with familial forms.…
DetailsBirt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome is a dermatological condition with a heightened risk of tumors in the kidneys and lungs. The condition is characterized by multiple benign dome-shaped tumors of the hair follicles (fibrofolliculomas), located on the face, neck and sometimes on the upper chest.Trichodiscomas and acrochordons are other lesions occuring with this syndrome Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome was described…
DetailsPustular psoriasis exists in the generalized and localized types. Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau of acral psoriasis characterized by spongiform pustules* When examining pustules of psoriasis under the microscope, they appear as spongiform. This term was labelled in 1927 by Dr Franjo Kogoj (1894-1983), a Croatian dermatologist:”The pustule may be compared to a sponge” *These pustules…
DetailsDr Bruno Bloch (1878-1933) was a Swiss dermatologist who created the dermatology department in Zurich. He described incontinentia pigment with the US Dermatologist, Dr Marion Sulzberger But he made his most valuable contribution in pigment research. Indeed he discovered that the synthesis of melanin was due to the action of an enzyme on the amino…
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