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…