The importance of garlic as a cause of hand eczema has been a matter of debate. Diallyldisulfide is considered as the main allergen in garlic. Twentv two antigens of the modified European standard series and diallyldisulfide of 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% in petrolatum were patch tested in 44 patients with hand eczema. Diallylclisi.!lfide was also tested in 13 women as a control. The results were summerized as follows. l. In patch testing with the European standard series, nickel sulfate (22.7%), cobalt chloride (18.2%), fragrance mix (13.6%), balsam of Peru (9.1%) and termerosal (6.8%) were the cornmon allergens which showed positive reactions. The overal positive rate was 59.1 % (26/44). 2.5% diallyldisulfide showed an irritant reaction in 6 (46.2%) out of 13 controls and in 16 (36.4% ) out of 44 patients. 2% diallyldisulfide showed an irritant reaction in 2/13 (15.4 %) in the control group and 6/44 (13.6%) in the patient group. All 13 controls and 44 patients were negative iin tests with diallyldisulfide of 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%. Our results indicate that patch testing with diallyldisulfide of 1% petrolatum is reommended in order to avoid an irritant reaction when contact allergy to garlic is suspetel. 3. Garlic is suspected as an irritant in provoking hand eczema. True contact allergy to garlic in hand eczema seems to be rare.
Allergens ; Cobalt ; Eczema* ; Female ; Garlic* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Nickel ; Patch Tests ; Peru ; Petrolatum

Pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis is a disease usually resulting from recurrent cutaneous exposure to cosmetic photoallergens which produce bizarre dark brown hyperpigmentation. Histologicnl examination of this condition reveals liquefaction of the basal cells of the epidmis and melanophages in the upper dermis. A 50-year-female developed dark brownish mottled hyperpigmented patches on her face after using a soap named O.E. and taking a nap every afternoon for 4 years. The histological fmding on the lesion site was consistent with pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis. The cosmetic photopatch test with, O.E. soap, and the Scandinavian scries resulted in a positive reaction only on one side where 5 J/cm2 lights were applied by using Waldman 800UV machine. The other side howed a negative finding. We fmally diagnosed pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis based on the patients histoty of using the soap containing musk ambrette, a histological examination of a biopsy and the results of photopatch tests. We report rare case of pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis.
Biopsy ; Dermatitis, Photoallergic* ; Dermis ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Soaps

Linear IgA bullous dermatoses(LABD) occurring in childhood is considered to be a childhood counterpart of LABD,rather than chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood. This disease characteristically involves the perioral area,lower trunk,pelvic region and the lower extremities. Immunopathologically,it is characterized by the linear deposits of IgA at the dermoepidermal junction of the perilesional skin. A 20-month-old female infant presented with multiple pruritic tense bullae on the face, lower trunk, both extremities and pelvic region of 2 weeks duration. She had no oral lesions or any specific signs or symptoms referable to the disease of the gastrointestinal tract. A skin biopsy revealed subepidermal blisters infiltrated with many neutrophils and a few eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrated linear deposition of IgA at the dermoepidermal junction. An indirect immunofluorescence study using NaC1-split skin as the substrate revealed fluorescence for IgA in a linear pattern on the roof of the split at a titer of 1:40. The clinical diagnosis of LABD of childhood was confirmed and we started with a combined remedy of dapsone and corticosteroids; 10 weeks later almost all of the lesions had disappeared.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Biopsy ; Blister ; Dapsone ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Extremities ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Infant ; Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis* ; Lower Extremity ; Neutrophils ; Pelvis ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Pigmented contact dermatitis is characterized by a dark brown pigmentation that results from repeated exposure to small amounts of contact allergen. Histopathologic findings are liquefactive degeneration of the basal layer cells and melanophages in the upper dermis. We report a case of a 73-year-old man with dark brownish mottled hyperpigmented patches on the both cheeks and forehead. Patch tests were positive to isoeugenol, benzyl salicylate and after shave lotion. After shave lotion that the patient used maybe contain these fragrances. Improvement was seen 3 months after ceasing the use of after shave lotion.
Aged ; Cheek ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Dermis ; Forehead ; Humans ; Patch Tests ; Pigmentation

In most instances, Cryptococcosis is a systemic disease caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans through respiratory tract. The organism is worldwide in its distribution, is saprophytic, and is found in soil and in pigeon excretion. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is rare; skin lesion is the sole manifestation of the disease without preceding generalized or cerebrospinal involvement. We report a case of primary cutaneous crytococcosis. The patient was a 53-year-old female, who had had an erythematous ulcerated lesion with swollen border on the dorsum of right wrist. Histopathologic examination showed typical spores with capsules. Other physical examinations and laboratory findings were within normal limit. The lesion was successfully treated with oral itraconazole (200mg/dayx7weeks).
Capsules ; Columbidae ; Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Itraconazole* ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Respiratory System ; Skin ; Soil ; Spores ; Ulcer ; Wrist

BACKGROUND: Hair growth is spontaneously activated from quiescent bulge stem cells or is activated from precocious anagen. Upon spontaneous activation of hair growth or activation induced by nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) inhibitors, NFATc1 expression is lost and cyclin dependent kinase (CDK4) repression is relieved. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of cyclosporine as a hair cycle regulator in the treatment of Alopecia areata (AA). METHODS: In this study, we planned to investigate the hair growing properties of cyclosporine in vitro conditions. Briefly, the effects of different concentrations of cyclosporine (200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 mmol) on the growth of cultured hair follicles were examined through the expression of NFATc1 and CDK4. RESULTS: NFATc1 was downregulated and CDK4 expression was upregulated especially in the bulge areas, outer root sheath and hair bulb matrix cells as the concentration of cyclosporine increased. CONCLUSION: Cyclosporine induces CDK4 expression by NFATc1 suppression, which acts to relieve repressed CDK4, resulting in hair growth. In conclusion, cyclosporine is one of the candidates as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of hair loss.
Alopecia Areata ; Cyclins ; Cyclosporine* ; Hair Follicle ; Hair* ; Phosphotransferases ; Repression, Psychology ; Stem Cells ; T-Lymphocytes

Kaposi's sarcoma is a neoplasm of multifocal origin which manifests primarily as vascular nodules in the skin and other organs. Kaposi's sarcoma in iatrogenically immunocompromised patients is the result of immunosuppressive therapy in organ-transplant recipients, autoimmune disease patients and cytotoxic chemotherapy in cancer patients. We report a case of Kaposi's sarcoma in a 50-year-old man who developed well-defined purple-colored papules and plaques on both hands and feet after prednisolone treatment for underlying membranous glomerulonephritis. The histologic finding showed abnormally proliferated and dilated vessels, vascular slits, spindle-shaped cells and extravasated erythrocytes in the dermis. He was treated with cryotherapy, and the dosage of prednisolone was reduced. Improvement was seen in 6 weeks
Autoimmune Diseases ; Cryotherapy ; Dermis ; Drug Therapy ; Erythrocytes ; Foot ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous* ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Skin

Bednar tumor is an uncommon pigmented subtype of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP). The histopathological finding is characterized by a typical storiform pattern composed of spindle-shaped cells resembling DFSP except for the presence of melanin-containing cells scattered within the lesion. The origin of the spindle-shaped cells and melanin-containing cells within the tumor remains unknown. We report a case of Bednar tumor in a 26-year-old woman on the right shoulder which was presented as asymptomatic, firm, black-colored, 1x1.5 cm nodule over 2 years. Histologically, the proliferated spindle-shaped cells showed a cartwheel pattern and stained positively with CD34, similar to those of a common DFSP. The tumor was widely excised and there is no evidence of recurrence from follow-up of 6 months.
Adult ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Shoulder

Nodular pseudosarcomatous fasciitis is characterized as rapidly growing benign tumor with microscopically resembling sarcoma in the upper extremities, especially forearms. Most lesions are located in the subcutaneous tissue, although these may also be found intramuscularly, with the involvement of the adjacent fascia or periosteum and dermis.
Dermis ; Fascia ; Fasciitis* ; Forearm ; Periosteum ; Sarcoma ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Upper Extremity

Allergic contact dermatitis to topical corticosteroids seems to occur more frequently than previously supposed. But it is not easily recognized because the allergic condition for which the steroid is mostly prescribed masks the sensitization. Moreover, corticosteroids evoke some anti-inflammatory effect, even in case of steroid hypersensitivity. A 40-year-old man visited our department for the evaluation of aggravated skin lesion of trunk. Previously he was treated with Dermovate(R) and Eumovate(R) ointment for chronic dermatitis. He was patch tested to the Korean standard series, with Dermovate(R) and Eumovate(R) ointment as is. Patch test showed positive reactions to both ointments.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Masks ; Ointments ; Patch Tests ; Skin