Melasma is a common acquired symmetric hypermelanosis characterized by irregular light to dark brown macules and patches on sunexposed areas of the skin. Its histopathologic characteristics are important for treatment. Melasma is characterized by epidermal hyperpigmentation possibly by both the increased number of melanocytes and the increased function of melanogenic enzymes over the dermal solar changes. Until now, curative measures are not available for melasma. Current therapies include topical agents (retinoic acid, hydroquinone, steroids), peeling (Combes solution, glycolic acid, TCA), and lasers(Co2, Erbium-Yag, Q-switched).
Hyperpigmentation ; Melanocytes ; Melanosis* ; Skin ; Skin Lightening Preparations

A total of 40 adult black-mice was used and divided into two groups for expeiment. Group A was irradiated by UVB only and Group B had SPF 15 sunscreen a.pplied to the back followed by irradiation by UVB. Each group was divided again into 5 subgroups according to the days of UVB irradiation frcm 2 to 10 days. A Waldmann combination UVA+UVB Radiation Treatment Cabin 8001 was used as the light source and the UVB dosage was 50 mJ/cm2 daily. Skin specimens were taken 24 hours after the last irradiation. Histologic changes in epidermis were reviewed by the light microscope. In group A, the characteristic sunburn cells(SBC) were observed with 100 mJ/ cm2. SBC number was maximum with 400 mJ/cm2. The other epidermal changes were parakerat.osis, crusts, atypical cells, and mitoses of basal cells, which showed graded responses to the UVB doses. Pretreatment with the sunscreen completely prevented these changes.
Adult ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Keratinocytes* ; Mitosis ; Skin ; Sunburn

Prurigo pigmentosa is a peculiar pruritic pigmented dermatosis characterized by the sudden appearance of reddish papules accompanied by severe pruritus. The etiology still remains unknown but environmental factors may play a role, in which physical trauma or friction from wet clothing induces the skin lesions. It has a seasonal preference for spring to summer when there is increased sweating. We report a case of prurigo pigmentosa which may be triggered by sweating and cured with minocycline.
Clothing ; Friction ; Minocycline ; Prurigo* ; Pruritus ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Sweat* ; Sweating*

Impaired sweating reportedly has been associated with a high incidence of heat pyrexia. An important cause is attributed to sweat gland fatigue following intense prolonged sweating. For further investigation, sweat gland fatigue was induced by heat exposure for 2 hours in a hot room (dry bulb 46c, wet bulb 37c) with 9 healthy subjects. Sweating rate of the right forearm increased progressively for the first 45 minutes with a maximum value of 40.0mg/4. 91 cm2/15 min followed by a slow decrease to 24.9 mg/4.91cm2/15 min at the end of 2 hours. Active sweat pores decreased in number following 2 hours of heat exposure but the differences were not significant statistically. In spite of the higher sweat rate on the back, the number of active sweat pores was smaller as compared to the right forearm. Na+ concentrations of the second hour sweat collections were higher than those of the first hour with difference of 14. 9 mEq/l on the right forearm and 12.3 mEq/1 on the back.
Fatigue ; Fever ; Forearm ; Hot Temperature* ; Incidence ; Sweat Glands ; Sweat* ; Sweating

Ichthyosis hystrix is characterized by extensive bilateral systemic involvement of thick hyperkeratotic verrucous papules forming confluent plaques or linear arrangement and is currently classified into a systematized epidermal nevi, which was once conaidered as an extreme variant of congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma. Here is presented a case with typical clinical features and characteristic histopathologic findings of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. Our patient exhibited no skeletal or CNS abnormalities reported to be associated with this condition. Marked improvement was obtained with oral administration of etretinate.
Acitretin* ; Administration, Oral ; Eating ; Etretinate* ; Flushing ; Humans ; Hyperkeratosis, Epidermolytic ; Hypertrophy ; Ichthyosiform Erythroderma, Congenital ; Ichthyosis* ; Mandible ; Nevus ; Porcupines* ; Sclerosis ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Sweating, Gustatory* ; Young Adult

Disseminate and recurrent infundibulo-folliculitis is a rare,but distinctive dermatosis characterized by pruritic papular follicular eruption over the trunk and proximal extremities with histologic findings of lymphocytic infiltrations and spongiosis confined to the infundibulum. Little is known about the cause. Resistance to treatment is one of the characteristics of this disease. We herein report a case with typical clinical and histological findings in a 22 year old male.
Extremities ; Humans ; Male ; Skin Diseases ; Young Adult

In this report, 20,536 new outpatients who have visited the Department of Dermatology of Wonju Christian Hospital from Jan. 1st, 1980 to Dec. 31st, 1984 were analized. The results suggest that the age, sex, monthly and yearly distribution patterns of dermatoses in Wonju area are similar to those of other areas in Korea except that infective dermtoses(40.3%), especially scabies(9.8%) and herpes zoster(1.6%) are more common.
Dermatology ; Gangwon-do* ; Humans ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Skin Diseases* ; Statistics as Topic*

l6-year-old male and 48-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and renal disease presented with vesiculobullous eruptions during severe attack of the disease. They showed hypocomplementernia, and high ANA titers. Histopathologic findings revealed subepidermal blister and leukocytoclastic vasculitis, Direct immunofluorescence demonstratedlinear deposits of IgG, IgA and lgM at the dermoepidermal junction. The vesiculobullous eruption of SLE may be an important marker reflecting disease activity and prognosis.
Blister ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Vasculitis

We report herein a case of tuberculosis cutis orificialis in a 50-year-old man. He suffered from well demarcated, 2x5cm sized, slightly tender, pus discharging, perianal ulcer with bluish edges for 3 months. The biopsy specimen from the ulcer revealed tuberculoid structure with Langhans giant cells in the deep dermis and a few acid-fast bacilli. AFB cultures from the sputum, pus, and tissue were successful. Intradermal test with PPD showed positive result. Chest roentgenographic findings disclosed advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. Almost complete healing of the perianal ulcers occurred following 2 months of therapy using antituberculosis drugs.
Biopsy ; Dermis ; Giant Cells, Langhans ; Humans ; Intradermal Tests ; Middle Aged ; Sputum ; Suppuration ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; Ulcer

We report herein a case of eosinophilic pustular follicultis in a 20-year-old man. The patient showed typical clinical picture with specific laboratory and histopathological findings of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis. The patient responded well to systemic administration of corticosteroid and dapsone.
Dapsone ; Eosinophils* ; Folliculitis* ; Humans ; Young Adult