BACKGROUND: Fexofenadine (Allegra(R)) is a H1-receptor selective antihistamine which exhibits consistent efficacy and safety in the treatment of allergic diseases. We thought that fexofenadine may be useful in treatment of the pruritus associated with eczema. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine in the treatment of pruritus associated with eczema. METHODS: In this study, patients with atopic and allergic contact dermatitis were divided into a group given fexofenadine 180 mg once daily with topical prednicarbate treatment group or a topical prednicarbate treatment only group, for 1 week. The primary efficacy parameter was the mean change from baseline in pruritus score, and the secondary parameters were the mean change in the incidence of scratching, the mean change in visual analogue scale (0~100 mm) of pruritus, and a comparison of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: 435 patients were included and the mean age was 32.9 years old. The mean pruritus score at baseline was 3.55 point in fexofenadine group and 3.51 point in the control group. Regarding the mean change in pruritus score, fexofenadine significantly decreased the severity of pruritus compared with the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the decrease in the incidence of scratching between the two groups. A decrease in pruritus levels utilizing visual analogue scale was significant in the fexofenadine group (p<0.05) and patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the fexofenadine group (p=0.0192). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between two groups (p=0.6237). CONCLUSION: Fexofenadine administered 180 mg once daily in combination with topical prednicarbate treatment was effective and well tolerated in this study.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Humans ; Incidence ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prednisolone ; Pruritus ; Terfenadine

Metastatic cancers to the skin are rare and usually originate in the lung, breast, large intestine, or ovary. They commonly present with lesions in the area overlying the neoplasm, but the morphology, pattern and distribution may vary. Hepatoma metastasizes to the lungs, adrenal glands, regional lymph nodes, portal vein, gallbladder, pancreas, bone, hepatic vein, kidney, mediastinum, less commonly, the heart, peritoneum, diaphragm, and bone marrow. Cutaneous metastasis from hepatoma occurs very rarely and, if present, it usually presents as solitary or multiple nodules. We report two cases of cutaneous metastases from hepatoma.
Adrenal Glands ; Bone Marrow ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diaphragm ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Granuloma, Pyogenic* ; Heart ; Hepatic Veins ; Intestine, Large ; Kidney ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Mediastinum ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Ovary ; Pancreas ; Peritoneum ; Portal Vein ; Skin

The present work is the first joint epidermiological study of contact dermatitis carried out by the Korean Contact Dermatitis Research Group which was organized in 15i8p. For the past 2 years total 937 patients with contact dermatitie and suspected contact dermatitis have been routinely patch tested with Hollister-Stier standard battery (28 different antigens) by using Finn Chamber at 10 different General Hospitals which were located around Seoul area. The MOHL index was quite different from the western data, which was characterized with less male, rare leg ulcer and less occupational cases. However, housewife hand eczema cases were more common. The most common senaitiaers were ammoniated mercury, nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, cinnamic alcohol, neomycin sulfate, paraphenylendiamine, balsam of Peru and thimerosal in order of frequency.
Dermatitis, Contact* ; Eczema ; Epidemiology ; Hand ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Joints ; Leg Ulcer ; Male ; Neomycin ; Nickel ; Patch Tests ; Peru ; Potassium Dichromate ; Seoul ; Thimerosal

Authors have quantitated the T cell and T subsets(T and T cell) in the per- ipheral blood of 16 patients with alopecia areata and 16 normal healthy controls. The results are as follows: 1. The mean values of the T cell in total patient group(54,6+7.9g) and AAP group(5,3. 1+8. 1%) showed staticstially significant decrease when it compared with the mean value of the control group(64.6+3.6%) respectively(p<0.005). In ATU group the mean value of the T cell(53. 1+8. 1%) also showed decreasing tendency in comparison with that of control. The mean values of the T cell in total patient group(30.9+8. 9%) RIld AAP group(3'l. 5+8. %) showed statistically significant decrease when it compared with the mean value of the control group(42,6+8.9%) respectively(p<0. 005). In ATU group the mean value of the T< cell(28. 7+10. 9%) also showed decreasing tende- ncy in comparison with that of control. 3. The mean values of the Tr, cell in total patient group(6. 1+2. 2%) and AAP group(5.9+2.4%) showed staticstially significant decrease when it compared with the mean value of the control group(7.9+1.3%) respectively(p(p pl, pgp p25) In ATU group the mean value of the T cell(6. 7+0. 9%) also showed decreasing tendency in comparison with that of control. 4. The mean values of the T/T ratio showed no significant difference between the patient groups(total, AAP, ATU) and control group, respectively. Above data showed that defect of T cell and T subsets may be associated with the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.
Alopecia Areata ; Humans

We evaluate the water content, hygroscopicity and water holding capacity in 40 healthy individuals and 17 leprosy patients by skin surface hydrometer(IBS Inc, Japan), and the correlation between the nerve destruction and the hydration state. In Eiealthy individuals the measuring sites were the flexor and extensor surfaces of the arm, forearm, thigh and leg, In leprosy patients we measured on the extensor surface of forearm with shows abnormal sensation, and opposite ar neighboring skin which shows normal sensation. The results are as follows: 1. The water content of healthy individuals is highest in the flexor surface af arm (49. 50 + 18.38ug ) and lowest in the extensor surface of leg(30.75 -12.09ug) 2. The hygrosccpicity of healthy individuals is highest in the flexor surface of arm(296. 30 + 70.75ug ) and lowest in the extensor surface of leg(24$. Q7+5) 5ppg) 3. The water content of the extensor surface of lorearm in leprosy patients, which .hows abnormal sensation, is decreased(16. 35 +20. 82 ug) and it is statisti calli significant when compared with healthy individuals(p<0.005). 4. The hygroscopicity of the extensor surface of forearm in leprosy patients. which shows abnormal sensation, is decreased(94. 29 + 71. 62 ug) and it is statistically significant when compared with opposite or neiphboring skin and healthy individuals(p<0. 005)
Arm ; Forearm ; Humans ; Leg ; Leprosy* ; Sensation ; Skin ; Thigh ; Water* ; Wettability

The role of the immune system in pathogenesis of skin cancer has been attracted increasing attention in recent years. Some limited studies and observations suggest that altered immune status may be a factor in the initiation and growth of cutaneous malignancies. Authors experienced a typical case of xeroderma pigmentosum in a 6 year-old girl, who has been suffered from hyper and hypopigmented macules on sun-exposed area, photophobia and also noted eroded lesion on the lower lip. The biopsy finding of the hyperpigmented macule showed that of freckle and the finding of actinic cheilitis was observed from the specimen of eroded 1esion on the lower lip. We performed immunologic test and obtained some evidences of immunologic defect; such as decreased numbers of total T cells, T-suppressor cell and B cell in our patient.
Actins ; Biopsy ; Cheilitis ; Child ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Female ; Humans ; Ichthyosis* ; Immune System ; Immunologic Tests ; Lip ; Melanosis ; Photophobia ; Skin Neoplasms ; T-Lymphocytes ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum*

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica(EBD) is a rare, hereditary and chronic mechanobullous disease characterized by blistering and erosions of the skin in response to even minor trauma. A 5-year old girl visited with a complaint of continuous vesicobullous skin eruptions since birth. On examination, bullae, vesicles, atrophic scars, crusts and ero:ions were scattered on whole body. Loss of finger and toe nails, partial syndactyly of all toe webs and milia on dorsa of feet were noticed. We present a case of EBD that seems to be a recessive type considering the absence of family history with histopathologic and electron microscopic findings.
Blister ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica* ; Epidermolysis Bullosa* ; Female ; Fingers ; Foot ; Humans ; Parturition ; Skin ; Syndactyly ; Toes

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a benign disseminated xanthomatous and granulomatous condition of the skin and other organs. The skin lesions usually disappear spontaneously within 1 to 5 years. Our case was 4 month-old boy who had have match head to pea sized scattered yellowish papules and nodules on scrotum since age of 1 month and then these skin lesions gradually spread to trunk, face and scalp without subjective symptoms. Histopathologically, biopsy specimen of the trunk revealed massive accumulation of histiocytes at dermis. With fat stain, fat substance is demonstrated within the foamy histiocytes. The skull x-ray revealed coin sized, well circumscribed osteolytic lesion on the left parietal bone. By the age of two and half, most of the skin lesions and bone defect on skull x-ray disappeared spontaneously.
Biopsy ; Dermis ; Head ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Numismatics ; Parietal Bone ; Peas ; Scalp ; Scrotum ; Skin ; Skull ; Xanthogranuloma, Juvenile*

Recent studies have demonstrated that the patients with psoriasis have various immune alternation in both humoral and cellular immunities. However the results of these are still controversial. These facts promoted us to analyze the immune cells (T cell, T subsets and B cell) by rosette method for these cells in peripheral blood of 15 patients with psoriasis. And we also analyzed the effects of photo- chemotherapy(PUVA) on these cells. The results were summerized as follows; 1. The mean values of T cell, T, T, cell and B cell in peripheral blood of the- patients with psoriasis before PUVA therapy were 56. 2+-5.7%, 35.1+-6.9%, 5. 5+l.4%, 11.6+4. 0% respectively, These results of immune cells showed signi- ficantly lower mean values when these were compaired with the mean values. of nomnal control group(T cell; 65. 2+-2.9%, TM cell; 45.8+-3.2%, T cell; 7.3+ 1.3% B cell; 16.2+2.4%), respectively (T cell, Tm Tg, p<0.01, B cell; p<0.05). 2. The mean values of T cell, T, T, cell and B cell in peripheral blood (countinue..)
Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Photochemotherapy* ; Psoriasis* ; PUVA Therapy

Erythrasma is a chronic, superficial bacterial skin infection involving the body folds and toewebs, and sametimes it may be generalized. The causative organism of this disease is Corynebacterium minutissimum. But, in Korea, there are few reported case about this common condition. We experienced a case of erythrasma on 39-year-old male who have had well defined, brownish fine scaly patches on both crural areas for 15 years. We had treated this patient with topical antifungal agent for 1 month under impression of tinea cruris, But skin lesion was not improved. So, we reexamined the lesion and diagnosed it as genitocrural form of erythrasma with it's clinical appearance, red fluorescence under Wood's light. And we treated it with oral erythromycin.
Adult ; Corynebacterium ; Erythrasma* ; Erythromycin ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Skin ; Tinea