A blog about dermatology and its related topics. Guide to cope up with dermatology disorders and some dermatology treatments.
Itching frequently occurs in association with inflammatory skin diseases and in this setting, it is probably due to the action of inflammatory mediators (such as histamine, prostaglandins, and kinins) on cutaneous nerve endings. The release of proteinases during the process of inflammation may also play an important role. The same nonmyelinated nerves responsible for the […]
Fungal elements (hyphae and/or spores) can be found in affected tissues taken from patients with supemcial fungal diseases such as candidiasis, pityriasis (tinea) versicolor, and dermatophyte infections of the skin, hair, and nails. The potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations that identify these hyphae are both sensitive and specific. Scale, pustules, blister roofs, and clippings taken from […]
Tremendous advances have been made over the past decade in the field of antiviral therapy. Acyclovir, which was commercially released about 10 years ago, is the therapeutic agent of choice for the treatment of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infections. Acyclovir itself is not an active antiviral agent. When administered it is converted to the active, […]
Griseofulvin is an orally administered antibiotic that provides effective treatment for most dermatophyte fungal infections. Absorption of griseofulvin from the gastrointestinal tract is less than ideal, but it can be enhanced when particle size is decreased during the manufacturing process. Two forms of griseofulvin are in current use. The first is called “microsized” and is […]
Sunburn is inflammation of the skin and the tissues just beneath it caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The affected area becomes red, hot, tender and swollen, and in severe cases blisters may form. You are much more likely to become sunburned if you have light skin. In addition, a few […]
Malignant melanoma is the most serious of the three types of skin cancer , and Squamous cell carcinoma, previous article. This is because, unlike the other two, malignant melanoma often metastasizes, or spreads, throughout the body. Changes in the underlying skin cells that produce melanin, or skin-coloring pigment, cause a malignant, or life-threatening, tumor to […]
Two classes of serologic tests for syphilis (STS) are available: those that use a nonspecific antigen and those that use a specific, treponemal antigen. The two most widely used nonspecific tests are the rapid protein reagin (RPR) test and the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. Both are easy to perform and inexpensive. The sensitivity […]
Diagnosis Hallmarks
Distribution: legs and shoulders
Invagination when squeezed between the fingers
Clinical Presentation
Dermatofibromas are slope-shouldered or dome-shaped papules 10 to 15 mm in diameter. They are extremely firm on palpation. Most dermatofibromas are medium brown in color but a few have a light tan summit with a darker brown base. When dermatofibromas are compressed between the […]