A Reticulate Hyperpigmented Abdominal Patch Associated with Chronic Abdominal Pain

Julie Man, MD,¹ Joseph M. Lam, MD, FRCPC,²

CLINICAL TOOLS

• Abstract
• Visual Aids
• Key Points
• Clinical Pearls
• Premium Content

Abstract: A 13-year-old girl presented with a 3-month history of a reticulate hyperpigmented patch over the lower abdomen. Her past medical history was significant for recurrent abdominal pain, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a mild learning disability, and multiple allergies. On physical examination, she had a reticulate, hyperpigmented patch distributed diffusely over the lower abdomen (Figure 1). The remainder of her exam was unremarkable. Upon questioning, it was revealed that the patient had been applying a hot water bottle to the lower abdomen for the last 4 months to help relieve the discomfort associated with the abdominal pain. This history led to the diagnosis.

Key Words: Erythema ab igne, hyperpigmentation, reticulate, thermal injury.

• 
• 

Erythema ab igne may present as a transient erythematous eruption, or as a reticulate hyperpigmentation.

Erythema ab igne is a clinical diagnosis which rarely requires biopsy confirmation.

Direct questioning about heat sources, such as prolonged laptop computer use, aids the diagnosis.

Treatment consists of patient education and removal of the heat source.

1. Erythema ab igne is a recognizable condition associated with chronic exposure to heat sources such as heating pads, hot water bottles, electric blankets, space heaters and laptop computers.

2. The differential diagnosis for erythema ab igne includes livedo reticularis, livedoid vasculitis, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, a reticulate port-wine stain and poikiloderma.

3. The most important treatment for erythema ab igne is recognition and removal of the source of infrared radiation.

To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.

A Lump on the Foot

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP,¹ Jeffrey Law and Lindsey Chow, ²

CLINICAL TOOLS

• Abstract
• CME Quiz
• Visual Aids
• Key Points
• Clinical Pearls
• Premium Content

Adjunctive Skincare for Acne

Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, FAAD,

CLINICAL TOOLS

• Abstract
• Visual Aids
• Key Points
• Clinical Pearls
• Premium Content

Abstract: While topical therapy remains a key therapeutic approach in the clinical management of AV, it can be associated with side effects that may compromise the stratum corneum and impair patient adherence. The use of adjunctive cleansers and moisturizers can help mitigate treatment side effects and subsequently enhance therapeutic efficacy. Providing patient-specific skin care recommendations, including product selection and proper use, is an important part of the clinical management of AV and may adjunctively augment the efficacy of topical medications in reducing acne lesions.

Key Words: acne vulgaris, adherence, cleansers, moisturizers.

• 
• 

Irritation resulting from topical medications and the emergence of bacterial resistance to both topical and oral antibiotics remain significant barriers to good treatment adherence.

Providing patient-specific skin care recommendations, including product selection and proper use, is an important part of the clinical management of AV and may adjunctively augment the efficacy of topical medications in reducing acne lesions.

Alleviating dryness and improving skin comfort by using a moisturizer concomitantly with retinoid therapy could enhance treatment efficacy.

The adjunctive use of appropriate gentle soap-free cleansers and non-comedogenic moisturizers that also restore SC barrier function, provide SPF protection, and reduce side effects of topical acne therapy is recommended and is preferred by patients and will likely improve treatment adherence.

Topical dapsone gel is antimicrobial and antineutrophilic and new fixed-dose retinoid-based combination therapies are available and this allows us to improve adherence with therapy and target multiple pathogenic mechanisms with one treatment.

Oleosome technology enables the delivery of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection (SPF 30). This technology effectively reduces the concentration of filters being applied to the skin, reducing the potential for skin sensitivity reactions.

To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.

Pediatric diaper rashes: Getting to the 'bottom' of things

Abstract
Diaper dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions seen in the pediatric population and can cause significant distress for infants and their families. While many diaper rashes can resolve with simple treatments, having a thorough understanding of different diaper lesions can help rule out more serious conditions, guide treatment and alleviate some of the caregivers' anxiety. The following review article will provide an overview of select common and uncommon diaper eruptions.
Key Words: diaper dermatitis, pediatric, diaper rash, treatment.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

Jordan Isenberg,¹ Tessa Weinberg,² Nowell Solish,^3
1McGill University, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec; ²The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Faculty of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland;
³University of Toronto, Department of Dermatology, Toronto, Ontario.

Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy. It is seen most frequently in those over 60 years old and in Caucasian males. It usually presents as an asymptomatic rapidly growing violatious nodule on a sun exposed area. The mainstay of treatment is surgical by standard wide local excision or MOHs chemosurgery. Radiation is added frequently for local control. The only factor significantly associated with overall survival is the stage of disease at presentation. This stresses the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Key Words: Merkel cell carcinoma, wide local excision, MOHs chemosurgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, review, case.

A Pruritic Rash

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP, is a family physician with a special interest in dermatology. She received the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Department of Dermatology at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She is practising at the Lynde Centre for Dermatology in Markham, Ontario and works closely with Dr. Charles Lynde, MD FRCPC, an experienced dermatologist. In addition to providing direct patient care, she acts as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical studies involving psoriasis, onychomycosis, and acne.

Abstract
Mammary Paget disease (PD) is a less common form of breast cancer which involves the nipple-areola complex and occurs almost exclusively in females. Erythema, skin thickening, pruritus, burning sensation, inversion of the nipple, ulceration, serosanguineous nipple discharge are common clinical symptoms. Approximately 1-4% of female breast carcinoma are associated with PD of the nipple-areola complex. A biopsy including the dermal and subcutaneous tissue should be performed on all suspicious lesions of the nipple-areola complex for accurate diagnosis. The first line treatment of mammary PD is mastectomy (radical or modified) and lymph node clearance for patients with a palpable mass and underlying invasive breast carcinoma. The prognosis of mammary PD is determined by the disease stage and is similar to that of other types of breast cancer.
Key Words: Mammary Paget disease, breast cancer, nipple-areola complex, metastasis.

A Recurrent Painful Rash

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP, is a family physician with a special interest in dermatology. She received the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Department of Dermatology at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She is practising at the Lynde Centre for Dermatology in Markham, Ontario and works closely with Dr. Charles Lynde, MD FRCPC, an experienced dermatologist. In addition to providing direct patient care, she acts as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical studies involving psoriasis, onychomycosis, and acne.

Abstract
Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are DNA viruses that present as vesicles in clusters on an erythematous base. Infection occurs when close contact between an individual without antibodies against the virus and a person shedding the virus takes place. Most HSV infections are self-limited. Lesions tend to reappear at or near the same location of the initial site of infection. Systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise and acute toxicity may appear, especially in primary infection. A viral culture from the skin vesicles can identify up to 80 to 90% of untreated infection early in the course. Antiviral treatments aim at shortening the disease course and preventing viral dissemination and transmission. Treatments are most effective when they are administered at the first sign of symptom onset.

A Strange Looking Rash That Does Not Respond to Topical Corticosteroids

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP, is a family physician with a special interest in dermatology. She received the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Department of Dermatology at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She is practising at the Lynde Centre for Dermatology in Markham, Ontario and works closely with Dr. Charles Lynde, MD FRCPC, an experienced dermatologist. In addition to providing direct patient care, she acts as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical studies involving psoriasis, onychomycosis, and acne.

Abstract
Tinea incognito is a superficial dermatophyte infection in which the clinical appearance of the symptoms has been altered by inappropriate treatments, such as topical corticosteroids.
Dermatophyte infection may result from contact with infected humans, animals, or inanimate objects. An erythematous, pruritic, annular and scaly plaque is characteristic of a symptomatic infection. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination of skin scrapings is usually diagnostic. If topical corticosteroids have been applied recently, the amount of surface scales may be reduced and may lead to false negative results. Topical therapy is the first line treatment for localized infections. Systemic antifungals should be used in extensive condition, immunosuppression, resistance to topical antifungal therapy.

Prescribing Antibiotics to Patients with Acne

Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, FAAD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Continuing Medical Education, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Abstract
The pathogenesis of acne is tied to Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), an anaerobic bacteria. There has been a dramatic rise in resistance to antibiotics that are usually prescribed to treat acne. Given resistance to antibiotic therapy can occur in more pathogenic bacteria than P. acnes, and the fact that a rise in pathogenic P. acnes has been reported, the development of antibiotic resistance in acne is a public health matter globally. Clinical practice guidelines are aiming to curb the further development of antibiotic resistance without detracting from effective management of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.
Key Words: acne vulgaris, antibiotic resistance, benzoyl peroxide, anti-inflammatory, sub-antimicrobial dosing.