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Dermatology

What to look for with drug-induced urticaria

Natasha Casie Chetty, MD, and Clive E.H. Grattan, MD March 10, 2010

The specific mechanism causing the allergic reaction may be difficult to pinpoint. But our experts tell you which drugs are the primary culprits and they provide alternative drug recommendations as well.

Pressure-induced bumps and erythema

Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH March 03, 2010

A patient presents with complaints of itchy and uncomfortable red bumps on his skin at sites of pressure, but the lesions typically dissipate after an hour.

Herpes zoster risk in an infant

Question asked by Daren Rauch, MD, Clinton, Ill., and answered by Jeffrey M. Weinberg, MD March 02, 2010

The 35-year-old father of a 5-month-old baby presented with a five-day history of painful herpes zoster and a number of questions: Is his child at risk...

Erythematous truncal plaques

Sean D. Doherty, MD March 02, 2010

Can you distinguish between similar plaques? Our dermatologic look-alike may stump you.

A venous stasis ulcer is aggravated in the course of treatment

Rajani Katta, MD, and Vijayalaxmi Anusuri, MBBS February 23, 2010

A commonly-used topical antibiotic is applied to...

Complications of intralesional corticosteroids

February 08, 2010

What potential complications are associated with cortisone shots to the scalp? Is there is any link to glaucoma?

Treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus

February 05, 2010

My patient was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus on vulvar biopsy. What is the recommended treatment, and how long should it be used?

Severe pruritic rash, fever, and malaise

Amy McClung, MD February 03, 2010

A young girl presents with a rash accompanied by itching, fatigue, and malaise. Her past medical history included....

Nonhealing painless ulcer on the sole

Michael L. Sonabend, MD, Nicholas R. Snavely, MD, and Sylvia Hsu, MD February 03, 2010

For three years, the patient lived with an enlarging painless ulcer on the sole of his foot. The lesion....

Similar scalp nodules in two female patients

Deborah J. Yang, MD February 02, 2010

Two women present with growing scalp nodules. One patient had a nodule that was increasing in size, though not pruritic or painful. The other patient reported unintentional weight loss....

Hyperkeratotic plaques that run in the family

Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH February 02, 2010

The mother of an 8-year-old boy came seeking treatment for "a family ailment." Both mother and child had bilateral, symmetric, confluent hyperkeratotic plaques with a smooth, waxy surface on the....

Increase skin cancer screening in primary care

February 01, 2010

Primary-care clinicians are ideally suited to screen and triage people who are at high risk for skin cancer and those with suspicious lesions, but a survey of medical residents revealed....

Persistent plaque with severe intermittent pruritus

By Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH January 07, 2010

Intermittent itching accompanies a persistent leg plaque.

Reminders of sun exposure

Laura Conley and Robert L. Buka, MD January 07, 2010

Sun exposure is the common link between these two conditions. Can you tell them apart?

Offensive odor emanating from tongue plaque

Robert L. Buka, MD December 04, 2009

The patient is concerned about a recent increase in his foul-smelling tongue discoloration.

Acne: Choosing the best treatments

Amy J. McMichael, MD, John Hancox, MD, Rachel Careccia, MD, and Kimberly Cayce, MD December 03, 2009

The disfiguring lesions of acne vulgaris can have a severe psychological impact. Fortunately, clinicians now have a broad range of therapeutic options.

A pair of generalized red rashes

Noah S. Scheinfeld, MD, JD December 03, 2009

Two men present with red rashes—one started on the back and spread to the upper arms, and the other was limited to the chest.

Melanoma: Errors lead to missed diagnosed

By Ann W. Latner, JD November 18, 2009

After referring his patient to a dermatologist to have a mole looked at, the clinician considered the case resolved. Not so fast.

Enlarging vesicular peeling of the palms

November 04, 2009

Peeling originating on the fingertips progresses to the palms of an African-American teenager following a 10-day course of ciprofloxacin.

Facial plaques in aging men

Noah S. Scheinfeld, MD, JD November 03, 2009

Two aging men develop similar-appearing asymptomatic facial plaques

Acute paronychia following cuticle injury

Question by Maria Dellaplain and answered by Philip R. Cohen, MD October 11, 2009

Five months ago, a teenager suffered an injured cuticle while trimming his toenail. The lesion oozes and bleeds after the patient wears shoes, and the surrounding area is very tender and warm. What diagnosis and treatment should I consider?

Evaluation for proximal muscle weakness and rash

Question by Linda Schwab and answered by Philip R. Cohen, MD October 11, 2009

What is the differential diagnosis for a formerly active and healthy 70-year-old woman with worsening proximal weakness, torticollis, and a widespread raised red rash across her cheeks bilaterally?

Hair loss in discrete areas

Noah S. Scheinfeld, MD, JD October 05, 2009

A 40-year-old woman and a 3-year-old boy experience similar patterns of hair loss—one of sudden onset and the other present at birth.

Bilateral pruritic papules on a woman's axillae

Natalia Rompoti, MD, Deborah J. Yang, MD, and Sylvia Hsu, MD September 29, 2009

Skin-colored papules develop on the axillae of an African-American woman.

Linear serpiginous eruptions on the extremities

Carina A. Wasko, MD, and Sylvia Hsu, MD September 28, 2009

A 12-year-old African-American male presented with a two-week history of pruritic linear scaling patches on his feet, legs, and arms after walking barefoot around his backyard.

Skin fusion on the fingers and toes of an adolescent girl

Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH September 25, 2009

A 12-year-old white girl seeks treatment for trauma-induced blistering and scarring that had led to fusion of the skin of her fingers and toes. There was no family history of blistering disorders or nail dystrophy.