Massimo Gola

Occupational contact dermatitis in 2 dental technicians.

2 dental technicians, both with chronic hand eczema, reported worsening from the use of 2 products containing methyl methacrylate, employed in manufacturing acryline prostheses. Patch tests in both patients gave positive reactions in methyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and products employed in manufacturing acrylic prostheses (2% and 5% pet.). On the basis of results subsequently obtained from patch tests carried out with pieces of glove interposed between the skin and the allergens (methyl methacrylate and products employed), we advised our patients still to use latex gloves during work. Follow‐up after 1 year showed complete regression of the dermatitis in I case and considerable improvement in the other.

Cost and quality of life in patients with severe chronic hand eczema refractory to standard therapy with topical potent corticosteroids

Little is known about the socio‐economic burden of severe chronic hand eczema in patients refractory to treatment with potent corticosteroids.

Clinical and epidemiological features of textile contact dermatitis: an Italian multicentre study.

The prevalence of occupational and non‐occupational textile dermatitis seems to be increasing, probably because of changed textile manufacturing techniques.

Tattoo-Associated Skin Reaction: The Importance of an Early Diagnosis and Proper Treatment

Tattoo is going to be a very common practice especially among young people and we are witnessing a gradual increase of numerous potential complications to tattoo placement which are often seen by physicians, but generally unknown to the public. The most common skin reactions to tattoo include a transient acute inflammatory reaction due to trauma of the skin with needles and medical complications such as superficial and deep local infections, systemic infections, allergic contact dermatitis, photodermatitis, granulomatous and lichenoid reactions, and skin diseases localized on tattooed area (eczema, psoriasis, lichen, and morphea). Next to these inflammatory skin reactions we have to consider also the possibility of the development of cutaneous conditions such as pseudolymphomatous reactions and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. The aim of this study is to underline the importance of an early diagnosis by performing a histological examination especially when we are in front of suspected papulonodular lesions arising from a tattoo, followed by a proper treatment, since cutaneous neoplastic evolution is known to be a rare but possible complication.

Quality of life and contact dermatitis: a disease-specific questionnaire.

Background: Contact dermatitis (CD) is a chronic disease with a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). There have been relatively few reports in the literature on specific QoL outcomes for patients suffering from CD. Objectives: To develop a new instrument specifically designed to measure QoL in CD and to investigate which disease features could strongly influence QoL. Methods: Three hundred seventy‐two patients affected by CD were administered a 20‐item questionnaire, which comprised some questions taken and modified from the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Skindex 16. Six more items were added. Univariate analysis and a chi‐square test were performed. Results: Females reported lower QoL scores than males. Three aspects (itching, discomfort, and difficulty in daily activities) were strongly associated with a poor QoL; even if patients who experienced difficulty in using their hands at work had a poor QoL, the statistical significance was very low. Conclusion: A CD‐specific questionnaire can be used to understand a priori the impact on psychological behaviour of the patient and can lead to specific choices, such as the appropriate therapy to be used, the evaluation of treatment efficacy, the choice of preventive devices, and the comparison with QoL of other dermatoses.

Dimethyl fumarate contact dermatitis of the foot: an increasingly widespread disease

Background  Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been recognized as an extremely potent irritant and sensitizer found in sachets inside furniture. The first skin manifestations were correlated to contact with sofas, chairs, and other furniture. In these last years, some papers have reported a development of allergic contact dermatitis on the foot caused by DMF present in high concentration in shoes made in China.

Cutaneous pseudolymphoma localized to black tattoo

may also result in extensive scarring and significant delays in diagnosis, biopsy, and treatment of melanoma, which increases the risk of malignancy recurrences from residual cancer cells. Because of the widespread availability of black salve products, physicians need to be familiar with these types of compounds and their potential dangers to educate their patients for their proper use in minor skin problems and the danger of using them for more serious problems.

Skin tests with fresh foods.

Benzoyl peroxide is a potent oxidizing agent widely used both as a topical medicament and as a curing agent in resin synthesis. Although allergic contact dermatitis due to benzoyl peroxide in orthopedic prostheses has not previously been fully documented, the patch test results indicate that this curing agent was the sensitizer of our patient. Jager & Balda (11) reported a 62-year-old patient with a total hip prosthesis who developed recurrent sterile fistulae and loosening of the prosthesis. Patch tests showed a positive reaction to benzoyl peroxide and contact allergy to benzoyl peroxide was suspected as the cause of the implant reaction. The positive patch test to quinolines resulted from the repeated application of topical medicaments containing chlorquinaldol as an active ingredient. Allergic contact dermatitis from topical medicaments is enhanced by trophic skin changes accompanying injured skin. The sensitive skin of leg ulcers is a· typical example. The skin at the site of amputations mimics this sensitivity and is likewise easily damaged.

Effects of alitretinoin on quality of life of patients having chronic hand eczema: an observational study.

AbstractChronic hand eczema (CHE) is a common disease that has a major impact on patients’ health and on society. AimThe purpose of this observational, open-label study was to assess the efficacy of treatment with 30 mg/d of oral alitretinoin on the quality of life (QoL) in a group of patients affected by CHE. MethodsThis study included 15 patients, all suffering from severe CHE refractory to treatment with potent topical corticosteroids, who underwent treatment with 30 mg/d of alitretinoin for a period of 3 months. At the 1- and 3-month points, together with a clinical evaluation, the QoL of these patients were evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index and visual analog scale (EQ5D-VAS). ResultsThe oral administration of alitretinoin led to a notable QoL improvement among the patients, as shown by the statistically significant improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index and in the EQ5D-VAS after 1 and 3 months of therapy.

girdca Data Bank for Occupational and Environmental Contact Dermatitis (1984 to 1988)

A multicenter study was performed in 12 Italian medical centers by members of Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Dermatiti da Contatto e Ambientali (GIRDCA) over 5 years (January 1984 to December 1988) to set up a computerized data bank on contact dermatitis. With a subsequent analytical study, the significanc