Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Strep Throat, Antibiotics & Psoriasis - iVillage Your Total Health
Strep Throat, Antibiotics & Psoriasis - iVillage Your Total Health
Multiple factors can worsen psoriasis or cause the guttate form. Many drugs have been implicated, but antibiotics would be unlikely to initiate the illness. One intriguing cause of guttate psoriasis or psoriatic flares is infection with Streptococcal bacteria, including strep throat or a strep skin infection. Guttate psoriasis may happen because strep bacteria can make a type of toxin known as a "superantigen." Superantigens are capable of activating many different aspects of the body's disease-fighting immune system, with widespread effects. (This mechanism is responsible for the toxic-shock syndrome associated with tampon use.) In the case of psoriasis, the strep toxin may activate immune cells in the skin, resulting in the multiple psoriasis skin lesions.
Multiple factors can worsen psoriasis or cause the guttate form. Many drugs have been implicated, but antibiotics would be unlikely to initiate the illness. One intriguing cause of guttate psoriasis or psoriatic flares is infection with Streptococcal bacteria, including strep throat or a strep skin infection. Guttate psoriasis may happen because strep bacteria can make a type of toxin known as a "superantigen." Superantigens are capable of activating many different aspects of the body's disease-fighting immune system, with widespread effects. (This mechanism is responsible for the toxic-shock syndrome associated with tampon use.) In the case of psoriasis, the strep toxin may activate immune cells in the skin, resulting in the multiple psoriasis skin lesions.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
AccessMedicine | Streptococcal Skin Infections
AccessMedicine | Streptococcal Skin Infections
Group A streptococci are usually spread by transfer of organisms from an infected person or carrier through close personal contact. The major source of such spread is from patients with infections in the upper respiratory tract. Approximately 10 percent of the normal population carry group A streptococcus asymptomatically—a higher percentage of adults than of children in the oropharynx and less commonly in the nares and anus. Although the carriage rate of group A streptococcus on normal skin is less than 1 percent, a variety of skin lesions and puerperal sepsis may also be the source of intrahospital spread of infection. Group A streptococci introduced into the operating room in the form of a minor skin infection, or even through perianal carriage by a surgeon or anesthetist, may be responsible for an epidemic of streptococcal wound infections.Impetigo caused by group A streptococcus is a highly communicable infection and occurs predominantly in preschool-aged children (usually before the age of 2 years except in highly endemic areas). It is more common in warmer, more humid climates than in temperate zones. Its peak seasonal incidence is in the later summer and early fall.
Group A streptococci are usually spread by transfer of organisms from an infected person or carrier through close personal contact. The major source of such spread is from patients with infections in the upper respiratory tract. Approximately 10 percent of the normal population carry group A streptococcus asymptomatically—a higher percentage of adults than of children in the oropharynx and less commonly in the nares and anus. Although the carriage rate of group A streptococcus on normal skin is less than 1 percent, a variety of skin lesions and puerperal sepsis may also be the source of intrahospital spread of infection. Group A streptococci introduced into the operating room in the form of a minor skin infection, or even through perianal carriage by a surgeon or anesthetist, may be responsible for an epidemic of streptococcal wound infections.Impetigo caused by group A streptococcus is a highly communicable infection and occurs predominantly in preschool-aged children (usually before the age of 2 years except in highly endemic areas). It is more common in warmer, more humid climates than in temperate zones. Its peak seasonal incidence is in the later summer and early fall.
Psoriasis, Guttate: eMedicine Dermatology
Psoriasis, Guttate: eMedicine Dermatology
Guttate psoriasis primarily occurs on the trunk and the proximal extremities, but it may have a generalized distribution. New guttate psoriasis lesions develop during the first month of disease, they remain stable during the second month, and the remission begins during the third month.1 The word guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta, meaning drop.
Guttate psoriasis is more common in individuals younger than 30 years, and a history of upper respiratory tract infection secondary to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (eg, Streptococcus pyogenes) often precedes the eruption by 2-3 weeks.2 Streptococcal perianal dermatitis, a superficial bacterial infection of the anus and perianal skin in children, has also been linked with the appearance of guttate psoriasis.3,4 Although episodes may recur, especially those due to pharyngeal carriage of streptococci, isolated bouts have also been described. The sudden appearance of the papular lesions in response to streptococcal infection may be either the first manifestation of psoriasis in a previously unaffected individual or an acute exacerbation of long-standing plaque psoriasis. Uncommonly, guttate psoriasis may be chronic in nature and/or arise in the absence of preceding streptococcal infection.
Guttate psoriasis primarily occurs on the trunk and the proximal extremities, but it may have a generalized distribution. New guttate psoriasis lesions develop during the first month of disease, they remain stable during the second month, and the remission begins during the third month.1 The word guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta, meaning drop.
Guttate psoriasis is more common in individuals younger than 30 years, and a history of upper respiratory tract infection secondary to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (eg, Streptococcus pyogenes) often precedes the eruption by 2-3 weeks.2 Streptococcal perianal dermatitis, a superficial bacterial infection of the anus and perianal skin in children, has also been linked with the appearance of guttate psoriasis.3,4 Although episodes may recur, especially those due to pharyngeal carriage of streptococci, isolated bouts have also been described. The sudden appearance of the papular lesions in response to streptococcal infection may be either the first manifestation of psoriasis in a previously unaffected individual or an acute exacerbation of long-standing plaque psoriasis. Uncommonly, guttate psoriasis may be chronic in nature and/or arise in the absence of preceding streptococcal infection.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Topical tar: back to the future. [J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009] - PubMed Result
Topical tar: back to the future. [J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009] - PubMed Result
Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA.
Dermatology and Pathology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.
The use of medicinal tar for dermatologic disorders dates back to the ancient times. Although coal tar is utilized more frequently in modern dermatology, wood tars have also been widely employed. Tar is used mainly in the treatment of chronic stable plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis, either alone or in combination therapy with other medications, phototherapy, or both. Many modifications have been made to tar preparations to increase their acceptability, as some dislike its odor, messy application, and staining of clothing. One should consider a tried and true treatment with tar that has led to clearing of lesions and prolonged remission times. Occupational studies have demonstrated the carcinogenicity of tar; however, epidemiologic studies do not confirm similar outcomes when used topically. This article will review the pharmacology, formulations, efficacy, and adverse effects of crude coal tar and other tars in the treatment of selected dermatologic conditions.
Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA.
Dermatology and Pathology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.
The use of medicinal tar for dermatologic disorders dates back to the ancient times. Although coal tar is utilized more frequently in modern dermatology, wood tars have also been widely employed. Tar is used mainly in the treatment of chronic stable plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis, either alone or in combination therapy with other medications, phototherapy, or both. Many modifications have been made to tar preparations to increase their acceptability, as some dislike its odor, messy application, and staining of clothing. One should consider a tried and true treatment with tar that has led to clearing of lesions and prolonged remission times. Occupational studies have demonstrated the carcinogenicity of tar; however, epidemiologic studies do not confirm similar outcomes when used topically. This article will review the pharmacology, formulations, efficacy, and adverse effects of crude coal tar and other tars in the treatment of selected dermatologic conditions.
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