Dermclinic

The predominantly infraorbital erythema and swelling suggested that this rash was related to a material that was being placed in the eyes and dripping from them. Patch testing showed that the patient was allergic to the preservative in the eyedrops she had been using.

The translucent papule on the upper lip has a few small blood vessels that traverse its surface. These are morphologic features of basal cell carcinoma, a presumptive diagnosis that was confirmed by biopsy.

The redness on this woman's nose represents fairly severe photodamage with extensive actinic keratosis. Use of a topical therapy to achieve clearance of a field of actinic damage can be done with imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, or ingenol mebutate creams, or diclofenac gel.

Cutaneous horns can arise on top of: seborrheic keratosis (as in this patient’s case), actinic keratoses, warts, basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Therefore, the lesion—and especially the base—must be submitted for pathologic diagnosis.

“Stippled” pigment is highly typical of a pigmented basal cell carcinoma. Diagnostic contenders include atypical seborrheic keratosis and superficial spreading melanoma.

The morphology of a round, red to purple patch, with or without blistering, is typical of a fixed drug eruption. This entity usually manifests as a solitary spot, but can be multiple. Tetracycline antibiotics and barbiturate sedatives are common causes. This patient had been taking doxycycline.

This friable lesion with rapid and destructive growth is classic for granuloma inguinale. This patient was treated successfully with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Extensive condylomata acuminata are beyond the capacity of all topical therapies. The area was initially treated by carbon dioxide laser ablation, and residual small foci of infection were subsequently treated with topical 5% imiquimod cream.

The combination of itching massive scaling suggests the diagnosis of crusted scabies. This variety of scabies is seen in those who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised (typically HIV+). Repeated oral doses of ivermectin along with topical permethrin application were required to clear this infestation.

This teen sought care because of extremely pruritic nodules on the penis and scrotum. He also had mild itching on the wrists and between several finger webs. This distribution of a pruritic dermatosis is classic for scabies.

The patient received standard acyclovir dosage for first outbreak genital herpes: 200 mg orally, 5 times daily, for 10 days total. At this point, there is no way to predict how often or how severe future recurrences will be.

A 17-year-old woman noted a gradually increasing, asymptomatic “sore” on her lower lip.

A 29-year-old man complained about recent severe hair loss. He otherwise felt well.

A 39-year-old homosexual man complained about moderate perianal itching and fairly persistent anal discharge. He is HIV-positive but reliably takes his antiretroviral medications.

This multi-factorial eruption requires topical or systemic antifungal treatment in conjunction with broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy, topical desiccating maneuvers (such as Burrow’s soaks), and discontinuation of OTC interventions that might be worsening the problem.