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Side effects of nutritional supplements, Edited by F. Anselmo, M.S. Driscoll Where on earth did the copy editor decide to do this?Abstract Vitamin and mineral supplement consumption is widespread. They are taken for a variety of conditions, including dermatologic disorders. Although consumers often assume these supplements are safe, excessive consumption of supplements may have deleterious effects. Such vitamin supplements include vitamin A, niacin, biotin, vitamin D, and vitamin E, and specific mineral supplements include zinc, copper, and iron. These supplements may have a number of potential adverse effects.

Several popular Shakespearean characters are dramatically portrayed on stage with striking physical appearances caused by medical and dermatologic disorders. Shakespeare's colorful portrayal of their maladies not only helps to entertain audiences but also serves to define the characters' personalities and behavior. Shakespeare himself emphasizes this point in his play Richard III, in which the notorious English king states that his evil nature is a direct result of his hideous spinal deformity. This contribution discusses four other famous Shakespearean characters: Bardolph, who appears to be suffering from rosacea; the Witches of Macbeth, who have beards; Juliet, who has green sickness (chlorosis); and Falstaff, who is morbidly obese. In all of these cases, their skin disorders and medical maladies serve to highlight their underlying nature.

Phototherapy is an effective treatment option for a variety of dermatologic disorders, and the list of indications for its use continues to grow with advances in technology and our understanding of disease processes. Commonly used types of phototherapy include PUVA, broadband UVB, narrowband UVB, photodynamic therapy, and intense pulsed light therapy. Each therapeutic modality can have adverse acute and chronic effects on periocular and ocular structures, including the conjunctiva, cornea, crystalline lens, and retina. There are many types of protective eyewear options available, including goggles and contact lenses that can be used to prevent damage to ocular structures during phototherapy, particularly if eyelid closure is incomplete.

Mosaicism is a biologic phenomenon that describes an individual who has two or more populations of cells with distinct genotypes and concomitant patterned phenotypes (eg, lines of Blaschko). It is distinguished from chimerism by its derivation from a single fertilized egg rather than multiple cell lineages derived from distinct fertilized eggs. With respect to dermatologic disorders, it is the strongest genetic example of how a cutaneous site, being populated by cells with distinct antigenic or immunologic properties, differs in its susceptibility or resistance to skin disorders, being preferentially affected in the former (ie, locus minoris resistentiae). We review patterns and mechanisms of skin mosaicism and discuss examples of segmental/mosaic dermatologic disorders that have been superimposed on a background of a nonsegmental eruption of the same disease or dermatologic disorders that have arisen secondarily on segmental cutaneous disorders.

The idea of this paper is to acquire a new view of some environmental conditions affecting the skin and carry with them significant morbidity. It is also to understand their etiology and nature to prevent their hazardous and serious complications which are life-threatening. Although most dermatologic disorders rarely have a fatal outcome, there are many potentially fatal medical disorders that have early or major dermatologic manifestations. Some cases lead to death because of the loss of barrier function of the epidermis with fluid and electrolyte loss or from systemic invasion of microorganisms. In others, dermatologic signs reveal an underlying systemic disease where death may occur from the underlying problem.

Ectoparasites commonly parasitize domestic animals. In some instances they are simply a nuisance; in others, they cause significant disease. In severe cases, ectoparasites may cause debilitating or life-threatening disease. Some ectoparasites transmit disease to animals, humans, or both. In many regions, the presence of external parasites is one of the most common reasons animals are presented to veterinarians, far more so than humans consult their physicians. The population of parasites varies in different parts of the country. Likewise, some parasites are species specific. Of special concern is the possibility that human beings may be affected by the same or similar parasites. 1–3 This article reviews some of the common dermatologic disorders caused by parasites in animals and humans. Particular emphasis is given to those parasites that are zoonotic.