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Terra firma-forme dermatosis is a rare acquired keratinization disorder. Patients present with dirt-like brownish plaques on the neck, trunk, and limbs. It is often confused with dermatitis neglecta, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis, and acanthosis nigricans. Reportedly, it affects children, but genital involvement is rare. We describe three cases of uncircumcised boys with genital involvement, two of which had extragenital involvement. They all had good hygiene. Two underwent skin biopsy, and pathological examination showed papillomatosis and alternating keratinization in the stratum corneum. The disease can be diagnosed clinically by wiping off the lesions with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads, instead of water or soap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN), developing after severe bullous disease or adverse drug eruption, are rare. We report a case involving a 20-year-old female student who had an episode of toxic epidermal necrolysis. She developed EMN on her limbs and abdomen half a year after recovery. The nevi appeared rapidly over several months, eventually stabilizing over the ensuing 3 years. Dermoscopy showed regular pigmented networks, which were pathologically consistent with junctional nevus. Although most eruptive nevi were stable in number and morphology, there was one previous report of malignant transformation. Patients with this condition should thus be closely followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preservatives are widely used in personal and industrial products. Frequent and sustained exposure to preservatives can cause contact allergy. Objective: We investigated the prevalence of contact allergic reactions to common preservatives in Taiwan over a 20-year period. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among patients with allergic contact dermatitis who underwent patch testing at our clinic between 1996 and 2015. Patients who showed positive reactions to preservatives were enrolled. The location of the reaction, likely source of the allergen, and patient occupation, sex, and age were recorded. Thirteen common preservatives, including methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), MI, formaldehyde (FA), paraben mix, and quaternium-15, were investigated. Results: Of 757 enrolled patients, 151 showed at least one positive reaction to preservatives. Allergy to MCI/MI (12.5%), the most frequent allergen in the standard series, showed a steeply increasing trend over time. FA (4.8%) and paraben mix (2.1%) were the next common allergens. Cosmetic products were the most common source of exposure (63.6%), while hairdressers and massage therapists were most commonly associated with occupational contact dermatitis. A sharp increase of sensitivity to MCI/MI was observed after 2006 and that of allergy to MI after 2013. Conclusions: In Taiwan, the prevalence of contact allergy to MCI/MI, MI, and parabens has increased in recent years. Individuals who are frequently exposed to cosmetic products should consider precautions against sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Onychomycosis is a common infectious nail problem but shares similar clinical presentation with some other noninfectious disorders, such as psoriasis and lichen planus. A correct diagnosis is essential to proper management. There are three common tests used in the outpatient clinic, including direct potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination, nail plate histology study, and fungal culture. Objective: This study aimed to compare the accuracy and feasibility among these three tests in the diagnosis of onychomycosis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients diagnosed with onychomycosis and had positive result of any of the three tests from June 2005 to June 2015. The age, gender, and results of the diagnostic methods were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 459 patients were enrolled. The positive rates were significantly different between nail plate histology study (93.0%, 427/459), KOH examination (67.3%, 309/459), and fungal culture (42.1%, 193/459) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Nail plate histology study has the highest positive rate in the diagnosis of onychomycosis than KOH examination and fungal culture. However, KOH examination is most inexpensive and is the fast way to obtain the result with moderate reliability. A combination of two or three diagnostic tests could provide useful information to the clinician to manage onychomycosis appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]