Dermatology News

Mothers who exclusively breastfed for longer than 3 months significantly lowered their child’s risk of eczema, according to findings presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting.

A previously healthy 16-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of some skin sores on the lower aspects of both lower extremities. These lesions were accompanied by mild discomfort but no fever or other medical complaints. There had been numerous visits to providers, and several courses of oral antimicrobials were given, as well as topical mupirocin; all without benefit. No other medications had been used.

A 12-year-old healthy female athlete presented to the dermatology clinic for a mole check. The patient was most concerned about a new black spot on her left heel. She noticed it 2 weeks earlier. It did not resolve with rubbing alcohol. It was asymptomatic and had not changed in size or color since she noticed it. There was no pain, and she continued to attend field hockey practice multiple times per week without any issues.

The rash began on her face and spread to the body and extremities in no particular pattern, with simultaneous onset of sores in her mouth. Two weeks earlier, she had a hoarse voice with some fever and was seen by her provider, who diagnosed her with an upper respiratory tract infection. She seemed to be better after about 4 days and remained well until just a few days prior to this visit.

Among patients with juvenile dermatomyositis, calcinosis was associated with longer active disease duration, disease severity and clinical features such as lipodystrophy and joint contractures, according to data published in Pediatric Rheumatology.

Clinicians can more accurately identify children with cellulitis who need IV antibiotic administration using a score that includes the child’s systemic features, swelling, eye involvement, tenderness, and whether the condition affects 1% or more of the child’s body, according to research published in Pediatrics.

James H. Brien

A 4-year-old healthy female presented to the ED with a rapidly worsening rash. Two days before, she had seen her primary care physician for bumps on her cheek, which were diagnosed as hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or HFMD. The patient developed more bumps on her face and body, with increasing pain and discomfort. On the morning of presentation, her eyes seemed slightly swollen, and her mother noticed the appearance of “water blisters” on her skin. This prompted her to bring the patient to the ED.

A previously healthy 11-month-old female was seen in the ER for evaluation of an erythematous, somewhat painful papular lesion, diagnosed as impetigo and treated with topical mupirocin. Three days later, she was seen again, now with fever and cellulitis with an abscess on the proximal left thigh. Her temperature was 102.5°F, and the abscess was drained (without culture) and she was sent home, treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Five days later, with ongoing fever and the development of emesis, she returned to the ER, where her temperature was 103.2°F, with a pulse of 185 and tachypnea.

A 7-year-old girl presented to the ED with a 1-day history of a rash. The patient’s mother first noticed a spot on the right arm when she was drying the patient off after her bath, and she winced in pain as the towel moved over the area. The patient’s mother noted some redness and crusted erosions. The next day, when the area had not healed and the patient had new spots, the patient was brought to the ED.