308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of a localized recalcitrant form of perioral dermatitis: Case report

In the last two decades, 308-nm excimer laser has been increasingly recognized as a therapeutic alternative for several dermatological conditions, being currently FDA approved for the treatment of localized vitiligo and moderately severe localized psoriasis unresponsive to topical treatments. We describe the case of a 17-year-old with a recalcitrant form of dermatitis occupying the entire perioral region, previously unresponsive to several treatments, who was treated with 308-nm excimer laser with an excellent result. 308-nm monochromatic excimer laser has several advantages over other types of phototherapy, including lower UV dose exposure, shorter courses of therapy and a better sparing of adjacent tissue. Although infrequently used, 308-nm excimer laser certainly has a vast potential in Dermatology, particularly regarding recalcitrant and localized inflammatory conditions, such as the one we present.

Isolated Submental Lymphadenopathy

A 5 year old female presented to clinic with a lump under her chin. She had a similar lump two months ago but the parents stated that it spontaneously resolved in a few days. There was no history of fever and there were no pets. Her past medical history was significant for epilepsy which was controlled with zonisamide. On physical examination a 3x2.5 cm, soft, nontender, nonmobile submental mass and perioral dermatitis were noted. (Figures 1, 2) A complete blood count (CBC) and an ultrasound (US) were ordered.

The Ugly Face of Face Masks

Introduction: Prolonged and tightly use of face masks has been identified as cause for skin damage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case series presentation: We evaluated patients seen in the outpatient clinic between March and May 2020, during the lockdown period, focusing on skin damage related to the use of face masks. We aimed to highlight the major impact of routine usage of face masks on the skin of individuals of different ages and professions. Contact dermatitis was prevalent, but we also recorded many cases of outbreak of seborrheic dermatitis, acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, folliculitis, as well as neurotic excoriations caused by anxiety, tinea, and impetigo. We also observed a delay in the diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. Conclusions: The most important step should be the assessment of dermatologic pathology related to the use of face masks. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So take off the face mask, and look at the skin!

Maskne: A Potential Misnomer?

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the global adoption of mask wearing to contain he rampant spread of the virus. Certain occupational groups, particularly health care providers, must wear masks for prolonged periods. Alongside this pandemic emerged the use of the all-encompassing term “Maskne”, used to describe mask-related dermatologic pathologies. Although there is an increase in acne and acneiform lesions associated with prolonged facial mask use, “Maskne” may be a misnomer, causing non-dermatologic providers to misdiagnose patients with acne when they, in fact, have perioral dermatitis.