Approach to the Patient with a Suspected Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reaction

CADRs are common and generally have a mild, self-resolving course with minimal associated morbidity and mortality. However, subsets of CARDs are more severe, require intervention, and have significant risk of associated morbidity and mortality. For this reason, it is crucial that the clinician recognize signs and symptoms worrisome for a more severe CARD so that appropriate triage, work-up, and treatment are initiated. In all CADRs the most important first step is identification and withdrawal of the culprit medications.

Prolonged Exposure Dermatosis: Reporting High Incidence of an Undiagnosed Facial Dermatosis on a Winter Wilderness Expedition

OBJECTIVE

Previously unclassified inflammatory skin lesions referred to as sun bumps have been observed throughout the year on participants of wilderness trips; however, the underlying cause and diagnosis remain unclear. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to document the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors associated with these skin lesions as they occurred on a winter wilderness expedition.

METHODS

For this study, the lesions were defined as pruritic or erythematous skin lesions occurring while in the wilderness. Seventy-four participants in a wilderness ski touring course in Wyoming fully completed a 44-question written survey concerning occurrence and risk factors for these lesions. Weather information and photographs were collected.

RESULTS

Twenty-six percent of participants had similar lesions. The lesions were described as edematous pale papules and plaques with erosions and crusts on an erythematous background. The face was involved in 90% of affected persons. Lesions occurred after an average of 8.7 days in the wilderness and resolved 10.6 days later. Skin that was less prone to sunburn was associated with a decreased incidence (odds ratio 0.44). No association could be found between lesion incidence and history of polymorphous light eruption, sun exposure, ambient temperature, affected contacts, sex, or body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the lesions were common among study participants but occurred only after prolonged exposure to wilderness conditions. It was not possible to classify the skin condition as an example of any known diagnosis. We propose the name "prolonged exposure dermatosis" for this condition until further studies better define its etiology, prevention, and treatment.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with urticarial plaques and hypereosinophilia in a child

Our report describes a previously healthy 10-year-old female who was seen for urticarial plaques and mild loss of appetite. An initial laboratory workup revealed an elevated leukocyte count of 30,000/microL and a peripheral eosinophil count of 22,500/microL. A skin biopsy showed a marked hypersensitivity tissue response with abundant eosinophils. Further investigation of her peripheral eosinophilia uncovered Giardia lamblia in a stool sample. Despite treatment with the anti-parasitic agent furazolidone, the patient's urticarial plaques, leukocyte count, and peripheral eosinophil count remained unchanged. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ALL with hypereosinophilia (ALL/Eo) represents a rare and distinct subset of ALL, with more than 30 cases documented in the literature. Our discussion summarizes the clinical aspects of this disease and reviews the reported dermatological manifestations of ALL/Eo.