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F Humphreys

Publications and source records attributed to F Humphreys.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to assess the value of free radical scavengers in reducing inflammation induced by cryotherapy.

The inflammation which follows cryotherapy is a significant disadvantage of this therapeutic modality. To date, the only treatment shown to reduce this inflammation is application of topical corticoids. We have therefore conducted a pilot study to investigate whether pretreatment with the free radical scavengers, vitamins C and E might alleviate the signs and symptoms of inflammation following liquid nitrogen cryotherapy of common warts. We undertook a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. We recruited 40 adult patients, of whom 38 returned for evaluation. Treatments comprised vitamin C (2000 mg) and vitamin E (800 IU) daily or matching placebo for 7 days prior to cryotherapy to a hand wart. Oedema volume, erythema level, pain intensity and the presence or absence of blistering were assessed 24 h after cryotherapy. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in any of the parameters assessed. This study yielded no suggestion of benefit from the use of pretreatment with free radical scavengers in conjunction with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Management and diagnostic guidelines for urticaria and angio-oedema.

These guidelines for management of urticaria and angio-oedema have been prepared for dermatologists on behalf of the British Association of Dermatologists. They present evidence-based guidance for treatment, with identification of the strength of evidence available at the time of preparation of the guidelines, and a brief overview of aetiology, diagnosis and investigation.

Angioedema↗
PubMed1999

Application of molecular typing methods to dermatophyte species that cause skin and nail infections.

Typing methods utilising DNA technology were applied to a collection of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum isolates from skin and nail infections. The methods included restriction enzyme analysis (REA), hybridisation with the DNA probe poly (dG-dT), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) by PCR and restriction analysis of a segment of PCR-amplified rDNA. All these tests successfully differentiated the species, but few intra-species differences were detected. REA demonstrated some isolate variation, but this was limited and difficult to interpret, making it unsuitable as a typing tool. RAPD demonstrated few variations amongst T. mentagrophytes and none in T. rubrum.

DNA Probes↗
PubMed1998

The characteristics of urticaria in 390 patients.

Data were collected on 390 patients who attended a dermatology out-patient department in whom a clinical diagnosis of urticaria was made. Two hundred and thirty-seven (61%) were women. The median age at onset of symptoms was 40 years. Sixty-one (16%) had acute urticaria with symptoms of less than 6 weeks duration at presentation. The disorder was deemed idiopathic in 217 (56%) patients, 59 (15%) had physical urticaria and 57 (15%) had both idiopathic and physical urticaria. Thirty-eight (10%) patients reported intolerance to salicylate or similar drugs, and 31 of these 38 patients also had idiopathic symptoms. One hundred and seventy-two (44%) patients reported a good response to treatment with H1 receptor antagonists. Those who gained little or no benefit from these drugs were more likely to have a physical urticaria (P < 0.05) or to report intolerance reactions (P < 0.05). Only 113 (29%) patients were asymptomatic when discharged. One in five of a small sample contacted still had symptoms 10 years after presentation. Patients seen in an urticaria clinic were less likely to have routine investigations performed and more likely to be discharged at first attendance. When compared with previous published surveys, these figures show a lower proportion of intolerance reactions and a greater proportion of patients responding well to treatment with antihistamines.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Psychiatric morbidity and skin disease: what dermatologists think they see.

It has been suggested that skin disease and psychological disturbance may be linked. Recent work has focused on the fatal outcome associated with some dermatological disorders as a result of suicide. The impressions of dermatologists about how much psychological or psychiatric morbidity they see related to dermatological disease has not been addressed. The survey reported here revealed that most dermatologists recognized the relationship and demonstrated the perceived need for clinical psychology and psychiatric services for patients with dermatological disorders. It confirmed the impression that in a small number of cases, skin complaints are associated with attempted or completed suicide.

Dermatology↗
PubMed1996

An histological and ultrastructural study of the 'dirty neck' appearance in atopic eczema.

The 'dirty neck' appearance is a characteristic disorder of pigmentation, which has previously been found to affect approximately 2% of adult atopics. This disorder results in a rippled pattern of hyperpigmentation similar to that seen in macular amyloidosis. Biopsy specimens from affected skin of three patients were examined by histological and electron microscopical techniques. In addition to eczematous changes, marked pigmentary incontinence was observed. Amyloid-like material was detected by electron microscopy but not by light microscopy in all three specimens. Some deposition of amyloid occurs in this condition but the pigmentary changes are attributable to melanin incontinence. In 1987, two separate groups, Manabe et al. and Colver et al., described a distinctive type of hyperpigmentation, found particularly on the neck in some patients with chronic atopic eczema. Manabe's group found that 1.7% of 700 patients with atopic eczema showed this clinical characteristic, and that only adolescents and adults were affected. This condition has been called the 'dirty neck' appearance or 'ripple pigmentation of the neck in atopic dermatitis'. The clinical features are a rippled pattern of hyperpigmentation seen particularly on the anterior and lateral aspects of the neck (Fig. 1). We have also observed the same appearance in the inguinal areas. A number of factors could contribute to the development of hyperpigmentation in chronic atopic eczema. It is possible that the 'dirty neck' appearance is a form of post-inflammatory pigmentation due to previous eczema, ultraviolet exposure or even the application of photosensitizing products, and that the rippled appearance is related to the cutaneous anatomy of the neck. The pathogenesis of the 'dirty neck' is obscure, but in common with previous authors, we have noted that the rippled appearance of the hyperpigmentation resembles that seen in macular amyloidosis. In order to determine whether deposition of amyloid contributes to the development of this type of pigmentation in atopic dermatitis, an histological and ultrastructural examination of skin biopsies from three patients with the condition was undertaken.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effects of topical indomethacin and clobetasol propionate on post-cryotherapy inflammation.

The effects of topical indomethacin and clobetasol propionate on erythema and oedema following low-dose cryotherapy to normal skin were examined using a single-blind technique. Both agents significantly reduced erythema, but neither had a significant effect on oedema. A further, controlled, double-blind study comparing topical indomethacin and inert gel base was performed after cryotherapy to hand warts. In this study, topical indomethacin had no significant effect on post-cryotherapy oedema, erythema, pain or blister formation 48 and 96 h after treatment. Both potent topical steroids and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors reduce erythema after low-dose cryotherapy. In clinical practice, there is no evidence that topical indomethacin significantly inhibits the inflammatory response to cryotherapy.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

Annular purpura and step aerobics.

Step aerobic classes are at present one of the most popular forms of exercise undertaken by young adults. To date no dermatological abnormalities have been described in people regularly performing step aerobics. We describe a case in which a healthy young woman developed an extensive pigmented purpuric eruption 4 weeks after commencing regular step aerobic classes. The eruption resolved completely 8 weeks after regular exercise was ceased.

Adult↗