Biomedical subjects

Nives Pustisek

Publications and source records attributed to Nives Pustisek.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

A review of sunscreens and their adverse reactions.

Sunscreens are used to protect the skin from harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light but they do not completely prevent photocarcinogenesis, photoaging and photoimmunosuppression. They are useful for protection against UVB and short-wave UVA. Complete protection against long-wave UVA has not been achieved. There is no universally accepted method to evaluate UVA protection. Sun protection factor is a simple and internationally used method to compare sunscreen protection against UVB induced erythema. Adverse reactions to sunscreens are not common but they should be considered especially in persons with pre-existing eczematous conditions or photodermatoses. The use of sunscreens has increased steadily over the last decade; as a result, allergy and photoallergy to UV filters are now more frequent than in the past. Sensitization can occur from the various sunscreening agents and from the excipients included in formulations. An overview of sunscreens, their effectiveness, and adverse reactions is presented.

Excipients↗

PubMed2004

Erythromelalgia.

Erythromelalgia is a rare poorly understood clinical condition characterized by intense burning pain, pronounced erythema, and increased skin temperature. Although there are many classifications of the disease, it can basically be divided into primary, which begins spontaneously at any age, and secondary, which is associated with myeloproliferative disorders-related thrombocythemia, polycythemia, collagen-vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, autoimmune and infectious diseases, and use of certain medicaments. A wide variety of etiological conditions can cause erythromelalgia, all having a single common pathogenetic mechanism - microvascular arteriovenous shunting. The disease is characterized by severe pain associated with redness and hotness in extremities. The diagnosis is based on the medical history and clinical findings. The most useful oral medications for erythromelalgia seem to be aspirin, propranolol, clonazepam, cyproheptadine, drugs inhibiting serotonin re-uptake (venlafaxine and sertraline), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine), anticonvulsants (gabapentin), calcium antagonists (nifedipine, diltiazem), and prostaglandins (micoprostol). Erythromelalgia is usually chronic, sometimes progressive, and disabling disease, which can greatly affect the quality of life. Some patients have stable disease and get better, or even experience full resolution of the disease, with time. This review article presents the etiological basis, diagnostics, and therapy of erythromelalgia.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2003

Nevus comedonicus--case report and review of therapeutical approach.

Nevus comedonicus is uncommon abnormality of pilosebaceous unit, clinically characterized as confluent clusters of dilated follicular orifices plugged with pigmented keratinous material that resembles open comedones. It is suggested that nevus comedonicus is an uncommon variant of adnexal hamartoma, which clinically appears as linear group of open comedones. Since Kofmann's description of nevus comedonicus in 1895, there have been reports of this rare cutaneous disorder associated with developmental anomalies. We present a case of a 19-year-old woman with numerous 1-3 mm size darkly pigmented, keratic plugs clustered in linear unilateral patches on left abdominal part. Our treatment consisted of the avoidance of the formulations containing nickel sulfate and carba mixture, daily local application of tretinoin 0.1% gel and corticosteroid ointment (momethasone furoate). After 4 weeks of local therapy cosmetic result was evident. The slight resolution of keratin plugs could also be seen. Two months after the treatment, there were no visible skin exacerbations.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Tacrolimus ointment: a new therapy for atopic dermatitis--review of the literature.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe pruritus, typical morphology and distribution of skin lesions, and personal and family history of atopy. The management of atopic dermatitis is directed at preventing the inflammation, itch, and secondary lesions. Therapy relies on general management measures, anti-inflammatory agents, antiprurites, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. Treatment options for patients with severe or longstanding disease, extensive body surface area involvement of facial lesions are limited. Tacrolimus ointment is the first in the class of topical immunomodulators that has been formulated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children (2 to 15 years of age) and adult patients. The mechanism of action of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis seems to involve T-cells, Langerhans cells, mast cells and basophiles. Experimental evidence suggests that tacrolimus inhibits T-lymphocytes activation by binding to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. This binding phenomenon inhibits the ability of calcineurin to activate the promotor region of the gene for IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, all of which participate in the early immune response and play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Tacrolimus ointment is not atrophogenic, and is associated with minimal systemic absorption. There were no consistent changes in any laboratory variable during topical tacrolimus therapy. The most common adverse events associated with its use were transient skin burning and pruritus at the site of application. Tacrolimus ointment is safe and efficacious therapy for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with atopic dermatitis on all skin regions including the face, neck and intertriginous areas. An overview is given of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Erythromelalgia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnostic approach in vesicular and bullous dermatoses].

Vesicular and bullous dermatoses are etiopathologically different dermatoses, whose basic manifestations are vesicles or bullae. There are hereditary and acquired vesicular and bullous dermatoses. The diagnosis is based on the anamnesis, dermatologic status and laboratory findings, which are presented in detail. The aim of this paper is to show a diagnostic algorithm for vesicular and bullous diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Correct diagnosis is the precondition an adequate treatment in patients as well as for a better prognosis.

Algorithms↗