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Background: Odontogenic focal infection (OFI) is considered to be an important precipitating factor in some cases of palmoplantar pustulosis and psoriasis. In Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), it is clear that acute bacterial infection is one of the causes. However, it remains unclear how OFI participates in the pathogenesis of HSP., Methods: To clarify how OFI is related to the disease activity of HSP in terms of skin lesions and organ involvement, we conducted a retrospective study of 28 cases of adult-type HSP., Results: Panoramic x-ray screening detected OFI in 14 of the 28 patients. Patients with OFI had higher incidences of renal and gastrointestinal complications than those without OFI. Seven patients had severe OFI and underwent tooth extraction, resulting in a marked improvement of their skin lesions. Five of those seven patients exhibited transient flare-up after the tooth extraction., Conclusions: Latent OFI is an important infectious focus that is involved in the pathogenesis of HSP and influences its disease activity., (© 2011 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Painful feet and lower limb dysfunction are risk factors for falling. Toenail deformities are common disorders in elderly people, but the relationship between nail deformities and lower limb function remains unclear. The aims of the present study were to assess the impairment of lower limb function in patients with deformities of the great toe and to determine whether foot care treatment is beneficial in reducing the risk of falling., Methods:   Functional tests of the lower extremities were performed in 263 adults, including patients with any of hallux valgus, ingrown nail, or pachyonychia, and volunteers. Fifty-five subjects with nail disorders of the great toe received medical foot care treatment., Results: The presence of ingrown nail, pachyonychia, or tenderness of the great toe was significantly correlated with impaired postural performance and reduced muscular strength as assessed by functional tests. Medical foot care markedly reduced pain levels in the great toe and improved scores on functional tests of the lower extremities., Conclusions: Toenail disorders of the great toe cause dysfunction of the lower extremities and are likely to increase the risk of falling in daily life. Foot care management of toenail disorders has the potential to improve functional abilities in daily life, particularly in elderly individuals., (© 2011 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: A focal infection has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, but, to date, not atopic dermatitis (AD). The objective of the study was to clarify whether the odontogenic focal infection (OFI) could be recognized as one of the exacerbating factors in AD., Methods: Forty-three patients with AD whose skin conditions were resistant to conventional therapy were examined. An OFI was evaluated by using radiographs. Serum IgE/sCD30 levels were also examined. Skin condition was evaluated by the eczema area and severity index (EASI)., Results: Odontogenic focal infection was detected in 13 patients (30%) and this incidence was higher than in the normal population. Moreover, a 3-month therapy including dental care improved the skin conditions of patients with OFI better than those without OFI., Conclusion: The study concluded that OFI could be involved in the pathogenesis of some types of AD as exacerbating factors.