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Nodular vasculitis (NV) refers to a chronic relapsing lobular panniculitis that is thought to be a hypersensitivity reaction to antigenic triggers. While it is commonly associated with tuberculosis, in many cases no underlying cause is found and the condition is difficult to manage. Here, we report three patients with refractory idiopathic NV effectively treated with colchicine, leading to a significant improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms. Colchicine was successfully used as a steroid-sparing agent, and in one patient its cessation was associated with a flare of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human skin is a visible indicator of age. Structural and physiological changes that occur intrinsically with ageing skin combined with the effects of cumulative extrinsic damage can result in a marked susceptibility to cutaneous disorders in older patients. The progressive degeneration of ageing skin results in atrophy of the vasculature, deterioration of supporting dermis and erosion of normal immune function. Changes from the intrinsic and extrinsic effects of ageing skin have a wide clinical expression, e.g. xerosis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Although rarely fatal, these cutaneous disorders can cause morbidity and reduce quality of life. Primary skin malignancies resulting from cumulative solar damage also carry considerable mortality. There have been exciting advances in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases in older people. However, comorbidities, polypharmacy and altered pharmacokinetics seen in older people pose significant challenges to effective treatment. Managing skin disorders in older people is often less than optimal because their special needs and limitations are not adequately addressed. This review provides an overview of treatments available for managing skin conditions commonly encountered in older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of patients presented with an erythematous, purpuric rash occurring on the legs in association with playing golf and also after prolonged walks or hikes. Many patients believed that it was an allergic reaction to grasses or insecticides and had sometimes undergone extensive allergy testing. We collected reports of 17 such cases from dermatologists in the state of Victoria, Australia. Patients were interviewed by phone and asked to submit photographs of the rash if possible. Of these, the eruption developed in 15 after playing 18 holes of golf and in three following prolonged hikes. The rash would usually develop over the summer months under hot conditions. Most patients were over 50 years of age when the tendency to develop the eruption began. Biopsies of the rash in the active phase showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Patch testing and investigations for potential underlying causes for vasculitis were negative or unremarkable. It would seem that this is a common but poorly documented condition. The clinical presentation and histology would support the conclusion that it represents a leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by prolonged exercise under hot conditions. The findings would suggest that it occurs in healthy people and extensive investigation with blood tests or allergy testing is inappropriate. We believe the condition should be termed‘golfer's vasculitis', as golf appears to be the most common precipitating event and such a term would enable the condition to become more widely recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin changes associated with long term hydroxyurea therapy have only rarely been reported and are not widely known. This report concerns a patient in whom extensive and debilitating skin changes developed secondary to hydroxyurea therapy. In addition to previously reported manifestations such as ichthyosis, a dermatomyositis-like eruption on the dorsal hands, facial erythema and accelerated development of premalignant and malignant skin lesions, the patient developed an erosive eruption on the glans penis. He also developed a rapidly enlarging viral wart which clinically resembled a squamous cell carcinoma and histologically showed marked cytological atypia. It is possible that hydroxyurea caused accelerated photoageing and also contributed to the rapid growth of the viral wart and the atypical histological features. The time course of the clinical changes suggests that they result from direct toxicity of hydroxyurea on the basal layer of the epidermis and mucosal surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]