Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B Bjarnason.
A case of allergic contact dermatitis to common ivy (Hedera helix) is presented. The patient is a 16 year old female gardner, who developed severe blistering dermatitis of the hands, forearms and face after frequent contact with Hedera helix. We wish to draw attention to common ivy as a sensitizer and to demonstrate the severity of the reaction in a sensitized person.
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A 5-year-old boy developed hemorrhagic mucocutaneous blisters on various parts of the body leading to fetor, dysphagia, dysuria, anal pruritus, pain on defecation, and weight loss. The histopathology showed the classic features of pemphigus vulgaris, and direct immunofluorescence showed intercellular deposition of IgG and C3 in the epidermis. Circulating pemphigus antibodies were also detected. He was treated with a combination of systemic prednisone and dapsone which induced a rapid remission and controlled the disease well. He has been in remission for 1 year and 7 months with no immunosuppressive therapy except for the use of topical agents for the oral lesions. An adjuvant to corticosteroids has been used only once before in children with pemphigus vulgaris under the age of 12 years. This is the third and the youngest child in the literature treated in this fashion.