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Christen M Mowad

Publications and source records attributed to Christen M Mowad.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Patch testing: pitfalls and performance.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Contact dermatitis is a common disease process that includes allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. The gold standard for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction, is patch testing. Patch testing is not a difficult procedure, however, there are several critical components that determine the success of the test: having an appropriate level of suspicion for the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, an adequate threshold for patch testing, the necessary experience to properly interpret the results and to determine their relevance, and the ability to thoroughly educate the patient about the condition. RECENT FINDINGS: Research shows that patch testing practices differ among individuals and specialties. The level of patch testing education, interest in, and experience with, the procedure can affect the results of the test. Some of these practice differences and how they affect the outcome of patch testing are highlighted. SUMMARY: Physicians' knowledge and experience with patch testing, their level of interest and access to allergens will determine the performance of this test, the reliability of the results and the benefits gained from this procedure.

Allergens↗
PubMed2006

Henoch-Schönlein purpura presenting with orchitis: a case report and review of the literature.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common cause of nonthrombocytopenic purpura in children. The clinical picture is classically a cutaneous purpuric eruption of the legs and buttocks and infrequently the upper torso and extremities. Arthritis, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, and nephritis are other common findings typically associated with the cutaneous findings. We present an unusual case of HSP with scrotal swelling and orchitis.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Allergic contact dermatitis from acrylates in artificial nails.

Artificial nails are an increasingly popular cosmetic enhancement to the natural nail. Several forms are available, including sculptured nails, photobonded nails, and preformed nails. Reactions to artificial nails have included paronychia, onychodystrophies, and dermatitis at contact areas and at sites distant to the contactant. We present a patient who developed erythema and painful pruritic vesicles of the paronychial tissue several hours after the application of sculptured nails. A strong reaction of erythema and edema occurred at the site of methyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate testing. Removal of the artificial nails resulted in resolution of the reaction.

Acrylates↗
PubMed2004

Orthopedic prostheses: is there any point in patch testing?

The aging of our population and the availability of new medical technologies have contributed to tremendous growth in the number of patients with implanted orthopedic and other devices. As experts on contact dermatitis, we are periodically asked to evaluate patients who have a history of metal allergy prior to surgery. We are sometimes faced with patients who have experienced complications after implant surgery or (more rarely) who have developed skin disease temporally related to surgery. To address these controversial issues, we asked three experts to discuss the role of patch testing in regard to patients with orthopedic implants. Mark D.P. Davis, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Christen M. Mowad, MD, is Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA; and Pamela Scheinman, MD, is Director of the Contact Dermatitis and Occupational Dermatology Unit and Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Worsening injection site reactions with continued use of etanercept.

We report the case of a patient with persistent and worsening injection site reactions associated with subcutaneous etanercept therapy. Injection site reactions are well documented to occur early in therapy; however they typically decrease in frequency over time. This patient developed early injection site reactions that have persisted and worsened into his tenth month of treatment with etanercept.

Abdomen↗