Approximately 88% of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients are affected by pruritus that responds poorly to current antipruritic therapies. Interleukin (IL)-31, a Th2 cytokine, has been found to be increased in the serum of CTCL patients and to correlate with itch severity. This study investigated the role of IL-31 and its receptors (IL-31 receptor-alpha [IL-31RA] and OSMRβ) in the skin of CTCL patients with mild versus moderate/severe pruritus. Expression levels of IL-31, IL-31RA, and OSMRβ in the skin were measured using immunohistochemistry and correlated to pruritus severity and disease stage. In CTCL patients with moderate/severe pruritus, IL-31 was significantly elevated in the epidermis and dermal infiltrate, while IL-31RA and OSMRβ were significantly elevated only in the epidermis. Furthermore, epidermal IL-31 levels correlated to itch severity. These results show that IL-31 may play a role in CTCL pruritus by exerting indirect effects on sensory nerves through epidermal neoplastic T cells and keratinocytes to transmit itch.

Skin is the most exposed organ of the body, and military personnel face many external skin threats. As a result, skin disease is an important source of morbidity among military personnel deployed on combat or peacekeeping operations. This article reviews the most common conditions seen by deployed military dermatologists. A PubMed search was used to identify articles in English, written between 1965 and 2014, using medical subject headings "military medicine" AND "skin disease" or "military personnel" AND "skin disease." The five most common reasons for physician consultation for skin conditions in wartime since the Vietnam War were warts (10.7%), fungal infections (10.4%), acne (9.0%), nonspecific eczematous conditions (7.1%), and sexually transmitted diseases (6.1%). There was a significant difference in the skin conditions seen in the hot and humid climates of Vietnam and East Timor, where bacterial and fungal infections were more common reasons for consultation, and the dry climates of Bosnia and Iraq, where eczematous conditions made up a larger part of the dermatologic caseload.

In our series, all patients had quick good-quality remission with a median progression-free survival of 6 months. The rapidity of the response supports the role of vinblastine instead of spontaneous regression in these patients with multifocal lesions and a long-term history of refractory disease. In our series, no patient had to discontinue use of the drug because of infection or severe toxic effects.Vinblastine should be studied in larger series to confirm its effectiveness and tolerance in disseminated or refractory C-ALCL. Its place as second-line treatment could be considered with failure of methotrexate and perhaps as first-line treatment in the case of contraindication to methotrexate, especially in older adults.

"Skin popping" refers to the practice of injecting drugs, most commonly heroin, subcutaneously or into granulation tissue. Pharmaceutical tablets meant for oral consumption are modified into solutions for injection. Excipients-inactive substances that serve as vehicles for medication-are often not filtered out before injection and result in abscess formation, granulomatous inflammation, and scarring. Common

Verrucous perforating collagenoma is an extremely rare variant of acquired perforating dermatosis that has been seldom described in literature. We present the case of an 18‐month‐old boy who presented with an erythematous plaque with a central keratotic plug on the leg. Histopathology revealed transepidermal elimination of collagen, consistent with a diagnosis of verrucous perforating collagenoma.

We present the case of a 66-year-old neutropenic man with mantle-cell lymphoma who presented for evaluation of a rapidly expanding necrotic eschar after a minor cutaneous injury. Histopathology revealed infection with Rhizopus indicating primary cutaneous mucormycosis. Our case reviews the presentation and management of this condition as well highlights the potential for minor cutaneous injuries in the hospital to lead to this dangerous infection.