Sun exposure behaviors and knowledge among ChileansBackground: Ultraviolet light exposure has a pathogenic effect on the development of skin cancer, whose prevalence increases worldwide. In Chile and the rest of the world, preventive educational campaigns are carried out to change high risk sun exposure behaviors. Aim: To study the behavior of the Chilean population towards skin cancer prevention and to identify erroneous preventive practices and concepts. Material and methods: A survey containing 17 questions about sun exposure behaviors, photoprotective measures and knowledge about ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer was used. It was applied during January and February 2004, to 1,143 subjects (mean age 30 years, 409 males), taking vacations in beach resorts in Chile. Results: The hours of higher sun exposure ranged from 12 AM to 4 PM. Thirty seven percent of subjects were exposed more than 2 hours during this high risk lapse. Women and subjects aged less than 25 years were those with the riskiest behaviors. Fifty four percent used some type of photoprotection and 50% used ocular protection. Seventy percent used creams with sun screen and 74% used a sun protection factor higher than 15. Seventy percent applied the sun screen as recommended. Thirty eight percent had at least one sun burn in the last two years. More than 90% of subjects were aware of the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer but 60% did not know the hours of higher ultraviolet radiation. The information about sun exposure was obtained from television in 57% of surveyed individuals. Conclusions: More educational campaigns about the risk of sun exposure are needed to reduce risky behaviors in the Chilean population (Rev Méd Chile 2005; 133: 662-6).
Nails are protective, thin, horny growth at the end of fingers and toes. Abnormalities of the fingernails and toenails can provide both subtle and obvious clues to common medical problems or severe systemic diseases. Inheritance, minor injuries, common habits, the use of cosmetics and a variety of infections account for many changes in the appearance of nails. Awareness of normal nail variants, abnormalities and their disease associations will be beneficial to detect systemic diseases.
Aseptic meningitis (AM) is defined by the presence of cerebrospinal fluid findings consistent with meningitis, without achieving the isolation of a bacterium that produces it. Drugs are one of the diverse causes of AM. Drugs frequently associated with AM include immunoglobulin's, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, and aromatic anticonvulsants. When AM is part of a systemic response accompanying a cutaneous manifestation it may be a DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms), considered a serious adverse reaction to drugs. Lamotrigine is a non-aromatic anticonvulsant widely used for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, which has been associated with AM. We report a case of aseptic meningoencephalitis as a manifestation of DRESS associated to lamotrigine.
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