Ten patients, eight female and two male, with Bazin's hydroa vacciniforme (HV) are reviewed. Onset occurred between the ages of 1 and 11 years and has persisted indefinitely in all but three cases where the disease gradually improved during adolescence. Recurrent episodes of itching occurred on light‐exposed areas within hours of sun exposure, leading to scattered erythematous papules followed by small tense vesicles. Gradual healing left pock‐like scars. Cutaneous phototesting by monochromator revealed reduced minimal erythema doses at 340 nm in three patients and also at 360 nm in one of these. Histology showed focal intraepidermal spongiotic vesiculation leading to epidermal and upper dermal necrosis with a chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate. One patient showed features of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Direct immunofluorescence in one patient showed granular C3 and fibrin deposits below the basement membrane zone. Viral studies, assessment of DNA repair, antinuclear factor titre, urinary amino acid screen, porphyrin screen and routine haematology and biochemistry were all normal. High protection factor UV‐A‐filtering sunscreens in six patients, low dose UV‐B therapy in two patients and antimalarials in two patients were moderately helpful. β‐Carotene, thalidomide and low dose PUVA were ineffective. HV is therefore a distinct clinical and histological entity associated with demonstrable UV‐A sensitivity approximately: in 30% of patients. Sunscreens are the most effective therapeutic agents, but low‐dose UVTB or antimalarial therapy may also be tried.

Two patient receiving minocycline developed blue-black pigmentation on the legs. Biopsies from the pigmented areas demonstrated granules containing iron, a pigment with staining properties similar to melanin, and a third pigment which may be a degradation product of minocycline. Electron microscopy showed that some, but not all the granules were membrane-bound and they were situated mainly within macrophages. Analytical electron microscopy showed that the granules contained iron, sulphur, chlorine and, in one case, calcium.

Though circumcision has lotig been known to cure Zoon's balanitis, this mode of treatmem has been largely neglected by many leading authorities in recent times.In this report we describe two patients who failed to respond to recommended topical treatment but who were rapidly cured by circumcision.

Summary Fourteen patients with myxoid cysts of the finger have been treated with liquid nitrogen spray cryosurgery; twelve were cured without any permanent distortion of the local architecture or the nail apparatus. No recurrences have developed during follow‐up studies of up to 3.4 years.

Summary We report on the cases of three patients who presented with cutaneous myiasis due to the human bot‐fly, Dermatobia hominis. Myiasis due to D, hominis is not uncommon in Central and South America. However, there are no recent case reports of this condition in the European literature. With improving communication it is probable that further cases will present to clinicians in Europe who may be unaware of the condition. We review briefly the major causes of human myiasis, with special reference to D. hominis.