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Perforating disorder caused by salt-water application and its experimental induction.

Lee SJ, Jang JW, Lee WC, Kim DW, Jun JB, Bae HI, Kim DJ

Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 700-721, Korea. seokjong@knc.ac.kr

BACKGROUND: Perforating disorders are uncommon diseases characterized by transepidermal elimination histopathologically and include reactive perforating collagenosis, elastosis perforans serpiginosa, Kyrle's disease and perforating folliculitis. In addition, perforating disorders can develop in patients with diabetes mellitus, renal failure and even by accidental exposure of calcium salts. METHODS: We report two cases of perforating disorder caused by chemical burn with commercially available salt-water application for self-treatment of chronic dermatitis or pruritus. RESULTS: The commercially used salt water for making bean curd was analyzed and it consisted of calcium and other salts without harmful heavy metals. We induced a similar phenomenon by experimental application of commercial salt water on guinea pigs. CONCLUSION: Bean curd is used as a food commonly in the Far-East, allowing a greater chance of exposure to salt water accidentally or occupationally. Bean curd is becoming more popular even in Western countries. To confirm causation, we induced a similar phenomenon in guinea pigs by experimental application of commercial salt water.

Published 5 April 2005 in Int J Dermatol, 44(3): 210-4.
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