Abstract Sudoriferous glands, i.e. sweat glands, lie within the dermis and subcutaneous fat. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine sweat glands represent the vast majority…
Abstract Autoantibody testing is integral to the clinical evaluation of suspected autoimmune connective tissue disease as it aids in disease classification and can sometimes be used to follow disease activity….
Abstract Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a cutaneous manifestation of gluten sensitivity. Although over 90% of DH patients have evidence of a gluten-sensitive enteropathy, only about 20% have intestinal symptoms of…
Abstract Bullous pemphigoid (BP), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) are autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and mucosae that are associated with autoantibodies directed against components…
Abstract Vesiculobullous diseases of the skin encompass a wide range of entities, from autoimmune bullous diseases to inherited blistering disorders, and these entities are discussed in previous chapters. This chapter…
Abstract Neutrophils are essential inflammatory cells. In response to infection they accumulate rapidly at sites of infection or injury and become activated. These cells are packed with granules whose contents…
Abstract The specific dermatoses of pregnancy represent a heterogeneous group of inflammatory skin diseases and include pemphigoid gestationis (PG), polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), and…
Abstract Sweat and sebaceous glands have important roles in maintaining homoeostasis. In addition to their well-established role in thermoregulation, eccrine sweat glands have immunomodulatory, antimicrobial and excretory functions. Apocrine sweat…
Abstract Plant constituents produce a variety of adverse cutaneous reactions, including a significant proportion of cases of allergic contact dermatitis. This chapter describes the small minority of plants that cause…
