Vitamin C is required as a cofactor for various enzyme functions. Vitamin C supplies electrons to enzymatic reactions. If these are absent, the enzymes are unable to properly produce their…

Carcinoid syndrome is a rare cause of pellagra. Carcinoid is a syndrome of excessive secretion of serotonin. Tryptophan is the precursor for serotonin as well as niacin, and in this…

As time progresses, the dermatitis begins to desquamate. This process begins in the central portions of the dermatitis and spreads outward in a centrifugal manner. As the skin desquamates, it…

Pathogenesis: All forms of beriberi are caused by a nutritional deficiency of thiamine. Thiamine is a critical vitamin that is needed for carbohydrate metabolism. Thiamine is the precursor for thiamine…

Pathogenesis: Telogen effluvium can almost always be traced to a recent illness, surgery, iron deficiency, child bearing, or other major stressor in the patient’s life. Many medications have been reported…

Onychomycosis is seen frequently in individuals of all ages, and its prevalence increases with age. Patients can present with different variants of onychomycosis. The most frequent type is the distal…

A plethora of nail changes may be seen in response to systemic disease. Beau’s lines are horizontal notches along the nails that may be caused by any major stressful event….

Trichorrhexis invaginata is seen only in patients with the autosomal recessive Netherton syndrome. This hair shaft abnormality has been termed “bamboo hair” because of its resemblance to the growth rings…

Treatment: Treatment consists of proper assessment of the patient and how the disease is affecting the patient’s life in general. Some individuals tolerate the condition without adverse psychological effects; for…

Histology: A skin biopsy of a vesicle shows an intraepidermal blister that forms via ballooning degeneration of the keratinocytes. There is a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis. Multinucleated giant…