The “Ear Clue” for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis vs Psoriasis
The post-auricular fold can often settle the debate between seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. In seborrheic dermatitis, scaling tends to be greasy, yellow, and confined to the conchal bowl and auditory canal. Psoriasis, on the other hand, favors the post-auricular region, often with a fissure or sharp demarcation behind the ear. Palpate the occipital scalp; if you feel thick plaques extending upward, psoriasis is the likely culprit. In practice, this “ear clue” can avoid unnecessary treatments and provide reassurance when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Ronald Vender, MD, FRCPC |Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Other Uses for Liquid Nitrogen
Remember that liquid nitrogen is useful in and of itself for keloids, but also because it causes edema, which makes subsequent injection of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide easier. However, be careful or avoid in darker skin tones. Liquid nitrogen can also be a useful adjunct for prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex chronicus. And several treatments for a dermatofibroma can reduce its thickness and darkness.
Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Give Your Cell Phone Number
I like to put my cell phone number in my electronic prescriptions so pharmacists can call me directly if they have any questions.
Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD | Winston-Salem, NC
