Hirsutism Priya Chinnappa, Adi Mehta DEFINITION Hirsutism is defined as a male pattern of hair distribution in a female, with the hair being transformed from fine villous hair to visible,…

Erectile Dysfunction Milton Lakin Since the 1990s, there has been increasing recognition that erectile dysfunction is a common problem. Although many patients come to their general practitioner’s or internist’s office…

Microvascular Complications of Diabetes Robert Zimmerman DEFINITION The microvascular complications of diabetes encompass long-term complications of diabetes affecting small blood vessels. These classically have included retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Retinopathy…

Pigmentary Disorders Apra Sood, Kenneth J. Tomecki Normal skin color depends on melanin, hemoglobin (oxidized and reduced), and carotenoids. Melanin is the major color determinant and is responsible for variations…

Pruritus James S. Taylor, Matthew J. Zirwas, Apra Sood DEFINITION AND ETIOLOGY Pruritus or itch is defined as an unpleasant sensation of the skin that provokes the urge to scratch….

Contact Dermatitis and Related Conditions James S. Taylor, Antoine Amado DEFINITION Contact dermatitis is an acute or chronic immunologic (allergic) or nonimmunologic (irritant) inflammation of the skin usually caused by…

Food Allergy R. Koelsch DEFINITION An allergic reaction is but one kind of adverse reaction to food. Other reactions include intolerance to compounds such as lactose, reactions to toxins in…

Latex Allergy Lily C. Pien The dramatic surge in the incidence of latex allergy in the 1980s is believed to be related to increased use of latex gloves after the…

Anaphylaxis Fred Hsieh DEFINITION AND ETIOLOGY Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that has a rapid onset and can cause death. Anaphylactic reactions are triggered by immunoglobulin (Ig) E–dependent activation…