TITLE:
Kerosene-Induced Panniculitis in Iraqi Patients
AUTHORS:
Khalifa E. Sharquie, Adil A. Noaimi, Maha S. Younis, Bashar S. Al-Sultani
KEYWORDS:
Kerosene, Panniculitis, Emotional Tension
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.4 No.5,
December
2,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Kerosene is a common household
stuff that has been used as accidental oral poisoning material in children and
as suicidal attempt in adults. In the last decade intradermal kerosene
injection has been commonly used to induce dermatitis artefecta as a part of
emotional upset. Objective: To evaluate the clinical cases of intradermal
kerosene injection in Iraqi patients. Patients and Methods: This is a
descriptive case study that had been conducted in Department of Dermatology
Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from Jan. 2003 to
Dec. 2012. History and full clinical examination were performed including all
sociodemographic aspects associated with this condition. Psychiatric
evaluation was done for each patient. Results: All eleven patients had single
lesion except that two had two lesions. They were distributed on accessible
areas on the limbs. The exact diagnosis was not reached for at least few weeks
after kerosene injection. The patients denied any kerosene injection, but
after a while they all admitted that the cause of their rash, severe emotional
tension was observed at the time of kerosene injection as they had
sociopsychological disturbances. The initial rash was erythematous indurated
tender plaque that was gradually increasing in size simulating the picture of
panniculitis and then followed by rupture of lesion and associated pyoderma,
forming chronic discharging ulcer. Patients were managed by topical and
systemic antibiotics until complete resolution leaving a big ugly scar that was
treated by topical steroids to improve its cosmetic appearance. Conclusions:
Kerosene intradermal injection is an increasing problem among Iraqi adult
females and it should be suspected in any patient with chronic discharging
ulcer on accessible areas like limbs.