Wood’s lamp

FIGURE 10.13 The TLC profiles of labeled peaks isolated from [U- C]ascorbic-acid-modified calf lens protein obtained from Bio-Gel P-2 chromatography. Peaks 2 to 7 were spotted on a preparative silica gel TLC plate and developed with ethanol/ammonia (7 3, v/v). The fluorescence in each lane was detected by irradiation with a Wood s lamp at 360 nm, and the pattern of radioactivity was determined by scanning the plate with AMBIS imaging system. (Reprinted with permission from Cheng, R. et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1537, 14-26, 2001. Copyright (2001) Elsevier.)... 

Superflcial mycoses are usually clinically evident (some will fluoresce when using a Wood s lamp) and can be confirmed by microscopy (using KOH solution) and culture of hairs, nails or scrapings from the edge of skin lesions. Species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton (all moulds), and of Malassezia, Candida, Pityrospo-rum (all yeasts) cause most superflcial infections. Subcutaneous mycoses are caused by Sporothrix... 

In forensic medicine, the detection of semen may be critical, and identification due to Wood s lamp-induced fluorescence has been suggested to be helpful. In a study to investigate whether semen can be distinguished from other products, none of 41 physicians was able to differentiate semen from other products using a Wood s lamp however, some ointments and creams that contained bacitracin were mistaken for semen (14). 

Santucci KA, Nelson DG, McQuillen KK, Duffy SJ, Linakis JG. Wood s lamp utility in the identification of semen. Pediatrics. 1999 104(6) 1342-4. 

Mepacrine causes a marked yellow discoloration of the skin and often also the conjunctivae. This is often combined with a blue-black discoloration of the palate and a curious discoloration of the nails, which can be brownish-black, yeUowish-green, or sometimes white fluorescent in appearance. This phenomenon is related to the cumulative dose, though it is occasionally also seen with shortterm use. The discoloration disappears after withdrawal. Mepacrine-induced discoloration shows up under Wood s lamp as a brilliant yeUow-green fluorescence of the nails and palms of the hands and also of the urine. 

It is useful to evaluate the depth of pigmentation a Wood s lamp can be used to do this, as shown in Figure 30.10. The worse the pigmentation appears when exposed to the Wood s light (i.e. the more patchy the skin appears), the more superficial the melanin is and the treatment will soon take effect. Superficial pigmentation does not need to be treated with phenol, and can be treated effectively with less aggressive peels. 

The Wood s lamp (350-390 nm) can, however, reveal intraepidermal pigmentation that is lying over another dermal pigmentation. In this case, it gives a false sense of safety, and there is a risk of promising the patient rapid results when only the epidermal pigmentation can be readily eliminated. 

Phosphorus smokes are generated by a variety of munitions. Some of these munitions (such as the MA25 155-mm round) may, on explosion, distribute particles of incompletely oxidized white phosphorus. Contact with these particles can cause local burns, and systemic toxicity may occur if therapy is not administered. Therapy consists of topical use of a bicarbonate solution to neutralize phosphoric acids and mechanical removal and debridement of particles. A Wood s lamp in a darkened room may help to identify remaining luminescent particles. 

After irrigation is complete, check the conjunctival and corneal surfaces carefully for evidence of full-thickness injury. Perfonn a fluorescein examination of the eye by using fluorescein dye and a Wood s lamp to reveal corneal injury. 

B. Other useful laboratory studies include electrolytes, lactate, ethanol, glucose, BUN, creatinine, calcium, hepatic transaminases, urinalysis (for crystals and Wood s lamp examination), measured osmolality, arterial blood gases, and ECG monitoring. Serum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels may help distinguish ethylene glycol poisoning from alcoholic ketoacidosis, which may also cause increased anion and osmolar gaps. (Patients with alcoholic ke-... 

Indeterminate - melasma in skin phototype V-VI By Wood s lamp (365 nm), enhancement of pigment is only seen in the epidermal type [68,98,126]. Thongh it may determine the depth of melanin in the skin, it is not useful for phototypes V-VI [50]. Sanchez et al. [127], in his study, classified melasma using Wood s lamp into Epidermal (70%) - enhancement or accentuation of color contrast between affected and normal skin (most common)... 

It is imperative to establish the clinical and histologic type of melasma before starting therapy. Though a simple skin examination can lead to the diagnosis. Wood s lamp examination is still helpful. Skin biopsy has been mainly done to differentiate melasma from other conditions but its specificity for all skin phototypes makes it a more reliable diagnostic tool. 

Gupta LK, Singhi MK (2004) Wood s lamp. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 70 131-135... 

Nail deposition Tetracycline [45] Qofazimine [46] Wood s lamp light microscopy... 

Matarasso SL, Glogau RG, Markey AC 1994 Wood s lamp for superficial chemical peels. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 30(6] 988-992... 

Only one or two coats are needed. The extent of the uniform application can be checked with the UV lamp [Wood s lamp) as the retinoids are fluorescent. 

After preparation, Jessner s solution is applied to each of the facial units with a 2 x 2 gauze for each unit. One or two coats may be used to create an endpoint of a speckled white frost and mild, uniform erythema (Fig. 7.3A). If necessary, a Wood s lamp may be used to verify even apphcation as the saficyhc acid component in Jessner s peel solution is fluorescent under the Wood s lamp. Even application is important as it will affect the uptake of the TCA peel solution to follow. After the Jessner s peel, cool water compresses may be placed to provide symptomatic treatment of mild burning and heat. It is recommended to wait at least 5 minutes before application of TCA following Jessner s peel preparation. 

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