Case report: Picturesque skin lesions

Occasionally, at our walk-in clinic, a patient presents with a problem which requires little diagnosis but is interesting in appearance—and may be difficult to remedy. Yesterday, during a busy office time, a couple of young people came with picturesque skin lesions. A five-year-old boy of Indian extraction was carried into the office, having broken a glass with his right hand, one hour previously. Read: Case report: Chest rash related to sunscreen? He had suffered several small lacerations and a larger “flap” laceration, none of which required or were amenable to suturing. When I first saw his hand—held rigidly in front of his chest—I was puzzled and surprised (see picture). Lacerations were not visible or bleeding, but his hand was a bright orange colour. The adult caregivers explained that it is their custom to immediately cover any wounds with turmeric. I had not experienced this phenomenon previously, but learned that in fact, turmeric is used to aid healing and prevent infection. The first-aid treatment was certainly spectacular. Minutes later, an 11-year-old, fair-skinned healthy girl was brought for an opinion about a lesion on her foot, present for a year following an insect bite and periodically bleeding and growing larger (see picture below). She was apprehensive about treatment, expecting cautery or freezing. By chance the previous day, I had read in a medical journal of a simple (hopefully effective) and painless treatment. It was a “home remedy” where the patient simply coats surrounding skin with Vaseline, applies table salt to the granuloma, occludes the area with adhesive tape and waits. The process is to be repeated until the lesion disappears. A very acceptable solution to all concerned. I just have some reservations about the length of time required, and its effectiveness. Visually interesting and therapeutically novel dermatological issues presented practically simultaneously. I will be interested to learn if anyone has encountered turmeric previously, and whether they think that table salt will cure the pyogenic granuloma. Dr. Robert Dickson is a family physician in Hamilton. This report is based on a real case from Dr. Dickson’s files.

Case report: Picturesque skin lesions

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