TANNING BEDS --------------------------------------------------- I have recently been contacted by a local (metro Oklahoma City) newspaper reporter who is doing a weekly newspublication write-up on tanning parlors. I gather that this will be an insert into the Sunday newspaper and will probably be widely read by the local populace, so I am interested in getting her as muchinfo as she can handle to make it a good story. She wanted to know if I have seen any patients recently who have had adverse experiences in tanning parlors,and I couldn't think of any off the top of my head. Do any of you know of such patients that you have seen recently that might be willing to do a phone interview with her? If so, please contact me by e-mail and I will forward the information to her. Thanks in advance. Mark Naylor, M.D. ----------------- I have one patient who developed scabies after a tanning parlor "caper." I call these outfits "cancer cubicles" and "cataract caskets." Jerry Litt ---------- I took an 8mm BCC of the cheek of an attractive 25yo female about 2 wks ago. She was an admitted "tanning bed-aholic". If your interviewer is interested, I will ask her if she would be willing to participate now that she is "on the wagon". Looked very pale last visit. Dan Mitchell, MD ---------------- Recently did someone (Batrbara Gilchrist) published something in JID suggesting that UV exposure causes the skin to release neuropeptides, including endorphins. Made me wonder if a shot of UV is similar to a shot of morphine for some people, and this keeps them coming back for more. I was reminded of several cases where for various reasons I gave Trexan (naltrexone 50 mg, du Pont) to UV light patients and they felt quite uncomfortable, in a way that reminded me of narcotic withdrawl. I wonder if this is the explanation. Kevin C. Smith MD FRCPC ------------------------ About 10 years ago my very perceptive and productive friend Dr. Charlie Perniciaro described (in JAAD I think) a series of young women who got flat warts on the body after lying in tanning beds. Since he pointed this out I've seen similar cases, and one possible Herpes-on-the-bum by the same route. Kevin C. Smith MD FRCPC ----------------------- A few years ago I had a patient who was lacerated by a UV lamp exploding in his face while he was in a tanning bed. Many patients get tinea versicolor from tanning beds, especially where cleaning is minimized. I also had a patient with 2 severely atypical nevi on the covered portions of her buttocks. She had only received UV exposure from a tanning bed in that area. Barbara R. Reed, MD -------------------- Two articles in re sunbed adverse effects. 1. Pseudoporphyria and sunbeds. Sternberg A, Acta Derm Venereol, 1990, 70(4): 345-6. 2. Sunbed pseudoporphyria indiced by nalidixic acid. Bilsland D, Br J Dermatol, 1990 Oct: 123(4): 547. Jerry Litt ------------