Hypochondriacal Atopic Derm Adolescent

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Ed Ruden, MD

Spring 2006 - Volume 10 Number 1

His body is like crocodile skin ­ every Angstrom of it

A scaley mass of crustaceous keratin

A warty six-foot toad of a teen

Intense use of fluoridated steroid ointments,

Petrolatum baths, antihistamines q4h, and

Newer Immunmodulator agents have little effect on his intense pruritis

The true cause of his eczema lies not in the superficial layers of his body;

but deep in his somaticizing mind

The "boy" tortures himself from within

Perseverating in his brain about this malady or that

"If only there were another blood test," "A Radiographique"

"A serum porcelain level to pinpoint my illness!"

He stammers/agitates

I present this theory ­ "The mind-skin" gap!

If you "soothe" your mind, you will surely "soothe"

your alligator dermis

In theory, he takes it in but never really engulfs the reality of his tortured cerebrum

Fitfully, the young lad wallows in his "crustiness" and painstakingly

relentlessly scratching as he exits my exam room!