[Milker's nodules]

Milker's nodule is a parapox virus infection seen mostly on the hands of dairy farmers. We saw 15 cases over a period of two years in the County of North Jutland. Clinically, milker's nodule goes through a papular, a nodular and a crusted stage. Most patients were seen when the infection was in the nodular stage, an often painful condition requiring treatment. Three patients developed an erythema multiformelike secondary eruption. Lesions from nine patients were removed for histological examination. The histology of all lesions was consistent with milker's nodule. In three of seven patients parapox virus was demonstrated by electron microscopy. Treatment was commonly curettage followed by cauterization.