BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin is a self-diagnosed condition with subjective signs as burning, prickling and pruritus, which is a therapeutic challenge for clinical dermatology. In this study, regarding the physiopathologic aspects of the disorder, a new formula for facial sensitive skin was designed and clinically tested.METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial for one week with 32 subjects. The sensitive skin cream was prepared as the combination of conventional active agents, skin microbiota restoring probiotics/prebiotics, and thermal water with anti-inflammatory effects. The signs and symptoms of the patients were recorded according to a four-grade-semi-quantitative severity index in the beginning and at the end of the study.RESULTS: All studied parameters were found to be significantly improved in the sensitive skin cream group. The results were more pronounced for burning, prickling, and flushing. In placebo cream group none of the parameters was found to be significant, except itching with a low significance. In case of tolerability, the ratio of leaving the trial due to complaints was approximately four times higher in the placebo group.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the new formula for facial sensitive skin is safe and effective. Regarding the numerous etiologic factors, and various clinical signs and symptoms, an effective cream for sensitive skin should contain carefully selected ingredients, aiming beyond simple moisturization.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by a genetic mutation leading to zinc deficiency. Clinical manifestation includes skin lesions, diarrhea, and alopecia. We report the case of a seven-month-old girl, admitted with erythematous scaly lesions in the neck and vesiculo pustular lesions in the perioral region, associated with alopecia, but without diarrhea. The typology of skin lesions and clinical evolution was decisive for clinical diagnosis.
BACKGROUND: Identifying the allergen causing allergic contact dermatitis is important to avoid the allergen, and cure the disease. Patch testing is the gold standard to identify avoidable elicitors of allergic contact dermatitis. Our objective was to define the allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis in Izmir, located on the Aegean coast of Turkey, over the last few years, and to define other allergic diseases accompanying allergic contact dermatitis.METHODS: The patch test results of 1200 patients with contact dermatitis who were treated at our polyclinic between 2014 and 2021 were evaluated. Allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and allergic conjunctivitis accompanying allergic contact dermatitis were also evaluated.RESULTS: We detected at least one allergen in 714 (59.5%) patients. The 10 most common allergens were nickel sulfate (N.=234 [19.5%]), gold sodium thiosulfate (N.=166 [13.8%]), cobalt dichloride (N.=96 [8.0%]), thimerosal (N.=85 [7.1%]), p-phenylenediamine (N.=72 [6.0%]), epoxy resin (N.=70 [5.8%]), p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin (N.=60 [5.0%]), potassium dichromate (N.=57 [4.8%]), Carba mix (N.=56 [4.7%]), and fragrance mix (N.=52 [4.3%]). Allergic conjunctivitis was observed at the highest rates in five of the 10 most common allergens in our study.CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of positive allergy tests indicates that the referred patients were highly presensitized. High-temperature conditions of climate change might also contribute to the high rate, as sweating increases sensitization. Whether the allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis also cause allergic conjunctivitis could be investigated in prospective studies.
BACKGROUND: Melanoma is the most lethal variant of skin cancer. In the United States, it ranks as the fifth most common cancer. Due to the aggressive course of melanoma, it is crucial to predict its prognosis. In clinical practice, a range of accessible and low-cost parameters are investigated. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin/red blood distribution width (HRR) at the time of diagnosis and overall survival (OS), as well as potential therapeutic prognostic markers, by analyzing patients diagnosed with melanoma.METHODS: Patients between the years 2004-2022 were included in the study retrospectively. The outcomes of survivals were analyzed. The prognostic significance of risk factors for on survival was evaluated.RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were included in the study. The rate of stages I-II disease was 81 (68.5%). The median follow-up of all patients was 19.9 months. The median OS of all patients was 79.0 months (95% CI: 49.5-108.5). The best cut-off point for HGB/RDW was calculated as 0.99 mmHg and AUC=0.635 (P=0.022, 95% CI: 0.525-0.745). The median survival of patients with HGB/RDW≤0.99 was 67.2 months (95% CI: 27.8-106.7), while the median survival of patients with HGB/RDW>0.99 was 105.7 months (95% CI: 50.9-160.6, P=0.046). An HRR≥0.99 (HR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.44, P=0.001) reduced independent mortality in OS by eightfold.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that HRR, which has been investigated as a useful prognostic marker, is an independent prognostic indicator in melanoma.
BACKGROUND: Panniculopathic-edematous-fibro-sclerosis (PEFS), or cellulite or gynoid lipodystrophy, represents a pathological imperfection that affects millions of women (and in rare cases, men) due to various contributing factors, including diet and sedentary lifestyle. It generates consequent disturbances to capillary circulation and venous and lymphatic return as well as a problematic relationship between patients with the resulting imperfection, which can cause disturbances in the psychosocial sphere of those suffering from it.METHODS: This multicenter observational study was performed with a relatively new Medical Device (MD) based on a poly-amino acid solution (Alidya™) used with mesotherapy on a sample of 36 people (F/M ratio = 35/1). The measurements were taken after an initial interview and medical examination (T0) and after 4 (T1), 8 (T2), and 12 (Tf) weeks of treatment.RESULTS: At the T0 and Tf points, measures of the circumference were collected at the waist, hips, and thighs (crf1, crf2, and crf3). The study showed good therapeutic success regarding the difference between cfr1, crf2, and cfr3 pre- and post-treatments. Another good result of the treatment is a visible reduction in the so-called “orange peel” experienced by the patients and an average weight loss of 1.48 kg.CONCLUSIONS: The study showed the objective effectiveness of the treatment based on clinical data on the reduction of edema and skin nodules due to PEFS and subjective (clinician’s perception and patient satisfaction) up to 12 weeks after the first therapy session.
BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) may adversely affect the overall health of the psoriasis patients, which needs to be addressed appropriately. So, this study aims to assess the prevalence of the MS and its related constituents in individuals with psoriasis and to compare them with individuals without psoriasis.METHODS: An observational case control study was conducted in 200 psoriasis cases and 200 controls. MS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria The prevalence of MS was compared between cases and controls. The correlation between presence of MS and duration, type and severity of psoriasis was also studied.RESULTS: The prevalence of MS is much higher in patients with psoriasis (41.5%) than in controls (26%). There was a strong correlation between psoriasis and hypertension. Deranged blood pressure, deranged fasting blood sugar and increased serum triglyceride levels were more prevalent in cases than controls and the difference was statistically significant.CONCLUSIONS: Higher prevalence of MS in psoriasis patients was found. The association was independent of disease duration, type and severity of disease; hence it would be imperative to screen all the patients for MS and for cardiovascular risk factors irrespective of age, duration and severity of psoriasis.
Jinhuang ointment is one of the most famous and effective topical drugs in the treatment of suppurative diseases. It is made of Ruyi Jinhuang Powder and ointment base. It has not yet been commercialized. It has been clinically used for hospital internal preparations or personal production. Due to the use of different bases and personal habits, there are a variety of preparation methods. Therefore, exploring its preparation method and evaluating its quality is one of the urgent problems to be solved in the external use of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper expounds the current base use and production methods of Jinhuang ointment. The purpose was to analyze the experimental research ideas and research methods of the comparison of the efficacy of different preparation methods of Jinhuang ointment. It includes the analysis of the effects of different bases and drug forms on drug release, penetration and absorption, as well as the effects on bacteriostasis, inhibition of inflammatory adverse reactions or promotion of immunity and phagocytosis.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) Diatermo Contraction® in the treatment of facial aging.METHODS: The selected patients underwent three treatments at one week interval. The effectiveness criteria were the good definition of mandibular line, the reduction of nasolabial folds and the restoration of the malar fullness, which were evaluated at the end of the study, using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) by two independent dermatologists. Safety was evaluated by observing any encountered side effects and complications.RESULTS: Twenty patients (16 female and four male) with the average age of 45 underwent the combined treatment. The improvement of the malar fullness and the mandibular contour and the reduction of nasolabial folds were noted in the majority of cases. A slight transient erythema for a few minutes, was common immediately after the procedure. No other adverse reactions or complications were observed.CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that RF Diatermo Contraction® is well tolerated, safe and effective in the improvement of facial aging. It cannot be a substitute for surgical intervention but can postpone or prevent the surgery.
BACKGROUND: Pesticides are widely used fin greenhouses and they may be toxic to humans and greenhouse workers are very susceptible to pesticide exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and instrumental features of occupational contact dermatitis in greenhouse workers and to investigate the role of the skin barrier before and after the activity in the greenhouse.METHODS: Twenty-nine greenhouse workers were enrolled. All the subjects were evaluated by an expert dermatologist, and skin prick tests and patch tests were performed. Finally, clinical evaluation has been integrated with non-invasive diagnostic techniques, such as telethermography, corneometry and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements.RESULTS: Clinical examination revealed early cutaneous photo-aging, located in the chronically sun-exposed areas, xerosis, fissures and hyperkeratosis of the hands. The non-invasive diagnostic techniques showed alteration of skin barrier function.CONCLUSIONS: Skin barrier alteration can favor the persistence of pesticides on the skin can be responsible for chronic dermatitis of the hands.
