OBJECTIVE:There is a need for safer and more efficient therapies for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study evaluates the effectiveness of thermotherapy using microwave in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis alongside intralesional meglumine antimoniate. METHODS:This pilot study was conducted among 40 patients with CL using a randomized controlled methodology. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either microwave thermotherapy (intervention; N=20) twice a week or intralesional meglumine antimoniate therapy weekly (control; N=20). The size of the induration of lesions was assessed at the starting point and at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. A significance level of P <.05 was determined. RESULTS:The total number of lesions was 55. The rate of complete recovery after 1 year was 55.2% in the intervention group and 76.9% in the control group. There was no statistically significant variation in the remission distribution comparing either of the groups ( P =.155). The complications in the intervention group were markedly reduced compared with the control group ( P =.027). CONCLUSIONS:Microwave thermotherapy is an efficient and innovative treatment for CL that does not have any adverse effects. This method can be used as an alternative therapy in certain areas and with certain patients.

This pilot study is the first in Iran that evaluates the effectiveness of thermotherapy compared to intralesional Glucantime® in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica. Forty patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were separated into two groups, each consisting of 20 patients. The control group received intralesional Glucantime® weekly for 8 weeks, while the other group received a single session of thermotherapy for each lesion using ThermoMedTM model 1.8. The patients were monitored for 6 months, during which the outcomes were evaluated by considering the dimensions, consistency, and rates of remission of the lesions. The terms “initial remission” and “complete remission” were clearly defined, and any instances of therapy failure were documented. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0, employing independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and ANOVA. Both treatment groups exhibited considerable decreases in lesion size and enhanced texture, with no statistically significant differences. Nevertheless, the group that underwent thermotherapy demonstrated a more significant decrease in lesion size and improvement in texture after 6 months. The remission rates were similar; however, Glucantime® achieved a faster remission. No significant side effects were recorded in either group. The present study showed that thermotherapy was equally effective as intralesional Glucantime® in treating anthroponotic leishmaniasis. Thermotherapy can be considered as an alternative, especially when Glucantime® cannot be used, even though it requires further research.

Objective: Body hair removal plays an important role in beauty standards, particularly for women. Finding a method that is easy to use, cheap, and can be done without supervision can significantly affect long-term hair reduction and reduce the side effects of hair removal. The present study investigated the impact of a containing 20% broad bean (Vicia faba) extract cream on axillary hair removal.Materials and Methods: Twenty-five female volunteers were randomly divided into A (right axillary intervention - left axillary placebo) and B (right axillary placebo - left axillary intervention). Depending on the group, each person used a cream containing 20% broad bean extract )"The extract made from the seeds and pods of broad beans.") on one side and a placebo on the other twice a day for three months. Volunteers shaved their axillary hairs three days before each visit and took pictures of both sides on the day of the visit with a trichoscope (to check the diameter and thickness of the hairs).Results: We found a decrease in thickness on the intervention group (the axilla where a cream containing broad bean extract was applied); however, this difference was not significant between the intervention side and the placebo. In terms of the number of hairs, the difference between the two groups was significant only in the second month despite the decrease on the intervention side. Evaluation based on the personal judgment of the volunteers showed that there was a substantial difference in terms of the number of hairs (p=0.012) and thinning of hair (p=0.02).Conclusion: Our findings showed that 20% broad bean extract cream could potentially reduce axillary hair growth.

Due to its involvement in skin maintenance and repair, topical administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is an interesting strategy for therapeutic purposes. We have formulated and characterized a topical rhGH-loaded liposomal formulation (rhGH-Lip) and evaluated its safety, biological activity, and preventive role against UVB-induced skin damage. The rhGH-Lip had an average size and zeta potential of 63 nm and -33 mV, respectively, with 70 % encapsulation efficiency. The formulation was stable at 4 °C for at least one year. The SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism results showed no structural alterations in rhGH upon encapsulation. In vitro, studies in HaCaT, HFFF-2, and Ba/F3-rhGHR cell lines confirmed the safety and biological activity of rhGH-Lip. Franz diffusion cell study showed increased rhGH skin permeation compared to free rhGH. Animal studies in nude mice showed that liposomal rhGH prevented UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia, angiogenesis, wrinkle formation, and collagen loss, as well as improving skin moisture. The results of this study show that rhGH-Lip is a stable, safe, and effective skin delivery system and has potential as an anti-wrinkle formulation for topical application. This study also provides a new method for the topical delivery of proteins and merits further investigation.

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous cancer. We report the efficacy and aesthetic outcome of intralesional IFN-a 2b injection for the treatment of BCC and compare with the surgical method.Materials and methods: Intralesional IFN-a 2b was injected in 58 BCC lesions from 20 patients three times a week for three weeks. Control group was retrospectively selected among patients who underwent surgical method (standard surgical excision) for BCC including 58 lesions from 24 patients. All patients were followed up for one year in terms of recurrence and cosmetic outcome.Results: Two patients (four lesions) failed to complete the treatment period. After three weeks, 40 (68.96%) lesions were completely cured. Nine (15.51%) lesions achieved complete healing in less than 9 sessions. Five (8.62%) lesions were completely cured by an extra week of injection. In aggregate, complete healing was observed in 54 (93.10%) lesions. In the surgery group, complete lesion elimination was detected in 52 (89.65%) lesions (p = 0.40). After one year, cosmetic outcome was significantly more favorable in the study group compared to the surgery group (p = 0.003). Recurrence was not detected in any of the groups after one year follow-up.Conclusion: Intralesional IFN-a 2b injection is an appropriate treatment choice for BCC.

Background: Striae is a common condition that is relatively difficult to treat. Recently, carboxytherapy was proposed as a treatment modality. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of carboxytherapy in patients with striae. Methods: This was a pilot clinical study. Patients were treated with 10 sessions of carboxytherapy every week. The patients were photographed at the onset of the treatment course, before each treatment session, and three months after the last ones. Two dermatologists compared the images of each patient before and three months after treatment and evaluated the treatment response based on the following scores: I, no improvement (0%);II, poor (1% to 25%); III, fair (26% to 50%); IV, good (51% to 75%); and V, excellent improvement (76% to 100%). Furthermore, patients’ satisfaction with therapy outcome was recorded on a scale of 0 to 10. Results: 15 patients were enrolled in this study; 2 (13.4%) were male and 13 (86.6%) were female. Three patients (20%) showed good response, one (6.7%) had a relatively good response, two showed (13.3%) poor response, and seven (46.6%) had no response to treatment. Analysis of the association of carboxytherapy outcomewith different patients’ characteristics showed no statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Although carboxytherapy therapy did not result in a significant response in the majority of our patients, it is somehow capable of improving the striae in some patients. Further studies with bigger sample sizes may be required to ensure the efficacy of this modality in the treatment of striae.

Background & objectives: Pentavalent antimonials are the standard treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), however, treatment failures are frequent. Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker is known to show promising antiprotozoal effects. Here, we investigated the antileishmanial effect of Nimodipine in both in vitro and in vivo BALB/c mice model of CL. We also compared the in vivo effect with amphotericin B and meglumine antimoniate in the experimental CL mice model. Methods: Colorimetric alamar blue assay and J774 A.1 mouse macrophage cells were used to determine the effect of nimodipine on promastigotes and amastigotes viability, respectively. Then, the in vivo activity of nimodipine was compared to that of conventional therapies in both the early and established courses of Leishmania major infection in susceptible non-healing BALB/c mice. Results: Nimodipine was highly active against promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major with IC50 values of 49.40 and 15.03 μM, respectively. In the early model, the combination therapy with meglumine antimoniate and nimodipine showed no parasites in the spleen or footpad of animals. The footpad thickness was significantly lower in mice treated with either nimodipine (1 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg) or amphotericin B compared to the control group in the established lesions model. However, no complete remission was observed in the footpad lesion of any of the treatment groups (nimodipine, amphotericin B, meglumine antimoniate, and combination therapy). Interpretation & conclusion: The effect of nimodipine was comparable to that of amphotericin B and meglumine antimoniate in early and established CL lesion models. Since nimodipine is more cost-effective than conventional therapies, our results merit further investigation in other animal models and voluntary human subjects.

Currently, there is no definitive treatment for psoriasis vulgaris (PV). Blue light reduces proliferation in psoriasis and is thus suggested as a treatment modality. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of blue light treatment in plaque psoriasis in comparison to fluocinolone 0.025% ointment (topical steroid) in the same patients. Patients suffering from localized psoriasis with at least two bilateral plaques with a maximum size of 4 cm2 were enrolled. Psoriatic lesions were divided into two groups: blue light and topical steroid. Lesions in the blue light group were treated with a light device (blue light with 450 nm wavelength) 15 min per session three times a week and for four consecutive weeks, whereas lesions in the fluocinolone group were treated with fluocinolone 0.025% ointment once daily.

OBJECTIVE:Mycobacterium marinum causes a rare cutaneous disease known as fish tank granuloma (FTG). The disease manifestations resemble those associated with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). The aim of this study was to determine whether FTG was the cause of cutaneous lesions in patients who were referred to the Parasitology laboratory of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad to be investigated for CL. MATERIALS/METHODS:One hundered patients, clinically diagnosed with CL between April 2014 and March 2015, were included in this study. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed to identify acid-fast Mycobacterium in addition to bacterial cultures using Löwenstein-Jensen medium. Skin lesion samples were also collected and kept on DNA banking cards for PCR testing. RESULTS:Twenty-nine of the 100 individuals with skin lesions, and therefore suspected of suffering from CL, tested positive for Mycobacterium marinum by PCR. Of these, 21 (72.4%) were male and 8(27.6%) were female. In 97% of these cases the lesions were located on hands and fingers. These patients had a history of manipulating fish and had been in contact with aquarium water. A sporotrichoid appearance was observed in 58.6% of the patients with mycobacterial lesions; 67% of patients had multiple head appearance. CONCLUSION:Patients suspected to have CL and who test negative for CL could be affected by FTG. Therefore, after obtaining an accurate case history, molecular diagnosis is recommended for cases that give a negative result by conventional methods.

AbstractBackgroundLupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is known as a rare but serious complication of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) resistant to conventional treatments.Sodium chlorosum,a pro-oxidative preparation of pharmaceutical sodium chlorite (NaClO2), has been successfully used for the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions (OWCL) and of some LCL cases in Afghanistan. This clinical trial study aimed to evaluate the effect of a last resort therapy with topical 0.09%sodium chlorosumon LCL in Iran.MethodsTwenty Iranian patients (12 women and 8 men) with LCL refractory to treatment were included in this salvage study. A magistral preparation ofsodium chlorosum(10 mM NaClO2in amphiphilic basic cream) was applied twice daily to the lesions for 6 weeks and continued up to 12 weeks in patients who showed a clinical response within the first 6 weeks. Responders were followed up for a maximum of 1 year. Lesions were photographed during weekly visits. Disappearance of erythema and indurated lesions were rated as complete clinical response.ResultsPatients with a mean age of 28.6 (±24.3) and with an ACL proven lesion history of 3.8 (±1.4) years were treated for an average of 7.9 (±1.8) weeks. At the end of the treatment period (12th week), a complete response was observed in 9 of 20 patients (45%). During the one-year follow-up period, LCL lesions recurred in 4 of these 9 patients (with one patient showing only a tiny lesion) and one case lost to follow up whereas the other four remained completely lesion-free. Mild temporary side-effects such as erythema and itching were seen in 4 of 20 patients (20%).ConclusionsTopicalsodium chlorosumshowed promising therapeutic results and can be considered as safe, painless, and relatively effective treatment for LCL, an ethical prerequisite for a two-armed controlled trial.Trial registrationThis study was registered in Iranian registry of clinical trials on 2019-02-02 with registration numberIRCT20190114042356N1.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:Side effects of current treatments and the need for a safe treatment with higher efficiency necessitate seeking new treatment options for vitiligo. Few studies have investigated the combination of psoralen with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB). In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of psoralen and NBUVB combination (P-NBUVB) with NBUVB alone in treatment of vitiligo.METHODS:This randomised clinical trial was carried out during 2015-2017 in dermatology clinics of Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals, Mashhad, Iran on 40 vitiligo patients with 5-60% body involvement. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of NBUVB alone and P-NBUVB. Both groups underwent 60 phototherapy sessions (three sessions per week), and the repigmentation rate was measured using vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. SPSS v. 16 software and appropriate statistical tests were used to analyse the data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:The mean age of patients was 33.9 ± 11.3 years. Twenty patients (50%) were females. The P-NBUVB group showed greater VASI improvement in lower extremities (P = 0.003) and overall (P = 0.026) compared with NBUVB group. Moreover, the treatment response appeared sooner in P-NUVB group.CONCLUSION:Based on our results, we can conclude that adding psoralen to NBUVB phototherapy can result in increased efficacy. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects and side effects of this treatment.

Using cell-based engineered skin is an emerging strategy for treating difficult-to-heal wounds. To date, much endeavor has been devoted to the fabrication of appropriate scaffolds with suitable biomechanical properties to support cell viability and growth in the microenvironment of a wound. The aim of this research was to assess the impact of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and keratinocytes on gelatin/chitosan/β-glycerol phosphate (GCGP) nanoscaffold in full-thickness excisional skin wound healing of rats. For this purpose, AD-MSCs and keratinocytes were isolated from rats and GCGP nanoscaffolds were electrospun. Through an in vivo study, the percentage of wound closure was assessed on days 7, 14, and 21 after wound induction. Samples were taken from the wound sites in order to evaluate the density of collagen fibers and vessels at 7 and 14 days. Moreover, sampling was done on days 7 and 14 from wound sites to assess the density of collagen fibers and vessels. The wound closure rate was significantly increased in the keratinocytes-AD-MSCs-scaffold (KMS) group compared with other groups. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, collagen type 1, and CD34 were also significantly higher in the KMS group compared with the other groups. These results suggest that the combination of AD-MSCs and keratinocytes seeded onto GCGP nanoscaffold provides a promising treatment for wound healing.

Background: Despite numerous studies aimed at finding a new treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), glucantime remains the first-line approach. Side effects, drug resistance, and high cost are the challenges of glucantime treatment. A simple treatment method with the fewest side effects, minimum cost, and maximum efficacy is ideal. In Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), dry CL lesions are categorized as rashes, and for treatment, corrosive and keratolytic agents should be used, including garlic. The current study was conducted to assess the effects of an ITM treatment on CL. Methods and Results: In this experimental study, 10 patients with 20 dry CL lesions received treatment based on ITM. For this purpose, some garlic poultices were used. The mean age of the patients was 36.2 years, and the average bout was nearly four months. Based on the findings, garlic poultices could treat all dry skin lesions completely during 14 days. Also, after 40, 70,100, and 190 days of follow-up, 95% of cases were completely treated. On the 70-day follow-up, a nodule with negative direct smear and PCR results recurred in one patient. Overall, the applied treatment was cost-effective with no systemic side effects. Conclusions: Garlic poultices can be used as an alternative for glucantime. Topical use, shorter course of treatment, and lower number of applications, side effects, and treatment cost are the main advantages of this regimen. We suggest similar multi-centered clinical trials with a larger sample size to further evaluate this treatment regimen.

The main challenge for training in cosmetic dermatology is the difference in the attitudes of residency programs and residents about the necessity and amount of education during the residency period. A national online survey conducted between September 6th and November 21st, 2017. Residents, members of the Iranian Board of Dermatology, faculty members and program directors (PDs) were asked to participate in the survey.174 participants from 12 residency programs participated in this study and the response rate of residents, professors, and Dermatology Board Directory Members (Boardmans) and PDs was 89.8%, 61.7%, and 81.8%, respectively. Residents declared greater tendency towards practicing medical dermatology (mean score, 5.165±0.8335) over the five years after graduation than that of was perceived by professors (4.043±1.2988), and Boardmans and PDs (4.059±1.0290) (P˂0.001). The first residents’ priority was practicing in medical dermatology (5.165±0.8335) during 5-years after graduation. However, professors (5.261±0.8282) and Boardmans and PDs (5.176±0.7276) predicted residents' first priority would be practicing cosmetic dermatology (P˂0.001). Forty one (60.3%) of the professors, Boardmans, and PDs agreed or strongly agreed that residents’ desire to learn more about cosmetic procedures resulted in their decreased interest in learning medical procedures (P=0.18). Medical dermatology is still clearly the basis for training in residency programs,and even for residents who have a high tendency to practice cosmetic dermatology, there is a strong tendency to work in the field of medical dermatology as well.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) which is prevalent in all continents and is classified by the WHO as one of the neglected tropical diseases, existed in the past also, and discovered ancient works confirm this issue.The lack of adaptation of diseases between Persian Medicine (PM) and Modern medicine, led to no usage of effective therapeutic experiences of prior physicians.Objective: The purpose of this study is finding skin lesions adapted to CL in PM for usage of same disease treatment in the next clinical trials, and the use of approved therapies in CL.Methods: In a narrative review, without time limitation, documentary study was conducted for different names and clinical aspects of CL in printed and electronic resources of modern medicine such as: Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology, PubMed, and Embase.Then, found names were searched in printed and electronic resources of PM such as: Al-Qanun fi al-tibb, Al-Tasrif leman ajeza an-e-Taliff, JamiTib 1.5 published by Noorsoft.org.Then, skin lesions which were similar to CL with these aspects were searched: clinical manifestation and forms, chronicity, curability, mosquito bite, were studied in references of PM.Finally, matching, syllogism and logical inference were performed and conclusion was made.Results: Forty-five names for CL were found in the searched resources.However, only Balkhieh, Kheyroonieh and Baghdadi button were names found in PM resources.Also, from 61 studied skin lesions in PM resources, only 6 cases had similarities to CL. Conclusion:In spite of the existence of CL's similarity with Balkhieh, Kheyroonieh and the Baghdadi button, there are serious differentiations.Zat-ol-asl rashes and reddish solb rashes, kinds of stranger rashes, probably adapted with CL.

Skin is a vital organ for communication throughout the life cycle, so that skin disease can cause a significant psychological distress. This study aimed to assessment the relation of attachment styles and cognitive emotion regulation strategies to depression in patients with skin diseases. The 200 participants were selected using purposeful sampling among patients diagnosed with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria and who referred to dermatology clinics or phototherapy units of the hospitals in Mashhad. Patients who had inclusion criteria participated in the study after giving the informed consent. The participants filled out the scales of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, Collins and Read attachment styles, and hospital anxiety and depression. The results of path analysis showed a direct relation of secure attachment style to adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and depression, cognitive emotion regulation strategies to depression, insecure attachment styles to maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, insecure attachment to depression, and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies to depression. Secure attachment had indirect effect on depression and insecure attachment had indirect relation to depression. These results imply that attachment styles and cognitive emotion regulation strategies in patients with skin diseases have multiple relations with depression.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Iran. Unfortunately, it can lead to unsightly atrophic scars with limited treatment options. Fractional CO2 laser is accepted for treatment of atrophic acne scars and recently has been used to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis, so we planned to use fractional CO2 laser on leishmaniasis scar. We conducted this study on 60 leishmaniasis scars on the face of 40 patients. The lesions were treated by a fractional CO2 laser with beam size of 120 μm, with energy of 50–90 mJ, and 50–100 spots/cm2 density with two passes in three monthly sessions. Evaluation was done in the first and second months after the first treatment and 3 and 6 months after the last treatment. Digital photography was performed at each visit. Assessment of improvement rate by patient and physician was rated separately as follows: no improvement (0 %), mild (<25 %), moderate (25–50 %), good (51–75 %), and excellent (76–100 %). Based on patients’ opinion, in the first and second follow-up, 48.3 and 90 % of them reported moderate to excellent healing, respectively (p < 0.001). In 3 and 6 months follow-up after the end of the experiment, most of the patients (88.3 and 95 %, respectively) reported moderate to excellent healing of scars. Based on two observers’ opinion, healing in the first follow-up in most of the patients (65 %) was mild to moderate and 33 % were reported as having no healing. In the second follow-up, only 5 % of the patients were reported with no healing and 60 % were reported as having moderate healing (p < 0.001). In 3 and 6 months follow-up, most of the patients (95 and 96.6 %) were reported as having moderate to excellent healing (p = <0.001). Our results underlined the high efficacy of fractional CO2 laser for leishmaniasis scar. No significant adverse effects were noted.

Scaffold-based tissue engineering is considered as a promising approach in the regenerative medicine. Graft instability of collagen, by causing poor mechanical properties and rapid degradation, and their hard handling remains major challenges to be addressed. In this research, a composite structured nano-/microfibrous scaffold, made from a mixture of chitosan-ß-glycerol phosphate-gelatin (chitosan-GP-gelatin) using a standard electrospinning set-up was developed. Gelatin-acid acetic and chitosan ß-glycerol phosphate-HCL solutions were prepared at ratios of 30/70, 50/50, 70/30 (w/w) and their mechanical and biological properties were engineered. Furthermore, the pore structure of the fabricated nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated and predicted using a theoretical model. Higher gelatin concentrations in the polymer blend resulted in significant increase in mean pore size and its distribution. Interaction between the scaffold and the contained cells was also monitored and compared in the test and control groups. Scaffolds with higher chitosan concentrations showed higher rate of cell attachment with better proliferation property, compared with gelatin-only scaffolds. The fabricated scaffolds, unlike many other natural polymers, also exhibit non-toxic and biodegradable properties in the grafted tissues. In conclusion, the data clearly showed that the fabricated biomaterial is a biologically compatible scaffold with potential to serve as a proper platform for retaining the cultured cells for further application in cell-based tissue engineering, especially in wound healing practices. These results suggested the potential of using mesoporous composite chitosan-GP-gelatin fibrous scaffolds for engineering three-dimensional tissues with different inherent cell characteristics.

Background: Vitamin D has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects, and previous studies have proposed a role of vitamin D deficiency in multiple autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate serum vitamin D levels in psoriatic patients and compare them with levels in controls. Methods: This study was carried out in 50 psoriasis patients. Serum vitamin D was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean serum vitamin D levels in psoriatic patients and controls were 14.92 ± 6.31 and 12.52 ± 4.54 ng/mL, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant ( P = .06). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 84.0% in psoriatic patients and 93.0% in controls ( P = .21). Conclusions: Most of the patients with psoriasis had vitamin D deficiency, which may have contributed to the evolution of their psoriasis. However, considering the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iran, no difference was noted between the psoriatic patients and the controls.

Background: Despite almost the three decades passed since the chemical attacks of Iraqi's army against the Iranian troops, some veterans are still suffering from long-term complications of sulfur mustard (SM) poisoning, including certain skin complaints specially dryness, burning, and pruritus. We thus aimed to evaluate the skin's water and lipid content in patients with a disability of >25% due to complications of SM poisoning and compare them with a matched control group. Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine male participants were included in this study; 43 SM-exposed patients, and 26 normal controls from their close relatives. The water and lipid content was measured in four different locations: Extensor and flexor sides of forearms and lateral and medial sides of legs by the Corneometer CM 820/Sebumeter SM 810. Collected data was analyzed and P ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients and controls was 49.53 ± 11.34 (ranges: 40-71) and 29.08 ± 8.836 (ranges: 15-49 years), respectively. In the veterans group, the main cutaneous complaint was itching and skin dryness. Cherry angioma, dry skin, and pruritus were significantly more common in the SM-exposed cases than in the controls. (P = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.04, respectively). The moisture and lipid content of all areas were lower in the SM-exposed group, but it was only significant in skin sebum of lateral sides of legs (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Exposure to SM could decrease the function of stratum corneum and lipid production as a barrier, even after several years of its exposure.