Risk factors for frontal fibrosing alopecia: A case-control study in a multiracial population.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a chronic cicatricial alopecia with unknown etiology and a worldwide rising incidence. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of FFA with demographic and exposure factors in a Brazilian multiracial population. METHODS: A multicenter case-control study was conducted in 11 referral centers throughout Brazil. The study was a case-control study that prospectively recruited 902 participants (451 patients with FFA and 451 sex-matched control individuals). Study participants completed a thorough questionnaire comprising variables grouped as baseline demographics, environmental exposure, diet, hormonal factors, allergies, and hair and skin care. RESULTS: When adjusted by sex, age, menopause, and skin color, FFA was associated with hair straightening with formalin (odds ratio [OR], 3.18), use of ordinary (nondermatologic) facial soap (OR, 2.09) and facial moisturizer (OR, 1.99), thyroid disorders (OR, 1.69), and rosacea (OR, 2.08). Smokers (OR, 0.33) and users of antiresidue/clarifying shampoo (OR, 0.35) presented a negative association with FFA. There was no association with the use of sunscreen. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: The association with moisturizers, ordinary facial soap, and hair straightening with formalin and the negative association with antiresidue/clarifying shampoo reinforce the possibility of an exogenous particle triggering FFA.

Consensus on the use of oral isotretinoin in dermatology - Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

BACKGROUND: Isotretinoin is a synthetic retinoid, derived from vitamin A, with multiple mechanisms of action and highly effective in the treatment of acne, despite common adverse events, manageable and dose-dependent. Dose-independent teratogenicity is the most serious. Therefore, off-label prescriptions require strict criteria. OBJECTIVE: To communicate the experience and recommendation of Brazilian dermatologists on oral use of the drug in dermatology. METHODS: Eight experts from five universities were appointed by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology to develop a consensus on indications for this drug. Through the adapted DELPHI methodology, relevant elements were listed and an extensive analysis of the literature was carried out. The consensus was defined with the approval of at least 70% of the experts. RESULTS: With 100% approval from the authors, there was no doubt about the efficacy of oral isotretinoin in the treatment of acne, including as an adjunct in the correction of scars. Common and manageable common adverse events are mucocutaneous in nature. Others, such as growth retardation, abnormal healing, depression, and inflammatory bowel disease have been thoroughly investigated, and there is no evidence of a causal association; they are rare, individual, and should not contraindicate the use of the drug. Regarding unapproved indications, it may represent an option in cases of refractory rosacea, severe seborrheic dermatitis, stabilization of field cancerization with advanced photoaging and, although incipient, frontal fibrosing alopecia. For keratinization disorders, acitretin performs better. In the opinion of the authors, indications for purely esthetic purposes or oil control are not recommended, particularly for women of childbearing age. CONCLUSIONS: Approved and non-approved indications, efficacy and adverse effects of oral isotretinoin in dermatology were presented and critically evaluated.

Facial Papules in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Beyond Vellus Hair Follicle Involvement.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is considered a variant of lichen planopilaris affecting mainly the frontotemporal hairline. Since the first report in 1994, several other clinical features have been associated with the disease, such as facial papules (FP). Even though FP have been linked to facial vellus hair follicle involvement, how this finding alone could lead to the formation of clinically evident FP in FFA patients had not yet been addressed. OBJECTIVE: To describe histopathological findings of FP in the context of FFA and to highlight features that may be linked to their clinical formation. METHODS: Cutaneous FP biopsies of FFA patients performed between January 2016 and May 2017 were retrieved from our pathology database and reexamined by 2 pathologists. RESULTS: Histological sections of thirteen 3.0-mm punch biopsy specimens (2 horizontally and 11 vertically oriented) were collected from 7 patients. Eleven specimens demonstrated prominent sebaceous glands and 10 dilated sebaceous ducts. Pinkus acid orcein staining revealed reduction and fragmentation of the elastic fibers in 12 samples and, in 7 of these, this finding was observed in both the papillary and reticular dermis, particularly around sebaceous lobules. Vellus hair follicle involvement was only seen in 2 samples. CONCLUSIONS: Prominent sebaceous lobules with dilated ducts associated with an abnormal elastic framework seem to be the main explanation for the formation of FP in the context of FFA.

Dermatomyositis-Part 2: Diagnosis, Association With Malignancy, and Treatment.

In this second part of the series on dermatomyositis, the diagnosis and its criteria with review of autoantibodies, capillaroscopy, imaging exams, histopathology, muscle biopsy, electroneuromyography, and muscular enzymes will be assessed. The association with malignancy, since it is described as paraneoplasic, will be discussed. The different therapeutic options for this disease will also be reported, including for dystrophic calcification, a rare and late complication of dermatomyositis.

Loose Anchoring of Anagen Hairs and Pili Torti due to Erlotinib.

Erlotinib is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor utilized in the treatment of solid tumors. Cutaneous side effects, including changes in hair texture and alopecia, have been described. In this case report, we describe two patients with a new finding of loose anagen hairs and pili torti leading to nonscarring marginal and diffuse alopecia and discuss potential mechanisms underlying erlotinib-induced hair changes.

Cutaneous Manifestations in POEMS Syndrome: Case Report and Review.

The authors report a case of sensorimotor polyneuropathy, diffuse cutaneous hyperpigmentation, skin sclerodermiform thickening and papular lesions in the infraclavicular and abdominal region. Besides weight loss, there were diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism. The alterations were consistent with POEMS (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes) syndrome, which is a rare systemic disease with monoclonal proliferation of plasmacytes and slow progression. Cutaneous alterations are present in 68% of patients with diffuse cutaneous hyperpigmentation, plethora and acrocyanosis. Leukonychia, necrotizing vasculitis, hypertrichosis and cutaneous thickening of sclerodermiform type are also cited. The onset of multiple cutaneous angiomas in this syndrome has been observed in 24-44% of patients.

Red face revisited: Disorders of hair growth and the pilosebaceous unit.

This paper reviews the recent literature on the diseases of the hair and pilosebaceous unit that may cause a red face. We discuss the epidemiology, clinicals, pathogenesis, and therapy of lichen planopilaris with its variants, discoid lupus erythematosus, folliculitis decalvans, dissecting folliculitis, acne keloidalis nuchae, pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea capitis, tinea barbae, folliculitis of diverse causative factors and inflammatory follicular keratotic syndromes, ulerythema ophryogenes, atrophoderma vermiculatum, keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans, and folliculitis spinulosa decalvans.