Sensitive Scalp: Diagnosis and Practical Management. / Cuero cabelludo sensible: diagnóstico y manejo práctico.

Sensitive scalp is sensitive skin located on the scalp. Sensitivity is considered primary in the absence of an associated scalp disorder and secondary when caused by conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. The clinical manifestations of primary sensitive scalp are subjective. Common presenting symptoms are burning, itching, trichodynia, and dysesthesia, often coinciding with hair loss. Clinically, the skin appears normal or red. An objective diagnosis based on laboratory or histologic findings is not possible. Triggers may be endogenous (e.g., stress and emotional or psychopathological disturbances) or exogeneous (e.g., topical products and cosmetics). Treatment must be individualized. Options include pimecrolimus, hydration with hyaluronic acid, and mesotherapy with plasma rich in growth factors.

Alopecia femenina y sistemas de integración capilar: estudio de la repercusión psicológica / Alopecia female hair integration system: a study of the psychological impact

Fundamento: Es sabido que la alopecia femenina provoca una intensa repercusión en el psiquismo. Sin embargo, no existen estudios que calibren los cambios que puedan producirse en el mismo, cuando el aspecto de la paciente mejora gracias a la implantación de un Sistema de Integración Capilar. Un Sistema de Integración Capilar (SIC) es una prótesis parcial de cabello, de carácter semipermanente, personalizada, hecha a mano con pelos naturales de iguales características de color, grosor y textura al cabello del paciente, que se ajusta a la porción del cuero cabelludo carente de pelo y que se integra, sin intervención quirúrgica, cabello a cabello ocultando las zonas afectadas y creando una apariencia homogénea. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer en qué medida la implantación del SIC mejora el estado psicológico de las pacientes que sufren alopecia de diferentes tipos. Material y método: Se estudió en 24 mujeres con alopecia moderada-grave de diferentes tipos que acudieron de forma sucesiva al Instituto Médico Dermatológico (IMD) de Madrid (España) entre febrero y julio de 2011 para ser tratadas con SIC. Se completó el cuestionario Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) antes y 3 meses después de la implantación del SIC. Se comparó la evolución en el tiempo de los cuadros de ansiedad y depresión a través del test de McNemar como herramienta estadística. Resultados: Ansiedad: al inicio del estudio el 83,33% de las pacientes mostraban diferentes niveles de ansiedad. A los 3 meses de la (AU)

Rationale: It is well know that female alopecia has a severe psychological impact. However, there are no studies assessing the psychological changes that may occur when the patient’s image improves due to the implementation of a Hair Integration System (HIS). A HIS is a partial, personalized, semipermanent hair prosthesis made of natural hair with the same characteristics of color, thickness, and texture than the patient’s hair and that is adjusted to the portion of the scalp lacking the hair and that is integrated hair by hair without any surgical intervention, covering the areas affected and yielding a homogenous appearance. The aim of this work was to know to what extent the implantation of HIS improves the psychological status of patients suffering from different types of alopecia. Material and methods: We studied 24 women with severe to moderate alopecia of different types consecutively consulting to the Instituto Médico Dermatológico (IMD) of Madrid (Spain) between February and July of 2011 to be treated by HIS. The patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before and 3 months after the implantation of HIS. The time course of anxiety and depression disorders was compared by using the McNemar test. Results: Anxiety: at the study beginning, 83.33% of the patients showed different anxiety levels. Three months after the implantation of HIS, 74.99%of the patients showed a statistically significant improvement (p value < 0.01) in the anxiety status. Depression: at the study beginning, 66.67% of the patients showed depression signs. Three months after, the signs of depression were no longer existent in 100% of the patients. Conclusions: this study confirms that alopecia disorders have a negative psychological impact (anxiety, depression) in women. HIS is an efficacious tool for the cosmetic treatment of alopecia, with almost immediate positive psychological effects (AU)

[Sensitive skin: a complex syndrome]. / La piel sensible: un síndrome complejo.

Epidemiologic studies indicate that ever larger numbers of people report having sensitive skin, for which a European prevalence of 50% is estimated. Sensitive skin is characterized by hyperreactivity, with manifestations varying in relation to many factors. The pathogenesis of this disorder is poorly understood, although studies point to a biophysical mechanism. Objective diagnosis of sensitive skin is difficult, as information comes mainly from the patient's report of symptoms in the absence of effective, strongly predictive tests because of great interindividual variability in skin sensitivity. Substances that trigger a reaction in hypersensitive skin also vary greatly. The impact of this syndrome on quality of life is considerable and patients often present psychiatric symptoms; therefore, dermatologists should explore this possibility when taking a patient's history. Patient cooperation and physician persistence are both essential for treating sensitive skin.

¿Puede la sugestión curar las enfermedadesde la piel? / Can suggestion heal skin diseases?

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