The impact of visible scars on well-being and quality of life: An international epidemiological survey in adults.

INTRODUCTION: Scars are visible marks from various causes, including surgery, skin injury, burning or dermatological disease, and may impact the quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of scars on quality of life (QoL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data about sociodemography, presence, origin, and symptoms of scars were collected using an Internet survey between April and May 2020. Overall, 11,100 individuals answered the survey. In total, 48.5% of the responders had at least one scar of less than 1 year of age. Scars were mainly reported on the abdomen and face. Globally, 28.9% of subjects with recent scars reported pain, 23.7% reported burning, 35.0% reported itching, and 44.1% reported redness. Subjects were most frequently bothered by the visibility of their scars and the presence of marks. Incidences were significantly higher than for those with older scars. The average DLQI score was 7.44; it decreased to 2.90 after 1 year. Subjects with scars aged less than 3 months had their QoL more frequently impacted (33.9%) than those with scars aged 12 months or more (10.2%). In subjects reporting skin discomfort, clinical symptoms significantly impacted body movement, choice of clothes, leisure activities, and sexual life more than in those reporting no skin discomfort. Moreover, subjects felt significantly more impacted in their daily lives due to their skin discomfort. When feeling bothered by the visibility of their scars, significantly more subjects were also impacted in their body movement, choice of clothes, leisure activities, and sexual life than those subjects who did not feel bothered. Moreover, significantly more subjects felt embarrassed. CONCLUSION: Scars significantly impact the subjects' quality of life. This impact is even more important when caused by recent and visible scars, with a lower DLQI score in subjects with more aged than in those with recent scars.

Expert recommendations on supportive skin care for non-surgical and surgical procedures.

A thorough knowledge of non-surgical procedures (laser, peelings, injections, threads) and surgical procedures (combined surgeries and skin grafts), including contraindications and potential risks and side effects, (e.g. infection, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and scarring) is essential to be able to reduce their incidence and ensure the patient receives the most benefit from the procedure. Individuals with darker skin and of high Fitzpatrick phototype are at higher risk of dyschromias, notably melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which may be treated using aesthetic procedures but may also arise as a complication of some procedures. A group of experts in cosmetic surgery and dermatology reviewed the published literature and discussed recommendations for optimizing outcomes with practical advice on supportive skincare before, during and after non-surgical or surgical procedures. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection factor against UVB and high protection against UVA, especially long UVA, is essential for all treatment modalities for the prevention and potential improvement of pigmentation disorders. Supportive skin care management to prepare, cleanse and protect the skin and post-procedure skin care with healing and anti-inflammatory ingredients are recommended to speed up regeneration and wound healing whilst minimizing scarring and downtime. Additionally, adjunctive skin care to procedures with antioxidant, anti-ageing and lightening properties may enhance skin benefits.

Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin in Adults with Raynaud's Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single session of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injections into both hands more effectively decreases the frequency of systemic sclerosis-associated Raynaud's phenomenon (SSc-RP) episodes than placebo. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase III trial in patients with SSc-RP assessed the effect of 50-unit BTA or placebo injections into the palms of both hands around each neurovascular bundle during 1 session in winter. The primary end point was the between-group difference in the median change in the number of RP episodes from baseline (day 0) to 4 weeks postinjection. Values between the groups were compared with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat analysis included 46 BTA-treated patients and 44 placebo recipients. At 4 weeks after assigned treatment injections, the median number of daily RP episodes decreased comparably in the BTA and placebo groups (median change -1 episode/day [interquartile range (IQR) -1.5, 0 episodes/day] and -1 episode/day [IQR -2.5, 0 episodes/day], respectively) (P = 0.77 versus placebo). Moreover, change in Raynaud's Condition Score, quality of life assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index, and hand function assessed by shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) and Cochin Hand Function Scale from baseline to follow-up weeks 4, 12, and 24 did not differ significantly between groups. The BTA group experienced transient hand muscle weakness significantly more frequently (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Neither the primary nor secondary end points were reached, and our results do not support any beneficial effect of palmar BTA injections to treat SSc-RP.

Mycophenolate Mofetil in the Treatment of Severe Corticosteroid-Dependent or Corticosteroid-Resistant Nail Lichen Planus: A Case Series of 5 Patients.

Introduction: Recent expert recommendations suggest mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as a third-line therapy, in severe corticosteroid-dependent or corticosteroid-resistant nail lichen planus (NLP). However, there is currently no literature to support MMF use in this indication. This is a retrospective monocentric French case series of 5 patients with severe corticodependant or corticoresistant NLP treated by oral MMF (2-3 g/day), between 2013 and 2021. Case Presentation: The primary outcome was therapeutic success in a target fingernail. All 5 patients showed some clinical improvement, ranging from mild improvement (1/5) to clinical cure (2/5). Clinical improvement was more significant when the drug was taken for a longer period (24 months vs. 4 months) and at a higher dose (3 g/day vs. 2 g/day). Relapse occurred after stopping or tapering the MMF dose. MMF was well tolerated. Discussion/Conclusion: MMF may be a treatment to consider for severe corticosteroid-dependent or corticosteroid-resistant NLP. The long-term safety of this treatment warrants further investigation.

Risk factors, clinical variants and therapeutic outcome of retronychia: a retrospective study of 18 patients.

Retronychia is a form of post-traumatic ingrowing nail disease that involves proximal nail plate embedding into the proximal nail fold, with multiple generations of nail plate beneath the proximal nail. This disease is probably underdiagnosed because of incomplete clinical forms. The aim of this study was to report clinical and aetiological variants of retronychia and to evaluate their therapeutic outcome. A retrospective review was performed on 18 patients who were seen in our institution between 2007 and 2013. The diagnostic criteria for retronychia were paronychia and interruption of nail growth. A female predominance (83.3%) was reported. Various precipitating factors were found, including traumatisms in 10 patients (55%), pregnancy and postpartum period in two patients (11%), and compartment syndrome in one patient (5%). The mean duration of paronychia was eight months (15 days to four years). The fingers most affected were the great toes. Retronychia occurred bilaterally in five cases (27%) and unilaterally in one case (61%). The commonest signs were, in decreasing order, xanthonychia (yellow discolouration of nail plate), longitudinal nail over-curvature, swelling of proximal nail fold, elevation of the proximal nail plate, granulation tissue, subungual hyperkeratosis, superficial leuconychia, distal onycholysis, subungueal haemorrhage, and Beau's lines. Most of the cases improved after proximal nail plate avulsion. Recurrence occurred in three cases (16.6%). In our opinion, ischaemic damage is the main cause of retronychia. Evaluation of clinical variants is mandatory to propose appropriate treatment. The limitations of this study include the retrospective design.

[Myxoid pseudocyst: when and how to treat?]. / Pseudokyste mucoïde : quand et comment traiter ?

Myxoid pseudocysts (MPCs) are the most frequent pseudotumors of the digit and dermatologists are frequently referred. It is now believed that MPCs occur as a result of a leakage of synovial fluid through a breach in the joint capsule of the distal interphalangeal joint promoted by osteoarthritis. Many treatments have been proposed from simple repeated punctures, injections of steroids or sclerosants, cryosurgery, laser evaporation, infrared coagulation to surgical excision. Surgical procedures depend on the location of MPCs in the nail apparatus. In this review, we will discuss the best approaches to the treatment of MPCs whereas no guidelines are available for their management.