Blue Light Effects on the Skin: A Post-2015 Update.

The debate surrounding the benefits versus harms of blue light have become a topic of interest recently due to increased exposure. Blue light therapy has been utilized with some success in a variety of dermatologic conditions. However, potential harms have also been documented. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest a necessity for blue light photoprotection, but there are products available with proven efficacy for those desiring protection. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(6):472-476.     doi:10.36849/JDD.7665.

Oral Gauze for Bleeding Control in Perioral and Perinasal Dermatologic Surgery.

The use of oral gauze is a quick, cheap, and effective method of preventing bleeding into the patient's mouth during dermatologic surgery. We recommend this technique combined with appropriate positioning for lesions in the perioral and perinasal regions. Similar approaches may be applied for the prevention of bleeding into the ear canal during facial/periauricular surgery.

Demographics of Skin Cancer Knowledge Among Middle and High Schoolers in Texas.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents, an age group that can reduce sun exposure early, may benefit from school-based skin cancer education programs. Literature regarding the demographics of melanoma knowledge is sparse. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate melanoma knowledge among students in Texas viewing John Wayne Cancer Foundation Block the Blaze (JWCFBTB) presentations and identify group differences with regard to sociodemographic factors. METHODS: Before JWCFBTB presentations delivered in Houston and Dallas by health professions students, a pre-presentation melanoma knowledge quiz was distributed. This survey was adapted from a 2000 study evaluating melanoma knowledge in middle and high schoolers in Houston and Dallas. Respondents were also asked to provide their gender, age, grade, race, parent education level, and whether they are first-generation American. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used to evaluate demographic group differences in scores. Logistic regression models determined predictors of answering selected true/false questions correctly. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA tests showed statistically significant group differences in pre-test scores for all demographic factors evaluated. Females, Whites/Caucasians, students whose parents hold graduate degrees, and older students had higher scores. Black students and non-first-generation Americans were more likely to answer selected commonly missed questions correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Results from 2000 and 2020-2021 indicate older students from higher grade levels know more about melanoma, suggesting adolescents may benefit from earlier skin cancer education. Racial minorities and individuals of low socioeconomic status, who suffer from disparities in melanoma treatment and mortality, showed poorer melanoma knowledge. Targeting skin cancer education to disadvantaged schools may help remedy such gaps.

How to Address Scar Pincushioning and Webbing of the Nasal Dorsum Using Surgical Defatting and Z-plasty.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer, typically growing in sun-exposed areas, such as the nose. After complete excision of the tumor, the subsequent scar may exhibit multiple complications that are easily noticeable and cosmetically unsatisfactory. When performing a revision of such a scar, using a single surgical technique may be insufficient; rather, the surgeon may need to carefully plan and utilize several techniques to achieve the best cosmetic outcome. Here, we report a case that demonstrates successful use of surgical defatting and Z-plasty techniques to revise a scar of the nasal dorsum that exhibited pincushioning and webbing.

Giant pigmented apocrine hidrocystoma of the scalp.

Hidrocystomas are benign cysts of sweat duct epithelium that can present as single or multiple lesions, with or without pigmentation. The size is typically 1-3mm in diameter. Although hidrocystomas commonly occur in most parts of the head and neck region, occurrence on the scalp is rare. Herein, we present a 29-year-old woman with a giant pigmented apocrine hidrocystoma of the scalp, which, to our knowledge, represents the largest of its kind reported to date.

Unmasking Masks.

Masks are coverings of the face that serve a variety of purposes. Throughout history, they have been used for religious ceremonies, theatric entertainment, protection of identity, and as a tool to limit the spread of infectious diseases. The development of masks in the medical setting has evolved along with our understanding of the mode of disease transmission, material science, and population health dynamics. The simple barrier face mask, surgical mask, and filtering facepiece respirator are each appropriate in different settings. Establishing evidence-based guidance behind the use of masks is essential, particularly in public health crises.

Cutaneous metastasis to the scalp as the primary presentation of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Eruptaneous metastasis is an uncommon presentation of colorectal adenocarcinoma that can occur years after diagnosis of the primary cancer or manifest as the first sign of malignancy. It is essential to diagnose these metastases immediately, as this late-stage development carries a poor prognosis. The scalp is one of the less common sites for skin metastases and nodules may be mistaken for benign entities. In this case report, we report on the case of a 61-year-old woman with CREST syndrome who presented with a cutaneous metastasis to the scalp as the first sign ofcolorectal adenocarcinoma.

Recurrence of moderately dysplastic nevi with positive histologic margins.

BACKGROUND: The Pigmented Lesion Subcommittee of the Melanoma Prevention Working Group recently published a consensus statement that incompletely excised moderately dysplastic nevi (MDN) without clinical residual pigmentation can be observed and not re-excised. However, data regarding recurrence of MDN with positive histologic margins are quite scant. OBJECTIVE: We sought to extend the reported findings with a study to determine the recurrence rate of MDN with positive histologic margins. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on MDN with positive histologic margins that were not re-excised and for which at least 1 year of clinical follow-up was available. RESULTS: We found a total of 147 such nevi from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2013. Six MDN (5 compound and 1 junctional) or 4% recurred with an average recurrence time of 1.7 years. All of these MDN were evaluated by shave biopsies. LIMITATIONS: Subjectivity in grading of atypia is a limitation of this study. CONCLUSION: These data from a large study focusing exclusively on recurrence of MDN with positive histologic margins support the conclusion of the Pigmented Lesion Subcommittee that incompletely excised MDN do not require re-excision.

Cutaneous metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma to the neck: a case report and review of the literature.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common subtype of thyroid malignancy, rarely presents with cutaneous metastatic spread. Despite metastatic cutaneous lesions presenting as slow and indolent growing nodules of the head and neck, such lesions most frequently appear in the setting of diffuse and dramatic metastatic disease and a bleak prognosis. Given the rarity of these metastatic lesions, the diagnosis may be delayed, and often the initial diagnosis is incorrect. Several case reports have been published in the literature noting unusual or interesting presentations of thyroid carcinoma with cutaneous metastasis. Here we present a classic case of a patient with a prior diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma presenting with a slowly growing ulcerated lesion on the neck nine years after partial thyroidectomy and characteristic histopathology on microscopic examination. Furthermore we review the literature regarding papillary thyroid carcinoma with cutaneous metastasis and the diagnostic challenge these lesions present to practitioners.

Skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in the salon: a survey of working hair professionals in Houston, Texas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors related to the observation of suspicious lesions on the scalp, neck, and face of customers by hair professionals (cosmetologists and barbers). DESIGN: Survey of hair professionals in January 2010. SETTING: Single hair professional educational conference. PARTICIPANTS: Hair professionals from a chain of 17 salons in the greater Houston, Texas, area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Frequency with which hair professionals looked for lesions on their customers' scalp, neck, and face during the previous month. RESULTS: Of 304 surveys distributed to hair professionals, 203 were completed (66.8% response rate). Few hair professionals had received formal skin cancer education (28.1%). Forty-nine percent of hair professionals were "very" or "extremely" interested in participating in a skin cancer education program. Of responding participants, 37.1% looked at more than 50% of their customers' scalps, 28.8% looked at more than 50% of their customers' necks, and 15.3% looked at more than 50% of their customers' faces for suspicious lesions during the preceding month. Frequency of observation of customers' lesions was associated with hair professionals' self-reported health communication practices (P < .001) and personal skin protection practices (P = .05) but was not associated with hair professionals' skin cancer knowledge (P = .48). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that hair professionals are looking for suspicious lesions on customers' scalp, neck, and face and are acting as lay skin cancer educators. These results provide evidence that hair professionals would be receptive to skin cancer education and that further investigation into the role of hair professionals in skin cancer prevention and detection campaigns is needed.

A case of desmoplastic leiomyosarcoma: a rare variant of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma.

Desmoplastic leiomyosarcoma is a rare histologic variant of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma seen more commonly in men in their 50s and 60s. This neoplasm typically presents as a solitary, enlarging red-pink nodule or plaque on the extensor surfaces of lower extremities. Its unusual histology mimics other cutaneous desmoplastic lesions and the knowledge of this entity and use of an appropriate immunohistochemical panel is essential to arrive at the correct diagnosis. We report a rare case of desmoplastic leiomyosarcoma of the left flank in a 66-year-old male who presented with itching and pain in a long-standing skin lesion. Histopathology showed the presence of individual and small aggregates of spindle to pleomorphic cells with numerous mitoses in a densely fibrotic stroma. Immunohistochemically, the cells were positive for smooth muscle actin, heavy chain myosin, and desmin, confirming their smooth muscle origin. A diagnosis of desmoplastic leiomyosarcoma was made. We discuss the case with a short review of the literature.

Irritant contact dermatitis from plants.

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) from plants is a very common phenomenon as potentially irritant plants and plant products are commonly found in the everyday environment, including the home, garden, workplace, and recreational setting. It is therefore essential to have a basic understanding of the various plant-derived physical and chemical irritants. ICD from plants is commonly divided into mechanical irritant contact dermatitis (MICD) and chemical irritant contact dermatitis (CICD). The common mechanical plant irritants include thorns, spines, glochids, trichomes, and sharp-edged leaves. Many chemical irritants have yet to be elucidated, but known culprits include calcium oxalate, protoanemonin, isothiocyanates, bromelain, diterpene esters, alkaloids, and other chemical irritants such as naphthoquinone and acids. This review details the major plant contributors to MICD and CICD, along with their respective irritants. The clinical presentations seen in ICD (versus other plant dermatoses) will also be described, along with diagnostic considerations and exposure data. We also review mechanisms for the development of ICD and current treatments for ICD from plants.

Surgical pearl: the temporary assistant.

A simple maneuver is presented which simultaneously facilitates both adequate surgical site exposure and sufficient traction. A single suture with high tensile strength can be utilized to this end. This technique is especially helpful when the cutaneous surgeon is operating alone.