Treatment for central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia-Delphi consensus recommendations.

BACKGROUND: There is no established standard of care for treating central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), and treatment approaches vary widely. OBJECTIVE: To develop consensus statements regarding the use of various pharmacological therapies in treating adults with CCCA. METHODS: We invited 27 dermatologists with expertise in hair and scalp disorders to participate in a 3-round modified Delphi study between January and March 2023. Statements met strong consensus if 75% of respondents agreed or disagreed. Statements met moderate consensus if 55% or more but less than 75% agreed or disagreed. RESULTS: In round 1, 5 of 33 (15.2%) statements met strong consensus, followed by 9 of 28 (32.1%) in round 2. After the final round 3 meeting, strong consensus was reached for 20 of 70 (28.6%) overall statements. Two statements achieved moderate consensus. LIMITATIONS: This study included only English-speaking, US-based dermatologists and did not consider nonpharmacological therapies. CONCLUSION: Despite varying opinions among dermatologists, consensus was reached for several statements to help clinicians manage CCCA. We also highlight areas that lack expert consensus with the goal of advancing research and therapeutic options for CCCA.

Barber Knowledge and Recommendations for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae.

This survey study describes an opportunity for a partnership between barbers and dermatologists to identify, evaluate, and treat pseudofolliculitis barbae in the Black male population.

Mpox "Monkeypox" Virus: The Importance of Inclusive Imagery to Prevent Disease Stigma.

Since the initial coverage of the monkeypox virus, there has been debate among physicians over how to responsibly communicate public health information without harming historically marginalized communities. On November 28, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its plan to rename monkeypox "mpox" following growing concern regarding the stigmatizing nature of the disease's original name. We believe providers, and especially dermatologists, have an opportunity to further shape conversations about the virus to mitigate the same stigmas that were perpetuated by media coverage surrounding the HIV epidemic and contributed to the rise of anti-LGBTQ and HIV+ violence. Specifically, dermatologists have an opportunity to engage in conversations about the psychosocial impact of visible skin disease, advocating for healthcare equity by using both inclusive imagery and non-discriminatory language.J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(12):1235-1236. doi:10.36849/JDD.7482.

Minimizing Bias in Alopecia Diagnosis in Skin of Color Patients.

Alopecia is one of the most common dermatologic conditions affecting black patients, with a significantly negative impact on quality of life.1,2 Timely and accurate diagnosis is therefore critical in order to reverse or halt progression of disease.3 Unfortunately, lack of representation of skin of color (SOC) patients in the current literature may contribute to misdiagnosis as providers may be unfamiliar with the clinical spectrum of alopecia presenting in darker scalps.4 Some scarring alopecia subtypes such as Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) are more prevalent in certain racial groups. However, focusing solely on patient demographics and gross clinical findings may obscure accurate diagnoses. To distinguish alopecia findings in Black patients, a dedicated approach using a combination of clinical exam findings and patient history, along with trichoscopy and biopsy, is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and improve clinical and diagnostic outcomes. We present three cases of alopecia in patients of color which the initial suspected clinical diagnosis did not correspond with trichoscopic and biopsy results. We challenge clinicians to reexamine their biases and fully evaluate patients of color with alopecia. An examination should include a thorough history, clinical examination, trichoscopy, and potentially a biopsy, particularly when findings do not correlate. Our cases highlight the challenges and disparities that exist in diagnosis of alopecia in Black patients. We emphasize the need for continued research regarding alopecia in skin of color and the importance of a complete workup for alopecia to improve diagnostic outcomes.Balazic E, Axler E, Nwankwo C, et al. Minimizing bias in alopecia diagnosis in skin of color patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(7):703-705. doi:10.36849/JDD.7117.  .

Potential for Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Popular Hair Care Practices and Ingredients.

The incidence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) due to personal care products is rising in parallel with increasing product availability and consumer interest. Hair products specifically represent a significant source of potential allergens, including preservatives, surfactants, emulsifiers, fragrances, adhesives, and dyes. ACD due to hair care products can present as dermatitis in the distinctive "rinse-off" distribution, involving the neck, eyelids, and lateral face in addition to the scalp. Herein, the authors review ingredients in hair care products that can cause ACD and practical tips for allergen identification.

Commonly used hair oils in the Black community: a narrative review in their use to treat androgenetic alopecia.

Alopecia, the loss of hair on the scalp and/or body, experienced by millions of people worldwide, can be a very debilitating condition. Specifically, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss. In the African diaspora, oils have traditionally been used to promote hair growth and recently, the application of hair oils to the scalp for the treatment of alopecia has become increasingly popular. With the recent surge of hair oil usage in the Black community, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of hair oils, as most studies have primarily used mice subjects. This article reviews the existing literature to better understand the use of hair oils in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Specifically, we investigate the popular carrier oils, castor oil, and pumpkin oil as well as the essential oils, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree oil.

Risk of Radiation Dermatitis in Patients With Skin of Color Who Undergo Radiation to the Breast or Chest Wall With and Without Regional Nodal Irradiation.

PURPOSE: Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is common after radiation therapy for breast cancer, with data indicating that ARD may disproportionately affect Black or African American (AA) patients. We evaluated the effect of skin of color (SOC) on physician-reported ARD in patients treated with radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We identified patients treated with whole breast or chest wall ± regional nodal irradiation or high tangents using 50 Gy in 25 fractions from 2015 to 2018. Baseline skin pigmentation was assessed using the Fitzpatrick scale (I = light/pale white to VI = black/very dark brown) with SOC defined as Fitzpatrick scale IV to VI. We evaluated associations among SOC, physician-reported ARD, late hyperpigmentation, and use of oral and topical treatments for RD using multivariable models. RESULTS: A total of 325 patients met eligibility, of which 40% had SOC (n = 129). On multivariable analysis, Black/AA race and chest wall irradiation had a lower odds of physician-reported grade 2 or 3 ARD (odds ratio [OR], 0.110; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.030-0.397; P = .001; OR, 0.377; 95% CI, 0.161-0.883; P = .025), whereas skin bolus (OR, 8.029; 95% CI, 3.655-17.635; P = 0) and planning target volume D0.03cc (OR, 1.001; 95% CI, 1.000-1.001; P = .028) were associated with increased odds. On multivariable analysis, SOC (OR, 3.658; 95% CI, 1.236-10.830; P = .019) and skin bolus (OR, 26.786; 95% CI, 4.235-169.432; P = 0) were associated with increased odds of physician-reported late grade 2 or 3 hyperpigmentation. There was less frequent use of topical steroids to treat ARD and more frequent use of oral analgesics in SOC versus non-SOC patients (43% vs 63%, P < .001; 50% vs 38%, P = .05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Black/AA patients exhibited lower odds of physician-reported ARD. However, we found higher odds of late hyperpigmentation in SOC patients, independent of self-reported race. These findings suggest that ARD may be underdiagnosed in SOC when using the physician-rated scale despite this late evidence of radiation-induced skin toxicity.

Acute Onset Linear Lichen Planus Pigmentosus of the Forehead: A Case Series.

Linear lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) of the face is a rare variant of lichen planus, with only a few cases published in the literature.1 It is an inflammatory condition with unknown etiology, characterized by blue-gray hyperpigmented macules, and tends to affect sun-exposed areas of the head and neck.1-4 The pathophysiology of linear lichen pigmentosus is poorly understood, though it is postulated to be caused by T-lymphocyte autoimmunity against keratinocytes.5-7 LPP more frequently affects middle age woman and skin phototypes III-VI.1,3 Treatment for linear LPP is difficult and there is no established first-line therapy; however, tacrolimus ointment, topical corticosteroids, and various systemic agents have shown to be effective in improving the appearance.3,8,9 Prior reports have characterized linear LPP that follows the lines of Blashko as more commonly affecting the trunk.1 We present three cases of linear lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) of the forehead, a unique novel presentation of linear LPP of the face. One of our cases also provides supporting evidence for tacrolimus to be used as a preferred therapy to treat linear LPP of the face; however, more research is needed to support this claim. To our knowledge, this case series is the largest case series of linear lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) of the forehead to be reported. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(1):94-97. doi:10.36849/JDD.7200.

Examining the Potential for Koebnerization and Disease Precipitation in Cicatricial Alopecias.

The treatment of primary scarring alopecias is challenging and patients may be susceptible to koebnerization. This predisposes cicatricial alopecia patients to worsening of their disease following procedural treatments or interventions. Research and recommendations surrounding the risk for koebnerization within scarring alopecias is extremely limited. Using a comprehensive literature review, we summarized the risks of procedures in potentially koebnerizing alopecias. We evaluated the risk not only with procedural treatments, but also with common elective cosmetic procedures and potentially trauma-inducing hairstyling techniques. Although additional studies are needed to better elucidate the risks of procedural treatments within primary scarring alopecia, we believe this review of the current evidence and expert insight will benefit healthcare providers and patients alike to help guide treatments in this challenging patient population. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(1):29-34. doi:10.36849/JDD.6849.

Radiation-induced skin changes after breast or chest wall irradiation in patients with breast cancer and skin of color: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to systematically review data pertaining to breast cancer and radiation-induced skin reactions in patients with skin of color (SOC), as well as data pertaining to objective measurements of skin pigmentation in the assessment of radiation dermatitis (RD). METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a systematic review utilizing MEDLINE electronic databases to identify published studies until August 2022. Key inclusion criteria included studies that described RD in breast cancer with data pertaining to skin of color and/or characterization of pigmentation changes after radiation. RESULTS: We identified 17 prospective cohort studies, 7 cross-sectional studies, 5 retrospective studies and 4 randomized controlled trials. Prospective cohort and retrospective series demonstrate worse RD in African American (AA) patients using subjective physician-graded scales. There is more limited data in patients representing other non-White racial subgroups with SOC. 2 studies utilize patient reported outcomes and 15 studies utilize objective methods to characterize pigmentation change after radiation. There are no prospective and randomized studies that objectively describe pigmentation changes with radiotherapy in SOC. CONCLUSIONS: AA patients appear to have worse RD outcomes, though this is not uniformly observed across all studies. There are no studies that describe objective measures of RD and include baseline skin pigmentation as a variable, limiting the ability to draw uniform conclusions on the rate and impact of RD in SOC. We highlight the importance of objectively characterizing SOC and pigmentation changes before, during and after radiotherapy to understand the incidence and severity of RD in SOC.

An Analysis of Alopecia Related Content on Instagram and TikTok.

BACKGROUND: Social media platforms continue to grow in popularity and have become common sources of medical information and education for patients struggling with hair loss. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the characteristics of popular hair loss related content on Instagram and TikTok. METHODS: The top 9 most popular posts within 10 hair loss related hashtags on Instagram and TikTok were analyzed. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was used to evaluate posts from December 2020. The characteristic of the author, content category, and number of likes were analyzed for each post. RESULTS: Of 90 posts analyzed within Instagram, non-medical professional influencers created 66%, hair and wig companies created 29%, and medical professionals created 4%. Of 100 posts analyzed within TikTok, influencers created 38%, patients created 38%, hair and wig companies created 14%, and medical professionals created 10%. None of the top posts was created by board-certified dermatologists. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the extent of data that can be collected from Instagram and TikTok. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of the content promoted hair care products, services, or treatments not substantiated by evidence-based medicine. Instagram and TikTok provide new opportunities for dermatologists to educate the general population on alopecia while simultaneously correcting misinformation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(12):1316-1321. doi:10.36849/JDD.6707.

Assessing the use of methotrexate as an alternate therapy for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus.

Methotrexate is historically recognized as an effective treatment of pemphigus but its utility as a single or alternate steroid-sparing agent was not recognized in recent consensus recommendations in pemphigus management. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a treatment course for pemphigus that involves methotrexate as a single or steroid-sparing agent. In a retrospective cohort study, we examined patients with pemphigus vulgaris or pemphigus foliaceus who were on ≥3 months of methotrexate therapy. Efficacy and safety were evaluated by established pemphigus disease endpoints. Of the 34 patients who met inclusion criteria, 25 (73.5%) were on glucocorticoids at time of methotrexate initiation (median follow-up: 5.4 years; median time on methotrexate: 3.7 years). An appreciable proportion achieved disease control (91.2%), with some achieving clinical remission off all systemic therapies (23.5%). For patients on glucocorticoids, median time to control was 42 days, median time to minimal steroid dose tapering (5 mg prednisone) was 161 days, and median time to complete steroid tapering was 308 days. For patients on methotrexate as a single agent, median time to control was 119 days. Among all patients, relapse commonly occurred (88.2%). At last follow-up, 26.5% were managed on topical therapies alone and 11.8% required systemic steroid therapy. Methotrexate was largely tolerated with a low incidence of adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation (2.9%). Methotrexate has the potential to be an effective and well-tolerated option for patients and may be considered for use as an alternate single or steroid-sparing agent for pemphigus.