RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Eyelash serums, both prescription and over-the-counter, are gaining popularity for enhancing the appearance of eyelashes through various biologically active molecules. Categorized into prostaglandin analogs and non-prostaglandin analogs, these serums claim increased strength, length, luster, and thickness. Current United States law also requires no efficacy or safety assessments by the Food and Drug Administration before approving products for consumer use, potentially posing health risks for patients seeking over-the-counter eyelash enhancements. AIMS: Our aims include exploring proposed benefits and adverse effects associated with eyelash serums, while providing evidence-based clinical recommendations on their use. We aim to contribute valuable insights to the understanding of eyelash serums and their respective safety considerations. METHODS: The authors conducted a comprehensive electronic search across databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar to evaluate eyelash serum ingredients. Articles were evaluated by two independent researchers for relevance, and the ingredients discussed were analyzed and given clinical recommendations for eyelash serums based off the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: Results highlight bimatoprost's efficacy, supported by numerous studies evaluating safety and adverse effects. Other prostaglandin ingredients show potential benefits, but further studies are encouraged to enhance the understanding of respective safety profiles. While non-prostaglandins ingredients show promising data, more studies are needed due to a lack of formal evidence in eyelash serum use. CONCLUSION: As the cosmeceutical market for eyelash serums is growing, dermatologists need to be knowledgeable about evidence-based information regarding prescription and over-the-counter eyelash serum products before making recommendations to patients.
RESUMO
Microscopic colitis is a clinicopathological diagnosis that is characterized by chronic microscopic inflammation of the colon and presents with chronic watery diarrhea. There are following two subtypes of microscopic colitis: lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. This is a case of a 70-year-old female with a history of Clostridium difficile infections who presented with persistent watery diarrhea and was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis in the setting of a concomitant C. difficile infection. Given her clinical presentation, the patient was initiated on empiric treatment for C. difficile infection and showed a lack of clinical improvement with persistent watery diarrhea and elevated white blood cell count. The patient's symptoms resolved upon the confirmatory diagnosis and treatment of lymphocytic colitis. This study illustrates the importance of assessing for, diagnosing, and treating lymphocytic colitis in patients with chronic non-resolving watery diarrhea, especially in the setting of concomitant or recurrent C. difficile infections. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for further characterization of the relationship between C. difficile infection and microscopic colitis.
