Evaluating the Effect of the Demographic, Trichoscopic and Laboratory Characteristics on The Recurrence of Alopecia Areata.

INTRODUCTION: Alopecia areata (AA) has diverse disease characteristics and multiple factors may interfere with the prognosis of the disease. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the factors affecting the AA recurrence were evaluated. METHODS: A total of a hundred patients diagnosed with AA between June 2022 and March 2023 were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of outbreaks. Both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, disease duration, number of outbreaks, family history of AA, previous medical treatment history for AA, clinical type, disease severity, presence of accompanying nail findings, and trichoscopic and laboratory characteristics. RESULTS: Among 100 patients, male dominance was found (N = 69). Most of the patients had patchy disease (90/100), mild disease severity (88/100), and a solitary outbreak (65/100). Male gender, longer disease duration, family history, presence of S2 severity of alopecia tool score, trachyonychia, short vellus hairs in trichoscopic examination, hypothyroidism, and folic acid deficiency were factors for AA outbreaks. Male gender and the presence of a family member with AA in the family were defined as the independent prognostic factors for disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: While demographic, laboratory, and clinical findings are factors for AA outbreaks in the follow-up, male gender and family history should be considered independent predictors.

Factors Affecting Topical Treatment Success in Pediatric Scabies Cases: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Scabies is a common disease that affects the pediatric population. Treatment failure and relapse occur frequently in children. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the factors that affect topical treatment success in pediatric scabies patients. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2022 to December 2022. Pediatric scabies cases were classified as belonging to either the treatment failure (TF) group or the treatment success (TS) group. RESULTS: We enrolled 170 patients for the study. In the TF group, the presence of symptomatic household members and referrals from physicians other than dermatologists were more common (both P < 0.001), and relapse rates and total symptom duration were higher (P = 0.007, P < 0.001, respectively). Regarding treatment agents, 5% permethrin was more commonly used in the TF group (71.1% versus 25%; P < 0.001). The proportion of patients treated with sulfur preparations was significantly higher in the TS group (60.7% versus 16.9%; P < 0.001). Misapplication of topical therapy was significantly more common in the TF group (P < 0.001), with statistically significant errors being (i) lack of treatment of close contacts (p<0,001), (ii) single application (P < 0.001), and (iii) local application (P = 0.027). A multivariate analysis revealed that TS was mainly associated with (i) the presence of atopy (odds ratio [OR] 6.12, 95% CI: 1.39-27.04), (ii) the absence of symptomatic household members (OR 6.31, 95% CI: 2.14-18.63), and (iii) presentation to a dermatologist rather than another specialist (OR 6.51, 95% CI: 2.11-20.13). The use of permethrin negatively affected treatment success (OR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric scabies patients should be treated before other family members become infested and with topicals other than permethrin. In addition, awareness of scabies needs to be increased among non-dermatologists.

Evaluation of Patch Test Results in Paediatric Patients in a Tertiary Dermatology Clinic.

Background and Objectives: Allergic contact dermatitis is common in childhood as well as in adulthood. Children could be affected by numerous allergens. Allergen sources could change by region. In this study, we aimed to identify the most common allergens that cause contact sensitivity in paediatric patients in our region to make a standardized patch test series and define the ways of exposure to these allergens. Materials and Methods: Between June 2013 and January 2021, a total of 61 patients' European baseline series patch test results were evaluated. Results: Among 61 patients, 36 (%59) were female and 25 (%41) were male. The mean age was 10.4 years. Positivity with at least one allergen was present in 39 (64%) cases. The most common allergens with positive reactions were balsam of Peru (BOP) in 11 (18%) patients, nickel in eight (13.1%) patients, and fragrance mix-1 in seven (11.4%) patients. No statically significant difference was found between patch test results and gender (P = 0.109), atopy (P = 0.774), atopic dermatitis (P = 0.662), hobby (P = 0.377) and side of lesions (P = 0.826). However, there was a significant relationship between the duration of complaints and patch test results (P = 0.007). Conclusion: The responsible allergen in paediatric patients may vary especially by region, thus this could be challenging for diagnosis. Therefore, each region should create its own specific standardized paediatric patch tests.

Methyl(chloro)isothiazolinone contact allergy: a monocentric experience from Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Due to their ubiquitous use, isothiazolinones caused allergic contact dermatitis epidemics and their use was restricted by legal regulations. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate demographic data, clinical findings, and patch test features of patients with methylisothiazolinone (MI) and/or methylchloroisothiazolinone(MCI) sensitivity in our study. METHODS: This study is a bidirectional and cross-sectional study, between July 2020 and September 2021. A total of 616 patients, including prospective and retrospective populations, demographic data, clinical findings, and patch test results were reviewed. Patients' demographics, patch test results, allergen sources, presence of occupational contact, and the characteristics of dermatitis attacks were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with MI and MCI/MI sensitivity, 36 male (72%) and 14 female (28%), were included in our study. The overall prevalence of MI and MCI/MI between 2014 and 2021 was 8.4% (52/616) with two peak levels in 2015(21%) and 2021 (20%). A statistically significant relationship was found between shampoo use and facial involvement (p = 0.031), shower gel use and arm involvement (p = 0.027), wet wipe use and hand involvement (p = 0.049), detergent use and the pulps (p = 0.026) and the lateral aspects of fingers involvement (p = 0.048), water-based dye use and periungual involvement (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Although legal regulations related to MI and MCI/MI cause a decrease in the frequency of their sensitivities were still common causes of allergic contact dermatitis.