Tinea pedis in a child: How reflectance confocal microscopy can help in diagnosis of dermatophytosis.

A 7-year-old girl presented with a hyperkeratotic scale on the plantar surface of her left foot. A microscopic potassium hydroxide examination was performed and negative. Reflectance confocal microscopy was performed showing fungal hyphae and an inflammatory infiltrate confirming a diagnosis of tinea pedis.

Efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil in female androgenetic alopecia.

Oral minoxidil (OM) has been reported to be effective for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In this retrospective study, we share our experience of using OM for >24 weeks in 12 patients with female AGA (Ludwig scale I-3-III). Twelve women (aged 18-66 years; mean age 36.66 ± 18.79 years) with AGA (Ludwig scale I-3-III) were recruited. The starting dose of minoxidil was 0.50 mg daily; at 3 months, the dose was increased to 1.50 to 2 mg daily. Efficacy outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and after 24 weeks and included global clinical photography, quantitative digital videotrichoscopic assessment and quality-of-life evaluation. An overall improvement of 38% and 23% in hair density in the frontal and vertex area, respectively, was observed after 24 weeks. The quantitative digital videotrichoscopic evaluation highlighted a statistically significant improvement in the frontal area of the total average hair density and of the total number of hairs per unit area at 24 weeks (131.47 ± 36.11 vs 181.40 ± 57.38; P = .025 and 118.72 ± 32.61 vs 163.81 ± 51.82; P = .025, respectively). In conclusion, OM was effective and had an acceptable safety profile in treating female AGA. The low number of patients and retrospective design of this study are limitations.

Instrumental, clinical and subjective evaluation of the efficacy of a cosmetic treatment for home use.

Background: In the last few years, there has been increasing demand for aesthetic procedures to improve the effects of skin aging. Aim: To evaluate the anti-aging efficacy, tolerability and skin changes induced by the topical products containing hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine and gamma-amino butyric acid through instrumental techniques, clinical and subjective evaluation. Patients/Method: Twenty female enrolled applied a day and night cream after applying a serum, once week applied a mask, for 2 months. A clinical assessment of smoothness, expression wrinkles, fine wrinkles and measurements of the parameters using Reveal Imager, X-Rite, Corneometer, Dermalab, Moisture Meter EpiD were taken at day 0, 15, 30 and 60 of study period. A final assessment questionnaire was submitted. Results: The products were accepted by all the volunteers. The hydration (Corneometer: T0 49.17 vs T60 61.11, average variation 24.28%) (Moisture Meter EpiD: T0 45.73 vs T60 61.10, average variation 33.60%), elasticity (Dermalab: T0 56.06 vs T60 62.78, average variation 11.98%) and lightening of the skin (X-Rite: T0 60.23 vs T60 63.36, average variation 5.26%) improved. All changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of the topical products is confirmed by subjective, clinical and instrumental assessment. This should be a routine approach in dermatologic practice.

Confocal microscopy can assess the efficacy of combined microneedling and skinbooster for striae rubrae.

Striae distensae or stretch marks are dermal scars characterized by flattening and atrophy of the epidermis. They develop particularly during adolescence but they can also appear in other situations such as pregnancy, the use of prolonged therapies with topical or systemic corticosteroids, Cushing's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, prolonged use of lightening creams, cachexia, rapid weight loss or the use of androgenic and anabolic substances. Treatment options often take a long time, and the results are often disappointing, causing significant psychological distress in patients. We propose a completely innovative approach, combining the skinbooster technique with the microneedling technique. These minivasive methods work by inducing tissue remodeling and stimulating the synthesis of new collagen. Confocal microscopy can show and follow the skin changes made by these therapies, thus becoming an important and valid therapeutic monitoring tool for aesthetic dermatology.

Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms: a case report and literature review.

Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) is an unusual and rare dermatological condition characterized by excessive palmar wrinkling, occurring within a few minutes of water exposure. Cystic fibrosis (CF) or CF carrier state associated forms, drug induced cases, and idiopathic forms have been described. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman with a 7-year history of transient excessive wrinkling of her palms after brief exposure to water. We present also a comprehensive review of the literature. We believe that AWP has been underdiagnosed thus far and we would like to encourage investigations such as sweat chloride test or genetic studies in these patients because of the association with CF or CF carrier state, particularly when AWP appears in younger ages.

Tacrolimus does not alter the production of several cytokines and antimicrobial peptide in Malassezia furfur-infected-keratinocytes.

Topical immunosuppressant therapy is widely used in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Besides its beneficial therapeutic effects, application of topical anti-inflammatory drugs may render the epidermis more vulnerable to invading pathogens by suppressing innate immune responses in keratinocytes (KCs). Cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by epithelial cells enable them to participate in innate and acquired immune responses. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of tacrolimus (FK506) on KCs infected with Malassezia furfur (M. furfur), evaluating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-6, chemokine IL-8, anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1) and IL-10 and AMP ß-defensin-2. Human KCs were obtained from surgical specimens of normal adult skin. The expression of mRNAs in KCs: FK506-treated, FK506-treated and M. furfur-infected as well as only M. furfur-infected was quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Next, the production of the AMP ß-defensin-2 and of the above-mentioned pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this study, FK506 did not alter cytokine and AMP production by KCs; this led us to hypothesise that it may not enhance the risk of mycotic skin infections.

Italian National Registry of Alopecia Areata: an epidemiological study of 699 Italian patients.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that affects the hair follicles of the scalp and the rest of the body causing hair loss. Due to the unpredictable course of AA and the different degrees of severity of hair loss, only a few well-designed clinical studies with a low number of patients are available. Also, there is no specific cure, but topical and systemic anti-inflammatory and immune system suppressant drugs are used for treatment. The need to create a global registry of AA, comparable and reproducible in all countries, has recently emerged. An Italian multicentric electronic registry is proposed as a model to facilitate and guide the recording of epidemiological and clinical data and to monitor the introduction of new therapies in patients with AA. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological data of patients with AA by collecting detailed information on the course of the disease, associated diseases, concomitant and previous events, and the clinical response to traditional treatments. Estimate the impact on the quality of life of patients. RESULTS: The creation of the National Register of AA has proven to be a valid tool for recording, with a standardized approach, epidemiological data, the trend of AA, response to therapies and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: AA is confirmed as a difficult hair disease to manage due to its unpredictable course and, in most cases, its chronic-relapsing course, capable of having a significant impact on the quality of life of patients.

Perifolliculitis Capitis Abscedens et Suffodiens after Follicular Unit Transplantation: A Case Report.

Introduction: In the field of hair transplantation (HT) surgery, transplantation techniques from autologous tissue dominate. The most widely used techniques are follicular unit transplantation, also known as strip technique, and follicular unit extraction. Case Presentation: We report a case of an HT sequence of particular interest because of its unusual clinical presentation, chronic relapsing nature, and aggressiveness. The clinical presentation (fluctuating and communicating lesions in the occipital region), course, and symptomatology support the hypothesis of PCAS. Discussion: PCAS or folliculitis dissecans or Hoffmann's disease is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. We speculate that the mechanical extraction of follicular units was the trigger. This case underlines the need for further studies as cases of PCAS may increase concomitantly with the increase in HT.

Alopecia Areata after COVID-19 Vaccines.

Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by non-scarring hair loss. New onsets of AA have been associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Various skin diseases have already been reported because of the vaccines (the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the AstraZeneca vaccine) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Case Presentation: We report 5 cases of AA after COVID-19 vaccination. The trend shown by patients in this study is an initial worsening after the first dose of the vaccine with the stability of the disease even with subsequent doses. However, it is worth highlighting the case reported by one of our patients who suffered a "booster effect" of the disease with progressive and worsening alopecia with each vaccine booster. Discussion: The possible mechanism of action lies in the ability of COVID-19 vaccines to induce spike protein, which can lead to molecular mimicry phenomena. In an organism predisposed to autoimmunity, the mRNA vaccine acts as a trigger. Furthermore, we would like to point out how even cytokine storm and simple oxidative stress from SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce not only AA but also other types of hair loss such as telogen effluvium. Thus, this highlights how complex and multifaceted the phenomenon is.

Osteoporosis and dermatoporosis: a review on the role of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis (OP) and Dermatoporosis (DP) are expressions of the aging process at the skin and bone levels, respectively. Both conditions are associated with increased morbidity for elderly people, and this requires necessary interventions. They share many common risk factors; among these, vitamin D (VD) deficiency appears to have a role. VD is involved in either disease with many mechanisms, among which immunomodulation. VD deficiency has been linked to OP because it inhibits the body's capacity to absorb calcium and maintain optimal bone health. Available evidence suggests that proper vitaminosis D also appears to be vital in preventing skin age-related issues. DP is often seen in elderly individuals, particularly those with long-term sun exposure and a history of chronic sun damage. VD deficiency can be linked to DP, since its involvement in collagen production, epidermal barrier function, inflammation regulation, wound healing, and sun protection. Aim of this review is to summarize the most updated existing evidence on the role of VD in the development of fragility syndromes such as DP and OP and the possible benefits of VD supplementation as a simple and harmful weapon against aging.

Use of Natural Agents and Agrifood Wastes for the Treatment of Skin Photoaging.

Photoaging is the premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. The harmful effects of UV rays-from the sun or from artificial sources-alter normal skin structures and cause visible damage, especially in the most exposed areas. Fighting premature aging is one of the most important challenges of the medical landscape. Additionally, consumers are looking for care products that offer multiple benefits with reduced environmental and economic impact. The growing requests for bioactive compounds from aromatic plants for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications have to find new sustainable methods to increase the effectiveness of new active formulations derived from eco-compatible technologies. The principle of sustainable practices and the circular economy favor the use of bioactive components derived from recycled biomass. The guidelines of the European Commission support the reuse of various types of organic biomass and organic waste, thus transforming waste management problems into economic opportunities. This review aims to elucidate the main mechanisms of photoaging and how these can be managed using natural renewable sources and specific bioactive derivatives, such as humic extracts from recycled organic biomass, as potential new actors in modern medicine.