Search

Summary: Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, various adverse skin reactions to long‐term mask wearing have been reported. Aim: To assess the clinical features of mask‐induced dermatoses and to recommend prevention and treatment options. Methods: From April to August 2020, questionnaires including topics such as demographic information, pre‐existing skin disorders, reported mask‐related symptoms, daily mask‐wearing duration and frequency, types of masks used and whether the participant was a healthcare worker, were distributed to patients in 12 hospitals. Dermatologists assessed skin lesions, confirmed diagnosis and recorded treatments. Results: Itchiness was the most frequent symptom, mostly affecting the cheeks. The most common skin disease was new‐onset contact dermatitis (33.94%), followed by new‐onset acne (16.97%) and worsening of pre‐existing acne (16.97%). Daily wearing of masks was significantly (P = 0.02) associated with new‐onset contact dermatitis. More than half of patients with pre‐existing skin problems experienced disease worsening while wearing masks. Longer duration of wearing (> 6 h/day, P = 0.04) and use of cotton masks (P < 0.001) significantly increased acne flare‐up. Healthcare workers had a higher incidence of skin disease. Skin lesions were generally mild and well tolerated with topical treatment. The study had some limitations: the effect of seasonal characteristics and other risk factors were not assessed, and the patients were visiting dermatological clinics and had interest in their skin status, thus, there may have been selection bias. Conclusion: Mask‐induced/‐triggered dermatoses contribute to increase the dermatological burden during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Superficial fungal infections are a very common problem in dermatological clinics. The diagnostic method of fungal culture is time-consuming and has inconsistent sensitivity. Therefore, a practical method for rapid and accurate identification of the species causing superficial fungal infections is needed. Aim To compare PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay ( PCR- REBA) with conventional fungal diagnostic methods so as to determine the reliability of PCR- REBA for the diagnosis and species identification in superficial fungal infections. Methods Potassium hydroxide ( KOH) preparation, fungal culture, conventional real-time PCR and PCR- REBA were used to assess 83 specimens, and the results from each method were compared. Results Of the 83 specimens, 44 specimens that were positive by fungal culture had 62.7% agreement with PCR- REBA. Compared with real-time PCR, there was 68.7% agreement with fungal culture, but 91.6% agreement with PCR- REBA. When the comparison was made using the 55 specimens that gave positive results in both KOH preparation and fungal culture, there was 85.5% agreement with real-time PCR for fungal culture, but 94.5% agreement with PCR- REBA. Conclusions Compared with KOH preparation or fungal culture, PCR- REBA has higher sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, PCR- REBA could be a useful method in clinical settings because it can identify species quickly and accurately, and can also determine the existence of pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 76-year-old woman who developed well-circumscribed erythematous depressed annular patches on palm. Topics discussed include histopathological findings which led to the diagnosis of circumscribed palmar/plantar hypokeratosis (CPH), the difference between CPH and Bowen disease (BD), and treatment options for CPH.

The article presents a case study of a 14-year old girl presented with a 2-year history of gradual enlargement of both nipples and was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD). It states that there was a presence of lichenification in the flexural areas, and the right nipple have an abscess formation spongiosis. It also says that the appearance of nipple eczema has developed reactive to hypertrophy and repetitive scratching.