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Background: Previous studies have documented the cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis due to common cosmetic allergens in standard series and various cosmetic products used in rosacea patients; however, the prevalence of contact sensitization to other cosmetic allergens other than those in standard series is largely unknown. Aims: To assess the prevalence of contact sensitization to a European cosmetic series of allergens (Chemotechnique Diagnostics AB, Malmö, Sweden) in rosacea patients and to compare this with the prevalence observed in general population. Methods: In this prospective monocenter study, 103 patients with rosacea and 104 control subjects were investigated for contact sensitizations via patch testing the cosmetic series including 49 allergens. Results: At least one positive allergic reaction was observed in 62 (60.2%) rosacea patients, and in 25 (24.0%) control subjects. Compared with control subjects, rosacea patients were statistically more likely to have positive patch tests. The most common allergens giving positive results were octyl gallate (10.68%), dodecyl gallate (8.74%), tert‐Butylhydroquinone (7.77%), thimerosal (6.80%), euxyl K400 (6.80%), cocamidopropyl betaine (5.83%), and 2,6‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐cresol (4.85%). Conclusions: This study shows that rosacea patients show a strikingly high prevalence of contact sensitization to cosmetic allergens. We recommend the additional use of cosmetic series for patch testing, and the careful use of cosmetics in rosacea patients if cosmetic contact sensitivity is suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though infections are the most common cause of erythema nodosum (EN), only certain microorganisms take the great interest such as streptococci in knowledge. Our aim was to examine the frequency and type of infections in EN, to determine the characteristics of patients with an infectious etiology, and to discuss the role of these microbes in EN pathology in the context of their interactions with humans. Charts of 81 patients with EN who were seen between 2003 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Identified etiological factors were classified into three groups: infectious, noninfectious, and idiopathic. While there were no significant demographic and clinical differences between the infectious and idiopathic groups, systemic symptoms (p = 0.034) and the number of EN lesions (p = 0.016) were significantly lower; the mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher (p = 0.049), but the mean aspartate aminotransferase value was significantly lower in the infectious group compared to the noninfectious group (p = 0.019). Besides streptococci, many other microbes, including the ones living on and inside us, were identified in the etiology of EN. There is a need for large-scale prospective studies involving control groups for a better understanding of the microbial immunopathology of EN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose There are no data comprehensively investigating the key beliefs and sun protection behaviours in patients with actinic keratosis ( AK). Our aim was to determine and correlate the AK perceptions and readiness to increase sun protection ( RISP) behaviours. Methods AK patients' ( n = 200) demographics and clinical findings were recorded. Participants completed questionnaires (Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised and RISP behaviours scales). Results The mean scores of giving up sunbathing of the patients aged <65 years, and giving up sunbathing and staying in the shade behaviours of females were higher. As the level of education increased, while the mean scores of giving up sunbathing decreased, using sunscreen scores increased. The mean scores of giving up sunbathing, using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing of those with the history of non-skin cancer (had cancer other than of the skin) were lower. The readiness to increase using sunscreen was found to be higher in patients with more chronic timeline beliefs, more positive perceived personal control and blaming sunlight more, and the wearing protective clothing was found to be higher in those with more cyclical timeline beliefs. Conclusion AK patients, especially the subjects aged ≥65 years, have non-skin cancer history, and male gender should be informed to apply sun-protective behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is known that systemic form of lupus erythematosus (LE) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are frequently observed together, there are no published reports on MetS in patients with skin-restricted LE. We aimed to compare the frequencies of MetS and its components in discoid LE (DLE) with the non-DLE control group. Additionally, we intended to determine the differences of sociodemographic and clinical data of the DLE patients with MetS compared to the patients without MetS. This was a cross-sectional, case-control study, including 60 patients with DLE and 82 age- and gender-matched control subjects. In DLE group, the presence of MetS was observed as more frequent (48.3% versus 24.4%, p = 0.003), and hypertriglyceridemia (43.3% versus 22.0%, p = 0.006) and reduced HDL-cholesterol (61.7% versus 23.2%, p < 0.001) among the MetS components were found significantly higher when compared to the control group. DLE patients with MetS were at older age (50.45 ± 11.49 versus 43.06 ± 12.09, p = 0.02), and hypertension, hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease histories were observed at a higher ratio when compared to the patients without MetS. Between the DLE patients with and without MetS, no significant difference was observed in terms of clinical characteristics of DLE. Moreover, further large case-control studies with follow-up periods would be required to clearly assess the impact of MetS on the clinical outcomes of DLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated inflammatory disease and it can be provoked or exacerbated by a variety of different environmental factors, particularly infections and drugs. In addition, a possible association between vaccination and the new onset and/or exacerbation of psoriasis has been reported by a number of different authors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of influenza vaccination on patients with psoriasis. Here, we report the findings from 43 patients suffering from psoriasis (clinical phenotypes as mixed guttate/plaque lesions, palmoplantar or scalp psoriasis) whose diseases had been triggered after influenza vaccination applied in the 2009-2010 season. The short time intervals between vaccination and psoriasis flares in our patients and the lack of other possible triggers suggest that influenza vaccinations may have provocative effects on psoriasis. However, further large and controlled studies need to be carried out to confirm this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annular atrophic lichen planus (AALP) is the most rare variant of lichen planus (LP), clinically characterized by a circumscribed annular configuration showing central atrophy.[1] Here, we present the first report of a case of AALP occurring on the mammary areola with no other accompanying lesions. On physical examination, there was a well-circumscribed, violaceous plaque of 1 cm × 1 cm size with an elevated border and a hyperpigmented atrophic center located adjacent to the right areola (Fig.). Hepatitis serology demonstrated negative hepatitis B virus surface antigen, negative anti-hepatitis B virus surface antibodies, and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic hand eczema (CHE) causes negative effects on psychological status of patients. However, presence of social anxiety and avoidance has not been investigated in CHE patients. In this descriptive and prospective study, we aimed to examine the psychosocial dimensions of CHE in a more detailed manner., Methods: 70 patients with CHE and 70 controls were participated in the study. The quality of life (QoL) was assessed with the World Health Organization QoL Questionnaire-Short Form (WHOQoL-BREF); anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and social anxiety and avoidance were evaluated with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)., Results: The physical and environmental subscale scores of the WHOQoL-BREF were significantly lower (P<0.001, P=0.041); whereas HADS-total (P=0.019), HADS-anxiety (P=0.014), LSAS-total (P=0.025), LSAS-anxiety (P=0.037) and LSAS-avoidance (P=0.029) scores were significantly higher in CHE patients compared to controls. The physical (r=-0.260, P=0.002) and social (r=0.204, P=0.016) domains of the WHOQoL-BREF scale negatively correlated with the severity of eczema, while the psychological (r=-0.363, P=0.002) and environmental (r=-0.456, P<0.001) domains negatively correlated with the extent of eczema. HADS-total (r=0.284, P=0.017) and HADS-depression (r=0.311, P=0.009) also showed positive correlations with the extent of the CHE., Conclusions: Considering that impairment in QoL may be associated with psychosocial morbidity, it is important to develop strategies to recognize and treat those psychiatric comorbidities in patients with CHE.

Background: Current data regarding the associated factors of prurigo nodularis are still uncertain, except for atopic predisposition., Objectives: The purposes of this study were to (1) determine the frequencies of xerosis and other accompanying diseases of female patients with prurigo nodularis; (2) compare the demographic, clinical and accompanying disease characteristics by grouping these patients according to whether they have associated xerosis (who were subsequently subgrouped as atopic or non-atopic) or not., Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, 80 females with PN were categorized according to the accompanying diseases (dermatological, systemic, neurological, psychogenic, mixed, or undetermined origin)., Results: A total of 45 associated co-factors including dermatological in 63 (78.8%), systemic in 57 (71.3%), psychological in 33 (41.3%) and neurological co-factors in 14 (17.5%) of all patients with prurigo nodularis were detected. Xerosis was observed in 48 (60%) patients (non-atopic co-factors in 66.7% of them). The ratio of patients with mixed co-factors, dermatological+systemic co-factors and dermatological+systemic+psychological co-factors were found to be significantly higher in patients with xerosis compared to those without xerosis., Study Limitations: Our study has certain limitations such as the absence of an age-matched control group, absence of follow-up data and the fact that the diagnosis of xerosis has not been based on objective methods., Conclusions: Xerosis has been identified in more than half of the patients with PN and it has been determined that in most patients xerosis is associated especially with diabetes mellitus and other conditions related to prurigo nodularis.

Background: Topical agents used in combination with phototherapy or photochemotherapy may have both blocking or enhancing effects in ultraviolet rays., Objective: In this in vivo study, the effects of topical petrolatum, basis cream, glycerine, and olive oil on the transmission of ultraviolet A radiation were investigated., Methods: A test was performed to determine the minimal phototoxic dose on 29 volunteers with only psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and then the same test was repeated with white petrolatum, basis cream, glycerine, olive oil, and sunscreen (0.3cc/25cm2). The effects of each agent on the minimal phototoxic dose were determined after 72 h., Results: When compared to pure PUVA, there was a statistically significant increase in the mean minimal phototoxic dose values by the application of white petrolatum (P = 0.011), but there was no significant increase or decrease in the mean minimal phototoxic dose values after the application of basis cream (P = 0.326), glycerine (P = 0.611) or olive oil (P = 0.799)., Study Limitations: Low number of patients Conclusion: The application of white petrolatum, which has a blocking effect, and also of basis cream immediately before PUVA therapy should not be recommended. Although we specify that glycerine and maybe olive oil can be used before photochemotherapy, there is a need for further research in larger series.