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IntroductionHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a frequently debilitating, inflammatory skin condition. Patients may have a limited response to adalimumab, currently the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biologic treatment for HS. Ustekinumab is an interleukin-12/23 inhibitor that has been utilized in HS, but there is a lack of an updated systematic review on its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab for HS.MethodsIn October 2022, MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for articles on ustekinumab in HS. Data extraction was performed on relevant articles by two reviewers. The primary study outcome was the pooled response rate of HS to ustekinumab. A fixed-effects meta-analysis was performed, and Cochran's Q statistic and I squared index were used to assess heterogeneity. Statistical significance was determined at p

BackgroundHormones are thought to play a role in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, data on the HS disease course during pregnancy and the postpartum period has not been well established. The objective of this study is to analyze the available literature to determine HS disease activity during pregnancy and the postpartum period.MethodsThe PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched for relevant articles from database inception until November 22, 2020. The inclusion criteria were a study population with the diagnosis of HS and discussion of pregnancy impact on the HS disease course or postpartum flare. Study characteristics, patient demographics, HS severity, and HS disease course during pregnancy and the postpartum period were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q statistic and I2 index. The random-effects meta-analytical model was used. The primary study outcome was the pooled odds ratio of improvement or of worsening of HS disease activity during pregnancy.ResultsThe systematic search identified 8 studies for analysis. There was a total of 672 cases for which data on the patient-reported HS disease course during pregnancy were available, and 164 cases for which data on patient-reported postpartum flare were available. In the meta-analyses, the rate of HS disease improvement was 24% (95% CI 0.13-0.40) and the rate of HS disease worsening was 20% (95% CI 0.11-0.34). Sixty percent (99/164) of patients experienced a postpartum flare.ConclusionWhile about a quarter of women will experience an improvement in HS during pregnancy, the majority will have a stable or worsened disease course, and over half of patients will experience a postpartum flare. Close monitoring of HS patients is needed during pregnancy and postpartum periods, as patients may need continued, or even escalated, disease management.

IntroductionPediatric hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an understudied condition, and the literature describing the provider landscape for this disease is limited. We aim to characterize healthcare utilization in a cohort of pediatric HS patients at an academic institution.MethodsPatients diagnosed with HS before age 18 were identified via retrospective chart review using ICD-9/10 codes for HS. Data on demographics and HS providers were collected.ResultsWe found that half of the pediatric HS patients first presented to primary care with their HS symptoms. There was a mean delay in diagnosis of 2 years. Dermatologists and pediatricians were the principal HS care providers, and dermatologists most frequently prescribed treatment or procedures (63%). We also found a low rate of utilization of the HS specialty clinic (11%). Females, patients with more severe disease, and patients with earlier age of onset were more likely to be seen by a dermatologist.ConclusionsDermatologists play a pivotal role in pediatric HS management as principal care providers for patients. Increasing HS awareness among primary care providers, including pediatricians, is critical for early diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Background/objectivesHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is understudied in the pediatric population. Adult HS patients are known to have a high comorbidity burden. We aimed to describe physical and psychosocial comorbidities in a cohort of pediatric HS patients.MethodsA retrospective chart review of pediatric HS patients at a single academic institution was conducted. Data on patient demographics, disease characteristics, and physical and psychosocial comorbidities in pediatric patients with HS were collected and analyzed.ResultsSeventy-three pediatric patients were included in this study, 81% female. Mean (SD) age of HS disease onset was 12.6 (2.9) years. Comorbid conditions were reported in 68 of 73 (93%) patients. Significantly increased rates of several comorbidities were seen in our cohort as compared to the general US pediatric population. Metabolic and endocrine abnormalities were prevalent, with 52% (22/42) patients with obesity and 10% (6/59) with polycystic ovary syndrome. The most common cutaneous comorbidity was acne vulgaris, seen in 37% (27/73) of patients. Over one quarter (21/73, 29%) of patients had either an anxiety or depression disorder. Almost one-fifth (14/73, 19%) of our cohort had a diagnosis of asthma and other reactive airway diseases. Only one-third (24/73, 33%) of patients had documentation regarding impact of HS on their daily life. Overall, comorbidities largely did not significantly differ based on race, gender, or disease severity.ConclusionsPediatric patients with HS face a high-comorbidity burden, especially with psychiatric conditions. Early identification, including routine mental health screening, and management of comorbidities is warranted in the pediatric HS population.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease that disproportionately affects women of childbearing age. Hidradenitis suppurativa is characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, draining dermal tunnels, and scarring with a predilection for intertriginous sites, such as the axilla, groin, and breast regions. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa often results in long-term sequelae leading to significant morbidity, and rarely mortality, in these patients. This clinical opinion suggests that obstetrician-gynecologists are uniquely poised to recognize early signs of hidradenitis suppurativa during routine well-woman examinations and initiate treatment or referral to dermatology. Herein, we provide clinical pearls for obstetrician-gynecologists caring for female patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, including strategies for comprehensive management and recommendations to improve the comfort of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa during examinations.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating disease that manifests as painful nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scars with a predilection for intertriginous sites. HS disproportionately affects women of childbearing age and often leads to impairments in patients' health-related quality of life. Women with HS face unique challenges related to menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation that require additional strategies for optimization of management. Practical interventions include lifestyle modifications, treatment of premenstrual HS flares, enhancing HS management during pregnancy, and creating optimal delivery plans in collaboration with obstetricians. This discussion is based on expert recommendations and aims to highlight the special challenges for women with HS, as well as provide a practical discourse on optimizing care of female patients with HS.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients is negatively impacted by physical and psychosocial problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and severity of HS-specific symptoms and to correlate these with disease severity. Methods We analyzed medical record data from 145 patients seen in an academic HS specialty clinic between August 2009 to March 2018. Results Hurley stage III patients had significantly higher mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores (20.2) compared to patients with Hurley stage I (11.3) and II (13.9), (P

We present a patient with erythrodermic Darier disease occurring in temporal association with diagnosis of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with eroded and crusted keratotic papules and plaques over greater than 90% body surface area with extensive secondary impetiginization. Given a longstanding history of pruritic eruption, this presentation represents a paraneoplastic flare of an underlying genodermatosis. Near total resolution was achieved with chemotherapy and topical corticosteroids.

Ingredients found in facial moisturizers can impact a myriad of skin conditions, including sensitive skin syndrome and contact dermatitis. There is a paucity of evidence on the allergenic potential and marketing claims of facial moisturizers, posing challenges to clinician recommendation and consumer selection. In this study, we systematically evaluate the 100 top-selling sun protective facial moisturizers that claim to be natural, fragrance free, expert-approved, age preventing, beneficial for sensitive skin, and sun protective. Allergenic potential of these moisturizers is evaluated based on ingredients used and prices and consumer ratings are compared. Accordingly, 75 of 100 marketed at least one additional benefit. "Anti-aging" products had the highest average price ($14.99/oz) and "expert-approved" had the lowest ($5.91/oz). Consumer rating was highest for facial moisturizers that were "fragrance-free" (4.35/5.00) whereas products that were "natural" received the lowest ratings (3.49/5.00). The most prevalent allergens found in these moisturizers were ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), phenoxyethanol, and cetyl alcohol. "Expert-approved" products had the fewest average allergens in their ingredient lists (P=0.033), whereas products advertising "SPF" had significantly more (P

Skin is the largest peripheral endocrine organ and functions as a hormone target and endocrine gland. A cutaneous hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-like axis enables the skin to respond to stress and regulates its steroidogenic activity. The pilosebaceous unit is a site for production and metabolism of a number of steroid hormones, including stress and sex hormones. This is an overview of the important role that the cutaneous HPA-like-axis plays in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory pilosebaceous disorders, including acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.

The COVID-19 pandemic required a transition to telemedicine to limit viral spread. Dermatology seems particularly well-suited for telemedicine, however, this pandemic transformed teledermatology into the predominant means of delivering care. Providers are limited in their ability to promptly and accurately manage disease without access to in-person tools. This monumental switch to teledermatology may disadvantage certain patient populations, including those with limited technological literacy (such as the elderly) or access to the internet. Dermatologists must acknowledge these limitations and recognize the consequences of severely limited in-person visits over a prolonged period of time.

A 26-year-old woman with Crohn disease and palmoplantar psoriasis on ustekinumab presented with a diffuse and intensely pruritic rash with a few pin-point pustules within days after initiation of an over-the-counter Align brand probiotic. Biopsy revealed psoriasiform and spongiotic dermatitis with spongiform subcorneal pustules and scattered eosinophils, consistent with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. Our case highlights a unique presentation of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis following probiotic exposure with fewer than usual pustular lesions. IL23 suppression by ustekinumab may have contributed to the patient's reduced pustular presentation.

Pre-operative anxiety is common in patients undergoing dermatologic surgery. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether the addition of an animated educational video to conventional in-person surgery consultation helps to reduce pre-operative anxiety related to anesthesia, surgery, wound care, and post-operative pain in patients undergoing outpatient dermatologic surgery. Patients awaiting dermatologic surgery were randomized into groups with conventional consultation, or video with consultation prior to undergoing their procedure. The conventional consultation group received conventional consultation with the surgeon, whereas the video with consultation group received conventional consultation and a two-minute-long animated educational video. Intra- and inter-individual score differences were assessed based on baseline and subsequent surveys. Although not statistically significant, video with consultation group anxiety scores were lower than conventional consultation group across all categories. After crossing over, conventional consultation group patients reported statistically significant improvement in anxiety related to all areas except wound care, in which anxiety did not change significantly, although a trend toward reduced anxiety was seen. Animated educational videos during surgical consultation can reduce pre-operative anxiety related to anesthesia, surgery, and post-operative pain. Future studies should explore its benefit to clinical outcomes and overall surgical experience.

Objective: Topical probiotics have been used for skin care and treatment since the early 20th century. Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic surge of commercially-available topical probiotic products. We conducted a systematic search of clinical data relating to the use of topical probiotics and identified relevant clinical and regulatory gaps. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar searches were conducted for trials and reviews of probiotics. FDA definitions of cosmetics, drugs, and regulation of topical probiotics were reviewed. Results: Topical probiotics have shown efficacy in a number of limited trials, particularly those involving the treatment of acne, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea. However, there is a paucity of literature on the safety profiles, mechanistic action, and therapeutic potential of topical probiotic products. Several regulatory gaps exist, including approval and classification of topical probiotic products by the FDA; currently there are no topical probiotic products the FDA has approved as drugs. Conclusion: With increasing popularity among the general public, but insufficient clinical data to demonstrate large-scale effectiveness and a thorough understanding of side effects, there is a need for further mechanistic and clinical investigation, as well as improved regulation and standardization of topical probiotic products.

We report a case of nivolumab-induced lichen planus (LP) reactivation that was previously in remission following chemotherapy for non-smallcelllung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression allowed for complete resolution of the patient’s pre-existing LP, a T-cell mediatedautoimmune process. When the patient was switched to nivolumab immunotherapy owing to progression of NSCLC, PD-1 inhibition led to an overwhelming T-cell response that seemed to have provoked a severe LPreactivation. Although lichenoid reactions have been reported with nivolumab, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of nivolumab monotherapycausing LP reactivation in a patient with a strong personal and family history of the disease that was previously in remission after chemotherapy.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by atypical elastic fibers that causes connective tissue abnormalities of the skin, eyes, and heart, among other organs. The disorder is rare, with a classic presentation of yellow-orange cobblestone-like papules on flexural areas, lax skin, ocular degeneration, and moribund vasculature in multiple organs. There is wide variability in the presentation of the affected organs [1]. We present two sisters with classic cutaneous findings of PXE with the additional unusual findings of numerous open comedones on the neck. To our knowledge, this is the first report of numerous open comedones in familial PXE.

We present a 17-year-old boy who developed a generalized urticarial eruption, malar rash, fever, and arthralgia within one week of initiating minocycline therapy for acne. His workup showed positive antinuclearand anti-histone antibodies. His symptoms quickly resolved after discontinuing minocycline and starting oral prednisone. We believe the constellation of his symptoms, laboratory findings, and temporalassociation of minocycline initiation was suggestive of minocycline-induced lupus. Unique to this case is that his urticarial presentation was so striking that it could have been initially regarded as drug induced urticaria without considering drug-induced lupus. Since minocycline is so widely prescribed for acne among the dermatology community, we believe that it is important for dermatologists to be aware of this alternative clinical presentation of minocyclineinduced lupus.

BackgroundThe reproducible evaluation of facial redness is critical to the assessment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Assessments have typically focused on the use of photography with the use of semi-quantitative grading scales based on evaluator rating. However, few studies have utilized computer-based algorithms to evaluate facial redness.AimThe purpose of this clinical study was to assess whether there is correlation between clinical grading of facial redness to the assessment of a quantitative computer-based facial modeling and measurement.Material and methodsIn this prospective study, a set of high-resolution facial photographs and cross-polarized subsurface photographs for erythema detection were obtained for 31 study participants. A computer algorithm was then utilized to detect and quantify facial redness in the photographs and compare this to semi-quantitative evaluator-based grading for facial redness.ResultsThere was a strong correlation between computer-based cross-polarized subsurface erythema quantification and clinical grading for redness intensity (Clinical Erythema Assessment), redness distribution, and overall redness severity (Modified Clinical Erythema Assessment).ConclusionOverall, facial redness measurements by facial imaging and computer analysis correlated well to clinical grading scales for both redness intensity and distribution. Future studies should incorporate facial modeling and analysis tools for assessments in clinical studies to introduce greater objectivity and quantitative analysis in facial erythema-based analyses.

The treatment of melanoma has improved markedly over the last several years with the advent of more targeted therapies. Unfortunately, complex compensation mechanisms, such as those of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, have limited the clinical benefit of these treatments. Recently, a better understanding of melanoma resistance mechanisms has given way to intelligently designed multidrug regimes. Herein, we review the extensive pathways of BRAF inhibitor (vemurafenib and dabrafenib) resistance. We also review the advantages of dual therapy, including the addition of an MEK inhibitor (cobimetinib or trametinib), which has proven to increase progression-free survival when compared to BRAF inhibitor monotherapy. Finally, this review touches on future treatment strategies that are being developed for advanced melanoma, including the possibility of triple therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the work on optimizing sequential therapy.

Cyclosporine-induced sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) is a well-documented entity, occurring in up to 30% of renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporine and has also been reported to occur following heart or hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HCST). Cyclosporine has a stimulatory effect on undifferentiated sebocytes, resulting in the clinical and histologic findings in these patients. Sebaceous hyperplasia most commonly presents as asymptomatic papules over the face, chest, or groin. Herein we describe a case of a 27-year-old man who developed facial sebaceous hyperplasia five months after completing cyclosporine therapy for cutaneous graft versus host disease (GVHD) following HSCT.

Background: Rosacea and melasma are two common skin conditions in dermatology. Both conditions have a predilection for the centrofacial region where the sebaceous gland density is the highest. However it is not known if sebaceous function has an association with these conditions.Aims and Objectives: We aimed to assess the relationship between facial glabellar wrinkle severity and facial sebum excretion rate for individuals with rosacea, melasma, both conditions, and in those with rhytides. Secondly, the purpose of this study was to utilize high resolution 3D facial modeling and measurement technology to obtain information regarding glabellar rhytid count and severity.Materials and Methods: A total of 21 subjects participated in the study. Subjects were divided into four groups based on facial features: rosacea-only, melasma-only, rosacea and melasma, rhytides-only. A high resolution facial photograph was taken followed by measurement of facial sebum excretion rate (SER).Results: The SER was found to decline with age and with the presence of melasma. The SER negatively correlated with increasing Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale. Through the use of 3D facial modeling and skin analysis technology, we found a positive correlation between clinically based grading scores and computer generated glabellar rhytid count and severity.Conclusion: Continuing research with facial modeling and measurement systems will allow for development of more objective facial assessments. Future studies need to assess the role of technology in stratifying the severity and subtypes of rosacea and melasma. Furthermore, the role of sebaceous regulation may have important implications in photoaging.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors are widely used to treat inflammatory dermatoses for their steroid-sparing advantage. Herein, we report a patient with chronic lip dermatitis who developed multiple labial melanotic macules after application of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and pimecrolimus 1% cream. Prior and current reports raise concerns for potential development of pigmented lesions associated with topical calcineurin inhibitor use. These reports highlight the need for careful risk-benefit assessment when prescribing topical calcineurin inhibitors for inflammatory dermatoses, especially when used on sun-exposed sites.