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Vulvar vitiligo (VV) and vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS), both feature skin and mucosal hypo-/depigmentation. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and dermoscopic features of VV and VLS in the pediatric population, providing diagnostic clues, and to define their association. We performed a systematic literature review of the clinical and dermoscopic features of pediatric VV and VLS. An observational study was conducted on children affected by VLS associated with VV, referred to the Dermatology Unit of the Sant'Orsola Polyclinic in Bologna, Italy. Medical history, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, clinical and dermoscopic features, and symptoms were recorded for all patients. 124 cases of VLS and 10 cases of VV were reviewed. Clinical manifestations included hypo-/depigmented patches in both conditions, while ecchymosis/purpura and fissures/erosion were observed in VLS. Symptoms including pruritus, pain, or burning were reported only by VLS patients. In our study five patients with VLS associated with VV were retrieved. Clinical features included well-demarcated depigmented patches in VV and translucent areas, erythema, ecchymoses/purpura, and labial fusion in VLS. Dermoscopy showed white structureless areas with a whipped cream-like appearance, linear or dotted vessels, white chrysalis-like structures, erosion and red-purpuric blotches in VLS and reduced pigment network or pigment absence, intralesional spots of residual pigmentation and telangiectasias in VV. Symptoms were present in all patients. Both VV and VLS show hypo-/depigmented patches. In the presence of associated symptoms, possible VLS should be investigated with clinical and dermoscopic examination to achieve a prompt diagnosis., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The short anagen syndrome (SAS) is a rare idiopathic pediatric disorder characterized by the short duration of the anagen phase. SAS mainly affects Caucasian children. Parents complain of their child's inability to grow long hair. Topical minoxidil may be an effective treatment for SAS; however, a slow spontaneous improvement is typical., Objective: Our aim was to collect data on out cases of SAS and create an algorithm to facilitate diagnosis of SAS., Methods: A retrospective review of 25 patients with SAS was performed within the Dermatology Department of the University of Bologna. We collected data regarding symptoms, pull test, hair card test, trichoscopy, trichogram, treatments, including biotin and minoxidil, and clinical outcome., Results: Characteristic findings included parental reporting that the hair had not required a haircut, hair card test showing hairs with conical-shaped tips, and hair shafts of different diameters, with more 10%-20% of hair shafts less than 60 μm thick on trichoscopy. Trichogram revealed an increased percentage of telogen hair with normal hair shafts and tapering ends. The mean anagen-to-telogen ratio was 66:34 (normal ratio 90:10)., Conclusion: We developed an algorithm to facilitate the diagnosis of this rare hair disease using clinical examination and invasive and non-invasive testing to differentiate SAS from other forms of pediatric alopecia. In conclusion, the collected data of the therapy showed that biotin alone or in combination with topical minoxidil is an effective treatment for SAS., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

A 9-year-old girl presented with multiple, ring-shaped, erythematous, nonscaly plaques on the trunk, face and arms, most surrounding preexisting melanocytic nevi. She had experienced recurring episodes of herpes simplex labialis over several years (average 4/year), the last occurring 10 days prior., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background and Objectives: Head and neck dermatitis (HND) is a clinical variant of atopic dermatitis (AD), presenting in adolescence or adulthood and characterized by involvement of the head, neck, and superior part of the trunk. The role of Malassezia spp has been advocated in the pathogenesis of HND, and antifungal agents represent the treatment of choice., Methods: A retrospective single-center study was performed to define the clinical features and treatment response of HND among adolescent and adult patients., Results: Thirty-one patients were identified, 17 with "adolescent-onset" and 14 with "adult-onset" HND. Adolescent-onset HND positively correlated with a past history of AD and presented with exclusive head and neck involvement (P < .05). Adult-onset HND was associated with concomitant widespread atopic eczema, involving the flexural areas of the upper and lower limbs, trunk, nipples, or hands (P < .05). A positive response to itraconazole in combination with topical treatments was observed in both groups., Conclusions: This study delineates two HND clinical phenotypes: adolescent vs adult onset. Different characteristics were observed in terms of relationship to AD and eczema localization. A history of AD in childhood and presentation with exclusive involvement of head and neck regions was observed predominantly in the adolescent-onset form, while adult-onset HND often occurred in association with diffuse dermatitis and a past history of AD was less frequent than in the adolescent group. The study is limited by the single-center retrospective nature, which may lead to diagnostic and selection biases, and the small cohort of patients., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Erythema palmare hereditarium (EPH), also known as Lane's disease, is a rare, benign condition presenting as persistent erythema involving the palms. EPH can appear at birth or later in life and usually in at least two members of the same family, although a sporadic case has been reported., Methods: We report five cases of EPH and offer a review of the current literature. The first and second cases are twin boys presenting with erythema mainly on the thenar and hypothenar eminences and on the phalanges that appeared 8 months after birth. The third case is a girl with congenital palmar erythema and two other capillary malformations. The fourth case is a 58-year-old woman with palmar erythema that appeared after pregnancy. Her 32-year-old daughter had presented with the same palm redness since birth., Results: A review of the literature shows that women are affected almost three times more than men. Dermoscopic evaluation showed red structureless areas with arborizing vessels, mainly running parallel along follicular openings., Conclusion: EPH should be considered in all patients presenting with palmar erythema, especially in familial long-lasting forms. It can be congenital or acquired, but the pathogenetic mechanism is unclear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first dermatoscopic study of EPH and the largest case series reported in the literature, involving two families and one sporadic case., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)