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This article, titled "When temporary relief is not worth the cost: a warning on using sunbeds to self-treat acne in teenagers," shares the personal experience of a teenager who used tanning beds to treat their severe cystic acne. The teenager initially saw improvement in their acne, but later experienced flare-ups and sought medical advice. They were eventually informed about the harmful effects of tanning beds, including the increased risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. The article emphasizes the need for education and guidance for young people regarding appearance-altering decisions and highlights the importance of safer acne treatment options. The authors, who include dermatologists, caution against using tanning beds as a treatment for acne due to the serious long-term consequences. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a case of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) in a 53-year-old male patient with end-stage kidney disease. ARPC is a type of perforating dermatosis characterized by the elimination of dermal components through the epidermis. The patient presented with a pruritic rash on his trunk and extremities, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ARPC. The article provides information on the clinical presentation, histopathological features, and possible etiology of ARPC. Treatment options, including topical corticosteroids and phototherapy, are also discussed. The authors emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and management of ARPC to improve patient outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a patient viewpoint from an African refugee who shares his experience with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The patient initially believed his wounds were a result of sexual assault and sought medical attention, but faced challenges in obtaining help due to the requirement of a police report. He also sought treatment from traditional African healers, but the condition worsened. The patient eventually immigrated to Ireland and faced difficulties with accommodation. After several months, he was diagnosed with HS and is currently waiting for treatment due to a concurrent hepatitis B infection. The article also includes comments from clinicians about the impact of HS on patients' quality of life and the potential for misdiagnosis. The patient's case highlights the challenges faced by refugees and the need for increased awareness of HS. [Extracted from the article]

Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp and hair commonly seen in the pediatric population. Detection of multiple dermatophytes is unusual, and true mixed infections have been rarely reported. Herein, we describe an 8‐year‐old girl with tinea capitis revealing three different dermatophyte isolates that highlight the clinical challenge posed by this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 73-year-old man was referred to a dermatology clinic with a red lesion on his right cheek. The examination revealed a nontender, flaccid, red thick-walled bulla with a firm central nodular component. Dermoscopy showed a central structureless grey-blue area on a red homogeneous background, along with linear irregular branching vessels, irregular yellowish-white structures, and white streaks. The histology confirmed the diagnosis of bullous pilomatrixoma, a rare benign tumor originating from the hair matrix and cortex. Treatment involved complete surgical excision, which has a low recurrence rate. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Fungal skin infections are recognised as one of the most common health disorders globally, and dermatophyte infections of the skin, hair and nails are the most common fungal infections. Dermatophytes can be classified as anthropophilic, zoophilic or geophilic species based on their primary habitat association, and this classification makes epidemiological analysis useful for the prevention and control of these infections. The Irish contribution to the epidemiology of these infections has been scant, with just two papers (both reporting paediatric tinea capitis only) published in the last 20 years, and none in the last seven. Objectives: To perform a comprehensive retrospective epidemiological analysis of all dermatological mycology tests performed in University Hospital Limerick over a 20‐year period. Methods: All mycology laboratory test results were extracted from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS, iLab, DXC Technologies) from 2001 to 2020 inclusive for analysis. Specimen types were categorised according to the site of sampling. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results: About 12,951 specimens of skin, hair and nails were studied. Median patient age was 42 years (IQR 26–57) with a slight female preponderance (57.2%). Two thirds of samples (67%, n = 8633) were nail, 32% were skin scrapings (n = 4118) and 200 hair samples (1.5%) were received. Zoophilic dermatophytes were more commonly present in females (38% F, 23% M, proportion of dermatophytes) and in those under 10 years of age or from 45 to 70 years (36% and 34% zoophiles, respectively, proportion of dermatophytes), although anthropophiles predominated every age and gender category. Anthropophiles had their highest prevalence in the 10–20 years age category (80% anthropophiles, proportion of dermatophytes), and yeast infections were more prevalent in older patients (29% of >60 year olds vs. 17% of <60 year olds, proportion of all fungal positives). Trichophyton rubrum was the most prevalent pathogen detected, accounting for 53% of all dermatophytes detected, 61% of those detected from nail samples and 34% from skin and hair samples. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most prevalent dermatophyte in tinea capitis, accounting for 37% of dermatophytes detected. Both of these organisms are anthropophilic, and this group showed consistently increased prevalence in proportion to all fungal isolates. The proportion of this dermatophyte class (anthropophiles) increased among both nail samples and skin/hair samples during the study period, from 55% of samples in the first 5 years of the study (2001–2005) to 88% (proportion of dermatophytes) in the final 5 years. Conversely, yeast detection decreased. Conclusions: This study provides a detailed overview of the epidemiology of the fungal cultures of skin, nail and hair samples in the Mid‐West of Ireland over a 20‐year period. Monitoring this changing landscape is important in identifying likely sources of infections, to identifying potential outbreaks, and may help guide empiric treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first detailed analysis from Ireland of fungal detections from skin, hair and nail samples, and is the first epidemiological fungal report of any kind in over 7 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]