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Background and Design: Melanocytic nevi (MN) count is known as the strongest risk factor for melanoma development. So it is important to know the MN count in public. We aimed to determine the MN prevalence in schoolchildren and also clarify the possible relation between MN counts, constitutional variables and sun exposure. Material and Method: In this randomized, cross-sectional study, a questionnaire asking skin phenotypes and sun exposure in previous summer was prepared for primary-school children. Nine hundred and sixty questionnaires distributed to the parents. Children who were given permission by parents for examination were examined for whole body MN. Results: Questionnaires were answered by parents of 939 children and 622 children (316 boys and 306 girls) were examined. Mean age of children was 8.8±1.5 (6-12). Mean MN count was 19.6±16.6 and this count was increasing with age (p<0.001). MN count was significantly related with sex, skin phototype and skin colour. More MN were found in boys (p<0.001), children with sun sensitive phototypes (p=0.03) and light skin colour (p<0.001). Time spent outside on midday in previous summer was not related with the MN count (p=0.35). Sunburns experienced in previous summer were not related with MN count (p=0.11). MN were most densely located on the face, and then on upper extremity, trunk and lower extremity in decreasing order. There were more MN on the more sun exposed sites of the arms, hands and feet. Conclusion: It was found that previous summer sun exposure had no effect on MN count in schoolchildren. However, relation between MN count and skin phenotype and distribution of the MN on the body suggest that sun exposure could affect MN count and this effect could be seen in a long period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic nodular prurigo (CNPG) is a condition characterized by chronic itch, a prolonged scratching behaviour and the presence of pruriginous nodules. A comprehensive understanding of this condition, especially regarding its clinical characteristics and impact on quality of life is still lacking. Objectives: Aim of this pan‐European multicentre cross‐sectional study was to establish the clinical profile of CNPG, including its associated burden. Methods: Fifteen centres from 12 European countries recruited CNPG patients presenting at the centre or using the centres' own databases. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire in paper or electronic format. Demography, current co‐morbidities, underlying disease, itch intensity, additional sensory symptoms, quality of life, highest burden and emotional experience of itch were assessed. Results: A total of 509 patients (210 male, median age: 64 years [52; 72]) were enrolled. Of these, 406 reported itch and CNPG lesions in the previous 7 days and qualified to complete the whole questionnaire. We recorded moderate to severe worst itch intensity scores in the previous 24 h. Scores were higher in patients with lower educational levels and those coming from Eastern or Southern Europe. Most patients experience itch often or always (71%) and report that their everyday life is negatively affected (53%). Itch intensity was considered to be the most burdensome aspect of the disease by 49% of the patients, followed by the visibility of skin lesions (21%) and bleeding of lesions (21%). The majority of patients was unaware of an underlying condition contributing to CNPG (64%), while psychiatric diseases were the conditions most often mentioned in association with CNPG (19%). Conclusions: This multicentre cross‐sectional study shows that itch is the dominant symptom in CNPG and reveals that the profile of the disease is similar throughout Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning the prevalence of Demodex folliculorum in young adults.

Basosquamous carcinoma of the skin is a rare malignancy with specific histopathological features of both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Some authors believe that basosquamous carcinoma is a variant of basal cell carcinoma, while others suggest that this tumour may behave more aggressively. We present a 44-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with a basosquamous carcinoma histopathologically. She had extensive ulcero-vegetative lesions, involving the anterior half of the scalp, the left orbit and the left side of the face. With this case we aim to emphasize the aggressive nature of basosquamous carcinoma and review the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]