International Journal of Trichology最新文献

Isotretinoin is often used for acne treatment. Common side effects include dry eyes and mouth, muscle aches, and hypertriglyceridemia. Scalp cysts have not yet been reported in conjunction with isotretinoin. In this report, we describe a case of alopecic scalp cysts developing following 3 weeks of isotretinoin use by a young female for facial nodulocystic acne. On dermoscopy, hair follicular openings were patent, with few scattered black dots and open comedones. A diagnosis of pseudo-acne fulminans was made, and she was treated with a tapering course of oral prednisolone, oral erythromycin, and topical minoxidil, with the resolution of the cysts and good hair regrowth. As isotretinoin is commonly used by dermatologists, it is important for clinicians to be aware of the presentation and treatment of this unintended outcome, particularly in acne patients with scalp comedones.

The novel viral pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has sparked uncertainties and controversies as to its origin, epidemiology, and natural course. In this situation, the medical disciplines strive to contribute to a better understanding of the disease with the best available evidence gained from the scientific method of observation and statistics. The study of the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 has evolved with the hope that they may be useful as markers for the disease, for prognostication, and further insights into the pathogenesis of the disease manifestations. With regard to the hair, clinicopathological correlations have remained hypothetic. Association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and gray hair with COVID-19 severity, COVID-19-associated postinfectious effluvium, scalp allodynia, and stress-induced telogen effluvium have been the objects of speculation. Further in-depth studies are warranted to establish whether COVID-19-associated hair loss is due to the systemic inflammation with fever, or whether the inflammation and/or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may target the hair follicle. Meanwhile, dermatologic conditions have been investigated as cutaneous markers for elevated mortality risk, including AGA and graying. Ultimately, most have been scrutinized with regard to the accuracy and validity of the statistics and not been found to be convincing in identifying them as independent risk factors. We therefore challenge the proposal of the "Gabrin sign" as an eponym for AGA as a severity risk factor in COVID-19. Moreover, Dr. Frank Gabrin is rather to be remembered for his selfless and courageous service at the front lines of the pandemic than for the stigma of his alopecia.

Aim: The aim of this was to determine the force exerted during the pull test using a hand-held spring balance.

Materials and methods: A hand-held spring balance was used to determine the force exerted during pull test. Ten volunteers performed the test five times each, and the mean was recorded as the force exerted by each volunteer.

Results: A total of 10 volunteers were included in the study. The mean value of the force exerted by the volunteers was 0.25 N (Newton).

Conclusion: Using the spring balance, we attempted to measure the force used while performing the pull test, which may help in standardizing the hair pull test. Further experiments are being undertaken to determine the grasping force exerted during pull test. These two forces when combined in an instrument will enable us to overcome the individual investigator variability while performing the test.

Extensive alopecia areata including alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis is a therapeutic challenge in majority of the cases due to poor response to therapy, frequent relapses, minimal chances of spontaneous remission, and the associated psychological distress. Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is one of the established therapeutic modalities for alopecia areata, although with a variable response rate. The use of systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine, azathioprine, and methotrexate is limited by their side effects. Apremilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, marked with a high safety profile and minimal monitoring, has been used off-label in many dermatological conditions including alopecia areata. We report three cases of extensive refractory alopecia areata with successful remission following combination therapy of DPCP and apremilast.

Traction folliculitis (TF) is an uncommon and under-reported entity that presents as perifollicular erythema and pustules in patients in whom excessive traction is used while styling the hair. In this article, we report 2 patients who presented with TF subsequent to excessive traction while tying the hair. In both these patients, the condition improved with change of hairstyle.

Apocrine hidrocystoma (AH) is an uncommon benign cystic tumor, which arises from the apocrine secretory coil. The lesion is usually single and commonly seen over the face or scalp. It rarely involves the genitalia and if ever seen, then it occurs in foreskin followed by the shaft of the penis. AH commonly affects adults with equal gender incidence. Histopathological confirmation is done by the presence of cystic spaces in the dermis lined by bilaminar epithelium, outer myoepithelial cells and inner columnar, and eosinophilic cells with basally positioned nuclei, and often prominent apical snouts are also noted. It should be differentiated from other cystic lesions over the penile shaft. The treatment of choice is the complete excision. To date, only 13 cases of genital AH have been reported. Among that, very few cases have been reported over the penile shaft. Herein, we emphasize the importance of considering the differential diagnosis of the cystic lesion over the penile shaft.

Congenital atrichia a rare form of alopecia in children, presents with complete absence or sparse hair over the scalp and body, while the teeth, nails, and sweat glands are normal. Uncommonly, this hair abnormality can be associated with any systemic or cutaneous abnormalities. We report three cases of congenital atrichia with parental nonconsanguinity and central nervous associations such as developmental delay,spastic quadriparesis, failure to thrive, myoclonic seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The presence of papular lesions in two among the three children further supplemented our case report. Genetic analysis and counseling regarding the constancy of the condition will be the foremost important part of management.