International Journal of Women''s Dermatology最新文献

Background: Hair care beliefs and practices are influenced by cultural traditions and modern trends. Understanding these perceptions can help address common misconceptions and guide better care practices.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore widespread beliefs and routines related to hair care among a diverse population.

Methods: A 40-item questionnaire was administered to 300 participants of various demographic backgrounds and hair types. It covered topics such as hair washing frequency, perceived factors affecting hair growth, use of hair care products, and the role of social media in influencing choices.

Results: Findings revealed common misconceptions, including beliefs about the harmful effects of frequent washing, the importance of certain nutrients, and exaggerated expectations from specific products. Social media played a significant role in shaping participants' hair care behaviors.

Limitations: The study relied on self-reported data, which may be biased. The sample may not represent the general population, and cultural nuances might be underrepresented. The cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation, and no clinical assessments were conducted.

Conclusion: Dermatologists have a key role in dispelling myths and providing evidence-based advice. Educational efforts, both in clinical settings and via social media, could improve public understanding and promote healthier hair care practices.

Background: Early childhood sun exposure contributes to lifetime risk of skin cancer. Many individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds believe their skin tone confers immunity to sun damage; however, evidence of negative outcomes exists. Best practice in photoprotection for children of color is unclear.

Objective: We sought to address the risks, benefits, and needs for sun protection and education in children of color.

Methods: An English-language systematic literature review was conducted. Inclusion criteria were data on children of color and content relevant to photodamage and photoprotection.

Results: Photoprotection is needed for children of all skin tones with photosensitivity. Individuals with darker skin tones have more innate photoprotection compared with lighter skin tone individuals, but both have incomplete photoprotection. Risk of nevus formation, skin cancer, and dyspigmentation are universal with varying degrees. Hispanic and Black communities are less likely to practice sun protection. Studies demonstrate need for early, culturally appropriate education about sun exposure in all communities.

Limitations: Studies reviewed were of varied design and populations.

Conclusion: This review determined that photoprotection has benefits for all patients, and the benefits of photoprotection should be taught early to children, caregivers, and parents of all skin tones using culturally appropriate approaches.

Background: Teledermatology programs may help expand access to care for skin conditions in areas that are underserved by dermatologists such as sub-Saharan Africa, but their success requires input from participating providers.

Objective: This study assesses teledermatology preferences among healthcare providers in Kenya.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey of nondermatology providers was conducted in Kenya from January to March 2024 at Aga Khan University Hospital-Nairobi and Kijabe Hospital.

Results: Among the 38 providers, 81.6% were physicians. Patient population was primarily Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. Almost all (97.4%) regularly encountered patients with skin disorders, yet only 5.3% felt comfortable diagnosing and treating 80 to 100% of these disorders independently. Providers anticipated referring cases of rashes (76.3%), unclear diagnoses (63.2%), and infectious diseases (50%), among others, for teledermatology consultation. Only 10.5% reported utilizing teledermatology, although the majority believed it would be useful (91.9%) and improve patient care (89.5%). Preferred response time was <24 hours (81.6%). Most favored submitting cases via personal cell phones (86.8%), with 87.9% preferring submission through WhatsApp.

Limitations: Participants owned smartphones. The survey was distributed via WhatsApp.

Conclusion: Nearly all providers in Kenya see patients with skin conditions, but few utilize teledermatology services. Teledermatology could be extremely beneficial for patients and providers seeking dermatologic expertise.

Objective: This review aims to consolidate available evidence, identify research gaps, and advocate for a more informed approach to the management of pityriasis rosea in pregnant individuals.

Data sources: PubMed, Web of Science, and Directory of Open Access Journals were systematically searched based on the keywords "pityriasis rosea," "pityriasis circinate," "roseola annulate," "herpes tonsurans maculosus," "herald patch," and "pregnancy" on January 25, 2024 for publications between 1950 to 2024.

Study selection: Studies containing outcomes data for pregnant patients with established PR were included. Studies must have been written or translated into English and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Studies which did not pertain to PR in the setting of pregnancy were excluded, as screened by two reviewers. Responses, general informational reviews, and letters to the editor without novel data were also excluded.

Results: Eleven relevant articles were identified, encompassing data from 177 patients. Overall, 81% of patients had favorable outcomes while 19% experienced unfavorable outcomes. PR onset before 15 weeks gestation was associated with a higher rate of unfavorable outcomes (41%), including a 27% rate of spontaneous abortion (SA). Conversely, PR onset after 15 weeks had a lower unfavorable outcome rate (21%), and no instances of SA.

Conclusion: Conflicting data exists regarding the impact of PR on pregnancy outcomes. However, PR onset within the first 15 weeks, widespread lesions, constitutional symptoms, and higher human herpesvirus 6 viral loads may increase the risk of unfavorable outcomes such as SA. Close follow-up and consideration of antiviral treatment are recommended for high-risk patients.

Background: Nevus of Hori (HN) has been primarily reported in patients of Eastern Asian descent, with a paucity of data regarding HN occurring in African patients. In this study, we report on South African patients with HN initially thought to have melasma.

Objective: To characterize the histopathological and clinical phenotypes of HN in African patients.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected from patients who met the inclusion criteria. These data entailed the clinical distribution, demographic data, Fitzpatrick skin phototype, and histopathologic features of African patients diagnosed with HN from a single private aesthetic center in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Results: Thirty patients with an average age of 49 ± 7.37 were included in this analysis. The majority of patients were female (n = 29; 96.67%), and most patients were of Fitzpatrick skin phototype V (n = 22; 73.3%). The most common clinical distribution pattern was bitemporal (76.7%), followed by the zygomatic pattern (20%), mixed type (16.7%), and finally the central forehead pattern (3.3%). Histopathologically, the dendritic cell type of melanocytes was observed in the majority of patients (n = 25; 83.3%), while spindle-shaped cells were observed in few patients (n = 7; 23.33%), and none of the patients had bipolar-type melanocytes.

Limitations: This study has limitations inherent to small sample size and its inability to accurately generalize the findings.

Conclusion: HN can clinically mimic melasma in African patients. The most common clinical presentation was bitemporal. To our knowledge, this study is the largest regarding the clinicopathological profile of HN in African patients and it is likely to be the first to report these compelling findings.

Background: A psoriasis (PSO) diagnosis may pose specific treatment challenges for women of childbearing age (WoCBA) who are considering pregnancy, are pregnant, or have just given birth.

Objective: To report perspectives of WoCBA with PSO regarding pregnancy and dermatologists about the disease management of these women in Australia and Japan.

Methods: Online surveys were completed by women aged 18 to 45 years who were pregnant within the past 5 years with moderate to severe PSO and dermatologists.

Results: In Japan (n = 31) and Australia (n = 27), most WoCBA with PSO did not feel adequately informed about pregnancy planning and had concerns regarding the safety of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) when used during pregnancy. Dermatologists (Australia: n = 40; Japan: n = 97) also had safety concerns around prescribing TNFi during pregnancy, and most were impartial toward or not at all comfortable with prescribing TNFi to women who were pregnant or actively planning pregnancy. Dermatologists felt that more safety data on pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric outcomes 5 years postdelivery would increase their comfort with prescribing TNFi.

Limitations: Limitations included small respondent size, a lack of formal validation for questionnaires, recall bias among participants, and generalizability of results to all WoCBA with PSO. Response rates of survey participants were also not collected.

Conclusion: Additional safety information can help address concerns about biologic use (including TNFi) in WoCBA, enabling dermatologists to make informed treatment recommendations in such patients.

Background: Skin of color clinics (SOCCs) are dermatology clinics that provide specialized care for patients with melanated skin. Little is known about patient perceptions and attitudes toward these clinics.

Objective: We sought to perform a survey study to assess the opinions of patients of color previously seen in our dermatology department toward SOCC.

Methods: A 14-question survey was sent by email to patients of color seen at our institution between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021.

Results: Out of 264 participants who completed the survey, 176 (66.7%) indicated they would prefer to be seen in a SOCC and 88 (33.3%) preferred to be seen in a general dermatology clinic (GDC). Clinic choice varied significantly by ethnicity, with Black/African American participants being the most likely to prefer SOCC over GDC than other races/ethnicities. Those interested in SOCC were primarily motivated by a search for expertise in the skin of color (SOC) and did not have a preference for the skin color of the SOCC dermatologist. Those interested in GDC were happy with their current care.

Limitations: This study was limited by the single-center design and sample bias.

Conclusion: Our results overall provide positive patient feedback for the creation of SOCCs as centers for expertise in SOC. The preference for SOCC varied by race/ethnicity, highlighting that clinic choice is best left to the patient.