Rifampicin-induced burning: an unusual presentation

Skin atrophy caused by topical glucocorticoids is less common in patients with atopic dermatitis than in those with psoriasis

Although the long-term use of topical glucocorticoids (TGC) may induce skin atrophy including striae distensae (SD), patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) appear to have lesser degree of skin atrophy than those with psoriasis (PSO). Periostin, encoded by POSTN, is involved in tissue remodelling processes of chronic AD lesions. This study was designed to investigate the difference in the occurrence of skin atrophy in patients with AD or PSO when treated with TGC and to elucidate the association between skin atrophy and periostin. Big data analysis using Korean Health Claims Database was performed to determine the prevalence of SD in AD and PSO patients. Blood and skin eosinophils count and dermal fibrosis between AD and PSO patients were compared, and immunohistochemistry for periostin and mRNA sequencing in the dermis were performed. Animal experiments using AD and PSO murine model were conducted. Big data analysis revealed that patients with AD have significantly lesser degree of SD than patients with PSO. The ratio of the dermal fibrous tissues and eosinophil counts were significantly higher in AD patients. In AD skin, periostin was more widely distributed in the entire dermis and POSTN mRNAs were significantly upregulated. Dermal thickness and fibrosis were significantly higher in AD mice even after TGC treatment. A significant positive correlation was observed between dermal fibrosis and tissue eosinophil counts. Lesser skin atrophy in AD patients even after long-term TGC application could be resulted from skin fibrosis caused by increased tissue eosinophils and periostin deposition.

Striae Distensae: Scars without Wounds

SUMMARY

Striae distensae, or stretch marks, are common linear lesions of atrophic skin characterized histologically by epidermal atrophy, absent rete ridges, and alterations in connective tissue architecture. Hormonal excess, mechanical stress, and genetic predisposition are all associated with striae distensae, but their exact pathogenesis remains unknown. Despite a multitude of options, no single treatment has yet proven effective. In this article, the authors describe an up-to-date overview of striae distensae in terms of their etiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic options. Further research is required to better elucidate their pathophysiology and to develop targeted effective treatments.

Striae distensae in adolescents: A mini review

Striae distensae or stretch marks are mainly a cosmetic concern. They commonly occur in adolescence and in pregnant women. Although, generally more common in females; physiological striae atrophicae of adolescence are more common in males. The pathophysiology is multifactorial with mechanical stretching of the skin being the most important. Despite of an abundance of treatment modalities none is 100% effective. (www.actabiomedica.it)

In vivo study of dermal collagen of striae distensae by confocal Raman spectroscopy

This research work mainly deals with studying qualitatively the changes in the dermal collagen of two forms of striae distensae (SD) namely striae rubrae (SR) and striae albae (SA) when compared to normal skin (NS) using confocal Raman spectroscopy. The methodology includes an in vivo human skin study for the comparison of confocal Raman spectra of dermis region of SR, SA, and NS by supervised multivariate analysis using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to determine qualitatively the changes in dermal collagen. These groups are further analyzed for the extent of hydration of dermal collagen by studying the changes in the water content bound to it. PLS-DA score plot showed good separation of the confocal Raman spectra of dermis region into SR, SA, and NS data groups. Further analysis using loading plot and S-plot indicated the participation of various components of dermal collagen in the separation of these groups. Bound water content analysis showed that the extent of hydration of collagen is more in SD when compared to NS. Based on the results obtained, this study confirms the active involvement of dermal collagen in the formation of SD. It also emphasizes the need to study quantitatively the role of these various biochemical changes in the dermal collagen responsible for the variance between SR, SA, and NS.

Obesity related skin disorders

Obesity is a serious global problem. In recent years, it has been an increase in patients with obesity. In a review of literature presents data on the effect of obesity on the skin. It is responsible for the development of a number of dermatological diseases, including acantosis nigricans, akrohordony, follicular hyperkeratosis, infectious diseases of the skin. Against the background of obesity worsens psoriasis. The connection between obesity and atopic dermatitis.

New insights on keloids, hypertrophic scars, and striae

This article presents an overview of the literature regarding treatments for keloid disease, hypertrophic scars, and striae distensae in dark pigmented skin. Striae, keloid, and hypertrophic scarring present a challenging problem for both the clinician and patient. No single therapy is advocated for hypertrophic scars, keloid scars, or striae distensae. New therapies have shown promise in the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars, and in patients with dark pigmented skin. This article provides guidance on the assessment and determination of patients' suitability for certain treatment options, as well as advice on the follow-up of patients affected with problematic scarring and striae.

The unusually large striae distensae all over the body

Striae distensae or stretch marks are cutaneous changes which may appear everywhere on the body, except for the face, and they usually occur in stretching areas. We want to present unusually large striae that developed nearly all the body of a 14-year-old patient during steroid therapy. Such huge striae are very rare, especially when the doses of steroids are not high. Widely spread striae are not a serious disease or disability, but only a cosmetic problem. However, they may lead to a persistent complex and feeling of inferiority or even cause serious depression states, especially in teenagers, as in this case.

Obesity and the skin: Skin physiology and skin manifestations of obesity

Obesity is widely recognized as an epidemic in the Western world; however, the impact of obesity on the skin has received minimal attention. The purpose of this article is to highlight the association between obesity and dermatologic conditions. We review the impact of obesity on the skin, including skin physiology, skin manifestations of obesity, and dermatologic diseases aggravated by obesity. Obesity is responsible for changes in skin barrier function, sebaceous glands and sebum production, sweat glands, lymphatics, collagen structure and function, wound healing, microcirculation and macrocirculation, and subcutaneous fat. Moreover, obesity is implicated in a wide spectrum of dermatologic diseases, including acanthosis nigricans, acrochordons, keratosis pilaris, hyperandrogenism and hirsutism, striae distensae, adiposis dolorosa, and fat redistribution, lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, plantar hyperkeratosis, cellulitis, skin infections, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, insulin resistance syndrome, and tophaceous gout. We review the clinical features, evidence for association with obesity, and management of these various dermatoses and highlight the profound impact of obesity in clinical dermatology.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

After completing this learning activity, participants should be aware of obesity-associated changes in skin physiology, skin manifestations of obesity, and dermatologic diseases aggravated by obesity, and be able to formulate a pathophysiology-based treatment strategy for obesity-associated dermatoses.