Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 15% of the population and is one of chronic infl ammatory diseases more common in childhood. Intense pruritus and skin xerosis are the most important symptoms of the disease. Restoration of epidermal barrier protection elements through the use of emollients is essential for disease treatment. Objective: To evaluate the improvement in pruritus, skin hydration, and xerosis in two groups of patients using the same moisturizer (colloidal oatmeal, glycerol and petrolatum), but with different pH values in patients with AD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients aged 7 to 54 years with AD moderate to severe and pruritus were randomly divided in two groups. The groups were switched after 30 days. Results: The results were assessed after 60 days. Improvement in pruritus, xerosis, and hydration were evaluated by the physician, the patient, and by corneometry. There was no statistical difference in the two groups; therefore, data were evaluated as belonging to a single group at the end. Decrease in pruritus was observed by 59% of patients and 52% of physicians; xerosis reduction was observed by 52% of patients and 43% of physicians. The level of skin hydration in areas with eczema has increased by 79% compared with baseline period. Conclusion: Moisturizers containing colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, and petrolatum with pH close to the one in normal skin showed to be appropriate to improve pruritus in patients with AD.

Keywords: DERMATITIS, ATOPIC, ATOPIC DERMATITIS, PRURITUS, XEROSIS, MOISTURIZER

Seborrheic keratosis are benign epithelial tumors that are usually easily diagnosed through clinical and dermatoscopic examination. They can sometimes resemble malignant lesions, especially melanoma. This article illustrates two such cases, highlighting the detailed dermatoscopic observations that help distinguish these lesions, to help increase the accuracy of diagnoses.

Keywords: KERATOSIS, SEBORRHEIC, MELANOMA, DERMOSCOPY

Introduction: Skin xerosis commonly occurs in atopic dermatitis, promoting pruritus and inflammation. Hygiene with syndets (synthetic detergents) is gentle and preserves the skin barrier. Objective: To evaluate the skin's tolerance, and improvement of the xerosis, with the use of a shower gel specially developed for atopic skin. Methods: Thirty-three patients (18 to 50-years-old) were evaluated during four weeks, when using exclusively this product. Hydration, transepidermal water loss, and skin surface pH measurements were taken from the forearm at baseline and after a single application, and were compared to the untreated control area (contralateral forearm). Results: All patients completed the study and there were no adverse reactions. Higher levels of hydration and a reduction of transepidermal water loss were verified in the area washed with the shower gel when compared to the area washed with pure water. Significant improvement was observed in the pruritus and skin smoothness, and there was less irritation and dryness after continued use. Conclusions: A cleansing process using a syndet gel was demonstrated as capable of preserving not only the skin's integrity, but also the skin barrier in atopic patients, in addition to improving clinical signs and symptoms related to xerosis, such as dryness and pruritus.

Keywords: DERMATITIS, ATOPIC, SKIN CARE, PRURITUS, THERAPEUTICS

Introduction: The skin may present dysfunctions that result in histological alterations and elementary lesions, many of them caused by immunologic mechanisms and/or alterations in the epidermal barrier. Objective: The present study was aimed at verifying in vitro whether some cosmetic products marketed in Brazil in the form of liquid soaps, have anti-inflammatory and protective efficacy in the skin barrier. Methods: An in vitro study was carried out with four commercial soaps, which were evaluated in a cell culture of human keratinocytes for the determination of their anti-inflammatory and epidermal barrier restorative effects, as well as their capacity to reduce cutaneous hypersensitivity. Concentrations of keratin 10 and 14, loricrin, IL-12, IFN-γ and TRP V-1 were measured in the cell culture supernatants of human keratinocyte through the sandwich ELISA assay. Results: The four test substances led to significant reductions in the synthesis of IFN-γ and IL-12. Only the test substance C triggered a significant increase in the synthesis of keratin 10. All test substances showed significant reductions in the synthesis of keratin 14 and TRPV-1, and a significant increase in the synthesis of loricrin. Conclusions: Some cosmetic products in the form of soap can have in vitro results regarding their anti-inflammatory, epidermal barrier restoration and skin hypersensitivity reduction effects.

Keywords: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS/ADVERSE EFFECTS; DERMATITIS, ATOPIC; SOAPS

Introduction: The use of moisturizers improves the skin barrier’s function and might be useful in atopic dermatitis.
Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of an active moisturizer-barrier repairer based on glycerin, erythritol, Imperata cylindrica and homarine as an adjuvant treatment in atopic dermatitis.
Methods: Application of the moisturizer in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis for 1 month, with subjective and objective evaluations after 15 and 30 days.
Results: Data from 35 children — 20 girls (57.15%), 15 boys (42.86%) / 26 Caucasians (74.29%), 6 mulattos (17.14%), 3 dark skinned (8.57%) — aged 1 to 10 years (mean age = 5.6) were analyzed. The values of the variables sleeping disorders, dryness, desquamation, pruritus and softness of the skin had significantly decreased on the 30th day of treatment as compared to the baseline. The objective evaluation of the severity using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis severity index revealed a decrease to 9.30 from 25.27 (p <0.0001). There was a reduction in the use of dexchlorpheniramine and hydrocortisone to 5.72% each on the 30th day, from 25.71% (p = 0.0233) and 34.29% (p = 0.0075) on the 15th day, respectively.
Conclusions: The use of the moisturizer for 30 days improved the analyzed symptoms with a significant reduction in the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis severity index with decreased need for antihistamines and topical corticosteroids. The use of a suitable moisturizer was effective and safe as an adjuvant treatment for children with atopic dermatitis.

Keywords: DERMATITIS, ATOPIC; HYGROSCOPIC AGENTS; CHILD

The dermatologist's clinical practice is based on the analysis of cutaneous lesions that is carried out mainly by clinical observation, and currently supplemented with tests such as dermoscopy and confocal microscopy. Despite its low cost, the Wood's lamp has been decreasingly used as an auxiliary diagnostic method. The authors of the present study describe several cases of use of the Wood's lamp where it provided valuable assistance to the dermatologist, aiming at encouraging the use of this device in the daily practice.

Keywords: fluorescence; diagnosis; malassezia; propionibacterium acnes; porphyrias; vitiligo; melanosis; erythrasma; corynebacterium; tinea capitis

INTRODUCTION: Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease in areas with a higher concentration of sebaceous glands and the participation of the fungi of the genus Malassezia sp.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of treating moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis using two shampoo formulations in monotherapy.
METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, with or without chemically processed hair, were grouped according to the degree of affection and used one of two versions of shampoo monotherapy for four weeks. Relapse after treatment cessation was also evaluated.
RESULTS: There was a significant reduction (p <0.05) of oiliness since the first application. The other signs (erythema and peeling) showed significant improvement for both treatments. Participants also reported a considerable improvement in pruritus, erythema, and peeling. The effect on the hair strands was considered positive with both procedures. After one week of suspension, the relapse rate was considered non-significant (p <0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Both versions of shampoos were able to promote effective control of moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis. These formulations also demonstrated not to harm the hair strands, even when chemically processed, a fundamental fact to treatment adherence.

Keywords: Dermatitis Seborrheic; Inflammation; Keratolytic Agents; Malassezia; Sebum

Scalp seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff, is thought to worsen during the winter when there is later sunrise and less daylight. This study investigates trends in search engine interest for the term "dandruff" as they relate to changes in daylight, sunrise, and seasonality. We investigated the search interest in several countries of varying latitudes over a five-year period, and we explore the effect of daylight saving time on disease interest within two cities in the United States. We discuss our findings in the context of hormonal changes and skincare/behavior.

Keywords: Hair; Dandruff; Dermatitis; Hair diseases; Light; Sunlight

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease whose hallmark is a deficient skin barrier. Current treatment consists of restoring this barrier using emollients, reported corticosteroids, and systemic medications in severe cases. This study aimed to evaluate the subdermal hyaluronic acid (HA) injection to treat AD. We applied HA to plaques of atopic dermatitis, and there was a global improvement in the lesions and skin elasticity after two weeks. There was no complete regression of the plaques; however, HA can be proposed as an adjuvant treatment option for key areas.

Keywords: Hyaluronic acid; Dermatitis, Atopic; Therapeutics