Member Newsletter
2021 No. 008
Dear Member/Student,
Welcome to the latest World Trichology Society newsletter.
For WTS News, please go to the ‘Announcement’ page of the website:
Current Trichological and Health News
1. Chemical Burns On Scalp Possible When Dying Hair Without Proper Precautions, Physician Warns
HealthDay said that “failure to take proper precautions when having your hair dyed could result in chemical burns on your scalp,” according to comments made by Baylor College of Medicine assistant professor of family and community medicine Dr. Nneka Okafor. Okafor said, “We are seeing some now because people have been in quarantine and are finally going out again and want to try new hairstyles or get highlights, so it’s not unexpected that there could be some scalp injury from various cosmetics.” The article added, “If you suffer a chemical burn, the first step is to fully rinse the hair. After the dye is removed, wash your hair with baby soap or any soap without harsh chemicals or fragrance.”
2. Low Scalp Biopsy Rates In Patients With SLE May Lead To Overestimation Of AA Prevalence
Dermatology Advisor reports, “Low rates of scalp biopsy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may lead to an overestimation of the prevalence of concomitant alopecia areata (AA),” according to datapublished in Dermatologic Therapy. Results in the 70-patient study showed that among “patients with both SLE and non-scarring alopecia, just under a quarter were diagnosed using scalp biopsy. Per these results, investigators advocated for the routine use of scalp biopsy in the examination of patients with SLE and hair loss.”
3. Patients With Psoriasis May Have Double The Risk Of Mortality Than Those Without The Disease
Healio reports, “Patients with psoriasis in the United States may have double the risk of mortality than those who do not have the disease,” researchers concluded after conducting “a retrospective population-based cohort study of 13,031 U.S. subjects who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys,” then using “data from the Social Security Administration, CMS, National Center for Health Statistics and National Demographic Institute to determine mortality data.” Published in JAMA.
4. Androgenetic Alopecia May Be Tied To HRQOL But Not With Depressive Symptoms
Healio reports, “Androgenetic alopecia was significantly associated with health-related quality of life [HRQOL] but not with depressive symptoms,” investigators concluded after conducting “a systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 case series, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and randomized clinical trials that evaluated psychiatric disorders or HRQOL in 7,995 patients with androgenetic alopecia.” The findings were published online in JAMA Dermatology.
5. Dietary Macronutrients, Total Dietary Energy Appear To Be Associated With Skin Microbiota
Dermatology Advisor reports, “Dietary macronutrients and total dietary energy are associated with skin microbiota,” researchers concluded after conducting “a cross-sectional survey of skin microbiota from participants of two population-based adult German cohorts, PopGen, and KORA FF4.” The findings were published online in the British Journal of Dermatology.
6. Company Recalling Five Sunscreen Products Over Low Levels Of Potential Carcinogenic
USA Today reported “Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its sunscreen products after low levels of benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer with repeated exposure, were found in samples.” J&J “announced the recall Wednesday and advised consumers to stop using the products.” The impacted “products, which were sold in aerosol cans, are Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, and four Neutrogena sunscreen versions: Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, CoolDry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Invisible Daily Defense aerosol sunscreen and UltraSheer aerosol sunscreen.” The recall includes all can sizes and all levels of sun protection factor, or SPF.
7. The AAD encourages FINA to allow swimming caps designed for voluminous curly and tightly coiled hair (American Academy of Dermatology)
On behalf of the more than 20,000 members of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), I encourage the International Swimming Federation (FINA) to allow Olympic athletes to use swimming caps that are designed for the unique properties of voluminous curly and tightly coiled hair as well as cover and protect this hair type from damage. As physicians who evaluate and treat hair and scalp diseases and who have a deep understanding of hair structure and hair care, we are the leading authorities on how to maintain healthy hair. The curl pattern, intrinsic strength, water content/dryness and susceptibility to breakage vary greatly among individuals. Swimming caps serve to protect the scalp and hair from repeated exposures to both water and chlorine. Because many individuals have curly or tightly coiled hair of large volume that is prone to breakage particularly when exposed to chemicals such as chlorine and repeated exposure to water, different types of swimming caps are needed to protect different types of hair. The AAD asks FINA to allow Olympic athletes to use swimming caps designed for unique hair properties as outlined above.
8. Area Of Microbiome Research Known As “Rewilding” The Focus Of Increasing Interest, Scrutiny
The New York Times reports on the rising trend in medical research known as “rewilding” the microbiome, which involves reintroducing microbes thought to be common among ancient populations with the goal of protecting against chronic and autoimmune diseases, “including obesity, diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome.” According to the Times, “‘rewilding’ is hotly debated, both as a medical and ethical enterprise,” with “the ethical questions [sitting] uncomfortably close to science’s history of racism and exploitation.” However, there is currently a lot of interest in funding “rewilding” research; for example, microbiome startup Finch Therapeutics “recently raised $128 million in an I.P.O., even though it has no product on the market.”
9. WHAT YOUR SKIN CAN TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
(American Academy of Dermatology)
Though skin is on the outside of your body, it can be a surprisingly clear window to what’s happening on the inside. “You can tell a lot about somebody by looking at their skin,” says Bruce Brod, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Perhaps most obviously, the state of your skin can suggest your living habits to a dermatologist’s trained eye. “One of the first things a dermatologist can tell by looking at someone is how much outdoor exposure they’ve had by the appearance of sun damage for their age,” says Dr. Brod. “Things like wrinkles, spots, uneven pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.” Skin may also be a giveaway that people are sleep deprived. “Droopy, saggy, dark circles under the eyes can be a clue to fatigue,” says Steven Daveluy, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist with the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Dearborn, Michigan. Skin can even tell dermatologists if people are drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated. “One of the signs of dehydration is sunken-looking skin around the eyes,” says Dr. Daveluy. “Dry skin can also indicate dehydration.” And smokers’ skin often gives away their habit. “The skin of smokers is often more pale or sallow in color, and they’ll have wrinkling around the lips,” says Dr. Brod. But even more than revealing lifestyle habits, skin can also help doctors diagnose many illnesses. Your board-certified dermatologist can help discover whether the following symptoms may be due to something more serious.
Dry, itchy skin
It’s not uncommon for skin to feel dry or itchy, especially in the winter. Keeping your baths and showers short and moisturizing while your skin is still damp afterward can usually keep this condition under control. People with chronic skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema) experience these symptoms more often and more severely. “But there’s a subset of patients who itch because of an underlying disease,” explains Dr. Brod. Diabetes, for example, can make the skin more prone to itching, as can lymphoma. Opioids and other medications can also cause itching. Thyroid disorders may cause skin to become dry. “Dermatologists have the training to be able to know when to do a blood test and evaluate a patient more thoroughly,” says Dr. Brod.
Irritated hands
Constant handwashing and using hand sanitizers with alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic can take a toll on your hands. Moisturizing hand creams or ointments can usually take care of this common problem. But, sometimes the problem isn’t so common. “A condition called dermatomyositis can mimic hand dermatitis caused by irritation or overwashing, with red patches on the back of the hands,” says Dr. Brod. “Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease similar to lupus.” A dermatologist can tell when irritated-appearing hands are really something more.
Dandruff
Seborrhea is the medical name for common dandruff on the scalp (and sometimes around the nose). It can usually be treated with medicated shampoos or prescription treatments. “But even dandruff can be a clue to underlying illness,” says Dr. Brod. “Patients with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or stroke are more prone to developing severe seborrhea.” People with HIV are also more prone to seborrhea.
Acne
Breakouts are normal during adolescence, and they often persist into adulthood. Wearing a face mask can also cause acne to flare. “But new acne, or really severe acne you didn’t have before, can sometimes indicate an underlying hormonal abnormality, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women,” says Dr. Daveluy.
Discolored skin
Color changes to the skin can sometimes indicate underlying illness. “Skin sometimes looks gray, sallower, in people with underlying chronic illness,” says Dr. Brod. Yellowish- or orangish-looking skin can be a sign of kidney or liver disease. “And brown or tan spots on the shins can be a sign that blood is not circulating well, and may eventually progress to ulcers,” says Dr. Daveluy. While skin color changes can be important clues for dermatologic diagnoses, Dr. Brod says that these clues may appear differently in someone who has skin of color. For instance, rashes may appear darker or have a purple hue. That’s why it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist, as they have the expertise and training to recognize and diagnose changes in skin in people of all colors.
Small bumps around the eyes
Small yellow bumps that can show up around the eyes or nose are called xanthelasma, and they’re made of cholesterol deposits. “In some people, it’s a sign that you have high cholesterol,” says Dr. Daveluy. “But in about half of people, it’s not.” Having the bumps, though, is a sign that you should have your cholesterol checked.
Rashes
There are a lot of reasons why your skin might break out in a rash. Common rashes include contact dermatitis—a reaction to something your skin touches that can usually be easily treated with topical therapy and avoiding the substance that triggered the rash. “But sometimes even rashes that are easy to treat can indicate changes to overall health,” says Dr. Daveluy. Other times, rashes appear as a symptom of skin diseases that can affect your overall health. Having psoriasis, for example, increases the risk of having heart disease and other conditions. And, of course, there are distinctive rashes like the target-shaped rash of Lyme disease and the butterfly rash across the face that many lupus patients develop. “There are a few things that might be clues that your rash is more serious,” says Dr. Daveluy. “If it doesn’t respond to treatment, and if it’s affecting more than your skin—for instance, if you have joint pains or fever—that may indicate that there’s something going on internally.”
Journal Articles
For journal publications, click on the URL under the title of the topic you wish to see and it will open to a free abstract of the article. For obtaining the full article, just follow the relevant prompts on the site (a payment may be required for the full article).
Marta Bispo Lousada, Janin Edelkamp, Tim Lachnit, Hanieh Erdmann, Ralf Paus
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/exd.14364?
2. The Role of the Skin Microbiota in the Modulation of Cutaneous Inflammation‐ Lessons from the Gut
Abigail E. Elias, Andrew J. McBain, Catherine A. O’Neill
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/exd.14420?
3. Pathobiology questions raised by telogen effluvium and trichodynia in COVID‐19 patients
Anna Di Landro, Luigi Naldi, Ella Glaser, Ralf Paus, Antonella Tosti
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/exd.14352?
4. Free and total vitamin D in psoriatic patients treated with biological drugs
Angela Filoni, Maurizio Congedo, Debora Lobreglio, Giacomo Caldarola, Gianbattista Lobreglio, Clara De Simone, Domenico Bonamonte
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/exd.14322?
1. Hair loss, facial dysmorphology, and skeletal alterations – a diagnostic challenge
Rogério Nabor Kondo MD, Fitnat Buket Basmanav PhD, Sabrina Wolf, Lorivaldo Minelli MD, Jorge Frank MD, Regina C. Betz MD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.15718?
2. Hyperpigmentation of the hands and feet revealing vitamin B12 deficiency
Defo Defo MD, Bernard Chetcha MD, Pius-May Kindong Nchindo MD, Dahlia N. Tounouga MD, Emmanuel A. Kouotou MD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.15751?
Sema E. Aksac MD, Serap G. Bilgili MD, Goknur O. Yavuz MD, Ibrahim H. Yavuz MD, Murat Aksac MD, Ayse S. Karadag MD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.15485?
Arcadi Altemir MD, Alejandro Lobato-Berezo MD, Ramon M. Pujol MD, PhD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.15775?
5. Clascoterone: a new topical anti‐androgen for acne management
Parvathy Santhosh MD, Mamatha George MD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.15752?
1. Baricitinib improved alopecia areata concomitant with atopic dermatitis: A case report
Hideaki Uchida, Masahiro Kamata, Mayumi Nagata, et al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1346-8138.16024?
2. Use of facial care products and frontal fibrosing alopecia: Coincidence or true association?
Waroonphan Leecharoen, Kanchalit Thanomkitti, et al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1346-8138.16063?
1. Atrichia with papular lesions: a differential diagnosis of alopecia universalis not to be missed
A. Ibrahim, F. Buket Basmanav, G. Bohelay, A. Lévy, R.C. Betz, F. Caux
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jdv.17479?
2. Hair Flag Sign: Macroscopic and Trichoscopic Feature of Hair Regrowth in Alopecia Areata
L.T. Fernández, D.E. Kubelis-López, F.Z. Muñoz-Garza, et al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jdv.17473?
P.V. Chernyshov, L. Tomas-Aragones, A.Y. Finlay, et al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jdv.17370?
1. How stress affects the skin: from designs to mechanisms
A.W.M. Evers, S. van Beugen
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.20397?
2. Comparing the Clinical Differences in White and Black Women with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
P. Adotama, V. Callender, A. Kolla, C. Young, P. Jones, K. Svigos, L. Yin, N. Ugonabo, D. Gutierrez, E. Peterson, K. Lo Sicco, J. Shapiro
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.20605?
3. The epidemiology of alopecia areata: a population-based cohort study in UK primary care
M. Harries, A. Macbeth, S. Holmes, W. Chiu, W. Romero, M. Nijher, S. de Lusignan, C. Tziotzios and A. Messenger
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.19939?
4. Food for thought: does host diet affect skin microbes?
A.M. Schneider, A.M. Nelson
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.20573?
5. YouTube as a source of educational information for natural hair
S. Shukla, A. Amuzie, D. Moslehi, E. Linos, J. Lester
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.20402?
A.J. Stefanis, P. Arenberger, M. Arenbergerova, S. Gkalpakiotis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.20489?
1. Significant Hair Regrowth in a Middle Eastern Woman with Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
K. Lobon, J. Pinczewski, B. Bhoyrul
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ced.14822?
R. Friedland, S. Reiss-Huss, F. Sabbah, D. Ben Amitai
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ced.14831?
3. Combo dermoscopy highlights the fungal invasion of vellus in tinea vellus
Z.-H. Liu, H.-L. Zhi, X.-J. Xia
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ced.14839?
4. Is Heritability of Alopecia Areata Sex‐Specific? A Nationwide Population‐Based Cohort Study
C.-K. Wong, Y.-L. Chen, R.C. Hsiao, S.C.-S. Hu, C.-F. Yen
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ced.14836?
1. A story of fibers and stress: Matrix‐embedded signals for fibroblast activation in the skin
Mugdha Sawant PhD, Boris Hinz PhD, Katrin Schönborn PhD, Isabel Zeinert MSc, Beate Eckes PhD, Thomas Krieg MD, PhD, Ronen Schuster PhD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/wrr.12950?
1. Application of follicular unit extraction to remove oral hair
Tingfeng Xiong MD, Lei Guo MD, Zhongliang Lang MD, Yangze Ou MD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.14302?
Imran Majid MD, FRCP, Farah Sameem MD, Javeed Sultan MD, Set al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.14289?
3. Modified single‐hair follicular unit grafting to restore eyelashes
Songjia Tang MD, Xiaoxin Wu PhD, Peihua Liu MD, et al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.14234?
Ncoza C. Dlova, Nkanyezi N. Ferguson, Jennifer N. Rorex, Gail Todd
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cod.13825?
Aarthy K Uthayakumar, Emily Rudd, Mariana Noy, et al.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajd.13660?
Soha Aboeldahab MD, Essam El-Din Abdel-aziz Nada MD, Hanan Abd-Elrady Assaf MD, Zeinab Abu-Elbaha Gouda MSc, Mohammed Abu El-Hamd MD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.15044?
Danielle Peterson MD, Mathieu Powell MD, CM, FRCP(C), DABD, FAAD, Brett King MD, PhD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.15062?
3. Black dots in trichoscopy after COVID‐19. Can it be telogen effluvium?
Maria Vastarella, Mariateresa Cantelli, Paola Nappa, Gabriella Fabbrocini, Sonia Sofía Ocampo-Garza
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dth.15053?
1. Sweet syndrome with perifollicular involvement because of koebnerization from facial hair plucking
Kelly E. Flanagan MS, Steven Krueger MD, Shinya Amano MD, PhD, Amanda Auerbach MD, Jessica St. John MD, MPH, MBA, April Deng MD, PhD
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cup.14061?
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In Wong, C-K et al.’s research article regarding “Is Heritability of Alopecia Areata Sex‐Specific? A Nationwide Population‐Based Cohort Study”, what sex child was more likely to inherit Alopecia Areata from their father?
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