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Background The rate of cosmetic procedures and use of skincare products is considered to be affected during the pandemic period; however, this has not been investigated yet. Objective To determine whether the ongoing pandemic has changed people's habits related to skincare products and cosmetic procedures. Methods We conducted a multicenter survey study covering both private and public hospitals. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical diagnoses of the patients were noted by dermatologists. A survey was used to determine the type and application areas of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic, whether the patients were concerned about being infected, and any change in the make-up habits of female patients. Results Of the 1437 patients, 86.7% presented to the hospital due to dermatological complaints and 13.3% for cosmetic procedures. The rate of those that did not use skincare products was 0.05% before and 0.06% during the pandemic. Of the participants, 43.2% had undergone cosmetic procedures before and 38.1% during the pandemic. For both periods, the most frequent cosmetic procedure applied was laser epilation, followed by skincare treatment and chemical peeling. While undergoing these procedures, 34.9% of the patients were concerned about contracting coronavirus. Conclusion There was no significant difference in the use of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic. The majority of the patients continued to undergo these procedures despite their fear of being infected. This shows that during the pandemic period, patients are concerned with their appearance and continue to undergo cosmetic procedures and pay attention to their skincare. WOS:000691018100001 34460987 34460987 Q3

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary skin disorder affecting 0.1-4% of the general population. The nails may be affected in patients with an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis, and in those with alopecia areata. It has been suggested that nail abnormalities should be apparent in vitiligo patients. Objective: We sought to document the frequency and clinical presentation of nail abnormalities in vitiligo patients compared to healthy volunteers. We also examined the correlations between nail abnormalities and various clinical parameters. Methods: This study included 100 vitiligo patients and 100 healthy subjects. Full medical histories were collected from the subjects, who underwent thorough general and nail examinations. All nail changes were noted. In the event of clinical suspicion of a fungal infection, additional mycological investigations were performed. Results: Nail abnormalities were more prevalent in the patients (78%) than in the controls (55%) (p=0.001). Longitudinal ridging was the most common finding (42%), followed by (in descending order): leukonychia, an absent lunula, onycholysis, nail bed pallor, onychomycosis, splinter hemorrhage and nail plate thinning. The frequency of longitudinal ridging was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p

Endothelial selectine molecules (ESMs) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were suggested to be associated with the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD). 25(OH)D deficiency may be associated with endothelial and immune dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the 25(OH)D level, and ESMs and TLRs in BD patients.BD patients were classified as 25(OH)D deficient (Group 1) and sufficient (Group 2) groups. Vitamin D replacement therapy was given to Group 1, after the last replacement dose blood was again collected. ESMs and TLRs levels were evaluated and compared both between Group 1 and Group 2, and pre- and post-treatment measurements of Group 1.The baseline plasma levels of ESMs were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p 0.05). There were not any significant differences in baseline TLRs levels between Group 1 and Group 2. The mean plasma levels of ESMs were significantly lower in post-replacement assessments (p 0.05). The mean plasma levels of TLRs were lower in post-replacement assessments, but not significantly (p 0.05). The active stage disease rate was higher in pre-treatment group (36.3%) than post-treatment group (34.6%), but the difference was not significant (p 0.05).Although vitamin D replacement in 25(OH)D deficient BD patients may have some beneficial effects on vascular dysfunction, it cannot be considered the primary treatment modality.

Pruritus is the most frequently described symptom in dermatology and can significantly impair the patient’s quality of life. In 10–50% of adults with persistent pruritus, it can be an important dermatologic clue for the presence of a significant underlying systemic disease such as renal insufficiency, cholestasis, hematologic disorder, or malignancy (Etter and Myers, 2002; Zirwas and Seraly, 2001). This review describes the presence of pruritus in different systemic diseases. It is quite important to discover the cause of pruritus for providing relief for the patients experiencing substantial morbidity caused by this condition.

Acromegaly is a systemic syndrome caused by overproduction of growth hormone. Cutaneous, endocrine, cardiovascular, skeletal, and respiratory systems are affected. Cutaneous changes in acromegaly relate to overexpression of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 on skin cells and adnexa. Dermal glycosaminoglycan accumulation and edema cause skin distention that is most prominent in the face, hands, and feet. Oily skin with large pores, hypertrichosis, and excessive sweating are common features. Pigmented skin tags, acanthosis nigricans, and psoriasis are also encountered. Cutaneous manifestations of acromegaly are various and prominent, and are an important clue for the early diagnosis and treatment of this high-morbidity disorder.

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is characterized by soft, yellow plaques on the upper or lower eyelids that create aesthetic problems for patients. There are several methods in the treatment of XP, such as surgical excision, blepharoplasty, cryotherapy, electrocauterization, chemical cauterization using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or bichloroacetic acid and laser ablation.To evaluate the efficiency and complications of 70% TCA application versus erbium: YAG laser ablation in different XP lesions on the same patient.A total of 21 patients were taken into the study-1 male and 20 females, from ages 22 to 70 years. Erbium: YAG laser ablation and 70% TCA application were performed in different XP lesions of the same patient. All patients were photographed before initiating treatment and after 4 weeks using the same digital camera. Evaluation was performed 4 weeks after the first treatment session by comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment photographs by two independent dermatologists.No significant difference of the improvement scores between the erbium laser and TCA was found (p = 0.248). No significant difference between the complication scores using erbium laser and TCA was found (p = 0.739).Both 70% TCA application and erbium: YAG laser ablation methods have similar effectiveness and complication rates.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary skin disorder that affects 0.5% to 2.0% of the population. OBJECTIVE: Patients' knowledge, opinions, and attitudes about vitiligo were evaluated. METHODS: The team conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, prospective study between June 2014 and May 2015. The study included 100 patients aged over 12 years who were diagnosed with vitiligo. A questionnaire including items on knowledge, opinions, and beliefs about vitiligo and the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) were filled out by the patients, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 100 (58 female, 42 male) patients were included in the study. Of them, 74% knew the name of their disease, 90% thought that vitiligo was not contagious, 48% reported that they obtained information on the disease from a doctor, and 69% believed they had adequate information on vitiligo. Eighty percent reported no negative effects from vitiligo on relationships with friends or family. It was believed that stress, excessive sun exposure, and heredity were causes of vitiligo, according to 84%, 37%, and 22% of the patients, respectively. Thirty-six patients (36%) believed that their illness was a serious disease and 35% deemed that it did not have a major impact on their lives. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that vitiligo patients were generally highly aware of their condition. The disease did not negatively affect patient opinions or attitudes about vitiligo. The authors believe that improving patient-physician communication will impact positively on the course of the disease.

Background Vitiligo is a common, acquired, pigmentary disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes. In this study, we evaluated the ophthalmalogic abnomalies of patients with vitiligo with regard to tear functions. Methods The patients and control subjects underwent examinations via the Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time (BUT), and Rose Bengal staining. Results Schirmer test values in patients with vitiligo were lower than those in the control subjects, but the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.200). In addition, the BUT values of patients with vitiligo were also significantly lower (P

Vitamin D plays a key role in the immune responses generated by lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. Decreased vitamin 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels have been implicated in several allergic disorders and association between 25(OH)D levels and chronic urticaria (CU) symptom scores has been evaluated in a few studies. This study was performed to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the symptoms and quality of life scores in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and to vitamin D levels in CSU patients in comparison with controls.Fifty-eight CSU patients and forty-five controls were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to severity of the disease; as mild/moderate and severe urticaria. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured in serum of CSU patients and compared with the control groups. In patients with 25(OH)D concentrations lower than 30 µg/L, 300 000 IU/month of vitamin D3 supplementation was added to standard therapy. The clinical improvement was evaluated after 3 months with urticaria activity score (UAS4) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL).Serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in CSU group compared to healthy subjects (p 0.001). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (20 (µg/L) and insufficiency (30 µg/L) was significantly higher in CSU patients than control groups. In addition, 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in both mild-moderate and severe CSU patients than those of the controls (p = 0.011 and p 0.001, respectively). Ninety eight percent of patients (25(OH)D 30 µg/L) were treated with vitamin D3 (300 000 IU/month) supplementation, and after 12 weeks, these patients showed significant improvements in UAS4 and CU-Q2oL scores.This study support the contributing and beneficial effects of vitamin D in the treatment of CU. Replacement of vitamin D may provide improvement in both the severity of symptoms and the quality of life scores in these patients.

Although rare, foot injuries caused by toothpicks can result in serious complications such as severe pain, local inflammation and infection in several days, and a delayed granulamatous foreign-body reaction in weeks or months. For this reason they should be removed from the tissue in the early phase. Here, we report case of penetration injury caused by a toothpick treated using Er: YAG laser ablation.

A 53-year-old woman presented with a solitary lesionon her left forearm, which had first appeared approxi-mately 20 years earlier and had gradually increasedin size. Physical examination (Fig. 1) revealed a firm,reddish-brown, dome-shaped nodule, 30 9 20 mm indiameter. In addition, there were yellow-brown, circu-lar crusts of around 1 mm in size over the lesion,along with a bleeding ulcerative area.

Background: Hard corns are firm, small, dome-shaped papules with translucent central cores, which occur on the palmoplantar region of toes and hands due to repeated trauma. Medical management of hard corns is difficult and sometimes requires surgical excision. Punch incision is a technique which is performed using a circular blade or trephine attached to a pencil-like handle. Aim: We hypothesized that it might serve as an alternative method to surgical excision in the treatment of recalcitrant corns and performed the technique to treat 17 corns in 15 patients. The present study aimed to review these 15 patients retrospectively and evaluate the effectiveness of punch incision. Method: A total of 15 patients with recalcitrant corns were treated using punch incision between April 2011 and December 2012 and were evaluated by photographs and patient satisfaction questionnaires. Results: Out of the 17 corns, 3 corns persisted after punch incision and the patients were referred to the orthopedic clinic for further treatment; 2 of the 17 corns partially responded and required additional topical treatment; and 12 of the 17 corns responded completely to punch incision. Conclusion: Punch incision is a simple and effective technique for the treatment of small corns on the palms and soles.

Zosterifom connective tissue nevus is a rare kind of connective tissue nevi composed of collagen, elastin, or glycosaminoglycan, which was first reported by Steiner 1944. Herein, we report a young boy with a collagen nevus that presented in a zosteriform distribution.

A chondroma is a benign, slow-growing cartilaginous tumor. When arising in the medullary cavity of a bone it is referred to as an enchondroma-a very common bone tumor. When occurring in soft tissue without any connection to bone, which is extremely rare, it is known as a soft-tissue chondroma (STC). A 38-year-old female presented with a 2- year history of right index finger pulp swelling in the absence of trauma. On physical examination a firm, immobile nodule, approximately 1 cm in diameter, was observed on the palmar side of the right index finger. The overlying skin was normal. Plain X-ray showed a dense, soft tissue shadow without calcification in the right index finger pulp, but the adjacent bones were intact. MRI showed a 1-cm diameter, well-demarcated lesion with intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. MRI also showed that the tumor had no bony involvement and that the adjacent bones were normal. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen showed lobules of mature hyaline cartilage with chondrocytes in the lacunae in the dermal and subdermal layers. Mitotic figures and an increase in cellular atypism were not observed. Based on the histopathological and radiological findings, the mass was thought to be an STC and total excision was performed. Examination of the excised mass confirmed the diagnosis of STC. STC should be considered in patients with a slowly growing, mildly painful cutaneous mass.

Meningiomas are tumors of the central nervous system that rarely present as extracranial soft tissue masses. Meningioma of the skin is referred to as cutaneous meningioma. Cutaneous meningioma of the scalp is extremely rare and may cause diagnostic challenges. A 70-year-old female patient presented with a painless mass on her scalp. A punch biopsy was performed; histological examination of the specimen revealed an infiltration of spindle-shaped and epithelioid atypical cells arranged in whorls. Immunohistochemistry was positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen. On magnetic resonance imaging, a large intracranial mass eroding through the skull was observed. A diagnosis of intracranial anaplastic meningioma was established and excision was performed in the Department of Neurosurgery. It is important to consider intracranial tumors in the differential diagnosis of nodules on scalp.

Introduction Little is known about the relationship between Behcet's disease (BD) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Aims The aims were to evaluate the prevalence of FSD in premenopausal BD patients and to compare hormonal and psychiatric conditions to healthy subjects. Methods A total of 71 married women with BD and 63 healthy married women between 18 and 44 years old were enrolled into the study. After evaluating detailed history and physical examination, serum steroid hormone levels were measured. Presence of genital ulcerations in physical examination and any medical treatment were recorded in patients. All subjects were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual status and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for psychiatric assessment. Main Outcomes Measures FSFI and BDI scores and serum sex steroid hormone levels were measured in women with BD and healthy controls. Results The mean BDI score of patients was significantly greater than that for controls ( P = 0.001), and there was a statistically significant difference between BDI scores (Pearson χ 2 = 19.109, P = 0.001). FSD was found in 34 patients with BD (47.9%) and in 11 controls (17.5%). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (Pearson χ 2 = 13.855, P = 0.001). While the most common sexual problem in the patients with BD was diminished arousal ( n = 49, 69.0%), diminished desire was found in 32 patients (45.1%) and lubrication problems in 36 patients (50.7%). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between BDI and FSFI score in BD patients. On the contrary, there was no relationship between FSFI and presence of genital ulcerations. Conclusion FSD is more common in BD patients than in healthy subjects. We conclude that depressive mood according to the BDI scale correlates with the sexual status of BD patients, and this may be because of the depressive effect of BD as a chronic disease. Kocak M, Basar MM, Vahapoglu G, Mert HC, and GungorS. The effect of Behcet's disease on sexual function and psychiatric status of premenopausal women. J Sex Med 2009;6:1341–1348.