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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a systemic recalcitrant inflammatory condition characterized by debilitating lesions with high morbidity. Its known association with obesity and smoking indicate correlation with other environmental factors, such as diet, suggesting a larger role for lifestyle modifications in disease treatment. This study seeks to assess the contribution of weight loss and dietary intake in HS management. A primary literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL in November 2018 to include association and intervention studies on the influence of diet and weight on HS. Twenty‐five articles were included. Meta‐analysis of nine case–control studies across Asia, Europe, and the United States showed that HS patients are four times more likely to be obese compared to the general population; random effects pooled odds ratio 4.022 (2.667–6.065), P < 0.001. Five articles assessed weight‐loss interventions and revealed mixed findings. The remaining articles included three association studies on micronutrient levels, eight dietary intervention studies, and one article analyzing both micronutrient association and dietary intervention. Included articles in this systematic review reveal that low serum zinc and vitamin D levels are associated with increased lesion count in HS. Supplementation of zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12, or exclusion of dairy or brewer’s yeast can be effective in partial or complete lesion resolution. Reviewed data show that weight loss from bariatric surgery may lead to HS improvement but often results in more severe malnutrition that worsens or even leads to new onset HS post bariatric surgery. Future reporting is needed to conclusively determine the role of diet in HS.

IMPORTANCEDermatology is encountering increasing rates of autoimmune disease manifesting in primary skin conditions that are difficult to treat without a risk of immunosuppression. Naltrexone is an orally active opioid antagonist that influences a variety of systemic pathways, including the immune system, in low doses of 1.5 to 4.0 mg/d. This phenomenon has piqued the interest of researchers and practitioners in regard to low-dose naltrexone's potential in the treatment of several autoimmune conditions. OBJECTIVE To review the existing literature on naltrexone treatment for dermatologic conditions.EVIDENCE REVIEW A primary literature search was conducted using PubMed in April 2018 for all articles published from 1971 to April 2018. Search terms consisted of naltrexone or low dose naltrexone or low-dose naltrexone and dermatology or skin or hair or nails. Reviews, animal studies, and nondermatologic and pharmacologic studies were excluded.FINDINGS From 1037 articles, 22 were deemed to be appropriate for inclusion in this review for a qualitative synthesis. The 22 articles included randomized clinical trials, case reports, and series. There were 7 articles on low-dose naltexone, 1 on topical naltrexone, and 14 on high-dose naltrexone use in dermatology. In high, low, and topical doses, naltrexone was effective in treating pruritus attributable to atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, cholestatsis, burn injury, systemic sclerosis, Hailey-Hailey disease, and lichen planopilaris. High-dose naltrexone was ineffective in treating flushing and uremic pruritus most likely because of the lack of opioid involvement in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of these conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEThe findings suggest that low-dose naltrexone is safe and effective in the treatment of Hailey-Hailey disease and lichen planopilaris and both low-and high-dose naltrexone successfully treat pruritus attributable to various pathologic conditions; however, more adverse effects occurred in those taking high doses. Low-dose naltrexone has the potential for the treatment of chronic inflammatory skin conditions; however, additional evidence is needed for dosing and long-term treatment guidelines.

Importance: Hair loss, or alopecia, is one of the most commonly presented problems in dermatology. Scarring alopecias are considered particularly damaging due to limited success in slowing permanent disease progression, and current treatment methods, such as intralesional and topical steroids and topical minoxidil, are largely ineffective. Objective: Hair transplantation is a debated treatment option for advanced cases of primary scarring alopecia. This study reviews the efficacy of hair transplantation as a treatment option for primary scarring alopecia. Evidence Review: A primary literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify articles in scarring alopecia and hair transplants published from 1960 to the present time. Findings: Fifteen reports with 34 patients were included in this review. Twenty six patients experienced moderate to positive results, while 8 patients experienced negative results or recurrence of disease. Positive hair transplantation results have been reported in patients with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, en coup de sabre, discoid lupus erythematous, pseudopelade de brocq, and folliculitis decalvans. Positive and ­negative results were observed in patients with lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia. Conclusion and Relevance: Findings show that hair transplant surgery can be considered as a treatment option for certain primary scarring alopecias. However, data must be interpreted with caution due to concern for positive-result publication bias.

BACKGROUND Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is an aesthetic concern for patients. Etiologies of the condition include pigmentary, structural, vascular, and mixed causes. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the current literature for treatment of POH. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed on PubMed. Search terms included “infraorbital dark circles,” “dark circles,” “periorbital hyperpigmentation,” “idiopathic hyperchromia AND orbital,” “under-eye circles,” “ICHOR (idiopathic cutaneous hyperchromia of the orbital region),” “dark circles” AND “treatment,” and “filler” AND “dark circles.” RESULTS A total of 39 studies were included. Effective treatments for POH include lasers, topical creams and serums, fillers, chemical peels, carboxytherapy, plasma-rich platelet injections, blepharoplasty, and normobaric oxygen. CONCLUSION Soft tissue fillers and autologous fat grafting are most effective in treating dark circles due to volume loss. Blepharoplasty surgery is best when excessive skin laxity is the underlying cause. Various topical creams and chemical peels are useful in treating pigment-based POH, whereas lasers are mildly to moderately beneficial for both vascular and pigment types. Given the scarcity of high-quality evidence supporting these results, recommendations should be interpreted selectively. Additional randomized clinical trials studying POH will be helpful.