Physicians are uniquely positioned to counsel patients regarding sun-protective behaviors. Thus, a medical school curriculum that includes education about the sun's effect on health is needed for the prevention and early recognition of skin cancer in future patients.
We present a 54-year-old Caucasian female with a history of diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis who presented with nail dystrophy, polyarthralgia in her hands and hips, myalgia, proximal myopathy, dactylitis, and psoriasiform-appearing progressive, painful plaques on the dorsal aspect of her hands. Histologic examination of the lesion from the left index finger revealed an interstitial and necrobiotic granulomatous dermatitis with connective tissue mucin deposition associated with a perivascular lymphoid infiltrate. Additionally, there was focal transepidermal elimination of the necrobiotic material. She was diagnosed with perforating granuloma annulare (PGA). We are unaware of any other cases of PGA in the literature with this presentation.
Context During the COVID-19 pandemic, dermatologists within the Beaumont Farmington Hills’ Dermatology program noticed an increase in conditions associated with mask wearing, such as “maskne” (acne in a mask distribution, thought to be caused by mask wearing), as well as worsening of previously diagnosed dermatologic conditions. Objectives The goal of our study was to explore various factors that impacted mask-related skin changes and how these skin changes affected quality of life. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. The primary 10-item survey instrument administered was the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Respondents were asked a series of 10 additional questions concerning the degree to which abnormal mask-related skin conditions affect their skin symptoms, possible embarrassment/self-consciousness, and perceived impact of mask-related skin changes. A series of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation charts, and graphical examinations of data was utilized to evaluate sample subgroup and outcome distributional patterns. Pearson r bivariate correlation coefficients between possible collinear predictive measures on the primary study outcome were calculated. A series of simple inferential chi-squared (Χ2) tests of independence were also conducted. Results A total of 370 out of 430 (86.0%) Beaumont Health employees noticed some degree of skin changes since the work-hours face mask requirement was instituted, while 378 out of 430 (87.9%) felt that their skin was better when not wearing a mask. The majority of respondents, 283 (65.8%), reported having at least a little symptomatic skin (i.e., itchy, painful, sore, stinging) during the prior week. Furthermore, 72.3% reported that they were at least a little embarrassed or self-conscious of their skin. Chi-squared analysis of composite DLQI score categories by the number of types of masks utilized (Pearson X2=19.0, df=8, p=0.015), and some degree of symptomatic skin (Pearson X2=156.4, df=4, p<0.001) were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions A large number of healthcare workers are affected by mask-related skin changes. Further research should be directed at better understanding how skin changes associated with mask wearing impact one’s quality of life and mental health.
Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare connective tissue disease which closely resembles other scleroderma-like diseases. EF presents with painful swelling and hardening of the distal limbs and is often preceded by a history of strenuous exercise. The marked fascial fibrosis in EF can lead to joint contractures and causes significant morbidity in affected individuals. The authors present a rare case of EF presenting as an ichthyosiform eruption of the bilateral ankles with gradual improvement after the implementation of oral prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate.
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