Background Melasma is a common acquired symmetrically distributed hyperpigmented macules of sun‐exposed skin. Skin microneedling acts as a transdermal delivery system that facilitates the penetration of lightening agents to deeper layers of skin. Objective Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical tranexamic acid versus topical vitamin C after microneedling for melasma treatment. Patients and Methods Twenty patients with facial melasma were enrolled in a split‐face prospective, randomized uncontrolled study. The right side of the face was treated with topical tranexamic acid after dermapen microneedling, while the left side of the face was treated with topical vitamin C after dermapen microneedling. Sessions were done every 2 weeks for 6 sessions. The Hemi‐MASI score and dermoscopic examination before and after treatment were done. Results Hemi‐MASI score was reduced after treatment on both sides of the face, besides improvement of the pigmented lesions showed by dermoscopy on both sides and improvement of the vascular component on the tranexamic acid treated side. Conclusion Topical tranexamic acid or vitamin C application after dermapen microneedling was an effective and safe technique in melasma treatment with minimal side effects, and vascular component improvement by tranexamic acid.

PurposeDermatophytes are fungi that cause infections affecting hair, nail, and skin; in nails they cause onychomycosis, while in hair they lead to tinea capitis. Detection of dermatophytes using traditional methods, including potassium hydroxide (KOH) and culture on agar-based media leads to high rates of false-negative results. Here, we investigated more accurate diagnostic techniques, including Chicago sky blue staining and Calcofluor white fluorescent staining and compared them with traditional KOH and culture methods for the diagnosis of fungi causing onychomycosis and tinea capitis.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted using samples from 50 patients with dermatophytosis of the hair or nail. Samples were subjected to all the following laboratory investigations: KOH wet mount, culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar, Chicago sky blue staining, and Calcofluor white staining. The results of the new diagnostic techniques were compared with those of the traditional methods.ResultsCalcofluor white stain and Chicago sky blue stain for dermatophytosis of hair and nail are more specific and sensitive as compared to traditional diagnostic methods. KOH wet mount is simple, rapid, and inexpensive test but lacks color contrast and gave more false positive (artifacts) and false-negative results as compared to these new stain methods.ConclusionChicago sky blue and Calcofluor white staining are excellent methods for diagnosis of fungal infections, including those that cannot be confirmed using conventional methods.

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The clinical presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2 COVID‐19) varies from asymptomatic infection to a life‐threatening, multiorgan disease. One of these manifestations is telogen effluvium (TE) which is characterized by diffuse hair loss occurring in patients previously infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and lasts ~3 months, after which excessive hair loss follows. Hair follicles are known to contain a well‐characterized niche for adult stem cells which is the bulge containing epithelial and melanocytic stem cells. Stem cells in the hair bulge, a demarcated structure within the lower permanent portion of hair follicles, can generate the interfollicular epidermis, hair follicle structures, and sebaceous glands. This study aims to evaluate autologous micrografts from scalp tissues as a therapeutic modality in the management of TE caused by COVID‐19. Twenty patients of previous COVID‐19 infection suffered from TE were included in this study for human follicle stem cells micrograft scalp treatment and they were evaluated after 3 months of treatment and after 6 months. There was significant improvement of the hair thickness and density compared with the start of the treatment and 6 months of follow‐up. Autologous micrograft of the scalp showed marked improvement in the treatment of COVID‐19 TE.

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Aim This study aimed to provide evidence on the impact of chronic periodontitis (CP) on the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) through the assessment of the salivary level of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α). Methods 140 patients with chronic periodontitis and erectile dysfunction were enrolled in this study and then randomly allocated to the control group (70 participants received delayed periodontal treatment) or test group (70 participants were subjected to immediate periodontal therapy). The assessment of the clinical and serological outcomes was done at baseline and 3 months postoperatively. This included pocket depth (PD), visible plaque, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), level of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and the severity of erectile dysfunction. Periodontal therapy consists of oral hygiene instructions and single‐visit scaling and root planing. Results There were no significant differences regarding the serological and clinical outcomes at baseline between the two groups (p > .05). At 3‐month follow‐up, the PD, BOP, CAL, and visible dental plaque means in the control group were significantly higher than those in the test group (PD: 4.94 ± 0.647 mm vs. 4.25 ± 0.619 mm; BOP: 49.03 ± 29.98 vs. 6.20 ± 7.14; CAL: 4.96 ± 0.631 mm vs. 4.31 ± 0.591 mm; visible dental plaque: 48.49 ± 30.07 vs. 5.83 ± 6.51) (p = .00). Compared with baseline findings, both groups showed significant reductions in TNF‐α in serum, salivary TNF‐α, and severity of erectile dysfunction (p < .001). Conclusion The non‐surgical periodontal therapy could significantly improve the severity of erectile dysfunction in addition to periodontal and serological parameters. Salivary TNF‐α could be used as a new diagnostic tool to detect the severity of erectile dysfunction.

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The pulsed dye laser is safe, effective, and tolerable treatment for resistant stable localized plaque psoriasis with minimal side effects and prolonged recurrence period.