Instagram influencer definitions and the need for dermatologist engagement on social media *14 of 146 influencers were excluded due to unavailable engagement rate on SocialBlade. 1 y Calculated by SocialBlade.com based on an account's 20 most recent posts (as of July 17, 2020). z Defined as minimum and maximum user reach per criteria. User reach calculated as influencer's follower count from original data 1 3 the influencer's engagement rate.
Background
Emoticons and emojis have become staple additions to modern-day communication. These graphical icons are now embedded in daily society through the various forms of popular social media and through users’ personal electronic conversations. With ever-increasing use and inclusivity, exploration of the possible health care and dermatology applications of these tools is imperative.
Objective
The goal of this narrative review was to provide and evaluate an up-to-date literature survey examining the utility of emoticons and emojis in medicine. Special attention was paid to their existing and potential uses in the field of dermatology, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A PubMed search of peer-reviewed publications was performed in mid-2021 to collect articles with emoticon or emoji keywords in combination with other health care–relevant or dermatology-relevant keywords. Screening of publications and described studies was performed by the authors with education and research experience in health care, dermatology, social media, and electronic communication trends. Selected articles were grouped based on common subjects for qualitative analysis and presentation for in-depth discussion.
Results
From this extensive search, researchers were able to identify a wide variety of publications detailing the use of emoticons and emojis in general health care, pediatric health care, public health, and dermatology. Key subject areas that emerged from the investigation included the ability of emoticons and emojis to improve communication within pediatric health care, enhance mood and psychological assessment or mental health screening in adults, develop interventions to improve patient medication adherence, complement novel means of public health and COVID-19 surveillance, and bolster dermatology-specific applications.
Conclusions
This review illuminated the repurposing of emojis and emoticons for a myriad of advantageous functions in health care and public health, with applications studied in many populations and situations. Dermatology-specific uses were relatively sparse in the literature, highlighting potential opportunities for growth in future studies and practices. The importance of diversity and inclusivity has extended to emojis, with the recent introduction of skin color customization and new emojis better representing the comprehensive spectrum of users’ experiences. A continuously evolving and technology-driven population creates a unique niche for emoticons and emojis to ease worldwide communication and understanding, transcending the barriers of age, language, and background. We encourage future studies and innovations to better understand and expand their utility.
Rosacea fulminans (RF) is a rare facial dermatosis that typically affects women with a fulminating course that presents with superficial and deep-seated papules, pustules, and nodules, as well as an intense reddish or cyanotic erythema localized to the face. Although the etiology of RF remains unknown, immunologic, hormonal, and vascular factors have been implicated. We describe a case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman presenting with RF. Presentation in a pregnant patient is not commonly reported and requires special consideration to manage.
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