Effects of chemical straighteners on the hair shaft and scalp

Abstract Background The effects of chemical straighteners on the scalp and hair shaft are not fully known, although such substances are widely used. Hair straightening became popular in Brazil with the use of formaldehyde and its derivatives, despite the prohibition by the current legislation. Objective To identify changes in hair shaft and scalp caused by the use of chemical straighteners. Methods A search was performed using keywords in three databases from 03/16/2020 to 05/20/2020, with publications between the years 2000 to 2020. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 articles were selected for review. Results In some studies, hair relaxers were associated with eczema, desquamation, pain, burns, and inflammation in the scalp. Hair loss, damage to the shaft, alteration in the color of the hairs and in the composition of their amino acids were observed. Findings are variable across the studies. Study limitations The search was restricted to three databases, in two languages, different study designs were accepted. Conclusions Straightening techniques can have side effects, including scalp inflammation, damage to the shaft, and hair loss. Its long-term effects remain unknown and further studies are necessary.

Clinical and histological study of permanent alopecia after bone marrow transplantation

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Permanent alopecia after bone marrow transplantation is rare, but more and more cases have been described, typically involving high doses of chemotherapeutic agents used in the conditioning regimen for the transplant. Busulfan, classically described in cases of irreversible alopecia, remains associated in recent cases. The pathogenesis involved in hair loss is not clear and there are few studies available. In addition to chemotherapeutic agents, another factor that has been implicated as a cause is chronic graft-versus-host disease. However, there are no histopathological criteria for defining this diagnosis yet. OBJECTIVE: the study aims to evaluate clinical and histological aspects in cases of permanent alopecia after bone marrow transplantation, identifying features of permanent alopecia induced by myeloablative chemotherapy and alopecia as a manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease. METHODS: data were collected from medical records of 7 patients, with description of the clinical features and review of slides and paraffin blocks of biopsies. RESULTS: Two distinct histological patterns were found: one similar to androgenetic alopecia, non-scarring pattern, and other similar to lichen planopilaris, scarring alopecia. CONCLUSION: The first pattern corroborates the literature cases of permanent alopecia induced by chemotherapeutic agents, and the second is compatible with manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease on scalp, that has never been described yet. The results contribute to the elucidation of the factors involved in these cases, including the development of therapeutic methods.

Mucormycosis and chromoblastomycosis occurring in a patient with leprosy type 2 reaction under prolonged corticosteroid and thalidomide therapy / Mucormicose e cromoblastomicose em um paciente com reação hansênica tipo II sob terapia prolongada com corticosteróide e talidomida

Mucormycosis is an uncommon fungal infection caused by Mucorales. It frequently occurs in patients with neutropenia, diabetes, malignancy and on corticoid therapy. However, it is rare in patients with AIDS. Clinical disease can be manifested in several forms. The case reported illustrates the rare occurrence of chromoblastomycosis and mucormycosis in an immunosuppressed patient with multibacillary leprosy, under prolonged corticosteroid and thalidomide therapy to control leprosy type 2 reaction. Neutrophil dysfunction, thalidomide therapy and work activities are some of the risk factors in this case. Chromoblastomycosis was treated by surgical excision and mucormycosis with amphotericin B. Although the prognosis of mucormycosis is generally poor, in the reported case the patient recovered successfully. This case should alert dermatologists to possible opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients.

Mucormicose é uma infecção fúngica incomum causada por Mucorales. Ocorre frequentemente em pacientes com neutropenia, diabetes, corticoterapia e condições malignas. Porém, é rara em pacientes com AIDS. A doença pode apresentar-se em diferentes formas. Este caso ilustra a rara ocorrência de mucormicose e cromoblastomicose em um paciente com hanseníase multibacilar, que estava sendo tratado com prednisona e talidomida devido a eritema nodoso (reação hansênica tipo II). Disfunção de neutrófilos, uso de talidomida e atividades profissionais são alguns fatores de risco neste caso. A cromoblastomicose foi tratada por excisão cirúrgica e a mucormicose com anfotericina B. Embora o prognóstico da mucormicose seja ruim, neste caso o tratamento foi bem sucedido. Este caso alerta dermatologistas para a possibilidade de infecções oportunistas em pacientes imunossuprimidos.

Eficácia da cirurgia endoscópica nasal no tratamento da rinossinusite crônica / Efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis

Introdução: A cirurgia endoscópica nasal (FESS) é encarada atualmente como o padrão ouro no tratamento da rinossinusite crônica (RNSC), associada ou não à polipose nasal, refratária ao tratamento clínico otimizado. Objetivo: Avaliar a melhora dos sintomas da RNSC após FESS, através de um questionário dirigido. Método: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, em que foram incluídos 34 pacientes submetidos à FESS durante o ano de 2009, no serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital de Clínicas/UFPR. Desses, 22 tinham o diagnóstico de RNSC e 12 apresentavam RNSC associada à polipose nasal. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a um questionário sobre a sintomatologia pré-operatória, comorbidades e grau de melhora dos sintomas no pós-operatório, 6 meses após o procedimento. Resultados: A melhora percentual dos sintomas mais prevalentes no grupo com RNSC foi a seguinte: obstrução nasal 87,4%; cefaleia 80,5%; dor/pressão facial 91,6%; secreção nasal posterior 81,2%. No grupo com polipose associada, a melhora foi: obstrução nasal 76,6%; secreção nasal posterior 76,6%; hiposmia 68,7%; cefaleia 83%. Em nosso estudo encontramos uma melhora global dos sintomas de 83,74% nos pacientes com RNSC e de 80,5% nos pacientes com polipose nasal associada. Conclusão: A FESS é altamente eficiente no controle dos sintomas da RNSC, associada ou não à polipose, sendo, em nosso estudo, sua eficácia semelhante à encontrada na literatura internacional. Com relação aos portadores de polipose nasal, são necessários estudos com seguimento maior, visto que essa patologia apresenta alto grau de recorrência...

Introduction: The endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is currently regarded as the gold standard in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (RNSC), with or without nasal polyposis refractory to medical therapy optimized. Objective: To evaluate the improvement of symptoms after FESS RNSC, through a questionnaire. Method: This is a prospective study, which included 34 patients undergoing FESS during the year 2009, the Service of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital das Clínicas / UFPR. Of these, 22 were diagnosed as RNSC RNSC and 12 had associated nasal polyps. All patients underwent a questionnaire on preoperative symptoms, comorbidities and degree of symptom improvement after surgery, six months after the procedure. Results: The percentage improvement of symptoms more prevalent in the group with RNSC was as follows: nasal obstruction 87.4%, 80.5% headache, pain / facial pressure 91.6% 81.2% posterior nasal discharge. In the group with polyposis associated improvement was nasal obstruction 76.6%, 76.6% posterior nasal discharge, hyposmia, 68.7%, headache 83%. In our study we found an overall improvement in symptoms of 83.74% in patients with RNSC and 80.5% in patients with associated nasal polyposis. Conclusion: FESS is highly effective in controlling symptoms of RNSC with or without polyposis and is, in our study, its efficacy similar to that found in the literature. With respect to patients with nasal polyposis, studies are needed with longer follow up, since this disease has a high degree of recurrence...