Oral tranexamic acid with a triple combination cream versus oral tranexamic acid monotherapy in the treatment of severe melasma.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is an acquired pigmentation disorder with a complex multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Oral tranexamic acid (TA) is a promising drug for its treatment and may enhance outcomes when used in combination. OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of oral TA as a monotherapy, and in combination with a triple combination cream, for treating melasma in the Hispanic population. METHODS: Forty-four female Hispanic patients with melasma were randomly assigned to receive 325 mg of oral TA every 12 h plus f-TCC (fluocinolone-based triple combination cream) every 24 h (group A) or 325 mg of oral TA every 12 h (group B) for 8 weeks, after which both groups were crossed-over, and treated for an additional 8 weeks. Evaluations of the mMASI score, the melanin index, and the MelasQoL were made at baseline and Weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. RESULTS: There was a 50.04% and 65.45% improvement in mMASI at Weeks 4 and 8, respectively, in group A, compared to baseline, while for Week 16, an improvement of 76.85% was achieved in group B compared to baseline. Highest scores were consistent with the use of the combined treatment modality in both groups, and were evidenced by the values of the melanin index obtained. There was no significant difference in MelasQoL scores between the 2 groups. No serious side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The combination of oral TA and f-TCC is more effective than oral TA alone in the treatment of severe melasma in Hispanic patients.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Autoimmune Disorders in a Hispanic Female.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a cicatricial alopecia characterized by hairline recession. Multiple autoimmune pathologies have been reported in patients with FFA. Despite the fact that FFA etiology remains unknown, there has been described an association with autoimmune disorders probably caused by an altered activity of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. Moreover, other autoimmune pathologies develop TH1 and TH17 response. Genetics could be responsible, in part, for the role of multiple simultaneous autoimmune disorders. Herein, we describe a case of a female patient with vitiligo, lichen sclerosus, and autoimmune hypothyroidism who developed a pruritic band-like recession of the frontal hairline. More research is needed in this area since autoimmune events in these patients may not be a mere coincidence.

Thalidomide: An option for the pediatric patient with actinic prurigo.

Actinic prurigo (AP) is an immune-mediated photodermatosis that usually starts in childhood and is predominant among American indigenous and mestizo communities. In adults with AP, thalidomide is the treatment of choice; however, there is little information on its use in pediatric patients. We report the case of a 10-year-old girl with AP treated successfully with thalidomide.