ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Anxiety symptoms commonly occur in dermatological patients and can affect the severity of dermatological symptoms. Anxiety sensitivity (AS), defined as the fear of anxiety symptoms, is a well-supported cognitive vulnerability factor that may be particularly significant in these patients. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the severity of AS between patients with psychodermatological (e.g., psoriasis) and nonpsychodermatological disorders (e.g., skin cancer). It was predicted that individuals with psychodermatological disorders would evidence significantly greater AS compared to individuals with nonpsychodermatological disorders. METHOD: Adults presenting to outpatient dermatology clinics with psychodermatological (n = 63) and nonpsychodermatological (n = 52) conditions completed self-report questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, general anxiety, and AS. RESULTS: Individuals with psychodermatological conditions reported significantly greater AS compared to individuals with nonpsychodermatological conditions (p < 0.05). Social concerns of AS emerged as the only significant factor that differentiated these categories of dermatological diseases, odds ratio = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.24, after adjusting for general anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to an advancing area of research linking AS and physical health problems. The results suggest that adjunctive cognitive-behavioral treatments targeting AS reductions could help patients with psychodermatological conditions.
Subject(s)
Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Psychophysiologic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychophysiologic Disorders/psychology , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Skin Diseases/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anxiety Disorders/epidemiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Odds Ratio , Psychophysiologic Disorders/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Skin Diseases/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Dermatologists often perform 2 biopsies in patients with widespread tense blisters: one for light microscopy and another for direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Biopsy techniques recommended for blistering diseases with tense blisters are discussed, and illustrations demonstrate an alternative approach utilizing a single punch biopsy. A single punch biopsy is more cost effective and provides the same diagnostic information as the standard 2-biopsy approach for subepidermal blisters plus additional salt-split skin-like diagnostic information. A limitation for bisecting the single punch biopsy specimen is a potential complete separation of the epidermis from the dermis. The single punch biopsy technique is a simple cost-effective method for obtaining necessary diagnostic information when sampling tense blisters in patients with blistering diseases.
Subject(s)
Biopsy/methods , Blister/pathology , Specimen Handling/methods , Dermatitis Herpetiformis/pathology , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/pathology , Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita/pathology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct/methods , Humans , Pemphigoid, Bullous/pathology , Porphyria Cutanea Tarda/pathologySubject(s)
Dermatitis, Seborrheic/diagnosis , Facial Dermatoses/diagnosis , Scalp Dermatoses/diagnosis , Administration, Topical , Adolescent , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Dermatitis, Seborrheic/drug therapy , Dermatitis, Seborrheic/microbiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Facial Dermatoses/drug therapy , Facial Dermatoses/microbiology , Humans , Male , Scalp Dermatoses/drug therapy , Scalp Dermatoses/microbiology , Steroids/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Environmental exposures to ultraviolet radiation, wind, and tobacco smoke progressively damage the skin's cellular and extracellular structures resulting in wrinkles, sagging skin, irregular pigmentation, and skin cancers. These undesirable effects can be minimized with avoidance of the sun, tanning salons, and smoking. The topical application of prescription and non-prescription agents (cosmeceuticals) can provide additional benefits. Considering the vast array of topical non-prescription agents marketed to protect or repair damaged skin, it is difficult for consumers and physicians to choose the best options. Therefore, this article discusses recommendations from a dermatologist concerning the choice and use of over-the-counter cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, and rejuvenators to create individualized, daily skin care regimens for patients.
