[Body hair and advertising in French magazines].

Background: Sociological analysis of advertising reveals the currently operative body codes within a society, and more fundamentally, depicts the (ideal) relationships between men and women, between generations, and so on.

Study Aim: To demonstrate that sports advertising based largely on trichological stereotypes.

Methods: The idealised portrayal of human relations in advertisements (N=700) taken from French magazines was analysed by means of systematic coding and use of analytical software.

How the skin reacts to environmental factors.

The skin is one of the main points of contact with the environment. Usually, interactions between skin and environmental factors are harmonious. But sometimes, the skin barrier is modified (dry or greasy skin) or skin inflammation can occur (irritated, reactive, allergic or atopic skin).

Atopic dermatitis: impact on the quality of life of patients and their partners.

Background: The impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) on the patient's quality of life is relatively well known. However, the influence on the patient's spouse has never been studied.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of AD on the quality of life, sleeping and sexual life of patients and their partners.

Functional itch disorder or psychogenic pruritus: suggested diagnosis criteria from the French psychodermatology group.

Functional itch disorder or psychogenic pruritus is a poorly defined diagnosis. This paper sets out the proposed diagnostic criteria of the French Psychodermatology Group (FPDG). There are three compulsory criteria: localized or generalized pruritus sine materia, chronic pruritus (>6 weeks) and the absence of a somatic cause.

Clinical classification of itch: a position paper of the International Forum for the Study of Itch.

Chronic itch is a common and distressing symptom that arises from a variety of skin conditions and systemic diseases. Despite this, there is no clinically based classification of pruritic diseases to assist in the diagnosis and cost-effective medical care of patients with pruritus. The proposed classification focuses on clinical signs and distinguishes between diseases with and without primary or secondary skin lesions.

Sensitive skin: psychological effects and seasonal changes.

Introduction: Sensitive skin is a frequent disorder, but its effects and its variability are unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of sensitive skin first on quality of life and the psyche, and secondly, on seasonal changes.

Methods: The French Opinion Poll Institute (IPSOS) conducted two opinion polls in March and July 2004.

Merkel cells.

Merkel cells are post-mitotic cells scattered throughout the epidermis of vertebrates. They are particularly interesting because of the close connections that they develop with sensory nerve endings and the number of peptides they can secrete. These features suggest that they may make an important contribution to skin homeostasis and cutaneous nerve development.

[Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma in Haber's syndrome: two cases].

Background: Haber's syndrome is a rare form of autosomal dominant genodermatosis. Clinically, it is associated with rosaceiform dermatosis of the face that begins in childhood, and profuse keratotic lesions resembling seborrheic keratoses, seen predominantly on the trunk, the tops of the limbs and the scalp. We report two cases of Bowen's disease and cutaneous epidermoid carcinoma in Haber's syndrome patients.

[A guide for education programs in atopic dermatitis].

Background: Education about therapy applies to many chronic diseases. The aim is to improve patient management through the development of certain skills by patients themselves. Atopic dermatitis is an area amenable to the development of therapeutic education.

[Bullous pemphigoid sparing acquired lymphedema].

Background: Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease, common in the elderly and generally of symmetrical and systemic localization. We report a case with sparing of the lower limb and acquired lymphedema secondary to lymph node surgery.

Case Report: A 74-year-old woman was hospitalized for a bullous eruption.