Alopecia areata and increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

Background: The relationship between psychiatric disorders and alopecia areata has not been well studied. Although previous reports have been unable to correlate psychiatric illness with hair loss, a recent study determined that 74% of patients with alopecia areata (AA) under evaluation had one or more lifetime psychiatric diagnoses.

Methods: Two hundred and ninety-four community-based patients with alopecia areata responded to a detailed questionnaire distributed by Help Alopecia International Research, Inc.

Increased risk for type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes in relatives of patients with alopecia areata (AA).

The prevalence of various chronic diseases was compared in 517 individuals with alopecia areata, and 2,969 of their first degree relatives. As previous reports have suggested an increased incidence of diabetes in relatives of patients with alopecia areata, special attention was given to the prevalence of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the patients and in their relatives. Several immunologic diseases were increased in alopecia probands and relatives.

Profile of alopecia areata: a questionnaire analysis of patient and family.

Eight hundred patients with alopecia areata (AA) responded to a detailed questionnaire that was compiled, distributed, and analyzed by Help Alopecia International Research, Inc. (HAIR). Among those responding, 28% were men and 72% were women.

Cowden's disease: familial goiter and skin hamartomas. A report of three cases.

Multiple hamartoma syndrome (Cowden's disease) consists of characteristic skin lesions of the face, mucous membranes and distal extremities in association with a variety of benign and malignant internal tumors, especially of the thyroid and breast. We describe a family in which the father, daughter and son were found to have goiter associated with the skin lesions of Cowden's disease. Review of the 40 reported cases of this syndrome indicates that thyroid disease occurs in two thirds of patients with Cowden's disease and most often presents as goiter at an early age.

2% Miconazole nitrate powder in aerosol spray form: its efficacy in treating tinea pedis.

Forty-six patients with acute tinea pedis were treated with either 1% tolnaftate aerosol spray powder or 2% miconazole nitrate aerosol spray powder, not previously available. Products were coded, and the study was conducted in a double-blind manner. At the end of 28 days of therapy, 68% of the miconazole-treated group achieved therapeutic cure, versus 50% in the tolnaftate-treated group.

Comparison testing of soap irritancy using aluminum chamber and standard patch methods.

Five soaps were tested for irritancy potential using both the aluminum chamber and a standard 21-day patch testing method. One of the products showed marked potential for irritation after 21 days of patch testing but not with the chamber method of testing. An explanation of the varying results obtained by the two methods requires further investigation.

pHresh 3.5: a new low pH liquid skin cleanser.

pHresh 3.5, a new low pH liquid skin cleanser, was evaluated for safety and efficacy in four clinical studies. In 5- and 21-day predictive patch tests the cleanser was rated mild compared to four other widely used cleansers.

Use of a polyester fiber sponge as an adjunct in the treatment of psoriasis.

Twenty patients with symmetric lesions of psoriasis were asked to use a polyester fiber sponge in addition to their other anti-psoriatic medications. The sponge was used to remove scales from those lesions on the left side only. The hypothesis was that removal of scales would enhance penetration by topical corticosteroid and/or coal tar preparations.

Pruritic skin diseases, psychological stress, and the itch sensation. A reliable method for the induction of experimental pruritus.

A method of inducing controlled levels of terminable itching was developed. This method consists of administering constant monophasic pulsations of electric current by means of noninvasive electrodes. Once experimental pruritus had been reliably reproduced, two variables, hypothesized to be relevant to the perception of itching, were investigated, viz, the presence of a positive or a negative history of a pruritic dermatosis, and the presence of a high or low level of psychological stress.