Synergistic Effects of the 308-nm Excimer Light and Topical Calcipotriol for the Treatment of Chronic Hand Eczema: A Randomized Controlled Study

Systemic allergic contact dermatitis to palladium, platinum, and titanium: mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prevalence, and therapeutic approaches

Contact dermatitis (CD) is an inflammatory skin disease of eczema that is elicited by chemicals or metal ions that have toxic effects without eliciting a T-cell response (contact elicitation) or by small reactive chemicals that modify proteins and induce innate and adaptive immune responses (contact allergens). The clinical condition is characterized by localized skin rash, pruritus, redness, swelling, and lesions, which are mainly detected by patch tests and lymphocyte stimulation. Heavy metals such as palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), and titanium (Ti) are ubiquitous in our environment. These heavy metals have shown CD effects as allergic agents. Immunological responses result from the interaction of cytokines and T cells. Occupational metal CD accounts for most cases of work-related cutaneous disorders. In this systematic review, the allergic effects of heavy metals, including Pd, Pt, and Ti, and the mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prevalence, and therapeutic approaches are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the therapeutic approaches introduced to treat CD, including corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, systemic immunosuppressive agents, phototherapy, and antihistamines, can be effective in the treatment of these diseases in the future. Ultimately, the insights identified could lead to improved therapeutic and diagnostic pathways.

Efficacy of topical vitamin D combined with microneedling in the treatment of vitiligo: A comparative study

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a depigmenting disorder caused by the destruction of melanocytes by various mechanisms which affect melanocyte function and survival. Different therapeutic approaches for vitiligo include nonsurgical and surgical methods but effective therapy is still challenging. There are few studies that suggest the role of vitamin D analogs in the repigmentation process with encouraging results. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of topical vitamin D (cholecalciferol) combined with microneedling in the treatment of depigmented patches of vitiligo.

AIM OF THE WORK

Evaluate the effect of microneedling alone versus microneedling with topical vitamin D in the treatment of vitiligo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective comparative clinical trial was carried out on 25 patients with stable vitiligo; every patient had at least two patches; the first patch was treated with microneedling alone. The other patch was treated with microneedling combined with topical cholecalciferol.

RESULTS

Good-to-excellent response was detected in 52% of the patches treated with microneedling topical cholecalciferol, while only in 40% of the patches treated with microneedling alone. The improvement was higher in combined treatment with no significant difference between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Topical cholecalciferol is a relatively effective and safe alternative in the treatment of stable vitiligo and its combination with microneedling increases its efficacy.

2020 Korean Consensus Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Hand Eczema

Background

Hand eczema refers to eczema located on the hands, regardless of its etiology or morphology. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on patients' quality of life, treatment is frequently challenging because of its heterogeneity, chronic and recurrent course, and lack of well-organized randomized controlled trials of the various treatment options.

Objective

These consensus guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and management of hand eczema to improve patient care by helping physicians make more efficient and transparent decisions.

Methods

A modified Delphi method, comprising two rounds of email questionnaires with face-to-face meetings in between, was adopted for the consensus process that took place between February and September 2020. Forty experts in the field of skin allergy and contact dermatitis were invited to participate in the expert panel.

Results

Consensus was reached for the domains of classification, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment; and a therapeutic ladder to manage chronic hand eczema was developed.

Conclusion

These are the first consensus guidelines for chronic hand eczema in the Asian population, which will help standardize care and assist clinical decision-making in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hand eczema.

Efficacy of the combined excimer light and topical calcipotriol for acral vitiligo: A randomized double-blind comparative study

Excimer light, topical vitamin D analogues, and topical steroids have been reported to be effective treatments for vitiligo. However, monotherapy often demonstrates unfavorable results for acral vitiligo. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination treatment with 308-nm excimer light and topical calcipotriol or topical clobetasol ointment for acral vitiligo. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, and intraindividual study was conducted. Combination treatment (excimer light and topical medication) was applied in the first 12 weeks, and monotherapy (topical medication alone) was used in the later 12 weeks. Both hands were irradiated with excimer light three times a week for 12 weeks. Calcipotriol ointment was randomly assigned to one hand, whereas clobetasol ointment was assigned to the other hand. The ointments were applied twice daily for a total of 24 weeks. Repigmentation, clinical improvement, and adverse reactions were assessed. A total of 26 hands completed the study. Of the hands treated with excimer light and calcipotriol, approximately 8% achieved excellent repigmentation at the end of the combination treatment period and 23% achieved good to excellent improvement after 12 weeks of calcipotriol monotherapy. More than 85% and 77% of the hands treated with calcipotriol-based and clobetasol-based regimens showed some repigmentation at the end of the study, respectively (P < .05). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the treatments. No serious adverse reactions were observed. In conclusion, the combination of excimer light and topical calcipotriol followed by topical calcipotriol alone is effective and might be a promising treatment regimen for acral vitiligo.