Dry skin is a common condition that is attributed to a lack of water in the stratum corneum. With the availability of new technologies, light has been shed on the pathophysiology of dry skin at the... Show moreDry skin is a common condition that is attributed to a lack of water in the stratum corneum. With the availability of new technologies, light has been shed on the pathophysiology of dry skin at the molecular level. With the aim to discuss implications of this latest research for the optimal formulation of emollients designed to treat dry skin, five specialists met in November 2017. Research on three topics thereby provided particularly detailed new insights on how to manage dry skin: research on the lipid composition and organization of the stratum corneum, research on natural moisturizing factors, and research on the peripheral nervous system. There was consensus that latest research expands the rationale to include physiological lipids in an emollient used for dry skin, as they were found to be essential for an adequate composition and organization in the stratum corneum but are reduced in dry skin. Latest findings also confirmed the incorporation of carefully selected humectants into a topical emollient for dry skin, given the reduced activity of enzymes involved in the synthesis of moisturizing factors when skin is dry. Overall, the group of specialists concluded that the previous concept of the five components for an ideal emollient for dry skin is well in accordance with latest research. Show less
Background Prurigo is defined by the presence of chronic pruritus and multiple localized or generalized pruriginouslesions.Objective The aim of this study was to assess the psychological burden of... Show moreBackground Prurigo is defined by the presence of chronic pruritus and multiple localized or generalized pruriginouslesions.Objective The aim of this study was to assess the psychological burden of prurigo in patients of European countries.Methods In this multicentre European study, 3635 general dermatology outpatients and 1359 controls were included.Socio-demographic data and answers to questionnaires (regarding quality of life, general health, anxiety and depressionand suicidal ideation) were collected.Results There were 27 patients with prurigo; of these, 63% were men, and the mean age was 58.6 years. Amongpatients with prurigo, 10 of 27 (37%) suffered from anxiety and 8 of 27 (29%) from depression. Suicidal ideation wasreported in 5 of 27 (19%) patients, and for four of these five patients, suicidal ideation was related to their skin disease.These frequencies were higher in the 10 commonest dermatological diseases (including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis andleg ulcers). The impact on quality of life was severe, with a mean Dermatologic Life Quality Index (DLQI) of 12.4, with anextreme impact on quality of life for 23% of patients and a very large impact for 27% of patients.Conclusion The psychological comorbidities of prurigo are common, greater than those of other skin diseases, andtheir impact on quality of life is significant. Thus, it is important to study this condition and to find new treatments. Show less
