Antonella Tosti

BACKGROUND: Nail invasion by nondermatophytic molds (NDM) is considered uncommon with prevalence rates ranging from 1.45% to 17. 6%.

OBJECTIVE: We report the clinical features and response to treatment of onychomycosis caused by these molds.

METHODS: From 1995 through 1998 we performed a mycologic study on 1548 patients affected by nail disorders, and we diagnosed 431 cases of onychomycosis including 59 cases of onychomycosis caused by molds. These include 17 patients with onychomycosis ...

BACKGROUND: terbinafine persists in the nail at effective concentrations for several weeks after discontinuation of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to verify whether intermittent terbinafine therapy is effective in dermatophytic onychomycosis and to compare the results of intermittent terbinafine with those of intermittent itraconazole and continuous terbinafine treatment.

METHODS: An open, randomized study of 63 patients was performed with three treatment regimens: terbinafine, ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits of efinaconazole topical solution, 10% on quality of life in onychomycosis patients.

METHODS: An analysis of 1,655 patients, aged 18 to 70 years, randomized to receive efinaconazole topical solution, 10%, or vehicle from two identical multicenter, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 48-week studies evaluating safety and efficacy. The primary endpoint was complete cure rate (0% clinical involvement of target toenail, and both negative potassium hydroxide ...

Euxyl K 400 is a preservative for cosmetics and toiletries containing 2 active ingredients, 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutan and 2-phenoxyethanol. 2057 consecutive patients with contact dermatitis were patch tested with Euxyl K 400 2.5% pet. and ethanol. A positive patch test occurred in 24 patients (1.2%). The source of sensitization was traced in 8 patients to their cosmetics. Both leave-on and rinse-off products were responsible. Further patch tests with Euxyl K 400 0.5% pet. and ...

BACKGROUND: Clinical efficacy of topical corticosteroids in alopecia areata (AA) is still controversial. Positive clinical results have been obtained using ointments with occlusive dressing but this approach has a low patient compliance. Recently, a new topical formulation (thermophobic foam: Versafoam) of clobetasol propionate 0.05% has been introduced on the market (Olux, Mipharm, Milan, Italy) (CF). This formulation is easy to apply. After application to the skin the foam quickly ...

The frequency of positive reactions to 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MCI/MI) were studied at 22 European contact dermatitis clinics over a period of 1 year. A total of 4713 patients participated. All the patients were patch tested with nickel sulphate, formaldehyde, paraben-mix, and MCI/MI. 19.4% of the patients had positive patch tests to nickel, making this the most common allergen. 3% of the patients reacted to 100 ppm MCI/MI, while 2.6% ...

Background The entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into type II pneumocytes is dependent on a modification of viral spike proteins by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) expressed on the surface of human cells. TMPRSS2 is regulated by the androgen receptor, hence, SARS-CoV-2 infectivity is indirectly dependent on androgenic status and phenotype. Previously, we have reported that men affected by androgenetic alopecia (AGA) are overrepresented in ...

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a variety of cicatricial alopecia characterized by a band of frontal/frontoparietal hair recession and marked decrease or a complete loss of the eyebrows, typically observed in women who are postmenopausal.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report clinical and histopathologic findings and results of treatment in a group of women affected by the disease.

METHOD: A total of 14 women with alopecia of the frontal hairline were evaluated ...

The aim of this study was to verify the most suitable vehicle and concentration for testing Euxyl K 400 and its individual ingredients, and to evaluate the prevalence of sensitization to this preservative over the years in Italy. From January 1991 to October 1994, Euxyl K 2.5% pet. was positive in 99 patients (35 male, 64 female) out of 3455 (2.8%). Of these, 22 out of 855 patients had a positive reaction during 1991 (2.6%), 29 out of 1037 in 1992 (2.8%), 28 out of 858 in 1993 (3.3%), ...

This double-blind randomized study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol ointment (50 microg/g) with betamethasone dipropionate (64 mg/g) and salicylic acid (0.03 g/g) ointment in the treatment of nail bed psoriasis. Fifty-eight patients applied the given drug to the affected nails twice a day for 3-5 months, depending on clinical response. Efficacy was assessed monthly on the basis of nail thickness, measured in millimetres. Photographs of the treated nails ...

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis is a widespread refractory disease deleteriously affecting quality of life via social stigma and disrupting daily activities. Many physicians perceive onychomycosis as a cosmetic rather than a medical problem.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to develop a questionnaire-based instrument to quantify the impact of onychomycosis on patients' quality of life.

METHODS: The questionnaire was developed and validated in a multinational cross-sectional study. Completed ...

BACKGROUND: The standard methods used to diagnose scalp and hair disorders (eg, simple clinical inspection, pull test, biopsy) vary in sensitivity, reproducibility, and invasiveness. Studies on a few entities suggest that use of dermoscopy can improve clinical accuracy, but further investigation is needed.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to: (1) characterize features of several nontumoral scalp and hair conditions using videodermoscopy; and (2) assess the potential usefulness of videodermoscopy in ...

People commonly inquire about vitamin and mineral supplementation and diet as a means to prevent or manage dermatological diseases and, in particular, hair loss. Answering these queries is frequently challenging, given the enormous and conflicting evidence that exists on this subject. There are several reasons to suspect a role for micronutrients in non-scarring alopecia. Micronutrients are major elements in the normal hair follicle cycle, playing a role in cellular turnover, a frequent ...

Cosmetic surgical procedures, including hair transplantation and face-lift surgery, are becoming increasingly popular. However, there is very little information regarding the associated development of dermatological conditions following these procedures. Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is an uncommon inflammatory hair disorder of unknown aetiology that results in permanent alopecia and replacement of hair follicles with scar-like fibrous tissue. Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a variant of ...