How I treat dandruff

peer reviewedDandruff and seborrheic dermatitis form a continuum of desquamative conditions associated with the excessive colonization of the stratum corneum by yeasts of the genus Malassezia spp. Such colonization is heterogeneous in density, ranging from discrete to abundant according to the fungal ability to adhere to individual corneocytes. The rate of action of antidandruff shampoos shed some doubts about a direct antifungal effect, but rather suggests the involvement of innate immune defenses and the chemical alteration of molecular adhesion modalities between Malassezia and corneocytes

Sweat Gland Awakening on Physical Training: A Skin Capacitance Mapping Observation

peer reviewedSkin capacitance mapping (SCM) is an established real-time noninvasive method useful in the assessment of sweat production. We presently review and explore the sweat gland production following a mild 10-min physical training on a cycloergometer. Sprouts of sweat vapor are progressively increased by recruiting increasing numbers of active sweat pores. An overall moisturization of the stratum corneum ensues, and liquid sweat appears in a further step. These aspects are conveniently assessed using SCM while blind assessments of the skin surface water loss cannot distinguish these functional features

Impact of Selective Reductions in Labor Taxation

To study the impacts of reductions in employer’s social security contributions, we construct an intertemporal general equilibrium model with different types of workers (and wages), search unemployment and endogenous job destruction rates. Our model reproduces the empirical evidence that the impacts on employment, of reductions in contributions at the minimum wage level, go through a decrease in job destructions rather than an increase in job creations. We moreover find that, although it is prejudical to average productivity, reductions targeted at the minimum wage create much more net employment than reductions targeted at other wages.Labor taxation; Job destruction rate; Employment

Cutaneous adverse reactions to monoclonal antibody treatments

peer reviewedA number of adverse skin reactions can occur during some treatments using monoclonal antibodies. Some of the reactions are specifically linked to the pharmacological effect of the drug. Others are the expression of more common drug reactions. Their early recognition and their adequate management are important to consider in order to avoid a morbidity severely altering the quality of life and even the life prognosis

How I explore ... eyebrow alopecia

peer reviewedThe rarefaction or loss of eyebrow hair may represent an esthetic complaint or a peculiar finding associated with a given disease. The causal disorders correspond to a few dermatitides and several endocrine, auto-immune, infectious, neoplastic, traumatic, iatrogenic and genetic disorders

How I explore ... diaper dermatitis.

peer reviewedDiaper dermatitis is a frequent condition. Several clinical types are distinguished. The most frequent type results from increased fragility of the newborn buttock skin when covered by diapers. According to the mechanisms involved and the severity of the dermatitis, one can distinguish the intertrigo of the chubby baby, and the so-called "W", "Y" and "red panties" types of diaper dermatitis. When the effects of occlusion are not controlled by adequate absorption by the diapers, hyperhydration of the stratum corneum occurs and progresses to maceration. As a result, the value of the coefficient of friction of the skin increases with epidermal weakening to rubbing. In addition, fecal enzymes (urease, proteases and lipases) alter urines and skin. Judicious hygiene measures and the correct choice of diapers are mandatory. Cutaneous colonization by microorganisms, the most important of which being Candida albicans, is the main complication. Adequate preventive and curative measures can combat diaper dermatitis with confidence. A miconazole paste allows to improve the tribological properties of the interface between diapers and the skin. It also abates the impact of Candida albicans in the pathogenesis of the skin disorder

How I treat ... basal cell carcinoma by imiquimod.

peer reviewedBasal cell carcinoma is the most frequent cancer in humans. Several clinical types are distinguished. They are bound to distinct evolutive prognosis. The surgical excision is the treatment of choice which is rarely followed by recurrence. However, when the lesion is superficial and non aggressive and when the body site is adequate, topical applications of imiquimod can provoke the neoplastic regression. This type of immunotherapy brings 70 to 90% complete remission. A medical follow-up of the treated site is mandatory for a couple of years

Quality of life, emollients and hydrating agents.

peer reviewedSo-called dry skin is a quite common and annoying condition. This skin may affect individuals that are otherwise healthy. It may be particularly severe and unpleasant in cases of ichthyosis, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The inductive effects of the environment must not be ignored. Emollients and hydrating agents for the stratum corneum can help relieve the clinical manifestations