Comorbidities and Environmental Factors Associated with Atopic Dermatitis in Children and Adults in Dermatology-Venereology in Cotonou, Benin

Introduction. The objective of this work was to document the comorbidities and environmental factors associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in dermatology Venereology in Cotonou. Methods. A cross-sectional, prospective, and analytical study included, from January 2016 to December 2018, in the Dermatology-Venereology Department of the National Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou, children and adults after free and informed consent, in whom the diagnosis of AD was retained according to the criteria of the United Kingdom Working Party. Severity was assessed using SCORAD (severity scoring of atopic dermatitis). Results. The overall prevalence of AD was 7.7%. AD was more frequent in children (56.8% and 40.6%) and adults (59.8% and 37.4%) from urban and periurban areas (0.003 < p < 0.034 ). It was more frequent in children who regularly dewormed and those with complete vaccination (0.001 < p < 0.01 ). In 54.8% of children and 58.9% of adults, flare-ups occurred during the warm season. The main associated comorbidities were rhinitis and conjunctivitis in both children (49.7% and 36.1%, respectively) and adults (32.7% and 26.2%, respectively). The main triggering factors in children were heat (43.2%), pneumallergens (28.4%), and skin irritants (22.6%). In adults, we noted skin irritants (58.9%), heat (47.7%), and psychological factors (34.6%). In adults, the use of detergent soaps was associated with lichenified and severe AD (0.003 < p < 0.006 ) and that of lightening soaps with acute AD ( p = 0.042 ). Conclusion. AD in the Dermatology-Venereology Department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou was associated with comorbidities. It was influenced by environmental factors related to the tropical climate and by skin irritants or allergens.

Identification of alkylsalicylic acids in Lentisk oil (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and viability assay on Human Normal Dermal Fibroblasts

Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Its fruit oil is used in traditional medicine to treat burns, skin impairments as well as inflammatory diseases as soothing massage or internal use. An increased interest is spotted lately with several commercial brands are spun portraying the benefits of this oil but with no stringent regulations to ascertain its safe use as an edible or cosmeceutical product. This work concerned the investigation of secondary metabolites presents in Pistacia lentiscus fruits oil using both GC-MS and HPLC-DAD-MS technics, and the evaluation of cytotoxicity on human normal dermal fibroblasts to assess safety of use as cosmetic ingredient. This study stands as the first one to report the identification of alkylsalicylic acids in fruits oil and unsaponifiable fraction of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil which calls for therefore, quantification of alkylsalicylic acids, known as skin irritants, in Pistacia lentiscus oil, used as nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals by manufacturers.

Identification of alkylsalicylic acids in Lentisk oil (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and cytotoxicity on Human Normal Dermal Fibroblasts

ABSTRACTPistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Its fruit oil is used in traditional medicine to treat burns, skin impairments as well as inflammatory diseases as soothing massage or internal use. An increased interest is spotted lately with several commercial brands are spun portraying the benefits of this oil but with no stringent regulations to ascertain its safe use as an edible or cosmeceutical product. This work concerned the investigation of secondary metabolites presents in Pistacia lentiscus fruits oil using both GC-MS and HPLC-DAD-MS technics, and the evaluation of cytotoxicity on human normal dermal fibroblasts to assess safety of use as cosmetic ingredient. This study stands as the first one to report the identification of alkylsalicylic acids in fruits oil and unsaponifiable fraction of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil which calls for therefore, quantification of alkylsalicylic acids, known as skin irritants, in Pistacia lentiscus oil, used as nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals by manufacturers.

Corneocyte Nanotexture as Biomarker for Individual Susceptibility to Skin Irritants

Irritant contact dermatitis is a wide spread occupational skin condition. In addition to generalized protection and teaching schemes, a knowledge about individual risk might add to an improved awareness for hazards. Here, we report on a novel candidate biomarker, which might stage individual susceptibility to irritant skin damage. Subclinical sensitivity was proven in recent studies. As a nano-anatomical measure, it works non-invasively on corneocytes from tape strips. Here, we report on a 7-day course after exposure to sodium lauryl sulphate and compare the novel cell texture index with the classical markers water loss (transepidermal water loss) and natural moisturizing factor. All parameters show a high degree of correlation.