Comparing the scalp microbiome of healthy women wearing hijab with those who don’t
Today’s report also covers research into vulvar allergens in topicals recommended on social media, the association between iron deficiency and hair loss, and more (1,240 words, 6 minutes)
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Good morning and welcome to the Women in Dermatology e-newsletter from Chronicle Companies. We’re pleased to have you join us. This biweekly bulletin will update you on new findings regarding dermatologic issues that affect women and the female dermatologists who care for them. We welcome your feedback and opinions, so let us know if you have any comments, observations, or suggestions. You can email them to us at health@chronicle.org
Wearing a hijab can influence the scalp’s condition, including its microbiome, according to a recent study published in Scientific Reports (July 2023; 13:11797). In the study, researchers analyzed the scalp microbiome of 48 healthy hijab-wearing women and 48 women who do not wear hijabs in Indonesia, a country with a predominantly Muslim population.
The authors found both groups had Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes as the dominant bacterial phyla on their scalps. The most abundant species in both groups were Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus capitis, and Staphylococcus cohnii, and the most abundant fungal phyla were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.
The results also showed that hijab-wearing women had a higher prevalence of S. capitis and M. restricta, while the non-hijab group had a higher prevalence of S. cohnii and M. globosa. Additionally, the authors noted that women wearing hijabs might be more prone to seborrheic dermatitis due to the higher abundance of M. restricta.
The beta diversity of both groups also showed different microbial dominance, but C. acnes was dominant in both groups. The authors note that previous studies have reported that increased levels of C. acnes and a disturbed scalp microbiome in people with sensitive scalps can cause itching, discomfort, tingling, tightness, and a burning sensation. These symptoms were primarily reported by women who wore hijabs.
Furthermore, a functional analysis of the scalp microbiome showed differences in certain KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways between the two groups. For instance, hijab-wearing women showed significantly lower levels of signalling molecules and interactions, enzyme families, digestive system functions, genetic information processing, and infectious diseases than the non-hijab group.
Bottom line
The use of hijab can influence the scalp’s condition, including its microbiome. Hijab-wearing women had a higher prevalence of S. capitis and M. restricta, which might make them more susceptible to seborrheic dermatitis. The dominance of C. acnes in both groups could be linked to scalp sensitivity, with symptoms such as itching and discomfort. The functional analysis revealed differences in specific KEGG pathways, highlighting the potential impact of hijab use on scalp health.
Correlation of serum ferritin level among women with alopecia
A study published in the International Journal of Science Inventions Today assessed the correlation between in-blood iron levels and hair loss in women. The researchers found that iron deficiency is a potential risk factor for hair loss in women.
For this cross-sectional study, the authors analyzed the blood samples of 74 women with hair loss at the dermatology outpatient department of Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal. The results showed that women with telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and female pattern hair loss also had an iron deficiency.
Vulvar allergens in topical preparations recommended on social media
Research in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology evaluated the prevalence of vulvar allergens within topical products recommended on social media by women with vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS). The authors found that most topical products for vulvar LS recommended on social media contained known vulvar allergens, with emollients and botanical extracts or spices being the most prevalent.
For this study, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of eight Facebook support groups for women with vulvar LS. Overall, 78.7% of topical products recommended contained at least one known anogenital allergen. Emollients, such as glycerin, lanolin, and propylene glycol, were present in 62.7% of topical formulations. Additionally, preservatives were found in 52% of topicals, fragrances in 20.7%, botanical extracts or spices in 20.7%, and irritating medications in 14.6%.
Retinol peeling may improve the skin appearance of oncology patients
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology tested the effectiveness of an advanced retinol peel formulation during adjuvant chemotherapy in improving skin appearance in cancer patients with photodamage. The authors found that an advanced retinol peel formulation might improve the skin appearance of women who experienced skin damage after breast cancer surgery.
Four patients who were experiencing skin issues during postsurgical therapy for breast cancer were selected. The participants received a retinol peel as a low-invasive aesthetic medical treatment. The formulation consisted of 3% retinol, 4% triethyl citrate, 0.1% aminophil, bisabolol, and 1% vitamin E acetate. The retinol peel was administered at least six weeks after ceasing their post-surgery adjuvant therapy.
A study in the Journal of Xenobiotics assessed the sensitivity of different Candida species to various antifungal treatments in pregnant women. The researchers found that azoles, particularly miconazole, showed high sensitivity to Candida albicans, Candida krusei was resistant to polyene, and Candida glabrata had a high resistance to flucytosine.
The authors analyzed the data of 140 women hospitalized for pregnancy-related symptoms and were diagnosed with genital candidiasis. The authors found that vaginal candidiasis was most common in the first trimester. Additionally, 118 women tested positive for Candida albicans, making it the most frequent strain in pregnant women.
Dr. Aanchal Panth, a dermatologist based in Gujarat, India, explains all the details to keep in mind when choosing or recommending a sunscreen for oily skin.
A case of near missed diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma in a young woman
A case study published in Clinical Case Reports described a 32-year-old female who presented with a small, painless, red bump on the left arm that had been growing for three months. Initially, the patient was suspected of having an infectious cyst and was treated with antibiotics but did not respond to the treatment. A surgeon then diagnosed the lesion as an abscess and removed it. After two weeks, a lesion appeared on the incised area. The mass was surgically removed but reappeared within one week. A week later, an MRI of the left arm revealed multiple subdermal lesions and enlarged axillary lymph nodes, which suggested metastasis. The initial lesion turned out to be an aggressive neoplastic round cell tumour consistent with Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
The patient underwent radiation and chemotherapy, which led to remission. However, the high-dose chemotherapy caused complications, including frequent muscle pain and a weakened immune system. The patient developed a fever with a low white blood cell count and died one month after completing the last chemotherapy course due to septic shock.
“I suffered from acne as an adult. And so, while I was in graduate school, living in New Orleans at the time, I saw how it affected my self-esteem and confidence. I didn’t want to go to class sometimes, or I would try different camouflaging techniques until I decided to go and seek out help instead of trying a bunch of different products on the shelves. And this is where I feel a lot of people start. I went to see a dermatologist, and once we got my acne under control, I just felt like the world of ideas opened on what I wanted to do—to practice medicine and contribute to re-instilling that confidence in my patients and medical condition to feel good about themselves.”
— Dr. DiAnna Davis, a Dallas, Tex.-based dermatologist in an interview with BlackDoctor.Org
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