Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Acne-Related Conditions and Sensitive Skin Syndrome

Chan Kam Tim Michael^{* *}Correspondence: Chan Kam Tim Michael, Department of Dermatology, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Hong Kong, China, Email:

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Editorial

Sensitive skin syndrome is a common and important clinical condition not only to the dermatologists but also to the skin care products and cosmetic manufacturing industries. Conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, contact and atopic dermatitis are associated with it. The perception of itch is translated to our brain by neuronal depolarization signals initiated by aberrant transient receptor potential (TRP) channels mainly TRPV1, TRPV3, TRPV4 and TRPA1 through a complex inflammatory cascades and mediators. The discovery of these mediators and pathways not only broaden our understanding of the skinnervous system interaction during the body innate response to adversity but also may provide therapeutic solution to a number of diseases which share similar pathogenesis and etiology. In this we will discuss the biology of various TRP channels and their pathophysiological roles in skin diseases like sensitive skin syndromes, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and abnormal hair diseases. Some local data on studies of sensitive skin will be presented. Sensitive skin syndrome (SSS) is a common and challenging condition, yet little is known about its underlying pathophysiology. Patients with SSS often present with subjective complaints of severe facial irritation, burning, and/or stinging after application of cosmetic products. These complaints are out of proportion to the objective clinical findings. Defined as a self-diagnosed condition lacking any specific objective findings, SSS is by definition difficult to quantify and, therefore, the scientific community has yet to identify an acceptable objective screening test. In this overview we review recent epidemiological studies, present current thinking on the pathophysiology leading to SSS, discuss the challenges SSS presents, and recommend a commonsense approach to management.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up. Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scar the skin. The earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of such problems. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels constitute a large family of ion channels expressed across vertebrate and invertebrate animal species. Mammals express at least 28 different TRP channels that can be divided into six subfamilies, based on their primary amino acid structures: TRPA, TRPC, TRPM, TRPML, TRPP and TRPV. TRP channels are widely distributed across tissues, such that every cell in the body likely expresses one or more subtypes. Furthermore, TRP channels can be gated by an astonishingly diverse array of physical and chemical stimuli, ranging from ions and small molecules to heat, cold, and mechanical force. Consequently, TRP channels are important for many aspects of health and disease.