Retinoids are a class of compounds derived from vitamin A or having structural and/or functional similarities with vitamin A. They are classified into three generations based on their molecular structures. Inside the body, retinoids bind to several classes of proteins including retinoid-binding proteins and retinoid nuclear receptors. This eventually leads to the activation of specific regulatory regions of DNA - called the retinoic acid response elements - involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Several clinical trials have studied the role of topical and systemic retinoids in disease, and research is still ongoing. Currently, retinoids are used in several fields of medicine. This paper aims to review the structure, mechanisms of action, and adverse effects of retinoids, as well as some of their current uses in Dermatology.

Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It manifests with pruritic erythematous papules and excoriations, in addition to the pathognomonic burrows. Multiple drugs can be used for treatment, but resistance to conventional therapy is increasing throughout the years. This paper will review the mechanisms of resistance proposed in the literature and some of the potential solutions to this problem.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare, chronic, sterile, pustular eruption that predominantly affects the fingertips with nail involvement. While some consider ACH a distinct entity, many believe it to be a variant of pustular psoriasis, especially as cases of ACH progressing to generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) have been reported. Recently, recessively inherited mutations in the IL36RN gene, which encodes interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36Ra), have been demonstrated to be the cause of familial GPP, a condition termed DITRA (deficiency of IL-36Ra). Here, we identified a homozygous missense mutation c.338C>T (p.Ser113Leu) in the IL36RN gene in a male patient with ACH, as well as in his sister who had a history of GPP.

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