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Sensitive Skin Syndrome: An Update

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Abstract

Sensitive skin syndrome is a widely reported complaint but a diagnostic challenge because of its subjective symptoms and lack of clearly visible manifestations. Epidemiological studies have shown the prevalence of sensitive skin to be as high as 60–70% among women and 50–60% among men. Patients with this syndrome usually have unpleasant sensations when exposed to physical, thermal, or chemical stimuli that normally cause no provocation on healthy skin. Recent studies and newly accepted position papers have provided a more in-depth understanding and consensus of its underlying pathophysiology, associations, diagnosis, and treatment. Since no clinical studies have been conducted about specific treatment protocols, patients with this condition should be provided with personalized skin management. Given this updated knowledge, our review offers an approach to sensitive skin syndrome, with differential diagnoses, and interventions targeting its pathophysiology.

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  1. Hiep Loi Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Le Hanh Dung Do

  2. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Nazanin Azizi & Howard Maibach

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Le Hanh Dung Do, Nazanin Azizib, and Howard Maibach have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

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Do, L.H.D., Azizi, N. & Maibach, H. Sensitive Skin Syndrome: An Update. Am J Clin Dermatol 21, 401–409 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-019-00499-7

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