Favre–Racouchot syndrome is a solar elastotic disorder consisting of multiple open
comedo
A comedo (plural comedones) is a clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin. Keratin (skin debris) combines with oil to block the follicle. A comedo can be open (blackhead) or closed by skin (whitehead) and occur with or without acne. The word ''com ...
nes that occurs in skin damaged by sunlight, especially under and lateral of the eyes. The comedones are widened openings for
hair follicle
The hair follicle is an organ found in mammalian skin. It resides in the dermal layer of the skin and is made up of 20 different cell types, each with distinct functions. The hair follicle regulates hair growth via a complex interaction betwee ...
s and
sebaceous gland
A sebaceous gland or oil gland is a microscopic exocrine gland in the skin that opens into a hair follicle to secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, which lubricates the hair and skin of mammals. In humans, sebaceous glands occur in ...
s filled with material.
Pathology
Chronic exposure to
ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet radiation, also known as simply UV, is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths of 10–400 nanometers, shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes about 10% of th ...
can result in skin thickening as well as elastic destruction of the skin. At least in one instance, the occupational exposure to the UVA light of the sun (
UVB
Ultraviolet radiation, also known as simply UV, is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths of 10–400 nanometers, shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes about 10% of the ...
is blocked by many car windows) resulted in skin destruction on one side of the face. Microscopically, Favre–Racouchot displays multiple dilated follicular
cysts
A cyst is a closed Wikt:sac, sac, having a distinct Cell envelope, envelope and cell division, division compared with the nearby Biological tissue, tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of Cell (biology), cells that have grouped together to form a sac ...
/ milia and open comedones with severe solar elastosis in the background dermis.
Treatment
Treatment includes sun protection, and cessation of smoking is highly recommended. Topical
retinoids
The retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are natural derivatives of vitamin A or are chemically related to it. Synthetic retinoids are utilized in cosmetic formulations, clinical dermatology, and the treatment of some forms of cancer ...
,
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin, also known as 13-''cis''-retinoic acid and sold under the brand name Accutane among others, is a medication used to treat skin diseases like harlequin-type ichthyosis, and lamellar ichthyosis, and severe cystic acne or moderat ...
,
curettage
Curettage ( or ), in medical procedures, is the use of a curette (French, meaning "scoop" Mosby's Medical, Nursing & Allied Health Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Mosby-Year Book 1994, p. 422) to remove tissue by scraping or scooping.
Curettages ...
, and
dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a type of surgical skin planing, generally with the goal of removing acne, scarring and other skin or tissue irregularities, typically performed in a professional medical setting by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon trained spec ...
have also been used with some success.
Eponym
Favre–Racouchot syndrome is named after the French
dermatologist
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist is a specialist medi ...
Maurice Favre
Maurice Favre (1876 – 1954) was a French dermatologist who gave his name to Lymphogranuloma venereum, Durand-Nicolas-Favre disease, Gamna-Favre bodies and Favre–Racouchot syndrome.
External links
*
Jean Racouchot (1908-1994). It was described in 1932 by Favre and then reviewed in details by Favre and Racouchot in 1951.
See also
*
List of cutaneous conditions
Many skin conditions affect the human integumentary system—the organ system covering the entire surface of the Human body, body and composed of Human skin, skin, hair, Nail (anatomy), nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function o ...