Fissured Filaggrin Fingers

A subset of people who had fissured skin on fingers harbored two loss-of-function filaggrin mutations.

Filaggrin helps aggregate keratin filaments in the upper portions of epidermis. Filaggrin later undergoes proteolysis to produce small, polar, hygroscopic molecules termed “natural moisturizing factor,” which help skin retain moisture. About 10% of the general population have loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin tandem repeat gene, and therefore are genetically predisposed to “dry skin.” Without adequate moisture, the stratum corneum loses plasticity. Instead of bending, it fissures. Do filaggrin mutations predispose to the fissure type of hand dermatitis?

In Denmark, 6998 people randomly selected from the population responded to a questionnaire designed to identify people with atopic dermatitis, hand eczema, or fissured hand skin. Of…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)