TLDR Men are more likely to get infectious skin diseases, while women are more prone to autoimmune and pigment-related skin conditions, influenced by biological and environmental factors.
The 2010 review article examined the gender differences in skin diseases, observing that men are more prone to infectious diseases, while women are more susceptible to psychosomatic issues, pigmentary disorders, certain hair diseases, and autoimmune and allergic diseases. It was noted that there are more dermatoses associated with females than males and that gender differences also affect the occurrence and prognosis of skin malignancies. The review suggested that these differences might be due to variations in skin structure, hormone effects, ethnic backgrounds, sociocultural behaviors, and environmental factors. It also discussed how sex hormones influence immune responses and the development of skin diseases, with oestrogens affecting immune cell differentiation and function, and androgens having immunosuppressive effects. Additionally, genetic and molecular biology differences, as well as geographical and sociocultural factors, contribute to the gender disparity in skin disease prevalence. The review stressed the importance of understanding these gender differences to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of skin diseases.
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