Various topical anti-microbial agents are used for lacerated wounds. The reports on the efficacy of these agents in healing the wounds are not comprehensive. This study reviews the results of seven topical antimicrobial agents applied under sterile occlusive dressing of superficial lacerated wounds in children. All the patients were given P.O. amplicillin for five days. Healing rate of 100% was achieved with framycetin, gention violet paint, mercurochrome paint and povidone iodine with 4-6 days of treatment; whereas only 56.25%, 66.66% and 54.55% wound healing were observed with nitrofurazone, polymixin + neomycin + bacitracin and silver sulphadiazine respectively. The nonheating wounds in the latter group when subjected to an application of the agents that showed 100% healing, heated in another 5-6 days.

Pilot study was conducted among the workers of a silk filature prior to undertaking a study on the efficacy of barrier creams in preventing the dermatoses. Commonest occupational dermatoses noticed were maceration (68%), nicked nails (61%), pitted keratolysis (38%), fissuring (31%) and erosion (22.7%). Our findings were consistent with the earlier studies. However, ichthyosis reported earlier was not observed. The study was undertaken during summer and hence we conclude that ichtyosis is possibly due to seasonal variation and may not be related to hereditary factors as was postulated.

Thirty-four children (up to 12 years) with atopic dermatitis (AD) having few localized lesions of eczema were treated with topical sisomicin sulphate (0.1%). After 2 weeks of twice daily application of sisomicin, there was neither any clinical nor any bacteriological improvement. Topical sisomicin was not found to be useful in the management of AD.

Immunofluorescence methods are commonly used in dermatology to demonstrate the presence of antibodies and immunoreactants in skin and serum. The various techniques, modifications, utility value and equipment require are briefly discussed.

Eighteen patients with lesions suggestive of lichen planus (LP) were blopsied for histopathological examination and direct immunofluorescence (IMF) by standard techniques. All the 18 patients showed features of LP on histopathological examination. A ragged fibrin band at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) was the most characteristic finding on direct IMF, being seen in all the patients’ blopsied. Colloid bodies demonstrating lgM, C3, lgG, or lgA were seen in 88% of the cases. It is concluded that the presence of a ragged band of fibrin at the BMZ along with colloids is highly suggestive of LP.

We assessed the efficacy of 3 different treatment modalities with gamma benzene hexachloride (GBH) in an institutional outbreak of scabies. The 92 female inmates, between 5-18 years, in a state home with scabies and the supervisory staff were educated about the disease and treatment. As most inmates had secondary pyoderma, all were treated by a course of trimethoprim 80 mg; sulpha methoxazole 400 mg twice a day for 5 days. 250 lit of 1% GBH solution were prepared from 2.5 kg of GBH powder and were used for all the three treatment modalities. Forty-five girls were treated by GBH bath, each girl was allowed to soak in the tub for one minute and then allowed to dry; 34 girls were sprayed using a plastic hand spray and 23 were treated by paint brush application. Treatment was repeated after 1 week and reviewed after 2 and 6 weeks. On 1st visit, 4 girls of bath group showed few a symptomatic popular lesions over the hands and were retreated. All others were free of both symptoms and lesions. On second visit, all were free of lesions. All the three modes of drug delivery were effective. The bathtub offered privacy and it was quicker than both spraying and painting. However, the expense incurred per patient for bath was Rs.57 whereas it was only Rs.4 and Rs.5 for spray and paint brush application respectively.

A case of lichen nitidus in a 10 year old boy involving umbilical area, with nail changes, is reported here for its rarity.

A combination of multiple trichoepithelioma and basal cell epithelioma is reported. Although malignant degeneration of trichoepithelioma is debated, clinical and histopathological studies, in our case, hint at that. The case is reported for its rarity.

Erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP) is rare in children. An unusual case of EDP in a 10 year old child is reported.

A 28 year old male patient of generalised vitiligo is experiencing a spread of his disease along the course of striae over his upper thighs. The case is reproted for this unique presentation.

Hair dye containing p-phenyldiamine may cause allergic contact dermatitis with resultant post inflammatory hypo-pigmentation, but its association with vitiligo is not yet known. A case of postinflammatory hypo-pigmentation due to application of a common hair dye developing later into vitiligo is reported.