“Prick test� was carried out in 15 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and 10 patients with chronic urticaria (CU). Of the various aeroallergens tested, house dust mite (HDM), pollens, aspergillus furnigatus and insects were found to be most commonly positive. The common food allergens showing prick test positivity were egg white, fish, milk, brinjal, dal, groundnut and banana. Use of nasal filters showed 10-20% improvement in AD and 5 – 10% improvement in urticaria. Withdrawal of the responsible food article(s) showed 20-30% improvement in patients with AD and urticaria.

In vitiligo, other than loss of melanocytes and melanin pigment in the involved skin, keratinocytes are also affected. Human fetal Merkel cells are now generally considered to be epidermally derived. Till date, no observation on mechanism of loss of Merkel cells were observed by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using monoclonal antibody troma. ‘No troma 1- positive cells were observed in the involved vitiliginous skin in any of the specimens examined, whereas normal number of these cells were seen in the adjacent uninvolved skin. The findings suggest that keratinocytes and keratin – expressing cells like Merkel cells participate in the process of vitiligo through a cascade of events that ultimately lead of the destruction of melanocytes.’

Thirty patients of atopic dermatitis were tested with intradermal pilocarpine and examined for cutaneous vascular response at the site. Both the involved and normal- appearing skin sites were injected. Patients with non-atopic dermatitis were used as controls. Eighty percent of the patients showed either reduced erythema or nil erythema around the test site.

Forty two patients with verruca vulgaris on the extremities who attended the Government Wenlock Hospital and KMC, Attavar, were subjected to weekly and fortnightly cryotherapy. At the end of 8 weeks, it was found that of the 37 patients who were followed up, 94% in weekly group and 84% in fortnightly group responded to treatment.

House to house survey was conducted in India Colony slum situated at the outskirts of Amritsar to find the incidence of cutaneous disorders. Infections and infestations were most common skin disorders affecting more than seventy per cent of those having skin disorders. These were followed by allergy and eczemas.

Sixty patients with moderate to severe palmoplantar hyperhidrosis were treated with tap water iontophoresis administered with the help of a PLA - S2 galvanic stimulator. Treatments were given daily for one week and then frequency was reduced to reach the maintenance schedule of once a month. Patients were followed up for nine moths. Hyperhidrosis was graded by means of an objective clinical score every 2 weeks and by sweat points after 6 weeks. Majority of patients showed good or excellent response at the end of 2 weeks. The proportion of such response rose to 82% at 6 weeks. Minor side affects were noted in 10%. Tap water iontophoresis was found to be a simple, safe, effective and convenient method of treating palmoplanter hyperhidrosis

50 patients of extensive plaque type, palmoplantar pustulosis and recalcitrant psoriasis were subjected to puvasol therapy. 40% showed good response and 60% poor response without any major side effect. Low response group when conjugated with topical agents produced good response.

Fifty female patients, in the age range 3.5 to 45 yrs, suffering from chronic diffuse alopecia were studied for the probable causes. In 26% of cases, iron deficiency anaemia was found to be the major aetiological factor and 20% cases showed hupothyroidism. The cause could not be traced in 40% of cases. In majority of cases, multiple factors might be implicated.

Skin and nerve biopsies were done in 33 cases of different clinical types of leprosy selected from Dermatology OPD of Medical College and Hospitals, Calcutta during 1994-95. Histopathological results were compared with emphasis on the role of nerve biopsies in detection of patients with multibacillary leprosy. The evident possibility of having patients with multibacillary leprosy in peripheral leprosy with multiple drugs. It is found that skin and nerve biopsy are equally informative in borderline and lepromatour leprosy and is the only means to diagnose polyneuritic leprosy. Nerve biopsy appears to be more informative in the diagnosis of all clinical types of leprosy.

Dexamethasone – cyclophosphamide pulse therapy is effective in the treatment of bullous and connective tissue disorders. Hiccups following pulse therapy is reported.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis following ATT in HIV patient is reported. The role of HIV in drug reactions is discussed .

A case of multiple mucosal neuroma syndrome recently classified as Multiple Endocrinal Neoplasia (MEN), type 2b, is reported for its rarity and importance of diagnosis at an early age.

Cutaneous horns are rare horny excrescences which occur in various dermatoses. We report a girl with prurigo nodularis who developed a horn on one of the nodules. This unique association has not been reported so far.

Cutaneous horns are rare horny excrescences which occur in various dermatoses. We report a girl with prurigo nodularis who developed a horn on one of the nodules. This unique association has not been reported so far.

The clinical and histopathological features of a male harlequin foetus born to a consanguineous couple is described. Routine laboratory investigations were within normal limits. The neonate, who was treated symptomatically, died on the 4th day principally due to lung compromise