Aloe vera is a natural product that is now a day frequently used in the field of cosmetology. Though there are various indications for its use, controlled trials are needed to determine its real efficacy. The aloe vera plant, its properties, mechanism of action and clinical uses are briefly reviewed in this article.

Steroids form an important component of dermatological therapy and are used since very long time for different conditions in different forms. Though very few molecules are used since very long time, the side effect associated with this group of drugs are almost always there. Recently a new molecule deflazacort has been introduced into Indian market, is a glucocorticoid and a derivative of old molecule prednisolone. Though claimed to be having less side effect, very few studies have been done in Indian prospective. This review will highlight the very basics of this drug and its advantages and disadvantages.

Background: Pityriasis rosea is a common, acute exanthem of uncertain etiology. The exact cause of pityriasis rosea is not known but various hypotheses have been postulated incriminating infective agents such as viruses, bacteria, spirochete and noninfective etiologies such as atopy and autoimmune causes have also been investigated. Aim: We undertook a study to investigate the role of Streptococcus haemolyticus in the causation of pityriasis rosea and study the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and ASLO titer in patients with pityriasis rosea. Materials and Methods: The study included 20 patients with pityriasis rosea attending the outpatient dermatology department at JIPMER hospital during the period from June to December 2004. Corresponding number of age- and sex-matched controls were chosen from amongst healthy individuals and patients attending skin OPD with dermatological disorders other than pityriasis rosea. Results: On analyzing the data collected from 20 cases of pityriasis rosea, the average age was found to be 15.3 years and ranged from 5 years to 30 years. The male to female ratio was found to be 1.5:1. The average duration of illness was 14.5 days (median) and 29.3 days (mean). CRP was negative in all the cases as well as the controls. ASLO titer was found to be raised in 2 (10%) cases, while it remained below the critical value in all the controls. On comparing the cases and controls, the raised ASLO titer in the cases was found to be not statistically significant (p = 0.147). From the throat swab culture, Streptococcus haemolyticus was isolated from only one case and none of the controls. This finding was not statistically significant (p = 0.310). Conclusion: As per the findings of the present study, we arrived at conclusion that there is no association between streptococcus pharyngitis and pityriasis rosea.

Background: Incidence of onychomycosis has increased tremendously in recent times. Relatively little work has been done on this problem in our country. Research in past has been concentrated mainly on superficial mycoses of the skin. Aim: It is a well-established fact that geographical distribution of the fungi may change from time to time; hence, this study was planned to analyze clinical, epidemiological, and mycological features of onychomycosis. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients clinically suspected and microscopically proven to have onychomycosis were taken up for the study. Nail samples, collected by scraping in 30 patients and by using a dental drill in the rest, were examined microscopically and cultured for fungus. Results and Conclusions: Forty-five fungal isolates were obtained from 60 patients. Trichophyton rubrum was the commonest fungus isolated (46.67%). Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans accounted for 20% and 15.56% isolates, respectively. Two cases showed mixed growth of Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus niger in one and Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus fumigatus in the other. Isolation rate was higher by drilling compared to scraping, the rates being 83.33% and 66.67%, respectively. Superficial mycotic infections were present in 27 patients (45%).

Background: The pattern of skin diseases varies form one country to another and across different parts within the same country. A two-day multispecialty medical camp was held among the local population at the district of Kausambi, Allahabad, UP, in October 2005. A cross section of pattern of skin diseases observed at the camp is reported and compared with similar studies in literature. Materials and Methods: All cases attending the medical camp were included in the study. All those with dermatological complaints were examined in detail, brief relevant history was elicited and clinical diagnosis was made. Results: Skin diseases comprised 7.86% of all those who attended the camp. The 11-20 year age group was the most common age group involved with 164 (31.4%) cases. Infective disorders were found in 59.1% and noninfective disorders in 40.9% of all the skin cases. Among the infective disorders, fungal infections were most common (54.52%), and among the noninfective dermatoses, eczemas were most common (39.2%) cutaneous disorders. Conclusion: Our study brought out a higher prevalence of infective dermatoses and a relatively higher, but statistically insignificant, prevalence of fungal infections, scabies and eczemas, thereby reflecting minor regional variance in our study group.

Background: Pityriasis versicolor is a mild, chronic, usually asymptomatic superficial fungal infection of the stratum corneum, caused by Malassezia yeasts. The purpose of the present study is to assess the clinical profile of a group of patients with pityriasis versicolor and to find out the epidemiological characteristics in this part of India as well as any association, if any, with other diseases. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 110 consecutive patients of pityriasis versicolor were evaluated clinically and diagnosis was confirmed mycologically at a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. All data were recorded in a predesigned, pretested semi-structured schedule. The total duration of study period was 12 months. Results: Majority of the patients were young adults. Most of the patients were asymptomatic. There is prominent seasonal variation of the patients with a peak in August and September months. Most of the lesions were hypopigmented scaly macules and were KOH positive. Most commonly involved sites were chest, face and back. Seborrheic dermatitis sometimes coexisted with pityriasis versicolor and a number of patients also had diabetes mellitus and immunosuppressive conditions. Conclusions: Overall, the clinicomycological and epidemiological profile of pityriasis versicolor infection as observed in a tertiary care setting in eastern India does not differ significantly from those observed by previous workers elsewhere.

Background: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) has revolutionized treatment of vascular dermatoses. It has been successfully employed to treat several non-vascular conditions in fair skinned individuals without producing significant pigmentary and textural complications. Aim: A preliminary study was undertaken to assess its efficacy in cosmetically distressing facial, vascular and non-vascular dermatoses in Indian patients with skin types IV and V. Materials and Methods: Nine patients of ages 7 to 55 years, with facial verruca plana (VP- 4 cases), angiofibromas (AF- 4 cases) and multiple pyogenic granulomas (PG- one case) were recruited. They had no systemic complaints. Laser parameters used were (spot size/fluence/wavelength/pulse duration):VP- 5mm/5.5-7.5J/585nm/0.45ms; AF-5mm/6-8.5J/585nm/0.45ms;PG- 5mm/7J/585 and 595nm alternately/1.5ms. Response was assessed clinically and photographically. Results and Conclusions: All VP lesions completely resolved after 2-4 sessions (mean 3.25 sessions), AF showed 50% regression in all cases after 2-3 sessions (mean 2.5 sessions) and ≥75% subsidence after 3-7 sessions (mean 5.5 sessions) and in PG, after 3 sessions, there was complete subsidence of small satellite lesions with moderate shrinkage of larger papules and complete resolution after 5 sessions. Complications included transient hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation only. There was no recurrence during next 6 months. PDL offers significant cosmetic improvement in facial dermatoses in Indian patients.

High potency or/and extended use of topical corticosteroids, particularly in children, may cause suppression of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis. However, iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome in infantile age group is very rare and only a few patients have been reported to date in the literature. Here, we report a case of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome in a 6-month-old male child whose parents have admitted to the hospital for overweight and skin fragility.

Vulvar basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is rare, accounting for less than 5% of all vulvar neoplasms and less than 1% of all BCCs. Vulvar BCCs are usually diagnosed late because they are often asymptomatic and tend to grow at slow rates. They may be invasive and destructive if neglected or improperly treated. Nevertheless, they have a very low propensity for metastatic spread, but frequently recur after simple excision. We report a 78 year-old woman presenting with the complaint of painful vulvar ulceration and vaginal bleeding. The physical examination revealed a 3 × 2 cm indurated nodulo-ulcerative lesion involving the clitoris, both labia minora and left labium majus. The histopathology was consistent with the "solid type BCC" that invaded the subcutaneous tissue without lymph node metastasis. The patient underwent wide local excision with clitoral amputation and remained disease free at post-surgical follow-up after 18 months.

A case of mucosal patch on the perianal area of a 15-year-old boy with history of frequent sodomy is presented here.

Primary extracranial meningiomas occur very rarely. We present a rare case of extracranial meningioma of the transitional variant which was excised satisfactorily. There was no suggestion of any connection to the intracranial compartment or cranial nerves. The underlying galea was uninvolved, suggesting the true extracranial nature of this tumour. This rare diagnosis should nonetheless be kept in the differential diagnosis of scalp tumors.

A 53-year-old male presented with a giant cutaneous horn over the left leg. Cutaneous horn was excised and primary closure of the defect was done under spinal anesthesia. Histopathology showed underlying seborrheic keratosis. Cutaneous horn has been noticed on top of many clinical conditions of diverse etiology, such as actinic keratoses, wart, molluscum contagiosum, seborrheic keratoses, keratoacanthoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. We report a patient with giant cutaneous horn on the leg successfully treated by excision and wound closure.

Macular amyloidosis is a common problem seen dermatology out-patient department. Generalized macular amyloidosis presenting with a poikilodermatous appearance is rare. In our case, an 18-year-old male presented with generalized hypopigmented macules with a poikilodermatous appearance of 10-year duration. His developmental milestones were normal with negative family history of similar complaints. Histopathology of hyperpigmented lesions revealed hyperkeratosis and acanthosis of epidermis and hypopigmented lesion showing only hyperkeratosis. Both lesions were showing the deposition of amorphous, hazy material in the tips of papillary dermis with perivascular inflammatory infiltrate. Congo red staining of the amorphous material was positive for amyloid.

Anticancer chemotherapy is associated with a variety of nail changes. We present two children who developed different nail changes, while receiving almost similar antineoplastic drugs.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous human cancers and will continue to be a major unsolved health problem as we enter the 21 ^st century. This is the case despite advances in imaging technology and surgical management. Indeed, 80% to 90% of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed either at the locally advanced or metastatic stage. Cutaneous metastases originating from pancreatic cancer are relatively rare. The most common site of cutaneous metastasis is the umbilicus, and this is known as the Sister Joseph's nodule. Very few patients have been reported with cutaneous lesions disclosing a pancreatic carcinoma at sites other than the umbilical area. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous reports on cutaneous pancreatic metastasis in Egypt. This is a report on a patient with cutaneous pancreatic metastases at the neck and review of reported non-umbilical cutaneous metastases from pancreatic carcinoma in the literatures.

A 39-year-old female with a pruritic verrucous plaque over dorsal aspect of great toe was treated with 4 intralesional corticosteroid injections each at an interval of 2 weeks. Three months later, she developed depigmentation at the injection site and in a network-like distribution radiating away from the site. The depigmentation corresponded to the lymphatic drainage channels of the great toe.

Melanoma composed of melanocytes may arise in the skin or other tissues harboring melanocytes, such muco-cutaneous junctions, mucosa including the conjunctiva, iris, choroids and substantia nigra. Metastases to the skin and subcutaneous tissues from a malignant melanoma are less common. A case of multiple painless nodules on the body that revealed metastatic deposits of melanoma on histopathological examination is being reported.

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a multi-systemic autoimmune disorder. Cardiac involvement by the disease, although not included in the diagnostic criteria, may be seen either clinically, histologically or may be revealed by various investigative modalities. Purpose: To see the profile of cardiac involvement in patients of systemic sclerosis. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients of systemic sclerosis were included in the study. After taking a complete history and doing a detailed physical examination, the patients were submitted to electrocardiogram ECG (all leads), echocardiography and x-ray chest. Furst's organ indices scoring system for cardiac involvement was followed. Findings: Forty-seven patients of systemic sclerosis were included in the study. Five females gave a history of palpitations. A loud pulmonic heart sound was heard in 1. Arrhythmias were observed in 5 patients. Significantly, echocardiography revealed valvular involvement in 5 patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy was seen in 2 patients. Conclusions: In our patients, cardiac involvement was rare. In contrast to other studies, valvular involvement was a prominent feature. Limitations: Complete evaluation for arrhythmias with 24-h Holter monitor was not used

We present a case of Scleredema Diabeticorum (SD) in a patient with diabetic neuropathy and restrictive respiratory disease with unusual skin lesion distribution. The onset of dermatologic symptoms heralded a progressive respiratory disease with constrictive component. Painful diabetic neuropathy was noteworthy and difficult to relieve. Predominantly, distribution of the skin lesions on the thighs makes the case exceptional. T2-weighted MRI showed abnormal hyperintensities along the muscles of the thighs in correspondence with the skin lesions. Gait and respiratory symptoms progressively worsened. After a transient remitting period, he developed sudden shortening of breath, arrested and expired at home.The atypical distribution of the skin lesions with further involvement of underlying muscles plus concomitant polyneuropathy and respiratory constrictive disease with sudden death is quite unusual and aggressive presentation of SD.