Ṛgveda is the oldest religious book of the Aryans. It picturises the early lives of the Aryans. We get mention of various diseases in this Veda. Skin - both in health and diseases had caught attention of the Vedic sages. Skin was not merely an organ of attraction and look but its colour was important socially. Mentions of various diseases like leprosy, guinea worm, jaundice etc., are interesting. Mention of different disorders of the nails and hair are also there, though in a very primitive and mystic form. Management strategy was consisted of herbs, amulates, chanting of mantras, touching the body, uses of water and sunrays etc. This may be presumed that this Veda founded the base for the Βyurveda of the later period.

Introduction: It is a functional peripheral vascular disorder characterized by bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membrane due to diminished oxyhemoglobin. It may be due to central or local tissue oxygenation defects. It is a painful episodic disorder, where trophic changes and ulceration are very rare except in necrotizing variant. By definition, it refers to persistent abnormally deep blue or cyanotic discoloration of skin over extremities (hand and feet most commonly) due to decreased oxyhemoglobin. Etiology: It can be both primary and secondary to psychiatric, neurologic, autoimmune, infective, metabolic and other causes. The existing hypothesis suggests the prevailing role of vasospastic reaction over possible blood rheology impairment. ^[1] As per the current line of thinking, it is due to chronic vasospasm of small cutaneous arteries, and arterioles along with compensatory dilatation in the capillary and post capillary venules causes cyanosis and sweating. Clinical Features: Acrocyanosis is an uncommon condition. It usually presents with coolness and violaceous dusky discolorations of hands and less frequently the feet. Other peripheral part like ear, nose, lips and nipple can also be affected. ^[2] The changes may be transient after cold exposure but frequently persist during winter and even in summer. Management: There is no standard and curative medical or surgical treatment of acrocyanosis. In mild cases, it is unnecessary to give any drug treatment. Life style modification, dietary and hygiene counseling, avoidance of cold and reassurance that the bluish skin discoloration does not indicate any serious illness is all that is necessary.

Background: The precise cause of vitiligo is still unclear. Multiple theories have been proposed, including genetic, autoimmune, neural, and biochemical mechanisms. An immune mediated pathogenesis is indeed the most popular theory. The autoimmune hypothesis considers the role of toxic mediator that might cause an injury to the melanocytes with the release of an antigenic substance and subsequent autoimmunization. Aims: This study performed over a period of 10 years (February 1975 to June 1985) aims at exploring the role that histamine might play in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with a particular type of vitiligo characterized by faint white patches occurring with significant pruritus and a history of atopy were selected and blood histamine levels were determined by Bio-Assay method. Results: Blood histamine values of patients with vitiligo of short duration and with pruritus were significantly increased in comparison with values of matched controls. Conclusion: Histamine appears to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of a particular type of vitiligo characterized by faint hypopigmented patches with significant itching.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) reproducible imaging technique has already been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of other skin diseases. Objective: To define RCM features of vitiligo on different clinical stages. Materials and Methods: A total of 125 patients with a clinical diagnosis of vitiligo were included in this study. After informed consent, lesional skins of those vitiligo patients were characterized by using RCM. Five patients with inflammatory cell infiltration observed at the edge of skin lesions and another 5 patients without inflammatory cell infiltration were selected. Biopsies were performed at same sites of the RCM examination areas for histological and immune-histological analysis. Results: In the active stage of vitiligo, the RCM examination revealed that the bright dermal papillary rings presented at the dermoepidermal junction level in normal skin lost their integrity or totally disappeared, border between vitiligo lesion and normal skin became unclear, and highly refractile cells that referred to infiltrated inflammatory cells could be seen within the papillary dermis at the edge of the lesions. In the stable stage of vitiligo, the RCM showed a complete loss of melanin in lesional skin and a clear border between lesional and normal skin. Conclusion: A simple clinical examination with RCM may reliably and efficiently allow evaluation of the stability status of vitiligo lesions.

Background: Segmental vitiligo (SV) and generalized vitiligo (GV) are perceived to evolve by different mechanisms, the former with unspecified neural mechanisms and the latter by melanocyte specific autoimmune mechanisms. However, the two diverse mechanisms are difficult to reconcile in cases of "mixed vitiligo." To test the possibility of a common pathogenesis, we reviewed clinical and histopathological features of SV and GV. Materials and Methods: As part of an ongoing histopathological study on vitiligo and vitiligo like lesions, over a 10 year period from 2002 to 2011, biopsies were taken routinely from evolving or recently evolved lesions. 50 cases of SV with quasi-dermatomal distribution and 154 cases of GV were identified and the clinical and histopathological features were compared. Results: Mild clinical inflammation was recorded in 33 of 154 GV cases but, none among 50 SV had such features. In addition to bilateral symmetrical involvement, mirror image lesions with unusual segmentation were observed in nine cases of GV. SV with a few bilateral lesions (4) and GV with quasi-dermatomal lesions (3), i.e., mixed vitiligo, were included in their corresponding groups for analytical purposes. Focal lichenoid inflammation of varying degrees around epidermal/adnexal melanocytes was identified as a common feature in evolving lesions of both SV (78%) and GV (70%). Conclusions: SV and GV demonstrated a similar inflammatory histopathological spectrum. "Segmentation/mosaicism," identified for the first time in GV is another unifying factor. Cutaneous mosaicism harboring fragile melanocyte populations, which are susceptible to external as well as auto-inflammatory mechanisms, is an attractive hypothesis to pursue in the causation of vitiligo.

Background : The diagnosis of pityriasis rosea (PR) is generally clinical. Previous studies usually recruited relatively small numbers of patients and control subjects, leading to low power of study results. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses cannot be readily performed, as the inclusion and exclusion criteria of these studies were not uniform. We have previously validated a set of diagnostic criteria (DC) in Chinese patients with PR. Aim : Our aim is to evaluate the validity and applicability of the DC of PR in Indian patients with PR. Study Design: Prospective unblinded pair-matched case-control study. Materials and Methods: The setting is a dermatology clinic in India served by one board-certified dermatologist. We recruited all 88 patients seen by us during five years diagnosed to have PR to join our study. For each study subject, we recruited the next patient who consulted us with differential diagnoses of PR as control subjects. We applied the DC of PR on all study and control subjects. Result : The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the DC were all 100%. Two-tailed Fisher's exact probability test result was 0.036. Ö was 1.00. Conclusion : The set of DC can be validly applied to Indian patients with PR.

Leprosy is a chronic inflammatory disease of skin and peripheral nerves. Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem was reached at the global level in the year 2000 and by India on 31 ^st December, 2005. Thereafter, leprosy services in India have been integrated with General Health-Care System resulting in reduced focus and funds. Sustaining the gains made so far in controlling leprosy is a big challenge and there is no time for complacency. Pockets of high endemicity with prevalence rate of > 1 still exist in many states. Our data from a tertiary care center indicates poor epidemiological control and ongoing disease transmission. To combat this, dermatologists all over India should continue to play a central role in capacity building and training of undergraduate and post-graduate students, medical officers, and field workers.

Background: The cutaneous form of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare entity that manifests solely with skin papules or nodules and does not present with the usual myriad of symptoms of classical RDD. Aims: To analyze the most recent publications regarding cutaneous RDD to point out updated, relevant aspects regarding future directions for clinical recognition and management. To identify histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in skin lesions that permit diagnosis. Materials and Methods: We present a case of a gentleman with a history of multiple lipomas with a new solitary nodule on physical exam; microscopic examination shows the typical findings of RDD with the associated diagnostic immunohistochemical profile, as well as the expected finding of histiocytes engulfing other intact inflammatory cells. Results: Our patient was managed with surgical excision of the entire lesion, one of the several available treatment options. Long-term follow-up 2 years later did not reveal any complications, recurrences, or new lesions. Conclusion: The diagnosis of cutaneous RDD is differentiated from other histiocytic conditions by the combination of clinical findings accompanied by histopathologic and immunohistochemical confirmation.

Background: Dermatophytoses are the superficial fungal infections of skin, hair, and nail. Butenafine is a benzylamine group of antifungal that inhibits the biosynthesis of ergosterol by blocking squalene epoxidase. Sertaconazole is a newer imidazole antifungal which inhibits the biosynthesis of ergosterol by inhibiting 14-a lanosterol demethylase. The study was done to compare a newer antifungal with a relatively older one. Aim: To compare the efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of topical 2% sertaconazole cream and 1% butenafine in tinea infections of skin Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. They were advised to apply the drug topically twice a day for one month on the lesions. They were followed up at an interval of 10 days. Clinical score and Global Evaluation Response were assessed at baseline and during each follow up. Results: A total 125 patients were recruited, out of them 111 completed the whole study. Median Sign and Symptom Score of tinea on the baseline was 9 [5,9] that was reduced to 0 [0,4] by 2% sertaconazole while it was 9 [6,9] in the butenafine group on the baseline that was reduced to 0 [0,6] at the end of the treatment. 98% and 90% of the patients got complete clearance of the lesions with butenafine and sertaconazole, respectively. Treatment with butenafine was more cost effective as compared to sertaconazole. Conclusion: 1% butenafine is more efficacious, cost effective, and equally safe as compared to 2% sertaconazole in the tinea infections of skin.

Context: To the best of our knowledge, till date no study comparing the efficacy and safety of terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream and sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream has been done in localized tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Aims: This clinical trial was carried out to study and compare the efficacy of topical terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream and sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream in localized tinea corporis and tinea cruris and to know the adverse effects of these antifungal creams. Settings and Design: In this prospective, single blind, randomized control trial with two arms, patient were randomized into two groups Group A (treatment with terbinafine cream) and Group B (treatment with sertaconazole cream). A total of 38 patients were enrolled for the study, 20 patients in group A and 18 patients in group B. But five patients of group A and three patients of group B were lost for follow-ups. Therefore sample size was of 30 patients with 15 patients in group A and group B each. Materials and Methods: Patients in group A and B were treated with twice daily topical 1% terbinafine hydrochloride and 2% sertaconazole nitrate cream respectively for a total duration of three weeks. Clinical improvement in signs and symptoms of each clinical parameter, namely itching, erythema, papules, pustules, vesicles, and scaling were graded weekly and clinical cure was assessed. KOH mount and culture was done weekly up to 3 weeks to access mycological cure. Fungal culture was done on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using students paired and unpaired t-tests from the data obtained. Results: Comparison between Group A and Group B for complete cure (clinical and mycological) showed that at the end of 3 weeks both terbinafine and sertaconazole groups had 100% complete cure. When the two groups were compared for complete cure, at the end of 1 ^st and 2 ^nd week, statistically non-significant results were observed (P = 0.461 and P = 0.679 respectively). However, at the end of 2 ^nd week, complete cure rate for terbinafine was 80% as compared to 73.35% for sertaconazole with no statistical significance. In both Group A and Group B, clinically significant local side effects like erythema, swelling, stinging sensation, or increased itching were not noticed. A majority of our patients in both the group showed Trichophyton rubrum followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes growth on culture. In Group A, 11 patients showed growth of T. rubrum, 2 patients showed growth of T. mentagrophytes, and 1 patient had only KOH test positive. In Group B, 10 patients revealed growth of T. rubrum, followed by growth of T. mentagrophytes in 3 and Microsporum canis in 2 patients. The therapeutic response is more or less same in infection with different species. Conclusions: The newer fungistatic drug sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream was as effective as terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream which is one of the fungicidal drugs, though terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream has higher rates of complete cure at the end of 2 weeks as compared to sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream. Both the drugs showed good tolerability with no adverse effects.

Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN) is a pruritic, erythematous scaly epidermal nevus which follows a Blaschko's lines. Lichen striatus, linear Darier disease, linear porokeratosis, linear lichen planus, linear psoriasis, and the verrucous stage of incontinentia pigmenti may all have similar clinical presentations as the linear verrucous epidermal nevus. ILVEN can be distinguished from true nevoid psoriasis by pruritus and lack of response to antipsoriatic treatments. Various therapeutic modalities have been described, but no one therapy has been successful consistently. Though giant ILVEN is a relative contraindication to surgical excision, here we report a case showing effectiveness of full thickness excision and skin grafting for this condition.

Background: In the present study, calcinosis cutis (CC) is defined as the deposition of amorphous calcium and phosphate salts under epidermis and it may be caused by a pre-existing event such as extravasation injury or hypercalcemic conditions. Idiopathic CC cases have no underlying disease or pre-existing cause. Aim: A demostrative vulvar idiopathic CC case presentation and review of the related literature. Methods: A 42-year-old multiparous female presented with vulvar nodular masses. She was keen on surgical removal of the lesions, as the masses caused dyscomfort during sexual intercourse. The lesions were removed and sent for histopathological examination. There was neither a history of trauma nor any inflammatory process in the vulvar skin prior to the development of lesions and no systemic abnormality was detected. Results and Conclusions: The histhopathologic evaluation of the biopsy specimen showed amorphous calcium deposits without any inflammatory infiltration in the dermis. There was no recurrence at 1 year's follow-up. This case shows that idiopathic CC may develop slowly at labio-vulvar region in a sexually active female with normal systemic or laboratory findings

The name of a condition in dermatology, gives a clue regarding the clinical feature, etiology, or histopathology of the disease. A disease might have been termed wrongly due to its resemblance to another known condition. Misnomers often mislead a physician regarding the etiology or histopathology of the condition. Here is a list of misnomers, with explanation, and the appropriate name in parentheses.

Giant congenital melanocytic nevi are rare congenital disfiguring benign neoplasms with a risk of transformation to malignant melanoma. They often present with various extra-cutaneous features. Here, we describe a case of giant melanocytic nevus with developmental dysplasia of bilateral hip, a novel association.

Hematohidrosis is a very rare condition in which an individual sweats blood. It may occur in an individual who is suffering from extreme levels of stress. Various causative factors have been suggested like component of systemic disease, vicarious menstruation, excessive exertion, psychogenic, and unknown causes. Fear and intense mental contemplation are the most frequent causes. It may also occur in bleeding disorders. We here report a case where bloody sweat was discharged from the forehead, face, and body episodically in a 12-year-old healthy girl with no bleeding disorder or any other underlying cause. All investigations done were within normal limits, except low intelligent quotient and loss of insight. The patient was given atropine sulphate transdermal patch with marked improvement in severity.

Gorlin syndrome is a rare familial disorder characterized by numerous basal cell carcinomas along with facial and skeletal findings. Here, we report a father and son case, presented with features of Gorlin syndrome.

A 50-year-old man presented with slow-growing dry, rough, micaceous scaly plaque over glans penis, which was compatible with clinical diagnosis of pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis (PKMB) and histologically suggestive of PKMB without cellular atypia. He was treated successfully with topical 5-fluorouracil with complete clearance of lesion in 3 weeks without recurrence for 10 months. PKMB is an extremely rare and interesting condition; only a handful cases have been reported in world literature.

Palisaded encapsulated neuroma (PEN) is an infrequent benign cutaneous neural tumor, which usually presents as solitary, asymptomatic, papule or nodule, often localized on the faces, around the orifices, in middle age with no sex preponderance. Rarely, it can be multiple. Both solitary and multiple lesions are not associated with neurofibromatosis or multiple endocrine neoplasica syndrome type 2B (MEN 2B). We hereby report, a rare case of multiple cutaneous PEN in a 30-year-old female who presented with multiple asymptomatic soft-to-firm papules and nodules in a dermatomal distribution on the face along the supply of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve with no signs of neurofibromatosis or MEN 2B.

A 50-year-old male with psoriatic arthritis since 20 years and on methotrexate since 12 years developed an asymptomatic black patch over his right sole of two years duration. On examination, patient had scaly plaque over the body and extremities with severe mutilating arthropathy of distal joints. There was a hyperpigmented patch over the right sole with surface and color irregularities. A possible diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma was made which was confirmed by biopsy. Methotrexate can induce malignancies due to immunosuppression. Here, we present a patient of psoriatic arthritis on long term methotrexate developing malignant melanoma.

Bullous Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (BSLE) is a rare manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), characterized histologically by subepidermal bullae with predominantly neutrophilic infiltrate and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) and C3 deposition at the basement membrane zone. Often associated is a heterogeneous profile of autoimmunity to components of type VII collagen. It needs to be differentiated from other subepidermal bullous diseases in view of potentially associated systemic manifestations of SLE. We report a 39-year-old lady who presented with an extensive vesicobullous eruption on face, neck, trunk, and mucosa. She was also found to have photosensitivity, significant anemia, and high antibody titers confirming SLE. Routine histopathology and immunoflorescence studies suggested BSLE and she responded favorably to dapsone. The importance of clinical and histopathological findings in confirming a diagnosis of BSLE along with the very encouraging response to dapsone therapy is highlighted.