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Many nutrients are essential for life, and an adequate amount of nutrients in the diet is necessary for providing energy, building and maintaining body organs, and for various metabolic processes. The role of food in the induction of various skin disorders and skin diseases leading to nutritional deficiencies is well known. The photo-protective potential of antioxidants, the effects of micronutrient supplementation on the skin immune system, and the modulating effects of fatty acids on skin disorders are well documented. Skin diseases due to nutritional deficiencies, the dietary role in skin immunity and various skin diseases, and the role of antioxidants and other supplements in skin health have been reviewed.

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Vitiligo is not a life-threatening nor a contagious disease. But the disfigurement of vitiligo can be devastating to its sufferers, especially dark-skinned individuals. Available treatment options are disappointing and sufferers often use various forms of camouflage. Remedial cosmetic cover creams help conceal the blemish of vitiligo at least temporarily. A high concentration of pigment is incorporated into water-free or anhydrous foundations to give a color that matches the patient's skin, thereby concealing vitiligo patches. The article highlights the content and technique of application of these creams.

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Chemical leukoderma denotes an acquired hypopigmentation caused by repeated exposure to specific chemical compounds simulating clinically idiopathic vitiligo. The ailment has been increasing in developing countries like India in recent years. Etiologically, a lot of chemicals, especially phenolic group, have been identified in various countries including India. The term, "chemical leukoderma syndrome" has been described to encompass all the various manifestations of chemical leukoderma. Clinical diagnostic criteria have been proposed to diagnose chemical leukoderma clinically more confidently.

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Chemical leucoderma is an industrial disorder in developed countries and the common causative chemicals are phenols and catechols. Due to stringent controls and preventive measures the incidence has come down. In the recent past various chemicals in consumer products have also been documented to produce depigmentation.In India due to lax quality control measures chemical leucoderma due to consumer items is not uncommon.The various consumer items documented to cause contact depigmentation are sticker bindis,rain shoes,plastic chappals,hair dye/ black henna( kali mehndi), alta, wallets and even mobile plastic covers.

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The coexistence of leprosy with neurofibromatosis is rare both the diseases present with nerve thickening and skin lesions (patches and nodules). The coexistence of neurofibroma with borderline tuberculoid, lepromatous, histoid, and neuritic leprosy has been reported in the past. We report here a case of borderline lepromatous leprosy coexisting with neurofibromatosis in a 60 year-old male, who presented with neurofibromata and nerve thickening. Histopathology of skin biopsy from the leprosy and neurofibroma nodules confirmed the diagnosis of leprosy and neurofibroma.

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Background: Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is essentially an invasion of the skin by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the same bacteria that causes pulmonary tuberculosis. Aim: This study was conducted to study the common types of cutaneous TB and to find the management pattern in a tertiary teaching hospital in Pokhara, Nepal. Materials and Methods: All the cases of cutaneous TB were biopsied and furthermore investigated by performing Mantoux test, sputum examination, fine needle aspiration cytology, chest X-ray and ELISA. Results: In this study, we found that tuberculosis verrucous cutis (48%) had a higher incidence than other types of cutaneous TB. More males were affected than were females (1.2:1). Commonly affected sites were the limb and the buttock (48%). The most commonly affected age group was 16-25 years (40%). All cases (except two) were more than 15 mm in size in the Mantoux test. The histopathological picture was typical in all except three cases. All patients were treated with antitubercular treatment as per the national guidelines. Conclusion: The most common type of cutaneous TB was tuberculosis verrucous cutis and the most commonly affected sites were the limb and the buttock. As cutaneous TB sometimes reflects the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis, its incidence should not be ignored.

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Background: Pityriasis Rosea (PR) is an acute inflammatory and self-limiting skin disorder, sometimes with troublesome symptoms. To date, there are few treatments available for this disorder. Aim: Compare the traditional treatment with erythromycin to a newly introduced antiviral treatment acyclovir for PR. Materials and Methods: Patients with clinically confirmed diagnosis of PR, matching our exclusion criteria, were enrolled. They were randomized in two groups that received high-dose oral acyclovir or erythromycin. The participants were evaluated two, four, and eight weeks after commencement of the study and followed for one year. Results: A total of 30 patients including 15 males and 15 females completed the study. After eight weeks, 13 patients in the acyclovir group experienced complete response, while in the erythromycin group only six patients had complete response (P < 0.05). Also, patients in the acyclovir group experienced faster resolution of pruritus in comparison with the erythromycin group (not significant). No adverse drug reaction was detected in both groups. Conclusion: It seemed that a high-dose of oral acyclovir was a safe and effective therapy for PR, although this remained to be confirmed in larger studies.

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Background: Corticosteroids are mainstay of dermatological therapy and they are also a well known cause of osteoporosis. The objective of the present study was to find out the influence of the systemic intake of corticosteroids, either by the oral route or by IV pulse administration, on bone mineral density in dermatological patients using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Materials and Methods: This study was carried on 100 patients and 55 controls. The first group of patients included 55 patients undergoing long-term oral corticosteroid therapy daily and the second group included 45 patients who received IV dexamethasone pulse therapy. DXA was measured once for both the controls and patients in group 1. DXA was measured twice for patients in group 2, before starting pulse therapy (baseline DXA) and six months after regular treatment with pulse therapy (follow-up DXA). Results: The results show that significant reduction in BMD occurs in both groups, however, oral corticosteroids produce significantly more reduction in BMD in the lumbar spine. BMD was not found to be affected by the cumulative doses of corticosteroids, the duration of daily oral corticosteroid intake, or the number of IV dexamethasone pulses. Conclusion: Corticosteroid treatment causes significant BMD loss in patients treated by either route. Prophylactic treatment against osteoporosis is mandatory in patients receiving either form of corticosteroids.

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Background : Dermatopathologists base their diagnostic approach on the tissue reaction pattern. This study mainly includes the interpretation of two major tissue reaction patterns, the psoriasiform and the lichenoid reactions, with clinicopathological correlation. Aims : To analyze the spectrum of non-infectious erythematous papular and squamous lesions of the skin at our institute, study the age, sex and anatomic distribution pattern and classify the lesions into major categories; determine the incidence of each subcategory. Materials and Methods : Study period: two years; prospective, sample size: 161 cases, proforma filled. Results : The lesions comprised 15.80% of the total load of surgical pathology and 30.99% of total number of skin biopsies. The highest percentage was in the 30-40 year age group (28.6%) with a male preponderance of 60.25%. The extremities were most frequently involved (67.79%). Lichenoid lesions were the commonest (46.57%) with lichen planus 26.7% and psoriasis vulgaris-19.88% being the most frequent. There were 5.6% seropositive cases. Correlation with the histopathological diagnosis was positive in 97.52% cases and negative in 2.48% cases. Conclusion: The contribution of histopathology to the final diagnosis was significant. It confirmed the diagnosis in 92.55% and gave the diagnosis in 4.97% cases.

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A patient was referred to us with asymptomatic, erythematous, nonitchy, scaly lesions present bilaterally on the dorsa of his feet and toes since the last 2 months. Both the legs had pitting edema as well. There were hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, acanthosis and scattered spongiosis in the epidermis, and proliferation of capillaries with perivascular infiltration of lymphomononuclear cells in the dermis. There was no serological evidence of hepatitis C virus. Laboratory investigations revealed hypoalbuminemia and low-normal serum zinc. On clinicopathological correlation, we made a diagnosis of necrolytic acral erythema (NAE). The lesions responded dramatically to oral zinc sulfate and topical clobetasol propionate within 3 weeks with disappearance of edema and scaling and only a minimal residual erythema. This is the first reported case of NAE from Eastern India. NAE with negative serology for hepatitis C may be viewed as a distinct subset of the condition that had been originally described.

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Kasabach Merritt Syndrome (KMS) is a rare, locally aggressive, vascular tumor. The objectives of treatment of KMS are to prevent bleeding from consumptive coagulopathy and induce vascular tumor regression. A 14-month old female child was brought with a reddish lesion on the left scapular area noticed at birth, which suddenly increased in size since 3 days. Hemogram revealed anemia severe thrombocytopenia, prolongation of bleeding, clotting time and increased fibrin degradable products, suggestive of KMS. Coagulopathy was managed by transfusing fresh frozen plasma and platelets. Oral prednisolone up to 5mg/kg/day for four weeks yielded no effect on thrombocytopenia or regression of tumor size. Embolization of feeding artery was attempted but not feasible. We used Interferon -alpha- 2b (IFN α 2b), in a dosage of 3million IU/m² /day subcutaneously. Within a month the platelet count increased and the vascular tumor started regressing. This case signifies the importance of step wise management of KMS.

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An elderly female patient was referred to the author for the treatment of a large recurrent pyogenic granuloma in the sole of right foot for a period of 2 years. She underwent excisional surgeries at an outside facility twice in the past. This time, she was treated with wide excision biopsy and the surgical defect was closed with a new technique, the "adjustable suture technique". Histopathology report confirmed "desmoplastic melanoma" with complete marginal clearance. The wound had healed uneventfully. There were no recurrences at 4-year follow-up.

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A 28-year-old serving soldier presented with patchy areas of absence of sweating and blurring of vision. On examination he was found to have segmental anhidrosis, right sided tonic pupil and absent ankle jerks. Investigations revealed ANA positivity with no other abnormalities. He was treated with Intravenous immunoglobulin. This case of Ross syndrome is reported for its rarity as well as a clue to its probable autoimmune origin and treatment option with intravenous immunoglobulins.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the eye as part of the disease or due to the drugs used in therapy. Ocular involvement is seen in one third of the patients with SLE. SLE is rare in India and found less frequently in males and children. SLE retinopathy is usually bilateral. We report an unusual case of unilateral macular infarction in a boy caused by systemic lupus erythematosus. A fourteen year old boy was presented with skin rashes and loss of vision in left eye. Posterior segment examination showed hyperemic edematous disc, arteriolar attenuation, venous dilatation, multiple cotton wool spots around the disc and macula in the left eye. There was no improvement in vision with pulse steroids and cyclophosphamide. The clinical implication of SLE retinopathy is that the disease is severe and warrants systemic immunosuppressive therapy. SLE-induced macular infarction is rare and has poor visual prognosis. As serious ocular complications of SLE can be silent, routine ophthalmological evaluation is warranted in all patients.

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Leukemia cutis is the infiltration of neoplastic leukocytes or their precursors into the epidermis, the dermis, or the subcutis, resulting in clinically identifiable cutaneous lesions. We describe a case of CML who presented with extensive cutaneous manifestations at the time of second blast crisis with multiple subcutaneous skin nodules over the face and trunk with extensive violaceous papules and plaques over all four limbs and the trunk, with scalp showing extensive crusting and scaling with foul smelling discharge.

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This case report describes a 38 year-old lady with the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) changes of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL). The IHC findings revealed CD8 + and CD56 - cells, which are indicative of tumors which have an indolent course. Our patient is being managed with tapering doses of corticosteroids for the last nine months with good improvement.

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Background: Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a genetically determined mechano-bullous disorder of the skin encompassing a group of conditions that share skin fragility as a common feature. Materials and Methods: Twele patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa from Kashmir valley are reported. Results: Our series included 12 patients, 5 males and 7 females. Features were consistent with EB simplex in 8 patients, EB pruriginosa in 2 patients, generalized atrophic benign EB in one patient and EB acquista in one patient. Conclusion: EB is a rare, genetically determined, blistering disorder affecting both males and females with predominant involvement of hands and feet. In the absence of specific therapy, treatment mainly involves avoidance of provoking factors, prevention and treatment of complications.

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Background: Some prominent features of Behηet's disease (BD) are arterial and venous thromboses as a result of endothelial dysfunction. Hyperhomocysteinemia is responsible for vascular endothelial injury due to an increased frequency of thrombogenesis. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoconstrictor whereas nitric oxide (NO) is an endothelial vasorelaxing peptide that is responsible for the inhibition of platelet adhesion. Aim: To evaluate serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and determine whether hyperhomocysteinemia is considered as a contributing risk factor for venous and arterial thromboses of BD, and to correlate serum levels of ET-1 and NO with disease activity. Materials and Methods: We measured serum levels of Hcy, ET-1, and nitrite (NO2 ^- ) in 25 patients who fulfilled the criteria of the International Study Group for BD, and compared them to those of 15 healthy control subjects. Levels of Hcy and ET-1 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas serum nitrite (NO2 ^- ) levels were measured by using Griess reaction as an indicator for NO production. All the patients were screened for a history of venous thrombosis and subdivided into thrombotic and nonthrombotic subgroups according to their thrombotic history. Patients with BD were divided into two subgroups, active and inactive, according to their clinical and laboratory findings. Results: There were significant increases in serum levels of Hcy, ET-1, and nitrite in BD patients compared to those in controls. There was a significant increase in serum Hcy levels in thrombotic compared to nonthrombotic subgroups. Positive correlations were detected between the serum ET-1 and nitrite levels with disease activity in BD patients. Conclusions: Hyperhomocysteinemia may play some role in the development of venous and arterial thromboses in BD. Increased NO production might have critical biological activities that are relevant to pathological events in the active period of the disease.

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Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin's nodal peripheral T-cell lymphoma characterized by general lymphadenopathy, night sweats, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and cutaneous involvement. We present a rare case of AITL cutaneous involvement mimicking toxic erythema recurring with AITL relapse and suggesting a precursor of disease progression.

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A 25-year-old male symptomatic of heart disease for four months presented with biventricular failure. Echocardiography revealed dilated cardiomyopathy. He had skin lesions for 10 years which were clinically and histopathologically identified as psoriasis. Association of cardiomyopathy with psoriasis is uncommon and intriguing. The link between dilated cardiomyopathy and psoriasis on a common inflammatory background is discussed.

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Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation (IEMP) is a rather under-reported condition of unknown etiology. Clinically consisting of benign hyperpigmented macules, the condition is characterized histopathologically by dermal melanization. It must be differentiated from lichen planus pigmentosus, erythema dyschromicum perstans, fixed drug eruption and mastocytosis.

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Background: Atopy-related illnesses such as atopic dermatitis and asthma are chronic illnesses, and children suffering from such illnesses are subjected to frequent absenteeism from school. Studies have shown that the performance of children with asthma was comparable to their healthy counterparts despite their absenteeism at school, in contrast to findings in other chronic illnesses like epilepsy. Aim: In the present study, we investigated the association between atopy and intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in a group of Nigerian children in Ibadan, a city in southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of children in an urban elementary school. Questionnaires to ascertain the presence of atopy-associated conditions such as hay fever, atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis were administered to the parents of 128 pupils in the 3 ^rd to 6 ^th grades of elementary school. Based on the responses to the questionnaire, pupils were categorized as being atopic and nonatopic. All the pupils underwent the Standard Progressive Matrices IQ test. The IQ scores were then compared among these two groups of children. Results: Out of the children studied, 26.6% were found to have atopy and after adjusting for factors such as age and sex, the IQ scores in this atopic group were not found to be statistically different from the scores in the nonatopic group (r = 2.122872, P = 0.009). Conclusion: IQ scores were not statistically significantly different for children with and without atopy. Thus, the presence of atopy does not appear to be associated with low IQ scores and hence, may not be related to poor school performance.

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