Pruritus gravidarum

Pruritus is a common symptom during pregnancy in 3-14% of all pregnancies. Pregnant women are as susceptible as non-pregnant women to ordinary pruritic skin disorders, but there are certain disorders, peculiar to pregnancy called as specific dermatoses of pregnancy. All these specific dermatoses of pregnancy are associated with primary skin lesions except pruritus gravidarum which has only secondary skin lesions like excoriation marks. The incidence of pruritus gravidarum varies from 0.02 to 2.4%. Several reports have shown a significantly increased incidence of prematurity, antepartum foetal distress and pospartum haemorrhage among these cases. Hence, a careful monitoring of pregnancy is advised in all such cases.

Absorption spectrum of soaps and hair oils : determination and its significance

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation following phototoxic reaction due to cosmetics may account for pigmentation in some cases. The objective was to determine the absorption spectrum of commonly used soaps and hair oils available in Indian market. By Using UV-visible absorption spectrophotometre, the absorption spectrum of soaps and hair oils were determined. The mean absorption spectrum was 218 nm. Since none of the commonly used soaps and hair oils showed significant absorption in the range of 290-400 nm, we conclude that products tested are not responsible for phototoxic reaction of phototoxicity induced hyperpigmentation.

Drug induced toxic epidermal necrolysis - a retrospective study in South India

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe mucocutaneous reaction pattern characterised by fever, systemic toxicity, tenderness, erythema and wide-spread exfoliation. A retrospective analysis from January 1990 to December 1996 was undertaken to see the changing trends and outcome of this disorder in a third world country. A total of eleven cases were found. Their mean age was 33.09 years and male to female ratio was 2.6:1. Various drugs implicated were paracetamol (2 cases), co-trimoxazole (2 cases), aspirin (1 case), thiacetazone (1 case), streptomycin (1 case), etc. On an average, the patients developed TEN at the interval of 4.68 days following the drug intake. Fever was presenting symptom in all cases and burning sensation preceded it in 6 of them. Percentage area involved ranged from 40% to 90%. Other target areas involved in order of decreasing frequency were oral mucosa (9 cases), genitalia (8 cases), eye (5 cases), palms and soles (3 cases). Oral prednisolone therapy was started in all the cases in the range of 20 to 80 mg. according to the severity, extent of lesion and body weight. Epitheilsation of denuded areas took an average of 10.6 days. Complications in the form of secondary infection (3 cases), septicaemia and death (1 case) and symblepheron formation (1 case) were noted.

Relationship between donor graft area and area of surgical repigmentation

A total of 1742 grafts were placed over 177 lesions on 29 regions in 110 individuals with stable cutaneous achromia. Sixty seven of them were female and forty three male. Age ranged between 6 and 71 years. Cases were followed up to a maximum period of 2 years. The extent of maximum pigment spread (MPS) ranged between 0 and 10 mm, with an overall average of approximately 5.5 mm. Based on this finding, it was calculated that from a 2 mm donor graft an average of 132.66 mm2 area is repigmented which is almost 42 times larger than the area of the graft itself.

HIV associated psoriasis - clinical study

Six cases of HIV associated psoriasis were found out of 75 HIV infected patients with various mucocutaneous disorders. All of them were male and their mean age was 42.3 year. Psoriasis was diagnosed at presentation in five cases, however, in one it was diagnosed after 1 year of having been detected as HIV seropositive. The mean age at onset of psoriasis was 42 years. Psoriasis vulgaris occured in 3 cases whereas two had psoriatic erythroderma and one had palmoplantar psoriasis. Five of our patients were in group III of HIV disease and only one was in group II. To conclude, psoriasis may be the first manifestation of HIV infection.

Lymphocytic infiltration of Jessner - An unusual presentation

A 45 year old male presented with an erythematous plaque involving the entire face and extending on to the front of nect of 23 years duration, without any history of remission or exacerbation. A skin biopsy revealed collection of lymphocytes in the dermis without follicle formation, around the blood vessels and appendages, consistent with histopathology of Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration. Patient responded dramatically to chloroquine with flattening of the lesion within 2 months.

Cutaneous markers of spina bifida occulta

One four year female child had tuft of hair with underlying soft subcutaneous mass over lumbosacral region since birth. In the midline, there was a dimple with central sinus and peripheral folds of skin. Spina bifida occulta was suspected. Diagnosis was confirmed by x-ray and patient was advised corrective surgery.

Acquired cutix laxa

A case of acquired cutis laxa in a male reported. The skin became loose and started hanging in folds after the patient received therapy for piles. Relevant literature is reviewed.

Penile neurofibroma

Neurofibromatosis is a comparatively common hereditary disease which may present with generalised cutaneous neurofibromas. However, penile neurofibromata are rarely reported. Herein, we present a 43 year old male patient with histopathology proved penile neurofibromata in addition to other lesions.

Kasabach Merrit Syndrome in a case of angiokeratoma of Fordyce

Extensive bilateral naevus comedonicus exacerbating during pregnancy

Facial nerve palsy in secondary syphilis

A case of secondary syphilis with right facial nerve palsy is reported. A 28 year old unmarried male presented with diffuse maculopapular rash and facial nerve palsy. He had elevated white cells and protein in cerebrospinal fluid. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid were positive for VDRL and TPHA tests. Facial nerve palsy and maculopapular rash improved with penicillin therapy.

Extensive bilateral naevus comedonicus exacerbating during pregnancy

Naevus comedonicus is a rare developmental anomaly of the pilosebaceous apparatus. It occurred bilaterally in a 23 year old pregnant woman. She noted exacerbations during two pregnancies, hitherto unreported in the literature.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma

A case of Juvenile xanthogranuloma is presented for it's rarity.

Keratoacanthoma - an unusual presentation

A 60 year old male presented with complaints of raised skin lesions over the suprapubic area which spontaneously fell off, only to recur. On examination, there were multiple verrucous, homy papules over suprapubic area. Dowling sign was positive and a clinical diagnosis of verruca vulgaris was made. But a biopsy from the lesion showed features of keratoacanthoma. Patient also had firm, discrete papules with crateriform depressions along the medical margin of palms which can be grouped under marginal keratodermas.

Human reservoir of Trichophyton Simii

Trichophyton simii infection in a male renal transplant recipient. With long duration of immunosuppression, the localised disease of the groin spreaded to involve other areas of the body including the toe nail. The varied clinical manifestations of this case, along with the mycological and mycopathological features are described.