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Despite the development of newer patient- friendly agents and regimens, treatment of scalp psoriasis is difficult and relapse are common. The adverse effects and drawbacks of topical corticosteroids and calcipotriol led us to compare the effects of three relatively bland therapeutic agents in a prospective randomized trial in scalp psoriasis. A literature search was also done on the treatment of scalp psoriasis. Forty patients with scalp psoriasis were randomized to receive any of the following topical therapies under overnight occlusion:5% coal tar solution mixed 1:1 in coconut oil; a preparation containing 10% urea, 10% lactic acid, 10% propylene glycol and 10% liquid paraffin in a washable cream base and only coconut oil. The 3 groups showed significant improvement in 57%, 64.4% and 58.3% patients respectively (p

Vitiligo is an acquired, progressive pigmentary disorder of the skin and hair, which is clinically divided into segmental and non-segmental types. Segmental vitiligo is said to have an early and rapid onset and is associated with a better prognosis as disease activity ceases early compared to the non-segmental type. We have analysed the clinical features of 100 patients of segmental vitiligo seen by use at our pigmentary clinic. The findings in our series are at variance from those reported earlier. Our cases of segmental vitiligo formed a lower proportion of the total vitiligo cases, showed an earlier age of onset, multiplicity of lesions. Progressive nature and comparatively lower incidence of poliosis.

Forty patients of chronic, stable, plaque psoriasis were treated with different concentrations of crude coal tar (CCT) with varied times of application but constant sun exposure. All concentrations with 8-10 hours of application were found to be equally effective. However, shorter period of application (2 hour) resulted in decreased efficacy. An application of white petrolatum was as effective as crude coal tar when combined with sun exposure.

Wells syndrome is a rare inflammatory dermatosis clinically characterised by recurrent itchy erythematous oedematous plaques with features resembling both urticaria and cellulites and histologically characterised by tissue eosinophilia, oedema and flame figures. Erythema elevatum diutinum(EED) is a chronic localized form of cutaneous vasculitis clinically consisting of symmetrical papules and nodules most often of the back of the hands. We present a case of wells syndrome mimicking EED clinically.