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Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder characterized by depressive episode symptoms within three months after delivery, lasting between two and six months. The characteristic symptoms of postpartum depression are: exaggerated worry about the child's state of health, which does not cause any concern, weakened bond with the child, obsessive thoughts about harming the child (egodystonic thoughts), egosyntonic, non-obsessive thoughts about killing the child. All psychotropic medications are secreted in breast milk. Pharmacological treatment of PPD is not contraindication for breastfeeding. PPD should be treated because it disturbs formation of a proper bond between mother and child, which has an adverse effect on the child's psychosocial development.

Background: Hair dye usage is extremely common all over the world. Hair dyes have been reported to cause a wide range of adverse effects, therefore, the consumer’s knowledge about hair dyeing and related side effects are important. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of general population towards the use of hair dyes. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty consecutive persons using hair dyes were enrolled for this questionnaire-based cross-sectional, descriptive study. Results: These 250 patients comprised 141 men (56.4%) and 109 women (43.6%) (M: F 1.29:1), aged between 16 and 74 (mean 47.13) years. The majority, 212 patients (84.8%) were aged between 20–60 years and 66.4% (n=166) belonged to an urban background. When asked about the reason for using hair color, the principle reason was “to look younger” (59.6%, n=149). Most of the respondents were using synthetic hair dye preparations (55.2%, n=138) and when asked about the brand of hair dye being used, 25.2% (n=63) did not know about the brand they were using. When asked about their perception regarding safety of HD, 61% (n=152) respondents agreed that hair dyes are not safe and on being asked about the carcinogenic potential of HD, only 24% (n=60) respondents agreed. When enquired about the safest variety of HD, majority of respondents (52.4%, n=131) believed that plant based hair colors are the safest. When asked about the safety of HD during pregnancy and lactation, 68% (n=168) of the respondents were unaware regarding this aspect. 14.4% of the respondents reported suffering from some adverse effects due to hair dye use but only 11.11% (n=4) of those stopped using hair dyes. Conclusions: There is lack of awareness about the hair dyes and their adverse effects in the general population. There is an urgent need to increase awareness among consumers regarding the adverse effects of hair dyes and the available safer alternatives. Limitations: Small number of respondents and the use of a convenience sample, which might not be representative of the whole community.

P- Phenylenediamine is an oxidative chemical that is frequently used as a permanent hair-coloring agent. It is added to henna to increase the intensity and longevity of the tattoo and expedites its drying time. Henna itself is a greenish brown vegetable coloring made from the leaves of Lawsonia inermis and rarely causes allergic contact dermatitis. The addition of PPD causes the contact sensitization to black henna. Serious adverse skin reactions to permanent hair dyes and temporary black tattoos have been reported. As temporary tattoos have become fashionable among adolescents, the risk profile for p-phenylenediamine (PPD) sensitization of the population has changed simultaneously with an increasing use of hair dyes in this age group. With increased popularity of body art such as body piercing and tattooing, an increase in temporary henna tattoos has also occurred. Although the appeal of non-permanence exists for henna tattoos, dermatologists have begun to see numerous cases of allergic contact dermatitis linked with a certain type of henna. We selected 50 patients using hair dye and henna for our study. Patch testing was done in all the patients using Indian standard series of antigens. Regarding to the side effects to hair dye and henna and itching was the commonest symptom seen in 16% patients, erythematous scaly plaques were seen in 10% patients, vesicular reactions were seen in 6% patients, angioneurotic oedema and contact urticaria was seen in 4% patients each and anaphylaxis and keloidal reaction was seen in 2% patients each.

Tuberculosis morbidity rates in Poland have been gradually decreasing. Nevertheless, there are approximately 8 thousand cases being registered annually, which includes almost 3 thousand massively infectious patients. In the last 3 years, around 100 cases/year have been reported among children below 14 years of age. Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be considered in all patients who present symptoms suggesting tuberculosis, have had recent contact with a person suffering from lung tuberculosis or are planned to undergo an immunosuppressive treatment. HIV infected patients are also supposed to have screening tests for M. tuberculosis infection performed. For over a 100 years tuberculin skin test (TST) was the only test capable of confirming tuber-culous infection. TST is based on the assessment of skin reaction to intracutaneous injection of tuberculin. Due to cross-reaction to the injected tuberculin in BCG vaccinated individuals, the correct interpretation of the test is difficult. Since 13 years new immunological assays have been available. They are based on detecting interferon gamma (Interferon Gamma Release Assay – IGRA) concentration in blood serum, which has previously been incubated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens absent in the BCG strain. In infected individuals interferon gamma is intensively produced by memory cells in reaction to the contact with previously met Mycobacterium antigens. Many trials have proved IGRA’s high sensitivity and, higher than TST, specificity. Recent guidelines promote the usage of IGRAs, even in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]