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Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors and comprise three different isoforms namely PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ with PPARβ/δ being the predominant subtype in human keratinocytes. After binding with specific ligands, PPARs regulate gene expression, cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and tumorogenesis. PPARs also modulate a wide variety of skin functions including keratinocyte proliferation, epidermal barrier formation, wound healing, melanocyte proliferation, and sebum production. Recent studies have shown the importance of PPARs in the pathogenesis of many dermatological disorders. Clinical trials have suggested possible role of PPAR agonists in the management of various dermatoses ranging from acne vulgaris, psoriasis, hirsutism, and lipodystrophy to cutaneous malignancies including melanoma. This article is intended to be a primer for dermatologists in their understanding of clinical relevance of PPARs and PPAR agonists in dermatology therapeutics.

Traditional medicinal systems are widely practiced in the Indian subcontinent for a wide variety of diseases. We aimed to identify the various home remedies used by people to treat numerous pediatric dermatoses. It was an observational study carried out over 18 months in which 150 children attending our clinics were recruited. A detailed history regarding the various indigenous preparations used was taken from caregivers and noted in a proforma. A total of 150 children (M:F‐89:61) aged between 4 months to 18 years were included. Atopic dermatitis and eczema (n = 28) were the most common dermatoses whereas the most common home remedies used for these either solo or in combination were coconut oil (13), olive oil (11), mustard oil (7), aloevera gel (6), ghee (6), curd (4), and honey (2). Acne was the second most common dermatoses (n = 22), products used for acne were Fuller's earth, aloevera gel, turmeric, gram flour, mustard oil, lime and sandalwood paste. Other dermatoses treated by indigenous products included impetigo and other bacterial infections, seborrheic dermatitis, dermatophytoses, verruca, molluscum, hypopigmentary disorders, etc. In Indian setup, home remedies are commonly used by the caregivers before visiting a dermatologist to treat various pediatric dermatoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive care unit is a specialized controlled unit where the critically ill patient is dependent on the caregivers. Aims: This study was carried out to study the dermatological manifestations in patients admitted in intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective study carried out over a period of six months where the patients admitted in the intensive care unit having some dermatological manifestations were examined and the findings were noted. Results: A total of 273 patients were examined (M: F 154:119) were examined out of which 50 patients (18.31%) (M: F 31:19) were having some dermatological manifestations. The age range of patients ranged from 3 years to 84 years with a mean age of 46.356.43 years. The stay in ICU varied from 3-43 days with a mean of 17.15 days. Infectious diseases constituted 52% (n=26) of the dermatological conditions with the most common being fungal infections (26%, n = 13) and bacterial infections (16%, n=8). Among the non-infectious dermatoses, the most common were drug reactions (24%, n=12), followed by friction blisters (12%, n=6) and dermatitis (4%, n=2). Conclusions: Dermatological diseases are common in patients in intensive care unit which can have an impact on the duration of stay, alteration in therapy and mortality among the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a chronic disorder with rising prevalence that affects several organs, including the skin. Although it is more common in adults, the prevalence in the pediatric population is growing rapidly. Obesity is associated with a large number of cutaneous manifestations which are directly related to the age of onset and duration of obesity. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study in which children aged 3 years or more with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m² were included in the study. After informed consent from the parents/attendants, demographic details, height, and weight were documented. All the children were subjected to a detailed dermatological examination by an experienced dermatologist, and all the cutaneous changes were carefully recorded in a predesigned pro forma. Results: A total of 100 children (male: 61, female: 39) were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 11.3 ± 1.3 years and the mean BMI was 32.6 ± 1.36 kg/m². Majority of the patients (71%) had Class I obesity (BMI 30.00-34.99) while 27% had Class II obesity (BMI 35.00-39.99). The most common cutaneous manifestations among the children were acanthosis nigricans (42%), striae (19%), fungal infections and intertrigo (16%), acrochordons (12%), acne (10%), hirsutism (8%), and viral and bacterial infections (5%). Other less common associations were psoriasis, xanthomas, corns, plantar hyperkeratosis, and miliaria. Conclusion: Likewise in adults, obesity is associated significantly with certain dermatoses in children also. As the prevalence of obesity is increasing each day, understanding of these dermatoses is necessary both for the pediatricians as well as for dermatologists for early diagnosis and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patch test positivity to parthenolide was observed less often than expected in strongly suspected cases of parthenium dermatitis after Chemotechnique Diagnostics ( Sweden) replaced parthenium extract with parthenolide (0.5% pet.) by itself while marketing its Indian baseline series for patch testing. Objective The study was performed to find whether parthenolide detects parthenium contact sensitivity more effectively than parthenium extract in patients clinically presenting with classic parthenium dermatitis. Material and methods One hundred consecutive patients with suspected parthenium dermatitis were patch tested prospectively with the Indian baseline series, parthenium extract (1% aq.) and parthenolide (0.5% pet.) between July 2011 and April 2012. Results Only 37 of 100 patients with suspected parthenium dermatitis (male/female ratio of 20:17) reacted to parthenium extract (32 patients), parthenolide (17 patients), or both (12 patients). Reactions to parthenium extract were generally stronger than reactions to parthenolide. Conclusion Patch testing with parthenolide (0.5% pet.) detects fewer cases of suspected parthenium dermatitis than patch testing with parthenium extract (1% aq.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Some of the patients with melasma perhaps have pigmented cosmetic dermatitis. However, cosmetic contact sensitivity in melasma remains poorly studied particularly in the Indian context. Objectives. To study cosmetic contact sensitivity in patients with melasma. Materials and Methods. 67 (F :M = 55 : 12) consecutive patients with melasma between 19 and 49 years of age were patch tested sequentially during January-December, 2012, with Indian Cosmetic and Fragrance Series, Indian Sunscreen Series, p-phenylenediamine, and patient's own cosmetic products. Results. 52 (78%) patients were in the age group of 20-40 years. The duration of melasma varied from 1 month to 20 years. Centrofacial, malar, and mandibular patterns were observed in 48 (72%), 18 (27%), and 1 (1%) patients, respectively. Indian Cosmetics and Fragrance Series elicited positive reactions in 29 (43.3%) patients. Cetrimide was the most common contact sensitizers eliciting positivity in 15 (52%) patients, followed by gallate mix in 9 (31%) patients and thiomersal in 7 (24%) patients. Only 2 of the 42 patients showed positive reaction from their own cosmetics while the other 5 patients had irritant reaction. Indian Sunscreen Series did not elicit any positive reaction. Conclusion. Cosmetics contact sensitivity appears as an important cause of melasma not associated with pregnancy, lactation, or hormone therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the rare genetic disorders of cornification called erythrokeratodermas and their recommended treatments as of July 2015. It presents the case of an 8-year-old boy of nonconsanguineous parentage with multiple skin lesions of progressive nature to discuss the disease. Also cited are the classifications of erythrokeratodermas, namely, progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma (PSEK) and erythrokeratoderma variabilis (EKV).