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The Special Interest Group (SIG) on leprosy thought it to be prudent to revisit its previous practice recommendations through this update. During this period, the pandemic course shifted to a 'second wave' riding on the 'delta variant'. While the number of cases increased manifold, so did the research on all aspects of the disease. Introduction of vaccination and data from various drug trials have an impact on current best practices on management of diseases including leprosy. The beneficial results of using steroids in management of COVID-19, gives elbow room regarding its usage in conditions like lepra reactions. On the other hand, the increase in cases of Mucormycosis again underlines applying due caution while recommending immunosuppressants to a patient already suffering from COVID-19. This recommendation update from SIG leprosy reflects current understanding about managing leprosy while the dynamic pandemic continues with its ebbs and flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intralesional steroids commonly used for keloid treatment have adverse effects like cutaneous atrophy and telangiectasias. Safer and more effective therapies are needed. Preliminary studies suggest intralesional vitamin D as a potential alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of intralesional vitamin D with triamcinolone for keloids, and correlate tissue expression of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) with treatment outcomes. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (intralesional vitamin D) and Group B (intralesional triamcinolone). Four injections were given at 4‐week intervals, with an 8‐week follow‐up. Biopsies were taken pre‐ and post‐treatment to examine VDR expression levels and treatment response correlation. The primary outcome of interest was the proportion of patients achieving a 50% reduction in Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Secondary outcomes included incidence of adverse effects, and changes in VDR expression before and after treatment. Baseline VSS scores were 9.73 ± 1.01 (vitamin D group) and 10.13 ± 1.07 (triamcinolone group). After treatment, mean VSS decreased to 5.17 ± 0.59 (vitamin D group, p < 0.001) and 4.77 ± 0.77 (triamcinolone group, p < 0.001), with significantly better response in latter (p = 0.03). More than 50% reduction in VSS score was higher in the triamcinolone group (76.7% vs. 50%, p = 0.032). No recurrences were noted during the 8‐week follow‐up. Hypopigmentation (80% vs. 36.7%, p < 0.001) and atrophy (73.3% vs. 40%, p = 0.009) were more common in the triamcinolone group. No significant difference in pre‐ and post‐treatment VDR receptor expression was observed in either group. Both triamcinolone acetonide and vitamin D were effective for keloids. Triamcinolone was more efficacious, whereas vitamin D was safer, suggesting it as a viable alternative for keloid management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Shubh. Singh, Tarun. Narang, Sunil. Dogra, Sanjeev. Handa Sir, Corticosteroid (CS) therapy is known to be associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric and cognitive side effects of varying severity.[sup][1] [...]

Byline: Geeti. Khullar, Dipankar. De, Tarun. Narang, Uma. Saikia, Sanjeev. Handa Sir, Pemphigus vegetans is an uncommon variant of pemphigus vulgaris that commonly manifests as verrucous vegetating plaques in the [...]

Byline: Sonia. Mangal, Tarun. Narang, Uma. Saikia, Muthu. Kumaran Sir, Fuchs syndrome, initially described by the Germans, is mucositis associated with Mycoplasma pneumonia ( M. pneumoniae ). Various terminologies like [...]

Byline: Sanjeev. Handa, Naresh. Jain, Tarun. Narang Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common dermatologic condition with a prevalence varying from 5% to 15%, and it has been rising over [...]

Byline: Shubh. Singh, Tarun. Narang, Sunil. Dogra, Anant. Verma, Sunil. Gupta, Sanjeev. Handa Background: Psoriasis and depressive disorders commonly occur together. Depressive disorders have an impact on the quality of [...]

The article focuses on reactive arthritis which is a seronegative inflammatory arthritis that show mucocutaneous lesions in several percentage of patients. Topics include examines the typical cutaneous findings include psoriasiform plaques, pustulations and crusting which appear before or after the onset of the oligoarthritis.

Background: Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract (OCST) is one of the rare manifestations of chronic dental infections. Although well reported in literature, it is often misdiagnosed or under diagnosed. Apart from isolated case reports especially in dental literature there is a paucity of comprehensive case series on OCST. Aims and Objectives: We undertook this study to observe the prevalence, clinico epidemiological features and management issues in these patients from a dermatological perspective. Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken analyzing the clinical records of patients registered at our outpatient department (OPD) from 2011 to 2018. Cases with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of odontogenic cutaneous sinus were included in the study. We studied the following variables: frequency, gender, age, localization, morphology, mean time of evolution and treatment response. Results: 21 patients with OCST were identified from our records. Females outnumbered males; patients in the age group between 31-40 years were more commonly affected. Three morphological presentations were noted in the form of flesh-colored dry nodules with sinus, adherent plaques with mucopurulent discharge and ulcer. Posterior set of teeth were commonly affected and mandible was the commonest site for location of sinus. The time taken for appropriate diagnosis in these cases ranged from 7-16 months. Almost all the patients responded to endodontal or root canal treatment and there were no recurrences. Conclusion: A CST of dental origin is often a diagnostic challenge, especially in cases with minimal or no dental symptoms. A thorough skin and dental examination is required for sinuses on the head and neck area with a high index of suspicion for OCST. Most cases respond to conservative, root canal therapy. An early diagnosis can save the patient from unnecessary and ineffective therapies and sometimes surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Tarun. Narang, Arshdeep. Hong HC, Lupin M, O'Shaughnessy KF. Clinical evaluation of a microwave device for treating axillary hyperhidrosis. Dermatol Surg 2012;38:728-35. In this study, the efficacy of a [...]

Byline: Amrinder. Kanwar, Tarun. Narang Disturbances of hair follicle cycling lie at the heart of most hair growth disorders, and have dramatic effects on visible hair growth and shedding. The [...]

Byline: Savita. Yadav, Tarun. Narang, M. Kumaran Psychodermatology is an interesting domain of dermatology that overlaps with psychiatry. This arena in dermatology has received limited diligence, partly due to lack [...]