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This article presents the findings of a study conducted among Indian dermatology residents to assess the prevalence and patterns of dermoscope use and the ability to identify common pigmentary dermatoses of the face. The study found that the prevalence of self-purchased dermoscopes increased with higher monthly stipends, but limited access and inadequate training were identified as potential reasons for variations in dermoscope use. The study also revealed that dermatology residents had higher accuracy in identifying dermatoses through clinical images compared to dermoscopic images. The study suggests the need for formal dermoscopy training in residency overseen by a program director. However, the study acknowledges limitations, including selection bias and the exclusion of certain graduates. [Extracted from the article]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common chronic, relapsing pigmentary disorder that causes psychological impact. Chemical peels are a well-known therapeutic modality used for accelerating the treatment of melasma. OBJECTIVE: To review the published evidence on the efficacy and safety of chemical peels in the treatment of melasma. METHODS: A systematic review was done. A meta-analysis could not be done due to the heterogeneity of data. RESULT: The authors conducted a PubMed search and included prospective case series of more than 10 cases and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have studied the safety and/or efficacy of chemical peel in melasma. Out of 24 studies, 9 were clinical/comparative trials and 15 were RCTs. The total sample size was 1,075. The duration of the study varied from 8 to 36 weeks. Only 8 studies were split face. All studies used self-assessment, physician global assessment, and Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) for quantifying the results. Glycolic acid was found to be the most safe and effective in melasma. CONCLUSION: Chemical peels were found to be safe and effective in the management of melasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatological disorders constitute a significant proportion of primary health care (PHC) setups. The pattern of dermatological disorders varies among different countries and different parts of the same country owing to climatic and geographical variations, level of education, access to health care, etc. To study the clinical spectrum of patients presenting with dermatological disorders at an urban health center (UHC) in East Delhi. To identify the various risk factors associated with dermatological disorders in study subjects. A total of 1,148 patients who reported skin diseases for the first time at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at UHC in East Delhi were recruited. Detailed demographic data, history, and examination and potential risk factors of skin diseases (socioeconomic status, level of education, occupation, comorbidities, and addictions) were recorded on a predesigned proforma. A total of 616 (53.7%) patients had infectious dermatoses and 532 (46.3%) had non-infectious dermatoses. Among the infectious dermatoses, fungal diseases (44.8%) were the most common followed by parasitic infections (31.17%) and bacterial infections (9.74%). Among the non-infectious group, eczematous disorders (28.01%) were the most common, followed by pigmentary disorders (21.62%) and acne (19.55%). A significant association between level of education, occupation, and comorbidities with the distribution of infectious and non-infectious dermatoses was found. As a significant proportion of patients with a vivid spectrum of dermatological disorders present at the PHC setups, therefore dermatologists supervise that specialty clinics should be held regularly at these centers along with the availability of all the basic investigations to aid diagnosis and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Kiran. Godse, Rashmi. Sarkar, Venkataram. Mysore, Manunath. Shenoy, Manas. Chatterjee, Rajetha. Damisetty, Swapnil. Shah, Maya. Vedamurthy, Sanjeev. Aurangabadkar, Chakravarthi. Srinivas, Anil. Ganjoo, Sudip. Das, Anant. Patil Melasma, a chronic [...]

Byline: Bhavya. Swarnkar, Rashmi. Sarkar Cutaneous mastocytosis is a neoplasm characterized by the proliferation and accumulation of mast cells in the skin. There can be involvement of other organ systems [...]

Rash and fever are some of the most common chief complaints present in paediatric dermatology emergencies. The spectrum of differential diagnosis is broad, including many different infectious and some non-infectious agents. A systematic approach involving detailed history taking, careful clinical examination along with particular attention to epidemiological features are the most important factors to make a diagnosis. This article reviews the morphological patterns of various causes of fever with rash in children, including infectious as well as non-infectious causes, with special emphasis on the Indian scenario. We intend to highlight the clinical characteristics of each cause, which will not only help make a clinical diagnosis but also distinguish benign versus life-threatening causes of skin rash in febrile paediatric patients and provide early medical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is an acquired disorder of keratinization. It presents as hyperpigmentation, velvety texture of skin that can involve any part of the body including the face. Different topical, systemic therapies, or physical therapies including laser have been explored. However, there are not many randomized controlled studies for the majority of therapy alternatives besides lifestyle modifications and weight reduction. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 15% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and 35% glycolic acid (GA) peel for AN. Materials and Methods: Forty participants were included and randomized into two groups. In groups A and B, peeling with 15% TCA and 35% GA was done, respectively. The effectiveness of each peel was assessed using changes in the Acanthosis Nigricans Area and Severity Index Score (ANASI) and Physician Assessment Score. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, Friedman test, and generalized estimating equations. Results: The overall change in ANASI over time was compared in the two groups using the generalized estimating equations method. A significant difference was observed in the trend of ANASI over time between the two groups (P < 0.001). TCA peel group showed more change in ANASI as compared with GA peel group. Conclusion: In our research, 15% TCA has a better efficacy when compared with 35% GA peel after three sessions of chemical peeling. We therefore recommend the use of 15% TCA peel in AN as a safe and effective treatment option. However, more comprehensive randomized control studies are required for supporting data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) has established the I-CuReD registry in India to collect data on rare skin disorders. The registry has recorded 323 patients with genodermatoses, with epidermolysis bullosa and congenital ichthyosis being the most common diseases. The article provides detailed information on the demographics, symptoms, and diagnostic methods used for these patients. The study found a lower number of cases compared to other countries and highlights the need for further research in this area. The authors acknowledge the limitations of their study and hope for more comprehensive studies in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Lipoid proteinosis was first reported by Urbach and Wiethe in 1929. It is also known as hyalinosis cutis et mucosae or Urbach-Wiethe disease. It is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and characterized by the infiltration of hyaline material in the skin, oral cavity, larynx, and internal organs. Lipid proteinosis presents early in life. Hoarseness develops in infancy. The classic sign is beaded eyelid papules along the lid margin, also known as ‘Monilform Blepherosis’. In India about 30 cases have been reported to date. We report the following case because of its rarity in the Indian literature.

Introduction There is ambiguity regarding usage of tranexamic acid for melasma in India, be it in its pre-administration evaluation, administration route, dosing or monitoring. Hence, we conducted this study to understand various tranexamic-acid prescribing patterns and provide practical guidelines. Materials and methods A Google-form-based questionnaire (25-questions) was prepared based on the key areas identified by experts from the Pigmentary Disorders Society, India and circulated to practicing dermatologists across the country. In rounds 2 and 3, the questionnaire was re-presented to the same group of experts and their opinions were sought. The results of the practitioners' survey were denoted graphically alongside, to guide them. Consensus was deemed when at least 80% of respondents chose an option. Results The members agreed that history pertaining to risk factors for thromboembolism, cardiovascular and menstrual disorders should be sought in patients being started on oral tranexamic-acid. Baseline coagulation profile should be ordered in all patients prior to tranexamic-acid and more exhaustive investigations such as complete blood count, liver function test, protein C and S in patients with high risk of thromboembolism. The preferred oral dose was 250 mg orally twice daily, which can be used alone or in combination with topical hydroquinone, kojic acid and sunscreen. Repeated dosing of tranexamic-acid may be required for those relapsing with melasma following initial tranexamic-acid discontinuation. Coagulation profile should ideally be repeated at three monthly intervals during follow-up, especially in patients with clinically higher risk of thromboembolism. Treatment can be stopped abruptly post improvement and no tapering is required. Limitation This study is limited by the fact that open-ended questions were limited to the first general survey round. Conclusion Oral tranexamic-acid provides a valuable treatment option for melasma. Frequent courses of therapy may be required to sustain results and a vigilant watch is recommended for hypercoagulable states during the course of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mentorship programs for dermatologists have been in vogue in the West for many years, but have been on a hiatus in India. Recently, there is renewed interest, and mentorship programs are gaining momentum across the country to guide and nurture young dermatologists to attain their full potential. However, what constitutes an ideal mentorship program is still an enigma. Materials and Methods: We developed a multiple-choice questionnaire (Google-form), enquiring post graduates and dermatologists about their general opinion of mentorship, its key areas and what constituted an ideal mentorship-program. These were distributed via email and WhatsApp and responses were collected over a month's period. The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. Results: We received 202 responses and majority of the respondents were private practitioners (32.2%) and post graduate students (29.7%). Respondents felt that mentorship should be undertaken at the beginning of postgraduation (37.1%) or just after its completion (23.8%), and should focus on academic and research related issues (55.0%). Communication (95.5%) was an important factor for the program to be successful, and on an average, must be of seven weeks duration, with a mentor: mentee ratio of 1:2. We found a significant association between the designation of the respondent and their perceived ideal time for a mentorship program (P<0.001, Chi Square Test), seeking of mentorship beyond the program duration (P<0.01, Chi Square Test) and the type of mentorship program (P=0.01, Chi square test). Conclusion: Our survey concluded that a well-planned short mentorship program of six to eight weeks duration with a low mentee to mentor ratio with an informal style of mentoring in the formative years of one's career would be suitable in the Indian Dermatology scenario. Communication and availability emerged as important elements for a successful mentor mentee relationship. The positive effects of a well-planned mentorship program extend beyond its duration and enrich both the mentor and mentee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the role of the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis (AD) and explores the potential benefits of using microbiome-containing moisturizers for AD management. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining microbial balance in AD therapies and suggests further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these products. The article also mentions the use of probiotics and prebiotics in AD treatment, as well as the potential of balneotherapy in optimizing microbial diversity and reducing the severity of AD lesions. Overall, it offers valuable insights into the current understanding of the skin microbiome in AD and its implications for treatment. [Extracted from the article]