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Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent form of vaginitis, and most patients show improvement when treated with antifungal medications. However, recurrence may affect a minority. It has been found through previous research that the concomitant utilisation of probiotics during acute VVC leads to early relief of symptoms and signs and offers a preventive measure against recurrences. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the combination of oral probiotics with conventional antifungal treatment as compared to conventional antifungal treatment alone. Methods: Sixty patients who were newly diagnosed with VVC were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. They were divided into two groups. Group A included 30 cases treated with conventional antifungal medication (oral fluconazole 150 mg single dose), while Group B included 30 cases treated with conventional antifungal medication (oral fluconazole 150 mg single dose) alongside oral probiotic capsules (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. jensenii) for 2 months. The clinical and mycological findings were recorded before and after treatment. The relapse rate and side effects were recorded during the period of our study. Results: No significant difference between the clinical cure rate, mycological cure, and relapse rate was seen between the two groups. (P < 0.05). However, a larger proportion of patients in Group B (97) achieved complete remission compared to Group A (90). No side effects were noted in either of the groups. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the addition of probiotics to conventional antifungal treatment led to better rates of clinical and mycological cure and a lower likelihood of relapse compared to conventional antifungal treatment alone. Keywords: Antifungals, probiotics, sexual health, vulvovaginal candidiasis, Author(s): Apaopa Jemima Thekho (corresponding author) [1]; Vibhu Mendiratta [1]; Taru Garg [1]; Ravinder Kaur [2]; Vidya Yadav [1] Introduction Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infection caused by overgrowth of [...]

Hyperpigmentary disorders, including melasma, are challenging to treat. Glutathione has anti‐melanogenic and antioxidant properties, which led to its use as a skin‐lightening agent. Our objective was to review the published evidence and literature on the efficacy and safety of glutathione as a skin‐lightening agent and in the treatment of melasma. A literature search was done in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases using the search terms “glutathione as a skin‐lightening agent” and “glutathione in melasma” for the past 10 years. The level of evidence, strength of recommendation, and risk of bias assessment were evaluated. Among various forms of topical glutathione, glutathione 0.5% was significantly more effective compared to glutathione 0.1% and placebo. For glutathione alone versus glutathione plus microneedling, more improvement was seen. Five randomized controlled trials and a single open‐arm clinical study on oral glutathione at doses of 250 mg once a day, 250 mg twice a day, and 500 mg once a day showed a significant reduction in the melanin index compared to placebo. The combination of topical 2% glutathione plus oral glutathione was superior to monotherapy alone. There was only one placebo‐controlled study on intravenous (IV) glutathione [6/16 (37.5%) vs. 3 (18.7%), (p0.054)]. The risk of bias assessment showed that almost an equal number of studies have low and high risk of bias. Topical versus oral glutathione both provide moderately efficacious skin‐lightening outcomes that are localized versus generalized and have minimal versus substantial adverse effects, but they are unsustainable, with variable costs. IV glutathione is contraindicated due to lack of efficacy and side effects. It may work more as an antioxidant in melasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Vidya. Yadav, Damini. Verma, Vibhu. Mendiratta Sir, Adult-on set atopic dermatitis (AD) is categorized as a subgroup of AD in which the onset of AD is after the age [...]

Byline: Vidya. Yadav, Vibhu. Mendiratta, Aparna. Agrawal, Kavita. Bisherwal, Ritu. Singh, Amit. Meena Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune mediated inflammatory condition of the skin and imbalance in inflammatory mediators [...]

Byline: Vibhu. Mendiratta, Vidya. Yadav, Apoorva. Bhardwaj, Rashi. Pangti Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, recurrent follicular disorder affecting apocrine gland bearing areas such as axillae, inframammary area [...]

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]

Pityriasis rosea, is an acute self-limiting papulosquamous inflammatory disorder. It usually starts with a herald patch on the trunk and proximal extremities, followed by scaly oval patches that give them a “Christmas tree” appearance. The lesions may be associated with fever a rash. The disease can present as numerous morphologies such as papular, urticarial, lichenoid, and generalized that may be confused with other conditions such as secondary syphilis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular eczema, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, tinea corporis, viral exanthems, lichen planus, and PR like eruption linked to particular drugs. We report a rare case of polymorphic pityriasis rosea in paediatric age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulomatous vulvitis (GV) is an idiopathic entity typically presenting with chronic, painless swelling of the genitals with histologic evidence of granulomatous inflammation. Granulomatous vulvitis can typically start as an acute inflammatory condition, which gradually transforms into a chronic disease with a relapsing and remitting course leading to swollen, indurated, and distorted external genitalia. Association of GV with Crohn's disease is being increasingly recognized. However, the association of GV with ulcerative colitis is unreported. Here, we report a rare case of GV in a middle-aged Indian female with characteristic gastrointestinal involvement suggestive of ulcerative colitis. We hope to contribute to an earlier recognition and a better management of the vulvar and gastrointestinal lesions of ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.