Controlled trial comparing the efficacy of 88% phenol versus 10% sodium hydroxide for chemical matricectomy in the management of ingrown toenail.

Background: Partial nail avulsion with lateral chemical matricectomy is the treatment of choice for ingrown toenails. Phenol (88%) is the most widely used chemical agent but prolonged postoperative drainage and collateral damage are common. Sodiumhydroxide (NaOH) 10% has fewer side‑effects. Methods: Adult, consenting patients with ingrown toenails were alternately allocated into two treatment groups in the order of their joining the study, to receive either 88% phenol (Group 1, n = 26) or 10% NaOH (Group 0, n = 23) chemical matricectomy. The patients as well as the statistician were blinded to the agent being used. Post‑procedure follow‑up evaluated median duration of pain, discharge, and healing along with recurrence, if any, in both the groups. The group wise data was statistically analyzed. Results: Both the groups responded well to treatment with the median duration of postoperative pain being 7.92 days in Group 0 and 16.25 days in Group 1 (P < 0.202). Postoperative discharge continued for a median period of 15.42 days (Group 0) and 18.13 days (Group 1) (P < 0.203). The tissue condition normalized in 7.50 days (Group 0) and 15.63 days (Group 1) (P < 0.007). Limitations: Limited postsurgical follow up of 6 months is a limitation of the study. Conclusion: Chemical matricectomy using NaOH is as efficacious as phenolisation, with the advantage of faster tissue normalization.

Telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium (TE) is one of the most common causes of diffuse nonscarring hair loss. In its acute form, it generates a lot of anxiety in the patient, which can be signifi cantly allayed with a confi dent diagnosis. In its more chronic form, however, the hair loss may go unnoticed for long periods of time. Here in, the dermatologist’s role in differentiating it from the more common patterned hair loss is signifi cant. Differentiating TE from other causes of diffuse nonscarring hair loss can indeed be a daunting task and TE is often used as a waste basket diagnosis. A number of factors have been implicated in the causation of TE, however, clear evidence in their support is lacking. The role of stress as a causative factor as well as the result of hair loss needs to be adequately understood. This review aims at summarizing our current level of knowledge with respect to this very common cause of hair loss. An attempt is made to help the readers reliably differentiate TE from other causes of diffuse nonscarring hair loss. The possible causative factors, pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and possible treatment options are discussed.

Onychomycosis: Newer insights in pathogenesis and diagnosis.

Onychomycosis (OM) is the commonest disorder affecting the nail unit. The fact that it affects 3-26% people worldwide goes to show that it is a significant health problem. The prevalence of OM has been reported to be increasing over the years. Although, we know much about various predisposing factors, we are yet unclear about its exact pathogenesis. The peculiarities of the nail unit with respect to its structure and its immune mechanisms make OM an adversary, which once established is difficult to eradicate. There have been many recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of OM and our methods of diagnosing it. The increasingly valuable role of histopathology; refinements in its technique; PCR techniques; Optical coherence tomography and advances in spectrometric techniques have been reported. The present review is aimed at discussing the newer advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of various clinical types of OM apart from the newer and exciting techniques of diagnosing it.