Facial abuse of topical steroids and fairness creams: a clinical study of 200 patients

To estimate the magnitude of problem with reference to social demography, motivation and to record adverse effects of topical steroids [TCs] and fairness creams abuse on face. This study was conducted at Dermatology Department of Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital affiliated with University of Lahore. Patients with steroidal rosacea reporting to the investigator were asked about their current use of topical steroids and fairness creams and observations recorded. Out of 200 patients studied 152 [76%] were females and 48 [24%] males, the majority belonging to low income group from urban area. Sixty six [33%] patients used potent TCs, 100 [50%] patients used TCs in combination with various fairness creams and 34 [17%] patients used fairness creams exclusively. The main indications for these creams, in order of preference were acne, improving dark complexion and melasma. Patients were ignorant of the ingredients and the adverse effects of TCs versus fairness creams among abusers were comparable. Unwarranted cosmetic use of TCs with or without fairness creams is quite common in facial dermatoses resulting in steroidal dermatitis resembling rosacea.

Herpes zoster: seasonal variations and morphological patterns in Pakistan

To determine the relevance of seasonal variations and pattern of herpes zoster among the labor community in Lahore. This observational, cross sectional study was conducted at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital from June, 2009 to May, 2010. Entitled patients that included the industrial labour and their dependents who were clinically diagnosed to be suffering from Herpes zoster during the above mentioned period were included in the study. All the findings were recorded on a pre-designed pro forma. Fifty two enrolled patients constituted 0.46 per cent of overall OPD patients, with male to female ratio of 2:1 and the mean age at presentation was 47 years. Average duration of symptoms at presentation in Herpes zoster ophthalmicus [HZO] was 4.5 days while in remaining cases it was 5.6 days. The surge of the cases was noted with onset of summer and most common dermatomes involved were thoracic followed by ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve. There is a relationship between Herpes zoster and seasonal variations which seems to be different from temperate climate of western countries