Skin diseases in elderly population from Eastern India-an observational study

Objective To study the different skin diseases in geriatric population attending the dermatology outdoor of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India

Methods A 3-month observational study was done among 200 patients of age 60 years and above

Results Among 200 patients most [61%] belonged to age group 60-69 year, mean age being 67.7+/- 6.08 year. The most common presenting and associated complaint was pruritus [74%]. Eczematous conditions were the most common presenting disorder [39%], followed by infections [38%], pigmentary disorder [26%, papulosquamous [18%] and immunobullous disorders [5%]

Conclusion From our study we found that pruritus, asteatotic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and fungal infections were the commonest skin problems

Leprosy: type 1 reaction precipitated by doxorubicin and cisplatin

Type 1 reaction [T1R] in leprosy is common and characterized by increased inflammation in skin lesions or nerve. Besides antileprotic therapy, T1Rs are associated with intercurrent infection, pregnancy and drugs. Also, T1Rs may be a presenting feature of leprosy. We report a case of T1R in leprosy presenting as drug reaction during cancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin. We propose to explain this unusual occurrence by highlighting the increased production and expression of TNF-alpha by these drugs. Thus, physicians using these drugs should keep this unusual adverse effect in mind

Irritant dermatitis and postinflammatory depigmentation following application of 'sexual massage oils' - a case report

There has been a new hard selling product in the Southeast Asian market - the so called 'sex massage oil'. A variety of such preparations are available freely and are claimed to have sexaugmenting properties. Various effects are claimed upon usage, ranging from enlargement of the male organ to substantial increases in intercourse time. Also is claimed, that, these products being 'herbal' have no side effects. These attractively packaged oils are sold over the counter in large volumes to the unsuspecting public. We present here a case of a young man who suffered from chronic irritant dermatitis from usage of the same. We believe this to be the first case report where irritant dermatitis had resulted from usage of such 'sex massage oils'

Segmental neurofibromatosis: report of two cases of this rare entity and brief review of the literature

Neurofibromatosis [NF] is a group of rare genetic disorder of neural crest derived cells of which neurofibromatosis type-1 is the most common. Riccardi classified NF into eight subtypes [NF-I to NF-VIII], of which NF-V is segmental neurofibromatosis [SNF]. SNF is rare and facial involvement is even rarer. A 52-year-old man presented with complaints of numerous swellings on the right side of his face for the last 20 years. On examination, there were many papules and papulo-nodules only on the right cheek. The swellings were non-tender, firm on palpation and measured from 3 mm to 12 mm in diameter. A biopsy was taken from one of the nodules; the slide revealed non-encapsulated but well circumscribed proliferation of spindle cells with wavy, buckled nuclei arranged in wavy fascicles in myxoid background. This case of facial SNF is described not only for its extreme rarity, but also as an important differential diagnosis for facial tumor-like papules. We have also reviewed the literature briefly

Irritant contact dermatitis from passive contact with sexual massage oils - 'sexual contact dermatitis'

Massage oils for sexual use have flooded the Indian market in recent times. These oils have been claimed to have several sexual augmenting properties. These oils are sold widely over the counter in India to the otherwise unsuspecting and lay public, who use them largely out of curiosity, being driven by clever marketing techniques. We report a patient who suffered irritant contact dermatitis from the oil after passive contact. We consider this to be the first case report of such 'sexual contact dermatitis' resulting from the usage of such penis-massage oils. We intend hereby to emphasize the need for issue of side effects and safety notifications. This condition may also be considered in the differential diagnoses of anogenital ulceration following sexual intercourse.

Pyoderma gangrenosum in pregnancy: a case with unusual presentation

Pyoderma gangrenosum [PG] is an uncommon idiopathic chronic ulcerative condition, clinically characterized by initial small pustules which develop into ulcers with typical undermined borders with violaceous hue. In most cases, PG is associated with systemic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory polyarthritis and hematological disorders as paraproteinemia and leukemias. Diagnosis is difficult, mostly resting on the exclusion of other similar conditions, due to lack of pathognomonic histological features. We describe a case of PG in pregnancy not only for the rarity of the association, but also because of some unusual presenting features. We treated the patient by intralesional steroid injection and topical steroid application; the ulcers healed within a month

Dermatoses in pregnancy: Specific dermatoses vis-a-vis others, in a tertiary hospital in Kolkata

To document the frequency of specific and other dermatoses in pregnancy. Two hundred and twenty five consecutive pregnant patients irrespective of the duration of pregnancy and gravidity reporting to our skin OPD were enrolled in the study. Out of them, 218 patients who gave consent were included in the study. The specific dermatoses of pregnancy were subclassified into four main groups - atopic eruption of pregnancy [AEP], polymorphic eruption of pregnancy [syn. pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy] [PEP], pemphigoid gestationis [PG], intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy [ICP]. 39 [68.4%] patients belonged to AEP, 14 [24.5%] to PEP, and 1 [1.8%] to PG and 3 [5.2%] to ICP. About half of the patients with AEP were found to have raised IgE level. Five STD patients were reported in the first trimester, 2 in second and 7 in third trimester. Patients reported with molluscum contagiosum [4], genital herpes [4], condyloma acuminata [3], primary chancre [1] and condyloma lata [1]. One patient with molluscum contagiosum was HIV positive. Among the non STD other dermatoses in pregnancy, scabies topped the list affecting in all trimesters. Fungal infections [tinea and pityriasis versicolor] was a close second. One case each of pompholyx, psoriasis, and leprosy reported to us. Early diagnosis of specific dermatosis of pregnancy may prevent harmful effect on mother and fetus