Childhood psoriasis in Kuwait: a prospective survey

Ninety childhood psoriasis cases constituting 0.3% of the total of all new Dermatology out-patient cases were studied over a span of one year. Females outnumbered the males by a ratio of 1.8:1. The recent crisis in Kuwait was observed to have had an impact by virtue of the increased prevalence noted after the crisis. The age of onset ranged from the neonatal period to 12 years with a mean of 5.3 years. Plaque psoriasis was the commonest clinical variant [83%] followed by guttate psoriasis. Extensor surfaces of the extremities were the most commonly affected sites [73%] followed by trunk and scalp. Nail involvement was seen in 44% of the patients. A positive family history of the psoriasis was obtained in 26% of the children. Itching was the symptom most commonly complained of [81%]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of a positive throat culture and high ASO titre among childhood and adult psoriatics and childhood controls. High circulating immune complexes were seen in 52% of the patients

Potassium iodide in the treatment of erythema nodosum migrans: a report of two cases

Two cases of erythema nodosum migrans were treated with potassium iodide. They responded dramatically to this drug. Minor adverse reactions of therapy were observed in one case

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a clinical, histological and photobiological study

Twenty-five patients suffering from discoid cutaneous lupus erythematosus were studied. The patients were divided into two groups, disseminated discoid lupus erythematosus [10 subjects] and localised discoid lupus erythematosus [15 subjects]. A photodistribution was recorded in all the patients, indicating that exposure to sunlight plays an important part in the disease. Histologically, the two groups showed similar features. On phototesting, the action spectrum for erythema showed that it was possible to demonstrate abnormal photosensitivity in some of the patients

Local photochemotherapy [PUVA] for plantar warts

A group of 22 patients with resistant plantar warts were treated with local PUVA therapy. The authors used simple application of 0.75% solution of meladinine with subsequent irradiation with relatively high doses of UVA. A maximum of 10 treatments were applied and assessment was carried out for 6 months. Complete clearance was seen in 13 patients [65%], partial clearance in 2 patients [10%] and 5 patients [25%] failed to clear. Two patients were assessed as defaulters and were excluded from the sample, In the period of 6 months, there was no single case of exacerbation. Local PUVA is an alternative line of treatment in resistant cases of plantar warts

Prurigo of hebra: a clinical histological and immunological study

Prurigo of Hebra is a chronic pruritic papular skin disease of unknown etiology. The disease affects mainly children and rarely extends into adulthood. The disease is now rarely diagnosed. Very few facts are known about such a condition. Clinical studies and histopathological examination of biopsies from skin lesions and associated lymph node enlargement besides immunological studies for the serum level of immunoglobulins were done for 25 cases. Findings point to the condition of being a possible unusual manifestation of atopy as evidenced by a significant rise of IgE serum level than in control subjects