Dermatosis Neglecta: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Southern India.

Background: Dermatosis neglecta (DN) is an acquired skin condition that occurs due to unconscious neglect of self-cleaning in individuals with some underlying risk factor. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to summarize the demographic, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of patients with DN in a tertiary care center. Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 28 patients with DN who were diagnosed and treated in our center between August 2020 and July 2022. The retrospective data related to demographic details, duration of lesions, morphology, distribution of lesions, associated symptoms, history of cleanliness, a risk factor for the development of the condition, treatment provided, and the details of follow-up were taken into account and analyzed. Results: Of the 28 patients, there were 19 males and nine females. The most common site in our study was the anterior trunk (n = 7) followed by the posterior trunk (n = 6). The most common site to develop DN was a recent surgical site. Soap and water cleansing resulted in the removal of lesions in the majority of the patients. Recurrence was observed in two patients. Conclusion: Our study indicates that the frequency of this condition is often underestimated and under-reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case series of DN in the medical literature.

Salt and skin.

The introduction of salt as a therapeutic agent in dermatological disorders has been in use since ancient times. This ubiquitous agent is the most underrated substance after the advent of modern medicine. Though a commonly used agent in both traditional and modern medicine, it is important to understand its relationship to the skin to further enhance the comprehensive benefit. The complex history of the evolution of medicine and its skewed distribution among the countries of the world led to inclusion of locally available and economical agents into therapeutics as it becomes almost an inevitable need. Moreover, an inadequate knowledge about the harmful effects of chronic salt exposure led salt to have a unique role in occupational dermatoses. There is no adequate literature on both detrimental and therapeutic effects of salt and its relation to skin. Hence, a genuine attempt was made to summarize the known and the lesser known facts of this particular common seasoning agent.

Norwegian scabies in a malnourished young adult: a case report.

A 19-year-old male was admitted to the medical ward with complaints of fever and swelling of the ankle and wrist joints of about two weeks duration. The patient developed hyperkeratotic lesions of the skin over the hands, elbow and back about three weeks after admission. Antistreptolysin O, rheumatoid factor, and Widal tests as well as Chickungunya, brucella, HIV and antinuclear antibodies were negative. Culture of blood sample and pus aspirate from the ankle and chest yielded a pure growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount of the scrapings from crusted skin lesions showed plenty of adult mites, eggs and faecal pellets of Sarcoptes scabiei. A diagnosis of crusted scabies with secondary bacterial infection was made and the patient was treated successfully with oral ivermectin, topical permethrin and vancomycin.

Recent advances in management of genital ulcer disease and anogenital warts.

Genital ulcer disease (GUD) constitutes a major public health problem. Most of them are the result of sexually transmitted diseases. Genital herpes, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma venereum, or chancroid are the commonly encountered GUD. The treatment modalities for these disorders have changed with advent and use of drugs such as azithromycin. The treatment modalities differ in patients with HIV disease. Further vaccines for herpes genitalis and human papilloma virus has opened new avenues in management of these diseases. In regions where there are no diagnostic facilities or where the costs of diagnostic tests are prohibitive, syndromic management of GUD is preferred.