Misuse of Topical Corticosteroids over Face: A Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Topical corticosteroids (TCS) have been widely used in various dermatological diseases. However, because of inadvertent use, TCS misuse has become a common problem faced by dermatologists in various parts of the world. Prolonged use over the face can cause various side effects such as steroid rosacea, acneiform eruptions, and hypertrichosis. AIM: To study the effects of TCS misuse and analyze various factors promoting its use on face. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients presenting with various facial dermatoses following the misuse of TCS on the face were studied. Detailed history was noted and the various side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Majority of the patients (70%) were females with maximum number of patients belonging to the age group of 11-20 years. Eighty-five percent of the patients were applying TCS for medical conditions, with acne being the most common indication, and the rest were applying as a general face cream. Pruritus and acneiform eruptions were the most common side effects observed and the other reported were erythema, photosensitivity, steroid dependent face, and telangiectasia. CONCLUSION: TCS misuse especially over the face can lead to a multitude of side effects. It is high time to create awareness among the patients as well as doctors regarding the proper usage of this wonder drug.

Localized Hypertrichosis Following Vaccination in an Infant.

Hypertrichosis is characterized by increased hair growth independent of androgen excess. There are various causes of acquired localized hypertrichosis including chronic irritation and inflammation. Localised hypertrichosis following pentavalent vaccine has not been described previously in Indian literature. We hereby report a case of a 4-month-old healthy infant presenting with focal circumscribed areas of hypertrichosis over anterolateral aspect of bilateral thighs at the site of vaccination.

Co-existent Presence of Alopecia Areata in Siblings: A Rare Presentation.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T cell mediated autoimmune disease with multifactorial etiology resulting in partial and total nonscarring alopecia. We hereby report a case of two brothers (aged 7 and 5 years) presenting with coincidental AA over scalp which is a rare presentation.

Acroangiodermatitis (Pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma).

Acroangiodermatitis or Pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma is a rare angioproliferative entity, related to chronic venous insufficiency or certain other vascular anomalies. It is often associated with chronic venous insufficiency, arteriovenous malformation of the legs, chronic renal failure treated with dialysis, paralyzed legs and amputation stumps. We hereby describe a case of 45 year old female presenting with pitting pedal edema, multiple ulcers over bilateral lower limbs with irregular margins with erythema and hyperpigmentation of the surrounding skin. Color Doppler study of bilateral lower limbs was normal. Histopathological examination from one of the lesions showed hyperplastic epidermis, proliferation of capillaries in dermis, hemosiderin deposits and lymphocytic infiltrate. These features thus confirmed the diagnosis of Acroangiodermatitis.

Multiple cutaneous reticulohistiocytoma in middle aged female.

Multiple cutaneous reticulohistiocytoma (MCR) and multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MR) are rare, idiopathic histiocytic granulomatous disorders presenting in a spectrum. A 35-year-old female presented with multiple, firm, discrete, asymptomatic nodules, 1-2 cm in size over face, back, abdomen, thighs, and legs. There were no systemic symptoms. Histopathology of a nodule over trunk showed diffuse, dense infiltrate of large histiocytes, and histiocytic giant cells. The histiocytes had rounded vesicular nuclei and abundant pink homogenously stained ground glass cytoplasm. The diagnosis of MCR was made. Systemic evaluation did not reveal any abnormality. Considering the cosmetic appearance of facial lesions, patient was referred to the plastic surgeon. No treatment was advised for rest of lesions and patient was asked to review every 6 months or if any new complaints develop.

Allopurinol induced granuloma annulare in a patient of lepromatous leprosy.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, inflammatory dermatosis involving dermis or subcutis with unknown etiology and poorly understood pathology. GA has characteristic histological features of necrobiosis, granuloma formation and abundant mucin deposition. Various predisposing factors, systemic diseases and drugs have been implicated in the etiology. We hereby describe a case of 70 year old male who was a known case of lepromatous leprosy, taking multidrug therapy for 6 months presented with multiple discrete, annular, firm, non tender, smooth surfaced skin colored papular lesions ranging in size from 0.5-1 cm over back for 1 month. There was past history of intake of allopurinol for hyperuricemia which was started 1 year back. There was history of similar lesions 6 months back which healed within 1 month of stopping allopurinol and he started taking the drug for the past 4 months on his own without any medical advice. Histopathological examination showed superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with numerous histiocytes scattered in the intersititum of reticular dermis and abundant mucin in between the histiocytes. Allopurinol was implicated as an etiological agent and dramatic improvement was seen after stopping the drug for a period of 4 weeks. Naranjo's algorithm showed a probable association with a score of 6. Thus the final diagnosis of allopurinol induced generalised interstitial granuolma annulare was made. Patient was advised to continue antileprotic drugs, low purine diet and avoid allopurinol intake.

Annular alopecia areata: report of two cases.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an auto-immune disorder characterized by the appearance of non-scarring bald patches affecting the hair bearing areas of the body. Scalp is the most common site of involvement. AA can affect any age group. The usual pattern of the hair loss is oval or round. We hereby, report two cases of annular and circinate pattern of AA due to its unusual morphology.

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Ectodermal dysplasias (ED) are a group of inherited disorders characterized by dysplasia of structures of ectodermal origin, clinically classified into hypohidrotic and hidrotic forms. A 21-year-old female presented with history of hypohidrosis, thinning of scalp and eyebrow hair, xerotic skin, and periorbital and perioral wrinkling. There was hypodontia and peg-shaped teeth on intraoral examination. Routine investigations were normal, orthopantomogram revealed absence of multiple teeth with peg-shaped teeth. Histopathological examination showed thinned epidermis and reduction in the number of eccrine units. Thus, the diagnosis was confirmed as Hypohidrotic ED.

Brooke-spiegler syndrome: a rare entity.

Brooke-Spiegler syndrome (BSS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the presence of various adnexal tumors including multiple cylindromas, trichoepitheliomas and spiradenomas. A 35-year-old female presented with multiple asymptomatic nodular lesions over face and scalp since the age of 5 years. There were no complaints suggestive of systemic involvement. Her son, elder sister, younger sister, father, father's sister, and grandmother had history of similar lesions. On examination, there were multiple asymptomatic skin-colored firm papulonodular lesions measuring from 2 to 8 mm in diameter, with smooth surface mainly affecting central part of face. Scalp showed pinkish, firm, smooth-surfaced, dome-shaped nodules measuring about 1 to 3 cm in size. Histopathological examination was consistent with trichoepitheliomas for the facial lesions and cylindromas for the scalp lesions. The diagnosis of BSS was thus confirmed.

Verrucous cell carcinoma arising from an underlying giant keratoacanthoma.

Keratoacanthoma is a well-known, fast-growing, benign squamous epithelial neoplasm that usually presents as a solitary, dome-shaped, pink or flesh-colored nodule developing a central keratin-filled crater. Few authors consider it to be a benign cutaneous tumor whereas others suggest that it should be regarded as a low-grade variant of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 21-year-old female presented with a firm, nontender, well-defined plaque with irregular margins measuring about 8 × 4 cm over the dorsal aspect of the right foot along with an exuberant growth from the plaque measuring 4 × 5cm. There was no lymphadenopathy. Systemic examination was within normal limits. Routine investigations, including complete blood counts, liver and renal function tests, urinalysis, chest radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography, were normal. Histopathological examination of a skin biopsy from the plaque showed features suggestive of keratoacanthoma, whereas exuberant growth overlying the plaque showed features of verrucous carcinoma (a variant of SCC). Thus, it represents a case of SCC arising from a giant keratoacanthoma.

Atrichia with papular lesions.

Atrichia with papular lesions (APL) is a rare autosomal recessive form of irreversible alopecia with onset at few months of age with papular keratin cysts over the body. It is associated with mutation in the Zinc finger domain of the human hairless gene on chromosome region 8p12. An eleven-year-old male presented with extensive alopecia starting at six months of age refractory to the treatment along with keratotic papules on the face and trunk. Biopsy from a papule showed mid-dermal keratin cysts and from the scalp showed few vellus follicles with no terminal hairs. The diagnosis of APL was made based upon the criteria proposed. Vitamin D-dependent rickets was ruled out as it has similar clinical presentation. Accurate diagnosis of APL is required to avoid unnecessary treatment to the patient as it is commonly misdiagnosed as alopecia universalis and treated with systemic steroids.