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BACKGROUND AND AIM: Male and female pattern baldness, commonly known as androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of alopecia, often predetermined genetically, which generally affects the scalp and is characterized by progressive terminal hair loss, known as miniaturization. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of Kerascalp hair serum, a unique combination of esculin, ximenynic acid, and lauric acid, extracted from natural sources in subjects with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: An open-label, single-arm clinical study was conducted on healthy males and females aged 18-60 years. Each subject applied the hair serum once daily for 90 days. The efficacy of hair serum was evaluated in terms of the following outcome variables: anagen and telogen ratio (A:T ratio), hair thickness, hair density, hair fall, and hair strength assessment. Subjects were assessed on day 0, day 30, day 60, day 90, and on follow-up day 120. RESULTS: Thirty subjects completed all assessment visits. After using the hair serum for 90 days, statistically significant (p<0.0001) improvement was observed in A:T ratio, hair density, hair thickness, and hair strength; a statistically significant reduction (p<0.0001) in hair fall was also observed. Moreover, improvement in general appearance of hair (in terms of hair volume and density) and scalp (in terms of itchiness, redness, roughness, and dryness) was recorded through dermatological assessment at each treatment visit and at follow-up visit compared to baseline. No adverse event was recorded during the study period, and on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this clinical study suggest that a 90 days treatment with a phyto-ingredient-based Kerascalp hair serum is safe and effective in significantly improving A:T ratio, hair density, hair thickness, and hair strength, while reducing hair shedding. The improvement in the test parameters persists, even 30 days after stopping the usage of the serum.
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INTRODUCTION: In the present epidemic of chronic, recalcitrant, and widespread dermatophytosis, impact of disease on quality of life (QoL) can be severe. Similarly, financial impact due to treatment cost and loss of wages needs consideration too. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Our primary aim was to evaluate the impact of dermatophytosis on QoL and the financial burden on individual and family. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients having dermatophytosis were included in the study. Standard Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was used to evaluate the psychosocial impact, and financial burden was evaluated by nine binary questions. RESULTS: A total of completed 299 DLQI surveys and 275 financial burden surveys were taken for final analysis. Mean DLQI was 12.25 (SD = 5.56, n = 299). Significant association between total body surface area (BSA) and DLQI score was observed (r s = 0.251, P < 0.001, n = 299). Presence of tinea corporis was found to be significantly affecting the choice of clothing (P = 0.018, χ2 = 5.127, CI 95%). More numbers of male respondents reported loss of work or study hours due to their illness (P = 0.015, χ2 = 5.196, CI 95%), which was significantly associated with the BSA involved (P < 0.05, t = 5.529, CI 95%). Some difficulties in sexual activity were reported by 35.6% patients, which has significant association with tinea cruris (P = 0.001, χ2 = 10.810, CI 95%). Median household income was 10,000 INR and interquartile range (IQR) being 8,000-19,000. Mean financial burden calculated at 3.458 (SD = 1.696, n = 275), whereas mean financial worry reported by patient stood at 3.661 (SD = 1.216, n = 275). Financial burden showed significant correlation with "previous treatment approximate cost," financial worry, and DLQI (P < 0.05, CI 95%). Financial worry (P = 0.016, r s = 0.145, CI 95%) and financial burden (P = 0.002, r s - = 0.145, CI 95%) both showed positive correlation with duration of disease. CONCLUSION: In present scenario of Dermatophytosis in India, the disease and its treatment causing impact on QOL as well as on personal financial burden and worry need consideration.
ABSTRACT
Infectious diseases can clinically present as vesiculobullous disorders. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) study of skin biopsy helps distinguish true autoimmune blistering disorders from other conditions. In many situations, even DIF findings in infections disorders imitate autoimmune process. Here, we describe a case of 29-year-old female with extensive dermatophytosis having presentation mimicking bullous pemphigoid both clinically and histopathologically including DIF findings.
