Benign cephalic histiocytosis.

A one and a half year old girl born of a non-consanguineous marriage presented with multiple asymptomatic erythematous to hyperpigmented and skin colored papules on both cheeks slowly increasing in number of 1 year duration. On the basis of clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemistry findings, a diagnosis of benign cephalic histiocytosis was made.

Penile pyoderma gangrenosum.

A 70-year-old man presented with indurated penile ulcers of 1-month duration. Initial biopsy was reported as chronic ulcer. A repeat biopsy done due to inadequate response to doxycycline showed features of pyoderma gangrenosum. The ulcer healed with a course of steroids and has not recurred till date.

Evaluation of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of Halometasone 0.05% and Fusidic Acid 2% W/W Topical Cream Versus FDC of Betamethasone Valerate 0.12% and Neomycin Sulphate 0.5% W/W Topical Cream in the Treatment of Infected Eczematous Dermatosis in Indian Subjects: A Randomized Open-Label Comparative Phase III Multi-Centric Trial.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixed drug combination (FDC) halometasone 0.05% and fusidic acid 2% (group A) vs FDC betamethasone 0.12% and neomycin sulfate 0.5% cream (group B) in acute or chronic infected eczematous dermatosis, through a randomized open-label, comparative, multicentric study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 152 patients were randomized to either Group A or Group B. EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index), IGA (Investigator's global assessment), scale for severity of eczema, pruritus, and safety parameters were assessed at baseline, Day 5/Day 10, Day 10/20, and Day 20/Day 30 for acute/chronic cases. Skin swabs were tested at screening, Day 10, and end of the study. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus was the frequently encountered causative agent. There was a significant reduction within the study groups in EASI, IGA scales for severity of eczema, pruritus at various visits, compared to baseline. At the end of study, 83.87% in group A and 65.71% in group B were culture negative. Cure rate was 54.28% and 50% in group A and B, respectively. Five adverse events were reported in five patients, of which three patients withdrew from the study. CONCLUSION: Halometasone 0.05% and Fusidic acid 2% cream is effective, safe, well tolerated with comparable efficacy to the comparator in the treatment of acute and chronic infected eczematous dermatosis.

Clofazimine-induced Hair Pigmentation.

A 45-year-old man was treated with WHO multibacillary multidrug therapy for borderline leprosy and high dose daily Clofazimine for lepra reaction. Along with the expected side effect of skin pigmentation, the patient also noticed darkening of previously grey hair. This colour persisted eight months after completing multibacillary multidrug therapy.

Efficacy and safety of topical halometasone in eczematous dermatoses in Indian population: an open label, noncomparative study.

BACKGROUND: Topical steroids remain the mainstay of treatment in eczema, an inflammatory skin reaction characterized by pruritus, redness, scaling, and clustered oozing papulovesicles. Halometasone is a new potent corticosteroid approved in the Indian market for topical application in the treatment of dermatitis. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of halometasone in the treatment of acute or chronic noninfected eczematous dermatosis in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, open, multicentric, phase 3, noncomparative clinical trial conducted at outpatient departments of seven centres. Two hundred endogenous eczema patients meeting study criteria were enrolled. Halometasone 0.05% cream was applied twice daily for 30 days in chronic and 20 days in acute eczema patients. Calculation of eczema area and severity index, and assessment of investigator's global assessment of severity of eczema and severity of pruritus score were done at each visit and compared with baseline. All adverse events (AE) were captured and documented. Laboratory investigations including haematological tests, urinalysis, renal and liver function tests were performed at baseline and at end of treatment. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients enrolled, 180 were chronic and 20 were acute eczema patients. It was found that there was a significant (P<0.001) improvement in all efficacy parameters compared with baseline. The treatment was shown to be successful in 91% patients. AE were reported in 30 patients and there was no serious AE reported. There was no clinically significant difference in laboratory investigations with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Halometasone was shown to be safe and very effective in Indian patients with acute and chronic eczema and the drug was well tolerated.