A total of 270 patients suffering from dermatophytosis, divided in 3 equal groups of 90 patients each, were treated with topical miconazole, econazole and clotrimazole for a period of 6 weeks. Moconozole was found slightly superior amongst the 3 with cure rate of 97.7%, while 93.3% cure rate was observed with econazole and 92.8% with clotrimazole. Trichophyton rubrum was the commonest fungal species isolated on culture.

230 patients presenting with palmar hyperkeratotic dermatitis were investigated by patch tests against various antigens depending upon occupation of the patients. Contact sensitivity was detected in 130 patients comprising of housewives (55), businessmen (20), farmers (15), teachers / clerks / students (13), doctors and nurses (9), factory workers and labourers (8), massons (7) and motor mechanics (3). Vegetables were found to be the most common agents followed by detergents and metals predominantly affecting housewives. Among the vegetables, garlic and onion were the most potent sensitizers whereas nickel was a common sensitizer among metals. Occupational factors were seen to have some influence in relation to the causative agents as indicated by higher positivity of vegetables in housewives; detergents, metals, rubber, leather, plastics in businessmen, teachers, clerks and students; fertilizers or animal foods in farmers; drugs in doctors and nurses and chromium and cobalt in massons.

Dermatological changes of stumps of 174 amputees are presented. The commonest dermatological change recorded at the site of amputation stump was hyperpigmentation in 46 (26.4%) followed by callosities in 32 (18.3%), scaling in 29 (16.7%), cutaneous atrophy in 20 (11.5%), lichenification in 19(10.9%), traumatic ulcer and bacterial infections in 18 (10.3%) each, hypertrophic scar in 14 (8.1%), hypopigmentation and corns in 13 (7.4%) each, verrucous hypertrophy of stump in 12 (6.9%), dermatophytic infection in 5(2.9%), stump oedema and phantom limb in 4 (2.3%) each, intertriginous dermatitis in 3( 1.7%), allergic contact dermatitis (resin) and frictional eczema in 2(1.1%) each. Epidermoid cyst, keloid formation, anaesthesia, gangrene and cutaneous horn were recorded in 1 (0.6%) each. Atrophy (epidermal and derma), anaesthesia, alopecia and elephantiasis of the stump have not been documented in the literature earlier.

Immunoglobulin (lgG, lgM and lgA) levels were studied in 50 patients of localized pustular psoriasis (LPP). Alteration of immunoglobulin levels was observed in 49/50 cases. IgG, lgM and lgA all were increased in 18 cases, lgG and lgA in 16 cases, lgG and lgM in 2 cases and lgA alone in 1 case. On the other hand, lgM alone was decreased in 11 cases, lgM and lgA both were decreased in 5 patients. IgG alone was raised statistically significantly in LPP. Increase in lgG was more in LPP with duration of disease upto 2 years / with duration of disease more than 2 years and in acropustulosis (AP)/chronic palmoplantar pustular psoriasis (Ch PPP).

Recurrent genital herpes (RGH) is a difficult condition to treat. Oral acyclovir therapy has been shown to have a definite role in suppressing the recurrent episodes of the disease. Most studies, however, are available from the West. We report our experience with oral acyclovir therapy. Ten patients of RGH with more than 8 episodes/year received acylovir in the dose of 200 mg thrice daily for 6 months. They were followed up for a period ranging from 6 months to 3.5 years. Eight patients stayed symptom-free while on therapy and during the follow-up period. One patient showed a recurrence while on treatment and another 4 months after stopping treatment. No adverse effects were seen in any of the patients.

Forty four patients with moderately severe and severe acne were put on treatment with either tetracycline 1g daily (21 patients) or minocycline 100 mg daily (23 patients). Patients were assessed at 6 and 12 weeks by calculating the reduction of the acne lesion score. At 6 weeks with minocycline 47.6% of the patients showed a good response, with tetracycline none of the patients showed a comparable response and the difference in the 2 therapeutic groups was statistically significant (p<0.01). However, at 12 weeks the response of acne was comparable with the 2 drugs. With tetracycline 70.4% patients and with minocycline 69.6% patients showed a good to excellent response. Similarly, at 6 weeks the mean reduction in acne lesion score was significantly better with minocycline than with tetracycline, but at 12 weeks the response was comparable with the 2 drugs.

A 2-year-old girl presented with erythema, oedema and peeling of skin of hands and feet with marked irritability, salivation, rhinorrhoea and neurological symptoms following Sidha treatment. The diagnosis of acrodynia was confirmed by the presence of high levels of mercury in the urine as well as the Sidha medicines and by the improvement with D-penicillamine.

A case of dyskeratosis congenita (DC) associated with 'empty' sella in a 22-year old Arab male born of consanguineous marriage is reported. He exhibited all the essential features of DC and various ocular and dental abnormalities. In addition, lateral radiograph of the skull revealed enlargement of the pituitary fossa and cranial CT scan showed features suggestive of 'empty' sella. The association of 'empty' sella with dyskeratosis congenita does not seem to have been recorded in earlier literature.

A 3½ month female baby with chickenpox complicated by purpura fulminans and gangrene of the digits is reported.

A 55-year old male presenting with itching, pigmentation and atrophy confirmed histopathologically as mycosis fungoides is reported for its peculiar manifestation.

One 40-year female was diagnosed as a case of follicular occlusion triad (FOT) as she had hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata and perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens since 7 years. Partial improvement occurred within 20 days of treatment with co-trimoxazole and haematinics but relapse occurred after 5 days of stopping antibiotics.

A case of bilateral herpes zoster of lumbosacral region is reported in association with diabetes mellitus in a 55 years old female. The case is of interest due to bilateral distribution which is rare and sacral region involvement which is quite uncommon.

A 45-year old male had nephrotic syndrome of 2 years duration and multiple, asymptomatic, small, yellowish papules on eyelids, nasolabial folds and perioral region since 6 months. He also had progressive weakness, fatigue, breathlessness and joint pains. His voice was hoarse. Macroglossia and beaded vocal cords were present. There was a history of exsanguinating bleeding following a kidney biopsy done 6 months earlier.Proteinuria was present but Bence-Jones proteins were absent. Skin biopsy of lesional skin showed an eosinophilic, amorphous, fissured mass distending the dermal papillae and around blood vessels and appendages. Congo red stain was negative for amyloid, but crystal violet stain demonstrated amyloid in lesional as well as normal appearing skin. Electron microscopy confirmed the same. The patient deteriorated quickly and succumbed to gross haematemesis.

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is a rare variant of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which histologically resembles dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and responds dramatically to dapsone. We report a case of bullous SLE.

This is a case report of myeloma associated systemic amyloidosis in a 45 years old man. The patient presented with asymptomatic plaques and papules around the eyes, nostrils, anus, inguinal region and tongue. Purpuric lesions were noticed on and off over the lesions. When thorough investigations were undertaken they revealed multiple myeloma. Histopathology with amyloid stain positivity and bone marrow examination confirmed the diagnosis.

A case of hereditary camptodactyly with fixed flexion deformity is reported. The case had been misdiagnosed and treated as leprosy in the field.