One hundred and sixty-one beauticians and hairdressers (146 women and 15 men) were examined for the presence of hand dermatitis and those with hand eczema were patch tested with a battery of antigens standardised for beauticians. Forty-two (26.1%) subjects were found to have hand dermatitis and of these, in 31 (69.3%) the patch tests were positive; the following antigens elicited a positive response; paraphenylene diamine (35.5%), rubber antigens (22.6%), nickel (22.6%), shampoos (12.9%), ammonium thioglycollate (9.7%), ammonium persulphate (3.2%), henna mixture (3.2%) and detergents (6.5%). In addition, irritant reaction was seen in 7; in 5 patients it was to shampoos and in 2 to ammonium persulphate. Of the 8 patients who, on questioning, had a history of atopy, 7 (87.5%) had hand eczema, while 1 (12.5%) did not, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001), suggesting that beauticians with a history of atopy were more likely to develop hand eczema.

75 leprosy patients comprising of 47 males and 28 females ranging in age from 10 years to 75 years (mean 33.76 years) were studied. Duration of disease ranged from one month to 12 years. Thirty (40%) cases were in reaction. Renal involvement occurred in 53.66% of cases. 80% of type 2 reaction leprosy patients showed renal involvement as compared to 53% of type 1 reaction. 80% of leprosy cases with more than 3 years duration of disease showed renal involvement as compared to 46.6% of cases with less than 3 years duration of disease. 9% of cases showed reduction in one or both kidney size with loss of corticomedullary differentiation on USG.

25 patients with extensive tinea versicolor were treated with single oral dose of 400 mg of fluconazole. 25 patients returned for follow-up. Follow-up at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks showed 100% clinical cure rate and 92% mycological cure rate. No significant side effects were noticed. The majority of patients found the treatment effective, safe and convenient.

Mycological study of 100 cases of tinea versicolor was undertaken. Skin scrapings from 100 cases were subjected for culture in Sabouraud's dextrose agar, out of which 60 positive cultures (60%) were obtained.

Comparative histopathology was studied in 25 cases of scabies versus 25 cases of nodular scabies which were selected from Dermato-Venereology out patients. Salient differences observed were that in scabies lifting of stratum corneum at places was seen in all 100% cases, spongiosis in 100%, spongiotic vesicles in 28%, burrows in 56%, mite in 40% and vasculitis in 28% whereas in nodular scabies acanthosis was seen in 100%, pseudo epitheliomatous hyperplasia in 8%, burrows in 48%, mite in 24% and vasculitis in 84%. In nodular scabies, dermal infiltrate in 32% cases was arranged as lymphoid follicles with admixture of plasma cells and eosinophils.

Fluticasone propionate is a novel, potent and topically active synthetic corticosteroid preparation with a much reduced potential, in relation to its anti-inflammatory potency, for unwanted systemic side effects. It is indicated for the treatment of eczema, dermatitis etc. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the biorelease of fluticassone with placebo (base formulation); its combination with antifungal (miconazole, clotrimazole) and / or antibacterial agents based on the attenuation of histamine induced wheal and flare reaction and flare intensity (on visual analouge scale) by McNemar test. In the present study, fluticasone alone and in combination with clotrimazole, miconazole and neomycin significantly reduced the wheal and flare response of histamine prick test. The flare intensity response was also significantly inhibited by these treatments. Furthermore, there was no difference in the anti-inflammatory activity of various treatment groups. It may, therefore, be concluded that antibacterial (neomycin) and / or antifungal (miconazole, clotrimazole) agents in combination with steroid (fluticasone) do not alter the pharmacodynamic response of the latter.

The common dermatological manifestations seen in 34 cases of acromegaly were changes in facial appearance, enlargement of hands and feet, intolerance to heat and sweating, carpal tunnel syndrome, hirsutism, acrochordons and acanthosis nigricans. The mean estimated age of onset was 32.8 years in males and 31.7 years in females, while the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 38.6 years and 36.1 years for males and females respectively, with a slight male preponderance noted.

A case of secondary syphilis in HIV infection is being reported. The patient presented with skin rash only. VDRL was found to be negative and HIV testing was positive. He was treated for secondary syphilis with clinical response. Blood VDRL test was subsequently reported as reactive.

Blue nevus represents an aberrant collection of functioning benign dermal melanocytes. Its malignant degeneration is rare and is regarded as a form of malignant melanoma. We report a case of 35-year old male with this rare condition whose primary lesion over left foot ulcerated and patient later succumbed to multiple metastases.

We report two cases of Vohwinkel's syndrome in son and mother presenting with a progressive palmoplantar keratoderma with 'honeycomb' appearance associated with constricting bands encircling digits of hands and feet along with keratotic plaques on dorsum of hands and feet. Both had associated sensorineural deafness.

A 28-year-old man with typical lesions of Schamberg's progressive pigmented purpuric dermatosis involving his right forearm is reported here for its unusual localisation.

A 57-year-old obese patient presented with a 5 month history of tender, indurated, erythematous plaques with superficial ulceration on the right shin. The lesions closely mimicked cellulitis but were unresponsive to antibiotics. Though the patient was not a known diabetic, on investigations she was found to be a diabetic. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of necrobiosis lipoidica. This acutely inflammed presentation of necrobiosis lipoidica is extremely rare.

A 22-year-old female presented with vitiliginous lesions on her hands and feet since birth. Similar lesions at similar sites were present in 4 other family members. The trait appeared to have autosomal dominant inheritance with variable penetrance.

This report describes a Japanese case of penile carcinoma characterized by an extravagantly harsh clinical presentation. Report of penile cancer from Japan is extremely rare.

A typical case of favus of scalp in a 60-year-old female, resident of a village in district Udaipur (Rajasthan) is being reported for its rarity and occurrence in non-endemic zone. Some of the nails were also involved. Fungal hyphae were demonstrated in KOH examination from scalp and nails. Culture on Sabourauds agar medium grew Trichophyton violaceum.

Bullae of pemphigus vulgaris heal without scarring. We here report a patient of pemphigus vulgaris whose lesions healed with a one-month history of extensive flaccid bullae and uninfected erosions on the trunk and extremities along with superficial erosions in the oral mucosa. The clinical suspicion of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistological examination. Pulse therapy with monthly parenteral dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide pulse was instituted. The cutaneous lesions on healing formed extensive keloidal scars despite high dose of monthly corticosteroid therapy.