Contact sensitizers in commercial hair dye products in the Indian market: A consumer exposure study.

BACKGROUND: Hair dye is a concoction of various ingredients that can result in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) which is a common problem encountered by dermatologists. OBJECTIVES: To find out the presence of potent contact sensitizers in commercially available hair dyes in Puducherry, a union territory in South India, and to compare the findings with similar studies conducted in different countries. METHODS: Ingredients labels of 159 hair dye products from 30 brands that were manufactured and marketed in India screened for the presence of contact sensitizers. RESULTS: A total of 25 potent contact sensitizers were found in 159 hair dye products. p-Phenylenediamine and resorcinol were the most frequent contact sensitizer found in the study. The mean contact sensitizer concentration in a single hair dye product is 3.72 ± 1.81. The number of potent contact sensitizers in individual hair dye products ranged from 1 to 10. CONCLUSION: We observed that most of the consumer-available hair dyes contain multiple contact sensitizers. Also, an inadequacy in mentioning the p-Phenylenediamine content, and appropriate warning contents regarding hair dye use were not mentioned in the cartons.

Miliaria crystallina.

Miliaria crystallina (MC) is an uncommon form of a sweat retention syndrome that chiefly affects neonates. It is more common in hot and humid conditions, such as in tropical regions. It commonly presents as clusters of dewdrop-like vesicles on a nonerythematous base that heals with furfuraceous scaling. A clinical diagnosis is often sufficient. The differential diagnosis is wide and varying. One of the hallmarks of MC is its self-limiting nature. The purpose of this review is to increase awareness of this condition among physicians and dermatologists.

Dermatosis Neglecta: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Southern India.

Background: Dermatosis neglecta (DN) is an acquired skin condition that occurs due to unconscious neglect of self-cleaning in individuals with some underlying risk factor. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to summarize the demographic, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of patients with DN in a tertiary care center. Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 28 patients with DN who were diagnosed and treated in our center between August 2020 and July 2022. The retrospective data related to demographic details, duration of lesions, morphology, distribution of lesions, associated symptoms, history of cleanliness, a risk factor for the development of the condition, treatment provided, and the details of follow-up were taken into account and analyzed. Results: Of the 28 patients, there were 19 males and nine females. The most common site in our study was the anterior trunk (n = 7) followed by the posterior trunk (n = 6). The most common site to develop DN was a recent surgical site. Soap and water cleansing resulted in the removal of lesions in the majority of the patients. Recurrence was observed in two patients. Conclusion: Our study indicates that the frequency of this condition is often underestimated and under-reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case series of DN in the medical literature.

Acquired Fibrokeratoma: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Centre in South India.

Background: Acquired fibrokeratoma (AFK) is an uncommon, sporadic, benign, acquired, slow-growing dermo-epidermal tumour. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to summarize the demographic, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with AFK in a tertiary care centre in South India. Methods: We evaluated the records of 26 patients with AFK who were diagnosed and treated in our centre between January 2017 and December 2021. The retrospective data related to age, sex, occupation, consistency, duration of lesions, history of trauma, anatomical site, morphological appearance, histopathological type, treatment provided and recurrence were taken into account and analysed. Results: Of the 26 patients, there were 21 males and 5 females. Fingers (n = 23) were the most common site involved, followed by toes (n = 2) and palm (n = 1). A total of 18 patients had finger-like projected lesions and eight patients had dome-shaped lesions. In histopathology, Type I AFK type was observed in 16 cases and Type II in 10 cases. Conclusion: We believe that our study would contribute by providing the clinical, histopathology and treatment outcomes of this uncommon dermo-epidermal tumour. The frequency of this condition is often underestimated as it is misdiagnosed for many other dermatological conditions.

Chocolate and Skin: The Impact of an Insatiable Indulgence.

Chocolate is the most sought-after delicacy worldwide. Cocoa has been incorporated in various forms, into both foods and cosmetics. Cocoa has not only been used as gourmet food but has also served as medicine for ages. Chocolates are always in vogue and remain a testament to the cocoa bean, but the benefits attained from commercial chocolates remain a fallacy. On a positive note, chocolate has its health benefits but its effects on the skin need a better understanding. Hence this article focuses on the dermatological effects of cocoa, and its use as a dermatological therapeutic agent.

Papulonecrotic tuberculid.

Papulonecrotic tuberculid (PNT) is an uncommon form of id eruption, which occurs in association with tuberculosis infections in patients with a high degree of immunity and allergic sensitivity to mycobacterial organisms. It commonly presents as recurrent crops of papulonecrotic lesions that crust or ulcerate, and heal with atrophic varioliform scars over time. The differential diagnoses of PTN are wide and varying. Tuberculin test is usually strongly positive. Histology shows tuberculoid histology with endarteritis and thrombosis of dermal blood vessels. One of the hallmarks of PNT is its prompt response to antituberculous therapy. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of this condition among dermatologists.

Dermatosis neglecta.

Dermatosis neglecta (DN) is a frequently underdiagnosed and under-reported dermatological entity, which occurs due to unconscious neglect of self-cleaning in individuals with some underlying physical or mental pathology. The lack of cleaning leads to accumulation of scales, dirt, sweat and sebum compacted together in the skin. Owing to its asymptomatic nature, diverse background and deceptive clinical presentation, DN is often missed or misdiagnosed by physicians. Awareness and recognition of this condition is essential to avoid unnecessary diagnostic and treatment procedures. The focus of this review article is to provide insights into this condition. We also intend to develop an algorithm for practical approach to a clinical diagnosis of dirt-like dermatoses with reasonable accuracy. A few interesting cases of DN encountered in our institution are included in this article.