Prevalence and Patterns of Latex Glove Allergy among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center In South India - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Latex glove allergy and its impact on healthcare workers (HCWs) have been studied in many countries, but the data is scarce from developing countries. Objectives: We wanted to estimate the prevalence and patterns of latex glove allergy among HCWs and to study the factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1088 HCWs of a tertiary care center in South India with the screening questionnaire adopted from "Allergy and Asthma network." Skin prick test, patch test, and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) were performed only in consenting symptomatic HCWs. Results: The prevalence of latex glove allergy in our study subjects was 9.1% (99/1088). This includes latex protein allergy and contact dermatitis to rubber glove allergens. The most common manifestation of latex glove allergy was irritant contact dermatitis observed in 68 HCWs (68.6%). Other presentations were allergic rhinitis (40.4%), allergic contact dermatitis (17.1%), contact urticaria (11.1%), allergic conjunctivitis (6.06%), and asthma (3.03%). The risk factors associated with latex glove allergy in our study were atopy (OR = 20.51), working in both ward and operation theater (OR = 26.6), auxiliary staff (OR = 4.75), and more than ten years of hospital work experience (OR = 3.85). Conclusion: Our study reported a high prevalence of latex glove allergy. With irritant contact dermatitis being the most common manifestation in our study, HCWs at risk shall be educated on the appropriate use of gloves and hand moisturizer to prevent occupational irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). We recommend further research to address the gaps in our knowledge around latex allergy in a healthcare setting.

Trichoscopic Diagnosis and Management of a Case of Scalp Dysesthesia with Lichen Simplex Chronicus.

Scalp dysesthesia (SD), a variant of cutaneous dysesthesia syndrome is an underrecognized cause of scalp pruritus. It usually presents with itch, pain, burning, or stinging sensation over localized or diffuse area of the scalp without any objective findings. Trichoscopy, a rapid and in-office procedure, could aid in the early clinical diagnosis of this condition and initiate management. We report a case of SD in an elderly male diagnosed with the aid of trichoscope, evaluated and treated successfully.

Disseminated histoplasmosis as a presenting manifestation in an HIV patient - A case report from South India.

Histoplasmosis has heterogenous clinical presentation ranging from mild and self-limiting respiratory disease to disseminated forms with high mortality. In progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH), patient presents with fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, adrenal enlargement, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and non-specific mucocutaneous lesions, usually in late stage of HIV. Cutaneous involvement is upto 25% in PDH which are papules, plaques, nodules and ulcers. Forty-two year old male, recently diagnosed as HIV positive presented with complaints of multiple painful ulcerated lesions over face, neck, tongue, arms, trunk & genitalia. Skin Biopsy was suggestive of histoplasmosis. Patient showed excellent response with amphotericin B and itraconazole. Since histoplasmosis is relatively uncommon, there should be a high-index of suspicion when an HIV patient presents with disseminated skin lesions.