Current understanding of frictional dermatoses: A review.

Human skin is continually exposed to internal and external forces, dynamic as well as static. The skin is normally flexible and can resist mechanical trauma due to friction, pressure, vibration, suction and laceration to a considerable degree. However, an excess of these forces can abnormally affect the structure and function of the skin, setting the stage for the development of a skin disorder. Repetitive trauma can cause lichenification, hyperpigmentation, erythema, scaling, fissuring, blisters, ulceration and chronic alterations. Frictional dermatoses is an under-recognised entity with no clear-cut definition and encompasses a variety of terms such as frictional dermatitis, frictional melanosis, frictional pigmentary dermatoses and certain other named entities, many of which are confusing. The authors propose to define frictional dermatoses as 'a group of disorders caused by repetitive trauma to the skin as a result of friction of varied aetiology which can have a wide range of cutaneous manifestations depending on the type of insult.' The exact prevalence of frictional dermatoses as a separate entity is unknown. Authors who conducted this review include a group of dermatologists and post graduate students from various institutions. Literature was reviewed through PubMed, Medscape, Medline, ResearchGate and Google Scholar using the terms 'frictional dermatitis,' 'friction and skin,' 'dermatoses and culture,' 'clothing dermatitis,' 'friction melanosis,' 'PPE induced dermatoses in COVID-19 era,' etc. A total of 122 articles were reviewed and 100 articles among them were shortlisted and included in the study, after removing duplications. The review was followed up with further deliberation which resulted in the formulation of a new definition and classification of frictional dermatoses taking into account the morphology, histopathological characteristics, anatomical region affected and the major predisposing factors. The rising incidence of mechanical dermatoses in the COVID-19 era was also emphasised.

Case Report: Chemoradiation with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Unveiling Leprosy Type 1 Downgrading Reaction.

Type 1 lepra reaction (T1R) is a major complication seen in nonpolar forms of leprosy and leads to significant morbidity. The classification of T1R as up and downgrading, based on previously defined histopathological criteria (by Ridley), has therapeutic and prognostic implications. The trigger factors for these reactions are poorly described, especially in case of downgrading T1R and we describe a case of leprosy reaction that was possibly triggered by chemoradiation and elucidate the possible mechanism.

A case of recurrent steroid-dependent severe type 2 lepra reaction treated successfully with colchicine.

Type 2 lepra reaction (or erythema nodosum leprosum [ENL]) is an immune complex-mediated reaction which has been reported to occur for up to 8 years after successful completion of multibacillary multidrug therapy. The management of ENL is a challenge with the patient often becoming steroid dependent; predisposing to recurrent episodes in 39%-77% of cases on attempted steroid withdrawal. Here, we present a case of recalcitrant recurrent type 2 reaction which responded promptly to treatment with colchicine.

Case Report: Rapid Response to Low-Dose Thalidomide in a Case of Severe Steroid Recalcitrant Erythema Nodosum Leprosum.

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), or type 2 lepra reaction, presents with crops of evanescent, tender erythematous nodules accompanied by fever, arthralgia, malaise and organ-specific manifestations and is seen in borderline and lepromatous leprosy. The drugs approved for ENL include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic steroids, thalidomide and clofazimine. The management of ENL is challenging because long-term steroid use leads to steroid dependence. The present patient had severe steroid recalcitrant ENL with vesicular and pustular lesions mimicking Sweet's syndrome and was treated effectively with a low-dose thalidomide regimen (100 mg/d) as opposed to high dose (400 mg/d) recommended in literature. We discuss the patho-mechanics and clinical utility of a low-dose thalidomide regimen as an effective treatment option for ENL.