Hydrocortisone 1% cream and sertaconazole 2% cream to treat facial seborrheic dermatitis: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic dermatitis with periods of remission and relapse that requires long-term treatment. OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy and safety of treatment with sertaconazole with standard corticosteroid medications in adults with facial SD. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with a diagnosis of SD were enrolled. Patients were instructed to apply either sertaconazole 2% cream (30 patients) or hydrocortisone 1% cream (30 patients) twice daily to the affected area of the face. The severity of facial SD was assessed at 0, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. Secondary efficacy measures included patient assessment of seborrhea, adverse events, and improvement percentage (IP). RESULTS: SD lesions cleared significantly (p < .05) and similarly in both treatment groups (p > .05). Both treatments resulted in significant improvement of SD lesions and the rate of adverse events was similar in both groups. The IP was higher for treatment with hydrocortisone in Week 2 and similar in both groups at the end of the study. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the small number of patients who were recruited for this study and the lack of evaluation of time to relapse. CONCLUSION: Treatment with topical sertaconazole may be regarded as a substitute for topical corticosteroid medications due to the fewer adverse events and similar efficacy.

Isolated linear blaschkoid psoriasis.

Linear psoriasis (LPs) is considered a rare clinical presentation of psoriasis, which is characterized by linear erythematous and scaly lesions along the lines of Blaschko. We report the case of a 20-year-old man who presented with asymptomatic linear and S-shaped erythematous, scaly plaques on right side of his trunk. The plaques were arranged along the lines of Blaschko with a sharp demarcation at the midline. Histological examination of a skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of psoriasis. Topical calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate ointments were prescribed for 2 months. A good clinical improvement was achieved, with reduction in lesion thickness and scaling. In patients with linear erythematous and scaly plaques along the lines of Blaschko, the diagnosis of LPs should be kept in mind, especially in patients with asymptomatic lesions of late onset.

Evaluation of Hepatitis B Vaccination among Lichen Planus Patients.

Lichen planus (LP) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. Many reports in the literature have described hepatitis B vaccine as a predisposing factor for LP. This study was performed to determine the rate of previous vaccination against hepatitis B in LP patients. This was a cross sectional study on LP patients. Diagnosis of LP was confirmed by histological examination. Data were gathered by dermatology residents based on a checklist designed to guide their interview. Blood samples were tested for HBsAB titer, HBsAg, HCV Ab and liver function tests. One hundred & twenty four (124) patients entered the study. Females were 2.72 times more affected. The mean age of patients was 45.63 years (age range; 18-88). Forty-four (35.5%) patients had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Lichen planus during the first six months of vaccination occurred in only one patient. Our findings bring into question the causative role of HBV vaccine in LP incidence in our population.

Pemphigus vulgaris-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: response to paclitaxel and review of the literature.

Systemic corticosteroids have long been the mainstay of treatment for pemphigus patients. However, the necessity of their high-dose and long-term administration has brought about a number of complications, sometimes causing significant morbidities. Maintaining a balance between therapeutic and undesirable effects of medications is not always easily achievable. Therefore, additional treatment modalities are frequently needed to control side-effects. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication in this setting. Due to the rarity of data on pemphigus-associated KS treatment, the best therapeutic approach is still undecided. Here, we report two cases of pemphigus patients who had developed extensive KS as a result of severe immunosuppressive therapy and were successfully treated with paclitaxel. In addition, we performed a review of literature to assess the results of the previously employed treatment modalities in this setting.