Does Order of Application of Emollient and Topical Corticosteroids Make a Difference in the Severity of Atopic Eczema in Children?

BACKGROUND: Atopic eczema (AE) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder in children, with emollients and topical corticosteroids (TCSs) commonly prescribed as treatment. There is no published guidance on the correct order of application of emollient and TCS in children with AE. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the order of application of emollient and TCS makes a difference in the severity of AE in children. METHODS: Forty-six patients ages 4 months to 5 years with moderate to severe AE were randomized to two groups: group A applied emollient followed by TCS 15 minutes later twice daily, and group B applied TCS followed by emollient 15 minutes later twice daily for 2 weeks. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, percentage of body surface area (BSA) affected, or itch score between groups A and B (p > 0.05). Group A had statistically significant improvement in the EASI score, percentage BSA affected, and itch score from baseline to weeks 1 and 2; group B demonstrated statistically significant improvement only in the EASI score from baseline to week 1 and in itch score from baseline to week 2. There was no difference in adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the order of application of emollient and TCS does not matter in the treatment of AE in children and that parents can apply topical medications in whichever order they prefer.

Multiple clustered dermatofibroma presenting in a segmental distribution.

Multiple dermatofibromas is a rare entity consisting of more than fifteen lesions. Multiple clustered dermatofibroma is a distinct variant of multiple dermatofibromas and is defined as a well-demarcated plaque composed of individual dermatofibromas. We report a 16-year-old boy with multiple clustered dermatofibroma in a segmental distribution, which has previously not been reported in the literature.

Acquired idiopathic lipoatrophic panniculitis in a 12-month-old infant.

Lipoatrophic panniculitis is a rare condition affecting mainly children, often associated with connective tissue disease. We report a healthy 12-month-old girl with no clinical or laboratory features of connective tissue disease who presented with the progressive appearance of annular atrophic plaques beginning at the left arm. A histopathological analysis revealed lobular panniculitis, with fat necrosis and an associated inflammatory infiltrate supporting the diagnosis of lipoatrophic panniculitis. Lipoatrophic panniculitis should be considered in infants and young children with clinical features of panniculitis and fat atrophy even without clinical or serologic evidence of connective tissue disease.

Segmental juvenile xanthogranuloma.

A 5-month-old boy had erythematous nodules over the left side of his trunk with a segmental arrangement since birth. Histopathologic examination revealed sheets of foamy histiocytes infiltrating the dermis and subcutaneous fat, admixed with multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes, making this an unusual case of juvenile xanthogranuloma appearing in a segmental distribution.

Solitary Ulcerated Congenital Giant Juvenile Xanthogranuloma.

A 3-month-old female patient with a giant ulcerated nodule over the back since birth was diagnosed as congenital giant juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) based on clinical and histopathological examination. Congenital giant JXG with ulceration at birth is a rare presentation of JXG and commonly misdiagnosed. This case emphasizes the importance of being aware of the myriad presentations of JXG in order to make a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary investigations or treatment.

A Case of Cutaneous and Paravertebral Infantile Haemangioma

Cutaneous haemangiomas over the spine should be studied with ultrasound then MRI with gadolinium (if abnormalities are present on ultrasound) as they can be associated with intraspinal extension and dysraphic lesions6. Paravertebral extension of haemangioma and mediastinal haemangioma are rare but associated with risk of neurological complications. Our case highlights this potential complication and acts as reminder to physicians that imaging is essential in certain cases of infantile haemangioma.