A prospective clinical and trichoscopic study of tinea capitis in children during treatment.

Tinea capitis (TC) is the most common dermatophyte infection in children. Fungal culture; although a gold standard of diagnosis, requires time for the final results which can favor horizontal transmission. Trichoscopy helps in rapid diagnosis and could work as a monitoring tool during antifungal therapy. The objective of this study is to provide a clinico-trichoscopic evaluation and follow-up of children presenting with TC during treatment with either griseofulvin or terbinafine. One hundred and twenty children clinically diagnosed with TC confirmed by potassium hydroxide microscopy, were divided into two groups and given either oral ultramicrosize griseofulvin (60, Group A) or terbinafine (60, Group B). Following initiation of the antifungal therapy, trichoscopic features within Groups A and B were noted at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. However, variation in the baseline trichoscopic features between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.855). A significant reduction of corkscrew and broken hairs as well as perifollicular scales, scalp erythema, and crust was significantly observed from 2 weeks onward irrespective of the antifungal drug prescribed. Despite the paucity of data evaluating trichoscopic features in patients with TC, this tool can serve as a rapid diagnostic and monitoring tool during antifungal treatment. Trichoscopic signs of TC resolution occur before clinical improvement and can guide for treatment adjustment during the course of therapy.

Comparative study between efficacy of Excimer light with topical Tacrolimus 0.1% versus excimer light with topical Bimatoprost 0.01% in treatment of facial Vitiligo.

Loss and absence of melanocytes due to a number of factors is responsible for vitiligo; known to be the commonest disorder of pigmentation. The aim of the current work was to compare the efficacy and safety of excimer light with topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1% versus excimer light with topical bimatoprost gel 0.01% in treatment of facial vitiligo. The study was carried out on 48 patients presented with facial vitiligo. The patients were divided randomly using sealed envelope method into two groups (24 patients each). Group 1 were treated with excimer light plus topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1% and group 2 treated with excimer light plus topical bimatoprost gel 0.01%. Clinical improvement based on the quartile grading scale at the end of treatment did not show any statistically significant difference between groups. The majority of subjects in both groups experienced good to excellent improvement. Only 20.9% of patients in group 1 and 33.3% of subjects in group 2 achieved less than 50% repigmentation (p = 0.889). Our study demonstrated that 0.01% topical bimatoprost gel in combination with excimer light is considered safe and effective as treatment of nonsegmental facial vitiligo with comparable results to 0.1% tacrolimus.

Intralesional injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) versus measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in treatment of molluscum contagiosum: a comparative study.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a skin and mucous membrane infection caused by the molluscum virus (MCV). To evaluate safety and efficacy of intralesional injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) antigen injection versus MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) antigen for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (MC). A total of thirty clinically confirmed patients of molluscum were recruited for this trial. Patients who were divided into three groups (A, B and C). Each group consisted of (30) patients. Group (A) subjects received intralesional MMR injections, group (B) subjects received intralesional PPD injection and group (C) received intralesional saline injection. The results of the present study revealed complete clearance of the injected lesions in 12 patients (80%), partial response in 3 patients (20%) of group (A). In group (B), complete clearance of the treated warts was observed in 11 patients (73.3%) and partial response in 4 (26.7%) of patients. In group (C), the majority of patients 8 (53.3%) demonstrated no response while 7 (46.7%) patients showed only partial clearance. We established a good safety and efficacy profile for tuberculin PPD and MMR antigens in treatment of molluscum contagiosum.

Urban-rural differences in the prevalence of female pattern hair loss among secondary school girls: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common condition that is influenced by many external and internal factors. We aimed to identify the prevalence of FPHL among secondary school girls and identify possible associated factors. METHODS: FPHL among 3405 adolescent females was identified using detailed history, physical examination, and dermoscopy in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Among the 3405 included students, 2430 (71.4%) had no FPHL and 975 (28.6%) were diagnosed with FPHL (p = 0.001). The mean age of girls with FPHL was 16.43 ± 1.10 and ranged between 15 and 18 years. Among those with FPHL, 427 (43.8%) attended urban schools while 548 (56.2%) attended rural schools. No significant differences regarding paternal and maternal education, family income, or parental degree of education were observed among those with FPHL and those without (p = 0.230; p = 0.063; p = 0.276, respectively). CONCLUSION: FPHL had an overall prevalence of 28.6% among secondary school girls with a significant predominance in rural over urban areas and with a significantly associated family history. Irregular menses, history of thyroid disease, and hirsutism were significant predictors for FPHL.