Stability in vitiligo: Is there a perfect way to predict it?

Stability is a hard-to-define concept in the setting of vitiligo, but is nonetheless extremely crucial to the planning of treatment regimens and also in prognosticating for the patient. There are several ways to judge stability in vitiligo, which include clinical features and, recently, many biochemical, cytological and ultrastructural correlates of the same. These recent advances help in not only in prognosticating individual patients but also in elucidating some of the mechanisms for the pathogenesis of vitiligo, including melanocytorrhagy and oxidative damage to melanocytes

Dermafrac ™

Periorbital melanosis (under eye dark circles) is an often idiopathic cosmetically disturbing condition that is poorly responsive to currently available treatment modalities. We present the case of a 48-year-old man (skin phototype V) with significant idiopathic periorbital melanosis and who had good to excellent reduction in periorbital melanosis with the new DermaFrac TM , which combines microneedling with simultaneous infusion of a serum containing active ingredients. The possible mechanisms of benefit are discussed. DermaFrac TM may be an innovative and effective new treatment option for patients with periorbital melanosis

An open label prospective randomized trial to compare the efficacy of coal tar-salicylic acid ointment versus calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the treatment of limited chronic plaque psoriasis

Background: Chronic plaque psoriasis is a common papulosquamous skin disorder, for which a number of topical agents are being used including coal tar, topical steroids and more recently topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate. There is no study comparing purified coal tar preparation with calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment in limited chronic plaque psoriasis. Aims and Objectives: A prospective randomized open label controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of topical application of coal tar-salicylic acid ointment with calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment applied once at night for 12 weeks for the treatment of limited chronic plaque psoriasis. Materials and Methods: A total of 62 patients of limited chronic plaque psoriasis (body surface area <10%) were randomized into two treatment groups: Group A received topical application of 6% coal tar with 3% salicylic acid ointment and Group B received calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate, once at night for 12 weeks. Results were assessed based on psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scores and patient global assessment (PGA) at each visit. Results: Mean PASI was significantly lower at week 2 (P = 0.01) and week 4 follow-up (P = 0.05) and the mean reduction in PASI was significantly higher at week 2 (P = 0.02) with calcipotriol/betamethasone than coal tar-salicylic acid, but this difference was not sustained at subsequent follow-up visits. Similarly, PGA scores at weeks 2 and 4 were significantly lower with calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment (P = 0.003 and P = 0.007 respectively). There was no significant difference in any parameter during subsequent follow-up visits or at the end of the treatment phase (12 weeks). Conclusion: Topical nightly application of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment leads to an initial, more rapid reduction in disease severity, but the overall outcome parameters are comparable in the two treatment groups

Newer topical treatments in skin and nail dermatophyte infections

Dermatophytes are amongst the most common causative agents of fungal infections worldwide and widespread in the developing countries. Various studies have found the significantly rising trend of this infection in India especially in last 4-5 years. The growing epidemic of recurrent/chronic dermatophytosis has led to the need for newer antifungal agents and/or preparations. Furthermore, resistance to commonly used topical and oral antifungals has increased alarmingly. Significantly increasing resistance has led to state of anxiety in physicians and significant distress to the patients socially, emotionally, and financially. Newer formulations or newer derivatives of existing drug classes and few newer drug classes are being developed to tackle this menace. Other forms of local therapies including lasers and photodynamic therapy are still in developmental phase and still need to be optimized in terms of dosing schedule, frequency of use and duration of therapy. Moreover, cost of these therapies remained most important obstacle in developing countries like India. We are hereby reviewing the newer formulations of topical therapies and drugs/interventions in experimental phase

Hyperpigmentation in photo exposed patches of vitiligo following tacrolimus therapy

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder, clinically characterized by depigmented macules caused by destruction of melanocytes in the affected skin. Half of all patients develop the disease in childhood and adolescence before the age of 20 years, making vitiligo an important skin disease of childhood. There are numerous studies in the literature that suggest the efficacy of topical tacrolimus in vitiligo, without serious adverse effects. We describe a case of vitiligo in a pediatric patient who developed hyperpigmentation in the periorbital lesions of vitiligo with the use of topical tacrolimus. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second such reported occurrence in a patient with vitiligo