Acne Treatment: Does Roaccutane/ Accutane/ Isotretinoin cause mood swings/ depression?

Does accutane/ Isotretinoin cause mood swings/ depression? This is a question repeatedly asked by patients with severe acne who need to take this drug, Isotretinoin. There have been a number of isolated case reports on side effects of Isotretinoin, particularly making depression worse. However, in my personal experience  this is unlikely to happen unless individuals have severe depression with suicidal tendencies.  I was […]

Read More
Skin Diseases can be a sign of internal Cancer

There are a number of skin diseases than can often indicate to the Dermatologist, the presence of an internal cancer/ malignancy. These authors below, report quite a rare entity called Malignant Acanthosis Nigricans. Acanthosis Nigricans is a benign skin condition which occurs commonly is obese individuals, characterised by thick, brown/ black velvety skin change in […]

Read More
Bleach baths for Eczema/ Atopic dermatitis

There is a common perception that bleach baths prevent recurrent infections that are commonly responsible for eczema flares, especially in kids. How true is this? Do bleach baths help? Are they safe? This excellent review article below discusses these very issues and the pros and cons. The Gist: Bleach baths when administered correctly can be […]

Read More
Phototherapy for Urticaria

Urticaria, commonly unknown as hives, most often is an acute immune reaction to either foods/ drugs or infections. However, in some cases the disease can be chronic. Luckily, in most cases, the condition responds well to a combination of anti-histamines. However in some cases one has to resort to alternative therapies like phototherapy. There are […]

Read More
How to care for baby skin?

  How often should I bath my baby? Which is the best baby cream to use? Which is the best baby soap to use? How to care for Baby skin? These are common questions new mums and dads often have for which there is not a lot of scientifically based sound data out there. The […]

Read More
Dermabrasion may repigment vitiligo

Vitiligo is an extremely troublesome disease with very few successful treatment options. A number of authors have advocated dermabrasion followed by skin grafts via various techniques. However it is interesting to note that dermabrasion alone might be suffice to repigment vitiligo. This needs to be investigated further in a randomized control trial.  J Cosmet Dermatol. 2012 Dec;11(4):318-22. […]

Read More
Molluscum contagiosum can be present at birth

Interesting case report. Did not realize that one can have this viral infection even at birth. Wonder if it is transmitted from the mother. Pediatr Dermatol. 2012 Nov 12. doi: 10.1111/pde.12035. [Epub ahead of print] Linear Congenital Molluscum Contagiosum on the Coccygeal Region. Ujiie H, Aoyagi S, Hirata Y, Osawa R, Shimizu H. Source Department of Dermatology, […]

Read More
A possible cause for Scrotal Calcinosis

Scrotal calcinosis is a condition where small hard round cysts develop in the scrotal skin. These are harmless and believed to be due to calcification within blocked oil glands (sebaceous cysts). This small report provides some proof, to support this notion.   Am J Dermatopathol. 2012 Apr 4. [Epub ahead of print] Extensive Eosinophilic Infiltrates in […]

Read More
Treatment of head lice

Treatment of head lice in most cases is very simple. Using nit combs and over the counter head lice treatments like Lyclear are simple effective measures. The authors below report the use of an alternative lotion containing ivermectin, in the treatment of head lice. However, I am not sure that this is necessarily going to […]

Read More