Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by nonscarring hair loss involving any hair-bearing surface of the body. The current therapy for AA is not curative but rather aimed at controlling or limiting the pathogenic process. Corticosteroids are the most popular drugs used, however localized atrophy is a common complication, particularly with triamcinolone. Promoting hair growth by application of autologous blood extracted platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a simple, yet effective procedure. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (5 mg/ml) with intralesional PRP in the treatment of two different scalp AA patches of same individual. Methods: A total of 30 patients having ≥2 patches of AA were randomized and given two separate modalities of treatment in two different patches and divided in Group I, treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (5 mg/ml) and Group II, treated with PRP. Interval time between every follow-up was 3 weeks and four such follow-ups were done. Hair regrowth was calculated according to Mac Donald Hull and Norris grading system at every follow-up and was compared with the initial grading. Results: Group I patches, treated with triamcinolone acetonide have the significantly higher mean grading score than the group II patches, treated with PRP at each follow up. Conclusions: Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is more efficacious than intralesional PRP in the treatment of scalp alopecia areata with no recurrences and very few adverse effects like atrophy and hypopigmentation.

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Quality of life in patients with premature graying of hair is an under studied topic in Indian population. Its onset in adolescence may have a significant effect on the developing psyche of an individual sufferer impairing academic and work related performance and can be associated with low self esteem, low confidence which can further be associated with depression. Aim was<strong> </strong>to objectively evaluate the impact of premature canities on QoL and early identification of patients in need of medical and psychological intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The impact on QoL was calculated with the help of a modified and prevalidated questionnaire based on the dermatology life quality index proposed by Finley and Kahn. One hundred patients with onset of canities before the age of 25 years were enrolled, after approval by the institutional ethical committee.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean modified DLQI score recorded was 14.3±6.76. Total of 71% patients were found to have a very large to extremely large effect on the QoL. Guilt, mood fluctuation and need for medical intervention were reported frequently. The comparison between DLQI scores of boys and girls was not significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Patients of premature canities were found to have profound impact on their QoL, attributable to their perception of the disease. Considering the age group affected, it could have a long‑term detrimental effect on their psychological and social wellbeing.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Background: Discoid eczema, defined by well-demarcated round or oval plaques, is a form of endogenous eczema in which the role of contact allergens is not clearly established. Objectives: This study aims to assess the role of contact allergens in discoid eczema by patch testing, determine clinical relevance and correlate patch test reactivity with the severity of disease and atopy. Materials and Methods: Sample characteristics including occupation, atopic diathesis and clinical details were recorded. Disease severity was assessed by the Eczema and Area Severity Index (EASI) and patch testing carried out with the Indian Standard Battery. Relevance of patch tests was determined by a history of exposure and patch testing with patients' own materials. Results: Fifty-one patients having a median age of 38 years were enrolled out of which 31 (60.8%) were male. Patch tests were reactive in 25 (49%) patients, common sensitizers being fragrance mix in 9 (31.0%), potassium dichromate in 4 (13.8%), paraphenylenediamine in 4 (13.8%), and nickel in 3 (10.3%) cases. Clinical relevance was established in 11 (37.9%) cases. In patch test reactive patients the mean EASI score was 3.4 as compared with 4.5 in nonreactors. Patch tests were positive in 3 (25%) atopic as compared with 22 (56.4%) nonatopic patients. Conclusion: Contact sensitization to common allergens may not contribute to disease severity in discoid eczema. Patch test reactivity is low in atopic as compared with nonatopic patients with discoid eczema.