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<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Contact dermatitis (CD) is an altered state of reactivity; occur due to direct contact with noxious agents in our environment. Face is a very common site for CD.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Prospective hospital based study was conducted at A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore from June 2018 to November 2018. Fifty cases aged above 18 years with suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) over face who gave written informed consent were enrolled. A complete history was taken and detailed clinical examination was done. Patch testing was done over the back in all patients which was removed after 48 hours and positive result was recorded based on the recommendation of the international Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG).<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The most common clinical pattern observed was pigmented contact dermatitis(PCD) (70%), followed by irritation (6%), acneiform eruptions (5%) and contact urticaria (2%). Out of 50 patients, 20 patients developed CD to fragrances and perfumes. 14 patients developed to soaps and shampoos. On patch testing, most common allergen in fragrances/perfumes was fragrance mix (52.9%). In soaps and shampoos it was triclosan (68.4%), parabens (31.5%). Sesquiterpene lactone in parthenium plant (4%), Paraphenylenediamine in hair dye (8%). In face creams were gallate mix and cetrimide among metals, nickel and chromium (6%). In case of kumkum it was paraphenylenediamine (4%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Amongst the various patterns of contact dermatitis, PCD to cosmetics, fragrances and daily care products was most common pattern observed and the main allergens were triclosan, fragrance mix and balsum of Peru.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory systemic disease. Methotrexate acts by inhibiting dihydrofolic reductase enzyme. Apremilast is an oral PDE4 inhibitor approved by US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of psoriasis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This is hospital based comparative study conducted from February 2018 to August 2018. Seventy patients above 18 years of age with chronic plaque psoriasis were divided into 35 patients in each group and were treated with oral Apremilast (30 mg twice daily) and oral methotrexate (15 mg per week in three divided doses with a 12-hour interval between doses and tab folic acid on methotrexate free days) and were evaluated every 4 weeks for a period of 16 weeks and followed-up at 24th week. Outcome was assessed on basis of psoriasis area-and-severity index score (PASI), psoriasis disability index (PDI) and clinical photographs.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> % of improvement in Group-A patients (76.8%) after 16 weeks of treatment was relatively more (p&lt;0.05) as compared to group B (71.5%). At the end of 16 weeks PASI score in methotrexate group was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) as compared to group B, PDI became 17.90±3.87 in group A and was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) as compared to group B which was 20.34±2.98. Side effects observed were comparatively less in group A patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> On comparing the two drugs, methotrexate was comparatively better tolerated and had better efficacy and safety. More studies are required to further prove the efficacy of Apremilast in treatment of psoriasis.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units which has great psychological impact and causes depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> It was a hospital-based, cross-sectional, prestructured, questionnaire-based study done in 120 individuals in the age group 12-30 years using two specific HRQoL indices-Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) and Acne-specific Quality of Life (Acne-QOL) to understand the impact of acne on the quality of life.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Male to female ratio was 2:3. The mean age was 19.23±1.7. The mean CADI score was 5.3. Majority of the patients had grade 2 acne. Based on the CADI questionnaire, the number of males (61.7%) and females (60.2%) was maximum in the medium score. Grade 1 acne had maximum number of patients showing low score followed by grade 2 acne. Based on the acne-QoL questionnaire, maximum patients were in the 11-20 score range, followed by the 21-30 score range.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Acne is not only a cosmetic problem, but also has significant psychological impact. Hence, impact of acne on QoL must be considered in the management of facial acne.</p>