Trichotemnomania (TT) refers to cutting or shaving of one’s own hair as a compulsive act. This condition is reported rarely and may be indicative of an underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder. TT may be misdiagnosed with trichotillomania or other disorders such as alopecia areata, tinea capitis, and postinflammatory scars. The diagnosis of trichotemnomania is confirmed by dermoscopic assessment, histopathological changes of hair, and correlation of these findings with clinical history. A fourteen-year-old adolescent girl presented with focal hair loss over forehead for duration of two-weeks and periodic abnormal breathing and poor sleep for 2-month duration. Besides, she had also lost some of pubic hair and hair on the forearm over preceding 24 hours. This patient was assessed by a team including a paediatrician, gynecologist, dermatologist, and psychiatrist to gather focused medical history and to perform physical examination, laboratory investigations, and dermoscopic assessment. It was revealed that she used to shave or cut regularly following stressful situations across various aspects of her life and hyperventilate as a means of relieving her stress. Eventually, she was diagnosed to have trichotemnomania and was started oral sertraline 50 mg/day for one month. Clinical features and her behaviour improved with regular cognitive behavioural therapy, and hairs were demonstrated to grow up normally with change in behaviour. Currently, she does well at school and is off medications and being followed up at the child guidance clinic. Trichotemnomania is a very rare disorder which is characterised by cutting or shaving of one’s own hairs as a compulsive habit. The condition needs careful and detailed assessment by a team of specialists to identify coexisting psychiatric disorders and offer treatment.

A changing clinical scenario of dermatophytosis has been observed in Sri Lanka during the past few years. In keeping with the trend described in India, an increase in the number of chronic, relapsing, and recalcitrant infections has been noted. The objective of our study was to assess the therapeutic response of dermatophytosis to standard antifungal treatment in Sri Lanka and to identify possible contributory factors in cases showing inadequate therapeutic response. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out in nine hospitals, representing each province. Over 6 months, patients with dermatophytosis on glabrous skin were included. All subjects underwent skin scrapings for mycological studies and were treated with a standard course of antifungals for a specific period. In those patients who achieved complete clearance, recurrences were noted. The study included 796 patients, of whom 191 (24%) had symptoms for more than 3 months at presentation. A total of 519 patients (65.2%) had multiple-site involvement, and 503 (63.2%) had evidence of prior use of topical steroids. Skin scrapings were positive for fungal elements in the direct smears of 659 patients (82.8%), and the predominant dermatophyte isolated was Trichophyton mentagrophytes (65.6%). Partial responders after 10 weeks of treatment and recurrences after complete clearance were significantly greater in the group that used topical steroids before presentation (P < 0.001). This study highlights the magnitude of the threat of an inadequate therapeutic response in dermatophytosis, identifies steroid misuse, and highlights the shift of the predominant fungal species to T. mentagrophytes as possible causative factors in Sri Lanka.

Background Aplasia cutis congenita is regarded as congenital focal absence of skin in the newborn, and occurrence of more than three similar skin defects is rare. The etiology is thought to be multifactorial, and precise etiopathogenesis is unknown. Case presentation A 13-day-old newborn Sri Lankan Tamil girl was referred to the dermatologic clinic with multiple skin defects at birth. There were six lesions on the body, and two of them had healed during intrauterine period, leaving scars. This was a second twin of her pregnancy. Her first twin fetus had demised before 19 weeks of pregnancy and was confirmed to be fetus papyraceous based on ultrasound-guided fetal assessment. The said child was thoroughly investigated and found to have no other congenital abnormalities. Chromosomal studies yielded normal findings. She was treated with tropical antibacterial ointment, and all lesions resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks, leaving scars. Physiotherapy was commenced to prevent contracture formation, and follow-up was arranged in collaboration with the plastic surgical team. Conclusions Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare condition of uncertain etiology, but consanguinity may play a role. This report described a newborn with type V cutis aplasia congenita in whom the diagnosis was confirmed based on clinical features and revision of antenatal history. The management depends on the pattern, extent, location, severity, underlying causes, and associated anomalies.