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.

Context:Eczema of hand or foot though not life-threatening, not only impacts daily activities and work productivity adversely, but also impairs interpersonal relationships.Materials and Methods:Cross-sectional study of 100 outpatients of hand and foot eczema at a tertiary care teaching institute. Epidemiological data was collated and quality of life (QoL) evaluated by dermatology life quality index (DLQI) score.Results:Forty seven had hand eczema, 45; foot eczema and 8; both. Peak incidence of hand eczema (38.2%) was in fourth decade and foot eczema (33.3%), fifth decade. Hand eczema was more frequent in females (32; 68%) and foot eczema in males (32; 71.1%). Hand eczema was more common among housewives (14; 29.7%) and foot eczema among manual labourers (26; 57.7%). A persistent course was seen in foot (44; 83%) whereas recurrent course in hand eczema (21; 38.1%). Aggravation on contact with irritants/allergens was associated more with hand (32; 58.1%) than with foot eczema (18; 33.9%). Association with atopy was not significant. Substance abuse was associated more with foot eczema (25; 47.1%). Impairment in QoL was significantly higher in hand eczema (mean DLQI, 16.33) as compared to foot eczema (12.83).Conclusion:Hand eczema prevalent among females showed a high rate of recurrence whereas foot eczema in males, has a persistent course. Atopy is not significantly associated. The impairment in QoL is much greater in hand eczema as compared to foot eczema. The studies on comparative analysis of hand vis-à-vis foot eczema do not appear to exist in literature whereas studies of QoL impairment on hand eczema are abound.