Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) might play a physiological role in photo-induced melanogenesis in human skin. We estimated the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] before, during, and after Narrow Band Ultraviolet B (NBUVB) radiation in patients of vitiligo and their correlation with NBUVB induced pigmentation. Thirty patients of vitiligo and equal number of age and sex matched controls were recruited for the study. Vitiligo patients were treated with NBUVB thrice weekly for 12 weeks. [25(OH)D] levels and Vitiligo Area and Severity Index (VASI) were calculated at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks. Baseline [25(OH)D] levels were measured in controls. Significant reduction in VASI score was observed after 12 weeks of therapy. Comparison and correlation between mean improvement in VASI and [25(OH)D] levels at 12 weeks showed moderate correlation, and the results were statistically insignificant. Mean reduction in VASI and increase in [25(OH)D] levels after 12 weeks of NBUVB showed moderate correlation. Thus, vitamin D might play a significant role in photo-induced melanogenesis. However, there might be additional effects of the phototherapy on melanogenesis. The complete mechanism of NBUVB induced pigmentation in vitiligo needs to be elucidated.

Trichoepithelioma is a rare benign adnexal tumor which may be of solitary nonfamilial type or multiple familial trichoepitheliomas. Here, we describe a rare presentation of nonfamilial case of trichoepithelioma in a 50-year-old female with multiple skin colored facial papules and nodules over the face, upper back, and extremities.

Lyme disease is a multiorgan animal-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. This case series highlights its presence in Haryana, a nonendemic zone. The first case was a 27-year-old housewife who presented with an annular erythematous patch with a central papule following an insect bite on the left upper arm. The second case was a 32-year-old farmer who gave a history of insect bite on the right arm followed by the development of an erythematous patch with a central blister. The third case, a 17-year-old boy presented with a history of tick bite over right thigh and a typical bull's eye lesion with central ulceration. These cases were managed with oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 14 days. The fourth case was a 7-year-old boy with typical erythema migrans on the right check and neck while the fifth case, a 30-year-old housewife, presented with an erythematous patch with a central papule on the right buttock. These patients were treated with oral amoxycillin 25 mg/kg, thrice daily for 14 days. All patients showed IgM antibodies to B. burgdorferi. Treatment led to clearance of lesions in all the patients. Lyme borreliosis was diagnosed in these patients based on the history of established exposure to tick bites, presence of classic signs and symptoms, serology and the response to treatment.

Objective:Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute self-limiting disease. Despite vigorous efforts by generations of researchers since nearly 150 years, present treatment modalities for PR are not very gratifying. Ultraviolet radiation has been recommended in PR, although only a few studies validate this proposal. This study was conducted to explore the therapeutic effect of NBUVB on the symptoms, course, and severity of PR.Materials and Methods:This study involved a hundred patients who were randomly divided into two groups, using computer-generated randomization chart. Group A underwent treatment with fixed dose NBUVB of 250 mJ/cm2 three times (nonconsecutive) a week for 4 weeks. Group B formed the placebo group who did not receive any treatment. The two groups were compared with each other for the intensity of pruritis, course and duration of disease, and PR severity score (PRSS).Results:The t values of improvement in PRSS score in Group A (t = 12.796) were higher as compared with that in Group B (t = 10.066). Similarly, the t value of the pruritus scale in Group A (t = 7.758) was higher than Group B (t = 5.754) indicating the symptomatic improvement in itching.Conclusion:Fixed-dose NBUVB phototherapy resulted in marked improvement in the severity and symptoms of the disease as quantitatively assessed by PRSS.