Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Background: Hypopigmented macules are seen in a variety of disorders and the diagnosis rests on clinicopathological correlation. However, some cases are difficult to classify and pose a diagnostic challenge.

Aim: To describe the clinical and histopathological features of patients with hypopigmented macules and follicular spongiosis on histopathology. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Feb 1;80(2):390-401. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Department of Dermatology, Preventive Medicine and Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Northwestern Medicine Multidisciplinary Eczema Center, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address:

Background: Previous studies found conflicting results about the commonality of different atopic dermatitis (AD) signs and symptoms.

Objective: To determine the prevalences of AD characteristics and differences by region and age.

Methods: A systematic review was performed of all published studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, LILACS, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Taiwan Electronic Periodical Services, and CiNii that analyzed the proportion of AD characteristics. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2018 Sep - Oct;36(5):631-640. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Department of Dermatology, Mt Sinai West, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY. Electronic address:

Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disorder, characterized by an abnormal skin barrier, immune dysfunction, and an altered skin microbiome. Atopic dermatitis may be seen in conjunction with a variety of other skin disorders due to the complex pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, involving genetic and environmental factors that are associated with immune dysfunction, barrier defects, and altered skin microbiomes. Skin disorders associated with atopic dermatitis include diseases sharing similar genetic origins like ichthyosis vulgaris, infectious diseases such as impetigo, and eczema herpeticum, in addition to the cutaneous autoimmune diseases, alopecia areata, and vitiligo. Read More

Malays Fam Physician 2018 30;13(1):49-51. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

MRCP (UK), Adv. M Derm (UKM) Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor Malaysia. E-mail:

Am Fam Physician 2017 Dec;96(12):797-804

Norton Audobon Hospital, Louisville, KY, USA.

Pigmentation disorders are commonly diagnosed, evaluated, and treated in primary care practices. Typical hyperpigmentation disorders include postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, solar lentigines, ephelides (freckles), and café au lait macules. These conditions are generally benign but can be distressing to patients. Read More

Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2016 Jul-Sept.;14(55):249-253

Department of Pediatrics, Manipal College of Medical Science, Pokhara, Nepal.

Background A major earthquake occurred in Nepal on 25th April 2015 with magnitude of 7.8 causing mass panic amongst people. Objective To analyze scenario, experience and disease pattern of Post Earthquake camp at Gyampesal, Gorkha. Read More

Mult Scler 2018 Feb 28;24(2):231-233. Epub 2017 Jul 28.

Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

We report the case of a 42-year-old female patient who developed peculiar skin lesions due to subcutaneous polyethylene glycol (PEG) interferon beta-1a. The dermatological examination showed hypochromic macules that had coalesced into a 10-cm-diameter patch. On the abdomen injection sites, there was a greyish diffuse hyperpigmentation arranged irregularly in annular macules. Read More

Dermatol Clin 2017 Jul 4;35(3):351-363. Epub 2017 May 4.

Department of Pediatric Dermatology, National Institute of Pediatrics, Insurgentes Sur 3700-C, Insurgentes Cuicuilco, México City 04530, México.

Atopic dermatitis is the leading cause of pediatric dermatology visits in developed nations. Recurrent, itchy rashes in typical locations and a family/personal history of atopy helps to identify children with disease. Most cases (85%) are diagnosed by age 5 years. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2016 Nov - Dec;34(6):690-697. Epub 2016 Jul 12.

Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. Electronic address:

There are numerous skin conditions that occur commonly in children with ethnic skin, including vitiligo, progressive macular hypomelanosis, pityriasis alba, acne keloidalis nuchae, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and keloids. Though these conditions occur in both children and adults, children may have different patterns of clinical presentation and response to therapy. In caring for such patients, important treatment considerations include side effects of systemic medications and tolerability of invasive procedures. Read More

Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2016 Jun 17;33(3):176-81. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey.

Introduction: Skin lesions may be of dermatological importance, affect appearance, and cause problems communicating with peers and may be especially more significant in childhood.

Aim: Information on the prevalence of pediatric dermatoses in Western Turkey. This study was aimed to define the existing data. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2015 Nov-Dec;60(6):635

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Government Medical College, Surat, Gujarat, India.

Background: Dermatologic conditions have different presentation and management in pediatric age group from that in adult; this to be studied separately for statistical and population based analysis.

Objective: To study the pattern of various dermatoses in infants and children in tertiary health care center in South Gujarat region.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective study; various dermatoses were studied in pediatric patients up to 14 years of age attending the Dermatology OPD of New Civil Hospital, Surat, Gujarat over a period of 12 months from June 2009 to June 2010. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2015 Nov-Dec;32(6):786-91. Epub 2015 Oct 19.

Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a skin disorder that affects children and adolescents. Although it is common worldwide, its incidence is markedly higher in darker skin phototypes. Its characteristic features include an extended, multistage course and spontaneous remissions and recurrences. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2015 Nov;37(11):834-40

*Dermatopathology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Departments of †Pathology, and ‡Dermatology, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.

Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) is an uncommon variant of mycosis fungoides with an unknown exact frequency. We aimed to study the frequency of HMF in a cohort of Egyptian patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Cairo, Egypt, with hypopigmented lesions of the trunk. Hundred patients with hypopigmented lesions involving the trunk (with or without other sites involvement) were subjected to thorough clinical and histopathological examination. Read More

J Lasers Med Sci 2014 ;5(1):8-12

Department of Dermatology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.

308nm xenon-chloride excimer laser, a novel mode of phototherapy, is an ultraviolet B radiation system consisting of a noble gas and halide. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the literature and summarize all the experiments, clinical trials and case reports on 308-nm excimer laser in dermatological disorders. 308-nm excimer laser has currently a verified efficacy in treating skin conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, allergic rhinitis, folliculitis, granuloma annulare, lichen planus, mycosis fungoides, palmoplantar pustulosis, pityriasis alba, CD30+ lympho proliferative disorder, leukoderma, prurigo nodularis, localized scleroderma and genital lichen sclerosus. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2014 Dec 23;2014. Epub 2014 Dec 23.

Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal.

Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are exceedingly rare in children and adolescents, with mycosis fungoides (MF) being the most frequent PCL diagnosed in childhood. There are numerous unusual clinical variants of MF, including the hypopigmented type form (HMF). HMF is exceptional overall, but comparatively common among children. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2014 Nov;150(11):1197-201

School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.

Importance: Recognition of different clinical presentations of viral and virally triggered ("paraviral") exanthems is necessary for patients to be appropriately diagnosed and counseled.

Observations: Nine children presented with eruptions of hypopigmented macules following coryzal symptoms. Other diagnostic considerations, such as pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor, and progressive macular hypomelanosis, were excluded. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2014 Mar-Apr;89(2):245-8

Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.

Background: Pityriasis alba affects 1% of the world population and about 9.9% of the children in Brazil. However, its etiology remains uncertain. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2014 May;53(5):609-16

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Objectives: Information on prevalences of pediatric dermatoses in Egypt is scanty. This study aimed to supplement existing data.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Damietta, Egypt between October 2011 and March 2012. Read More

J Cutan Med Surg 2014 Mar-Apr;18(2):91-108

Background: Topical vitamin D is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis but is also used off-label in the treatment of a variety of cutaneous diseases despite a lack of evidence-based guidelines.

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide evidence-based clinical guidelines for the off-label use of topical vitamin D in the treatment of dermatologic disease.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted via the MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for off-label uses of topical vitamin D analogues in the treatment of dermatologic disease other than psoriasis. Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2014 Feb;24(2):138-40

Department of General Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.

Pityriasis alba is a skin disease, commonly seen in children and young adults. This case presents the ocular association of this disease in a 10 years old Pakistani male. Ocular features in this case were poliosis, tilted disc, high myopia and chorioretinal degeneration. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2014 Feb 10;53(2):137-41. Epub 2013 Dec 10.

Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

In this article, we review the salient features of tinea versicolor and describe the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and histopathology of this mycosis in dark-skinned individuals. Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia genus. It manifests clinically as asymptomatic hypopigmented macules, hyperpigmented macules, or a combination of the two. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2013 Jul;4(3):180-4

Department of Dermatology, Fr Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India.

Background: The treatment of various irritant dermatitis involves the elimination of the casual or favoring factor, the control of aggravating factors, and administration of topical agents. Even though corticosteroids are extensively used in these conditions to reduce the inflammation, it can also result in undesirable side effects. Hence, there is a need for a non steroidal topical agent to be used in these conditions. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2013 May-Jun;79(3):376-82

Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Acquired hypopigmentary disorders comprise a significant group of disorders that affect Indians and Asians. The pigment disturbance in darker skin individuals can be very distressing to the patient and the family. These disorders cover a wide array of pathologies including infections, autoimmune processes, lymphoproliferative disorders, and sclerosing diseases. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2013 Mar;68(3):149-55

Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany.

Background: Loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) have been reported to be associated with specific phenotypic characteristics such as hyperlinearity and keratosis pilaris.

Objectives: To study phenotypic features in patients with occupational irritant contact eczema of the hands in relation to FLG loss-of-function mutations.

Materials And Methods: In a prospective cohort study, genotype was determined for 459 study subjects for four FLG null alleles, and investigated for selected history, clinical and laboratory features. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2012 Dec;147(6 Suppl 1):1-8

Department of Internal Medicine, Aging and Nephrology, Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.

Aim: Pityriasis alba (PA) is a skin disorder characterized by finely scaly, hypopigmented patches, typical of childhood, that also represents an atopic dermatitis (AD) minor sign according to Hanifin and Rajka criteria. It may be isolated or associated with AD representing, sometimes an atypical manifestation of AD during the long-term follow-up of the disease. Aim of the study was to evaluate of the efficacy and tolerability of AR-GG27® (sorbityl furfural palmitate) cream in the treatment of childhood mild or moderate AD associated with PA. Read More

ISRN Dermatol 2012 14;2012:351603. Epub 2012 Oct 14.

Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, 04530 Mexico City, DF, Mexico ; Division of Children's Health and Therapeutics, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada N6C 2V5.

Background. Skin diseases among pediatric patients differ from those in adults. Epidemiological studies are scarce, and those performed in Mexican population date back thirty years. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2012 Oct 27;51(10):1180-5. Epub 2012 Jul 27.

Department of Pediatrics Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

Background:   Few epidemiologic surveys have been carried out to determine the prevalence of skin diseases in the population of Egypt, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula. Thus, the necessity of such research in South Sinai is pressing. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of various skin diseases among children in South Sinai. Read More

Mali Med 2012 ;27(1):6-9

Service de Dermatologie, CNAM Ex Institut Marchoux. BP: 251 Bamako, Mali.

Introduction: In dark skin patients, hypopigmentation is the most disfiguring condition. Very few studies on hypochromic disorders have been conducted in specialized health centers. The present study is aimed to describe the etiologies of hypochromic patches in dermatological area, in Bamako. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2012 Jul;51(7):790-5

All African Leprosy and Dermatology Education and Training Center, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Skin diseases are very common in rural and urban areas of Ethiopia, and traditional preparations of plant origin might represent the only alternative to synthetic drugs. Improving knowledge of traditional medicines and assessing their safety and effectiveness is necessary.

Methods: We conducted a two-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of some cosmetic herbal preparations for common dermatologic problems: a 3% thyme essential oil antifungal cream and a 10% chamomile extract cream for eczema-like lesions. Read More

Dermatol Res Pract 2012 22;2012:303275. Epub 2012 Apr 22.

Dermatology Department, Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto", Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Avenida Carranza No. 2395, CP 78210, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Background. Pityriasis alba (PA) is a frequent cause of consultation in tropical areas due to its chronic course, frequent relapses, and notorious hypopigmented lesions in pediatric dark skin populations. Currently, no treatment is widely accepted. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2012 May;51(5):579-87

Victorian Public Health Training Scheme, Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Dermatological conditions account for a substantial proportion of the global burden of disease in low and middle income countries (Bickers D, Lim H, Margolis D, et al. The burden of skin diseases: 2004. A joint project of the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2012 Feb;51(2):173-7

Department of Dermatology, University of Athens Medical School, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the spectrum of skin diseases affecting children in Greece.

Methods: We retrospectively studied data for 4071 children, aged 0-12 years, who were examined and diagnosed with dermatoses at the outpatient clinic of a university dermatological hospital between December 2005 and August 2007. To evaluate changes in disease patterns, these data were compared with data for a cohort of 12,700 children diagnosed with skin diseases at the same clinic two to three decades earlier (in 1977, 1980, and 1983). Read More

Dermatol Surg 2012 Apr 28;38(4):604-9. Epub 2011 Nov 28.

Department of Dermatology, Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait.

Objective: Pityriasis alba (PA) is the most common cause of facial hypopigmentation presenting to the dermatologist. The objective of the current study was to study the effect of the 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of PA.

Materials And Methods: Twelve patients with 37 PA patches were enrolled in this study. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2011 Sep-Oct;56(5):546-9

Department of Dermatology and STD, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India.

Background: Hypopigmentary disorders are common group of dermatoses in pediatric age group.

Aim: To study the frequency and patterns of hypopigmentary disorders in children.

Materials And Methods: This study was a descriptive clinical study spanning over a period of 23 months. Read More

Mymensingh Med J 2011 Jul;20(3):419-24

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common pruritic, eczematous skin disorder that runs a chronic and relapsing course. Major and minor criteria exist as guideline for arriving at a diagnosis of AD. Minor features vary with ethnicity and genetic background and can be used to aid diagnosis. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2011 May-Jun;86(3):469-76

Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Background: Literature shows that prevalence of skin diseases in children and adolescents aged 7-14 years is very significant, as well as lack of treatment worsening the situation.

Objectives: An investigative analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of skin diseases in individuals 714 years and focus on whether or not they are related directly to their respective socio-economic status.

Methods: 200 children and adolescents were examined aged 7-14 years,between August and November 2006,100 children in two public schools located in the periphery and 100 in two private schools located in upper middleclass neighborhood in Santo André,located in São Paulo. Read More

Cutis 2011 Feb;87(2):66-72

New Jersey Medical School, Newark , NJ 07103 USA.

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a localized hypopigmented disorder of childhood with many existing clinical variants. It is more often detected in individuals with a darker complexion but may occur in individuals of all skin types. Atopy, xerosis, and mineral deficiencies are potential risk factors. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2010 Dec;145(6):779-82

Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Lepromatous leprosy (LL) represents the highest infective and multibacillary form of leprosy. Clinical manifestations are consequent to the haematogenous spread of bacilli and include macules, plaques and nodules in a symmetric distribution or a diffuse infiltration of the skin. LL may mimic many different inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases and in a small percentage of patients, skin manifestation may be atypical. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2009 Oct;48(10):1057-61

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.

Background: Beta-thalassemia major affects multiple organs and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The goal of this analysis was to document the frequency of skin diseases among patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Methods: A sample of 78 patients with beta-thalassemia major was recruited and interviewed at the thalassemia clinic between April and June 2008. Read More

Ethiop Med J 2009 Jan;47(1):39-47

Department of Dermatology, Addis Ababa University, Medical Faculty, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Different atopic eczema diagnostic guidelines have been proposed for the diagnosis of atopic eczema. But the Hanifin and Rajka major and minor criteria seem to have got a better acceptance internationally. The aim of this study is to select those minor criteria which are most relevant to the Ethiopian situation, and eventually propose them to be used as a standard in Ethiopia. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2009 Jan-Feb;26(1):6-13

Department of Dermatology and STD, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, India.

Skin diseases in children are encountered frequently and their characterization is essential for the preparation of academic, research and health plans. A retrospective study was designed to evaluate the epidemiologic features of pediatric dermatoses in India. The setting was a tertiary care referral center in India (Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi) during January 1997 to December 2003. Read More

Am Fam Physician 2009 Jan;79(2):109-16

McLaren Family Practice Residency Program, MI, USA.

Common causes of hyperpigmentation include postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, solar lentigines, ephelides (freckles), and café-au-lait macules. Although most hyperpigmented lesions are benign and the diagnosis is straightforward, it is important to exclude melanoma and its precursors and to identify skin manifestations of systemic disease. Treatment options for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, solar lentigines, and ephelides include the use of topical agents, chemical peels, cryotherapy, or laser therapy. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2009 Jul 15;34(5):591-7. Epub 2008 Dec 15.

Department of Dermatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. [corrected]

Background: Pityriasis alba (PA) is a skin disorder characterized by asymptomatic, variably hypopigmented, slightly scaling patches with indistinct margins. It is sometimes difficult to clinically differentiate PA from other hypopigmented disorders such as naevus depigmentosus.

Aim: To examine the clinical and histopathological characteristics of PA that are important in differentiating PA from other hypopigmenting disorders. Read More

Ann Dermatol 2008 Sep 30;20(3):146-8. Epub 2008 Sep 30.

Department of Dermatology, Busan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea.

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a common benign disease, characterized by hypopigmented macules or patches on the face, usually seen in children. However, two uncommon variants exist, a pigmenting type and an extensive type. Extensive PA is rare. Read More

Med Mycol 2009 May 24;47(3):248-58. Epub 2008 Jul 24.

Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

Malassezia species are associated with pityriasis versicolor (PV) and its depigmented variant pityriasis versicolor alba (PVa), widespread fungal skin infections in humans. The pathogenesis of PV and PVa remains unclear, including their clinical and histological symptoms such as hyper- and depigmentation, reduced responsiveness to ultraviolet radiation and lack of inflammatory reaction despite high fungal load. Pigments produced by M. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008 Mar-Apr;74(2):165-6

J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 Mar;58(3):407-14

Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been divided into the "extrinsic" and "intrinsic" type, in which "intrinsic AD" is characterized by the absence of allergen-specific IgE. Still, there is no consensus whether this "intrinsic type" of AD, which we denominate as atopiform dermatitis (AFD), is a distinct entity.

Objective: A case-control study was performed to compare the clinical and diagnostic features of AD and AFD. Read More

Libyan J Med 2008 Sep 1;3(3):134-5. Epub 2008 Sep 1.

Community & Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alfatah University, Tripoli, Libya.

The life style and demographic structure of Libyan society is changing, and this could affect the epidemiology of certain diseases, including eczema. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of eczema among a selected patient population in the Zliten area in the northwest of Libya. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing case notes and records in public and private dermatology practices in the Zliten area. Read More

Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2007 Jul-Sep;9(3):430-8

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia.

Objective: Actively searching for leprosy, other skin diseases and BCG vaccination scars amongst school children from Agua de Dios, the municipality having the highest prevalence of leprosy in Colombia.

Methods: A clinical examination of the children was carried out by nurses, interns, general practitioners and experts on leprosy. Skin smear tests and skin biopsies were performed when the clinical findings suggested leprosy. Read More