Several common dermatoses appear different in people of color. Most international literature, especially the reputed textbooks, are replete with photographs of skin diseases in fair-skinned patients. The orientation of Western dermatologists to common diseases in pigmented skin therefore is needed. The reverse is also true. Dermatologists who work in pigmented skin communities are known to have initial problems with fair skin. It is therefore important to have a judicious balance of entities seen in both of these skin types in major international literature, especially in textbooks. In addition, common dermatoses may appear strange and confusing particularly when they are in their advanced form. People with pigmented skin living in developing countries often present with diseases that appear greatly altered, because of various reasons. Main ones are treatment taken at home with household remedies, especially topical therapy, inappropriate treatment given by general practitioners with sparse knowledge of dermatology, and injudicious steroid use. All these factors lead to exacerbation of the disease or superimposed irritation or infection, which all contribute to a different appearance. Equally important is the delay in seeking treatment because of financial constraints.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Early detection of alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria is a rare disorder of metabolism characterized by deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase. This leads to the characteristic features like darkening of urine, ochronosis and arthropathy. Darkening of urine is one of the first symptoms noticed by the parents of the child suffering from this disorder. Ochronosis is seen in various organs like eyes, skin, tendons and joints. A case of 10 year old boy is reported who was brought to this clinic with the presenting complaint of bluish discoloration of sclerae. This discoloration led to eliciting positive history of dark urine off and on. Further investigations confirmed alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lichen planus affecting eyelid alone: a rare entity.

Lichen planus of the eyelid alone is a rarely reported condition with just about 11 cases reported so far in the international literature. We report a case of lichen planus of single lower eyelid with characteristic histopathologic findings on eyelid biopsy. It is unusual to encounter a usually characteristic and often widespread entity like lichen planus occurring at only one site like an eyelid. Lichen planus of the eyelid should be included in the differential diagnosis of eyelid dermatitis.

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