Air-borne contact dermatitis caused by Parthenium hysterophorus is a serious problem in India. Patients with this condition have to use corticosteroids regularly in order to maintain clinical remissions, but prolonged usage causes serious side-effects. The weed cannot be eradicated. We have used 3 therapeutic regimens with azathioprine, which led to an effective control with minimal side-effects even when used for long periods. A total of 22 patients (group I) were given 50 mg azathioprine twice a day; 11 patients (group II) received 50 mg azathioprine per day and 300 mg azathioprine every 28 days, and 10 patients (group III) were given 50 mg azathioprine twice a day along with 300 mg azathioprine every 28 days. The duration of treatment varied from 6 months to 3 years. Twenty patients in group I and 9 patients each in groups II and III had complete remission. Nine, 7 and 6 patients in the respective groups needed additional oral betamethasone 1-2 mg per day for brief periods only during the peak season in order to maintain complete remission. One patient in each group had only partial relief. The need for oral betamethasone during the second and the third year was further reduced. One patient each in group I and group II could not continue azathioprine due to the side-effects of the drug.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple Becker's naevi: a rare presentation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Azathioprine for the treatment of severe erosive oral and generalized lichen planus.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isotretinoin in acne vulgaris: a prospective analysis of 160 cases from Kuwait.

A total of 160 patients (59 male and 101 female) ages varying from 13 to 28 years (mean age 20 years) with moderate to severe acne were treated with isotretinoin in the doses ranging from 0.5 mg/kg/day to 1 mg/kg/day. The drug was given for a period ranging from 6 to 28 weeks. The patients were followed up regularly for a period of 12 months after stoppage of isotretinoin for any evidence of relapse. In the event of a recurrence greater than mild acne after 8 weeks of stoppage of isotretinoin therapy, the patients were given another course of the drug. Patients were considered to be non-relapsing if they had no evidence of recurrence after 12 months of follow-up. Twenty seven patients were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 133 patients (51 male and 82 female) only 117 patients (36 male and 81 female) could follow up for at least 12 months after stopping therapy. Of the 133 patients, a total of 127 patients (95.5%) achieved complete or partial clearance. Forty two percent (total 49 patients: 20 male and 29 female) experienced relapse after stopping therapy. Of these, 21 (42.85%) were given a second course of the drug. None of the patients developed a rise in lipids levels significant enough to warrant stoppage of the drug.

Acne Vulgaris↗