Background: The pathogenesis of vitiligo is complex and multifactorial, accumulating evidence of increased oxidative stress and reduction in catalase levels in vitiligo patients has been shown, hence Pseudocatalase/superoxide dismutase (PSD) gel has been used as treatment option for vitiligo. Aim: To assesses the synergic effect of PSD when combines with Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment versus Tacrolimus 0/1% alone. Method: A randomized controlled trial that included 49 children with vitiligo with limited area (10% or less). Patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1(24 patients) were treated only with Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment whereas Group 2 (25 patients) were treated with Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment plus PSD. Degree of repigmentation compared to baseline was assessed at 3, 6 and 9 months. Results: The median age was 10.05 year (range; 2-18). The percentages of pigmentation on 3,6 and 9 months for group 1 were 23.9%, 40.4% and 60% respectively and for group 2 were 23.2%, 40.7% and 62.4% respectively. There was no significant difference according to repigmentation percentages between the two groups (p > 0.86, p > 0.97and p > 0.78 respectively). Conclusion: The results showed that the addition of PSD to Tacrolimus ointment in children with limited vitiligo was not associated with any therapeutic benefit.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) usually manifests as patches of non-scarring hair loss due to immune dysregulation. Intradermal injection of steroids is considered a first-line treatment of patchy AA. Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of two commonly used concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (ILT) (5 mg/mL vs 10 mg/mL) in the treatment of patchy AA on the scalp. Patients and Methods: A retrospective comparative study that included 85 patients diagnosed with patchy AA on the scalp, who were treated with monthly injections of ILT. Patients were divided into Group 1 that received 5 mg/mL and Group 2 that received 10 mg/mL. The response rate (defined as the percentage of patients who achieved complete hair regrowth) and the side effects were compared between the two groups after completion of three treatment sessions, and recurrence was assessed after 1− 3 years. Results: Demographic composition of the two groups was comparable. The difference in response rate and the side-effects between the two groups were not statistically significant. Complete hair regrowth was noted in 43.5% of patients in Group 1 and 53.8% of those in Group 2 (P=0.340). About 17% and 25% of patients in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, developed minor local side-effects (P=0.354), and almost 45% of patients from both groups had recurrence after 1− 3 years. Disease duration exceeding 6 months correlated with poor treatment response. Conclusion: Intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 5 mg/mL is equally effective and safe compared to 10 mg/mL in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer affecting humans. It almost has no tendency for metastasis; however it can be destructive to surrounding tissue. Patients with darker skin colors have lower risk of developing skin cancers and the clinical characteristics may differ from populations with lighter skin colors.Methods. This is a retrospective clinical study (2003–2017). Data on age, gender, and location of tumor were collected and analyzed.Results. 335 cases were identified. Males tend to get BCC at a younger age than females. Face was the most common site in both males and females. Cheeks and nose were the most likely areas of the face to be involved. Scalp was the most common extrafacial site to be involved in males; however in females scalp was much less likely to be involved.Conclusion. BCC is less common in populations with darker skin. Males were more affected and at an earlier age compared to females. Facial skin followed by scalp was the most common site affected. Skin phototype, cultural and religious dress type, and different sun exposure behavior may explain many of the clinical and demographic findings related to BCC in patients with darker skin tones.

This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of combining the 308-nm Excimer lamp with Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, compared to Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment monotherapy, for treating pediatric vitiligo involving less than 10% of the body surface area. Fifty pediatric patients with vitiligo were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment twice daily and Excimer light at 308-nm twice weekly, while Group B received Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment alone, administered twice daily. Repigmentation percentages were evaluated after 30, 90, and 180 days using the rule of nine. Group A exhibited a significant improvement in repigmentation, increasing from 10% after one month to 65% after six months. In contrast, Group B observed an increase from 10% to 30% over the same timeframe. The efficacy of the treatment was significantly higher in Group A at both the 3-month and 6-month follow-up points (p-value < .001). Moreover, Group A achieved notably higher repigmentation rates in the face, trunk, and lower limbs. The combination of Tacrolimus and the 308-nm excimer lamp yielded superior repigmentation results compared to Tacrolimus monotherapy in pediatric vitiligo patients. This combined approach may offer an effective new treatment protocol for pediatric vitiligo.

Background. Low vitamin D serum levels have been associated with many autoimmune disorders and several other skin diseases. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of melanocytes by immune mechanisms. Melanocytes express vitamin D receptors, and their function can be affected by vitamin D status. Objectives. The main objective of this study is to compare vitamin D levels in patients with vitiligo vs normal population and whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with vitiligo. Methods. A case-control study was conducted. 100 vitiligo patients and 100 as controls were included in this study. Serum vitamin D level was measured for both vitiligo patients and controls, results were compared, and statistical analysis was done to compare the results. Results. The median age of vitiligo cases was 23 years (ranges, 2–80). 58% of vitiligo patients were females. The median vitamin D level was not significantly different between the two groups (vitiligo = 14.1 (IQR 9.9–20.4) vs control = 16.5 (IQR 10.3–25.3) (P=0.28)). Most vitiligo cases and controls were found to have low levels of vitamin D (either insufficient 20–30 ng/mL or low <20 ng/mL). Conclusions. There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients compared to controls. However, vitamin D levels were generally low in both groups.