Colloidon baby describes a highly characteristic clinical entity in newborns encased in a yellowish translucent membrane resembling collodion. In most cases the condition either precedes the development of one of a variety of ichthyoses, the commonest of which are lamellar ichthyosis and non-bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma, or occasionally represents an initial phase of other ichthyoses such as ichthyosis vulgaris. In at least 10% of all cases of collodion baby, the condition is followed by a mild ichthyosis of lamellar type, so mild as to be considered more or less normal, so-called self-healing collodion baby or 'lamellar ichthyosis of the newborn'. In this report we present a rare case of collodion baby in whom, after collodion membrane peeled-off, the skin retained normal appearance.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) or Duncan’s dirty dermatosis is a bizarre, acquired, and idiopathic dermatosis. It is characterized by its asymptomatic, yellowish, or brownish dirt-like lesions, resistant to usual washing with soap and water, but disappearing when rubbed with 70% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Swabbing with alcohol is both diagnostic and therapeutic means for this disorder. We present two boys, aged 14 and 11, with asymptomatic brownish, dirt-like lesions on the chest and forearms, respectively. Skin lesions were continuously present for more than a month. Both of the patients had usual hygiene habits. The diagnosis of TFFD was confirmed by rubbing with 70% ethyl alcohol which led to disappearance of the lesions. TFFD often causes much concern in patients and parents of affected children. Since its clinical picture is similar to some other dermatoses, the disease can be misdiagnosed. Therefore, it is important to recognize this dermatosis in dermatological and pediatric practice in order to explain the benign nature of the disease to patients and to avoid unnecessary diagnostic tests.

The results of this study confirm the presence of EI (the fifth disease) in our area with a mild course in the majority of patients. Since the diagnosis of EI is usually based on clinical findings, continuing medical education of primary health care pediatricians is essential for reducing the number of misdiagnosed cases.

Vitiligo differs from piebaldism by the presence of unstable hypopigmented lesions that are acquired later in life. Albinism presents with widespread skin involvement and lacks the characteristic hyperpigmented macules within hypopigmented areas.