Introduction: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic-recidive inflammatory skin disorder with predilection in areas rich of sebaceous gland. The most common clinical manifestations are pruritus and scales. Although SD can be diagnosed without special tools, other examinations may be needed to determine additional specific therapy. Trichoscopy is one of the noninvasive tools which can help to diagnose SD as it can provide the microstructure view of the scalp. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted to explore the trichoscopic features of SD and its characteristics. There were 96 SD patients enrolled in this study. The scalp was divided into four areas, and each area was scored based on Seborrheic Area Severity Index, comprising erythema, desquamation, number of papules, and percentage of lesion area. The most severe area was examined with a trichoscopy to observe the characteristics of hair and scalp. The association between trichoscopic findings and SD severity was analyzed with Fisher's exact test. Results: Overall, the participants were 36% males and 64% females with the mean age of 30 (13–70) years old. Based on the trichoscopic examination, the most common findings were thick hair shafts (72%), white scales (69%), arborizing thin vessels (38%), yellowish area (36%), and structureless red area (19%). These findings were not significantly different between mild and moderate SD ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: Considering the merits and demerits of trichoscopic examination, it can be helpful to aid the diagnosis of SD. Further studies in Asian population with greater sample size are needed to demonstrate more significant result.

Background: Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the concentration of IL-6, IL-8, and phosphorylase kinase, which has role in keratinocyte proliferation. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of C. xanthorrhiza in psoriasis.Methods: From 18 to 59 year-old patients with mild psoriasis, 2 similar lesions were selected. The severity assessment was based on the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), Trozak score, and K6 expression. Using a double-blinded randomized method, lesion was treated with 1% C. xanthorrhiza ointment vs placebo for 4 weeks. The results were analyzed by the chi-square test using STATATM V.12 software (Stata Corp.).Results: The study was conducted in 2010 to 2012 with 17 subjects participated. The median of PASI score were reduced significantly in both lesions, either treated with 1% C. xanthorrhiza ointment vs placebo; however when compared between the group, it was not significant (p=0.520). The Trozak score were reduced in lesions treated with 1% C. xanthorrhiza ointment; but it was not significant (p = 0.306). In lesions treated with placebo, the Trozak score was increased significantly. The difference of Trozak score between lesions treated with C. xanthorrhiza and placebo was significant (p=0.024). There was no significant difference of K6 expression in lesions treated with 1% C. xanthorrhiza ointments or placebo as well as on the difference of mean values of K6 expression between the group (p=0.827).Conclusion: Based on the results, 1% C. xanthorrhiza ointment is effective treatment option for mild psoriasis, but longer follow-up period is suggested to confirm this results. C. xanthorrhiza ointment is safe for topical administration as there were no side effects reported in this study.

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