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Chronic urticaria (CU) is a disturbing allergic condition of the skin. Although frequently benign, it may sometimes be a red flag sign of a serious internal disease. A multitude of etiologies have been implicated in the causation of CU, including physical, infective, vasculitic, psychological and idiopathic. An autoimmune basis of most of the ‘idiopathic’ forms is now hypothesized. Histamine released from mast cells is the major effector in pathogenesis and it is clinically characterized by wheals that have a tendency to recur. Laboratory investigations aimed at a specific etiology are not always conclusive, though may be suggestive of an underlying condition. A clinical search for associated systemic disease is strongly advocated under appropriate circumstances. The mainstay of treatment remains H1 antihistaminics. These may be combined with complementary pharmacopeia in the form of H2 blockers, doxepin, nifedipine and leukotriene inhibitors. More radical therapy in the form of immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis and cyclophosphamide may be required for recalcitrant cases. Autologous transfusion and alternative remedies like acupuncture have prospects for future. A stepwise management results in favorable outcomes. An update on CU based on our experience with patients at a tertiary care centre is presented.

Background/Objectives: Dermatophytosiscan have a significant effect on patient's psychosocial and economic life. Despite this, knowledge on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with dermatophytosis is limited. The objective of the present study was to assess the quality of life in patients with dermatophytosis.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Dermatology at a tertiary care hospital from August 2018 to December 2018. All the patients with dermatophytosis aged ≥16 years were included and evaluated for impact on quality of life. The association of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores with disease characteristics was assessed using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation test, as applicable.Results: A total of 348 patients were analysed. The mean AE SD DLQI score in our study was 13.4 AE 7.3. Dermatophytosis was found to have a very large effect on the QoL in majority (44.8%) of our patients. DLQI questions pertaining to symptoms and feelings and daily activity had the highest impact on patients. The DLQI score was significantly affected by the number of sites involved (P < 0.001), body surface area (P < 0.001) and the severity of symptoms (P = 0.007). Conclusion:Dermatophytosis was found to have a significant impact on the QoL of affected patients. The DLQI score was influenced by the severity of the disease. This study also underscores the feasibility of DLQI score based QoL assessment in dermatophytosis.

Leprosy remains an important public health and social issue in South Asia, particularly in India. Its presence in childhood is an immense social burden because of the associated disabilities and widely prevalent misconceptions regarding communicability and treatment potential. The prevalence of leprosy among children suggests a possible gap in the national programmes aimed at leprosy elimination. This article reports a 10-year retrospective study of childhood leprosy in a tertiary care hospital setting (2000-2009) along with an analysis of selected socio-epidemiologic correlates. We stress the importance of early detection and the application of appropriate prophylactic measures in susceptible children.

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