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Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a rare disorder affecting primarily the people with ethnic skin. It results in hyperpigmentation of sun-exposed sites along with the involvement of flexures. In accordance with clinical patterns, different variants such as diffuse, blotchy, reticulate, and perifollicular have been described. Rare variants such as flexural (inversus), mucosal, linear, and zosteriform have been reported scarcely. Inversus LPP refers to the involvement of major flexures such as inframammary area, axillae, and groins in the absence of involvement of photo-exposed sites. We present an unusual case presenting with coexisting linear and inversus variants of LPP.

Background: Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP), a rare variant of lichen planus, is reported in various ethnic groups, more often from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. Aims: Although the condition is encountered quite often by dermatologists of this region, the data on the clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of LPP are limited. This prospective study is aimed towards filling this lacuna. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from thirty clinically diagnosed cases of LPP who presented to the dermatology outpatient department. Skin biopsy and blood investigations were conducted and the specimens were further analyzed for their histopathological features and IHC staining for CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocyte subsets along with CD45RO (UCHL-1), and CD68. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: The study showed a female preponderance (56.7%). Photo aggravation as a precipitating cause was seen in 40% of the individuals. The lesions with duration

Background: Pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD) is a non-eczematoid variant of contact dermatitis, mainly characterised by hyperpigmentation. It occurs due to contact with a low amount of allergen over a long duration of time. PCD is frequently seen in Indians but is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed because of the asymptomatic nature of the entity. The aetiology and the allergens implicated in PCD in the Indian subcontinent is still an enigma because of the limited studies done. Materials and Methods: This was an institution-based cross-sectional study, done at a tertiary hospital. Patch testing with Indian Cosmetic Series was conducted in a standardised method. Readings were taken at 48 hrs/72 hrs and on the 7th day [Figure 2]a and [Figure 2]b. The International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) scoring system was used to grade the readings. Results: Out of the 38 biopsy proven cases of PCD, 18 (47%) showed lichenoid features, 17 (45%) showed spongiotic features, 3 (8%) showed a mixed lichenoid and spongiotic pattern. Among total 1216 (32 patches × 38 patients) patch applied, 42 (3.4%) showed positivity in 30 patients. Among allergen categories, colorant (PPD) was found to be most common (37%) followed by fragrances (18%), preservatives (15%), anti-microbial (11%) and emulsifier and anti-oxidants (each 8%). Conclusion: It is important to identify the allergens implicated in PCD to help in better management of the condition. Patch testing proves to be a non invasive, low cost method and its role is indispensable in identifying the correct allergen.

Background: Erythema dyschromicum perstans, a rare dermatosis of obscure etiopathogenesis and significant cosmetic morbidity, have no satisfactory treatment. Observations: Two patients with having characteristic asymptomatic and slowly progressive, slate-grey macular lesions with distinct red borders involving the face, neck, upper trunk and limbs were diagnosed clinicopathologically as erythema dyschromicum perstans. Both were treated successfully with topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. Conclusions: Overall, response to several therapeutic modalities including clofazimine and dapsone therapy is said to vary from complete failure to variable or inconsistent. Topical tarolimus provides an effective and safe alternative therapeutic option in erythema dyschromicum perstans.

A 70-year-old woman presented with generalized reticulate pigmentation, scarring alopecia, and few discrete, violaceous plaques over the trunk and forearm. Dermoscopic evaluation of the reticulate plaque showed reticulate hyperpigmentation with multiple telangiectasias, and skin biopsy showed lichenoid interface dermatitis with marked pigment incontinence. Thus, a final diagnosis of poikiloderma due to lichen planus pigmentosus was considered.

A pigmented variant of lichen planus (LP) was first reported from India in 1974 by Bhutani et al. who coined the term LP pigmentosus (LPP) to give a descriptive nomenclature to it. LP has a number of variants, one of which is LPP. This disease has also later been reported from the Middle East, Latin America, Korea, and Japan, especially in people with darker skin. It has an insidious onset. Initially, small, black or brown macules appear on sun-exposed areas. They later merge to form large hyperpigmented patches. The disease principally affects the sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, trunk, and upper extremities. The oral mucosa may rarely be involved. However, the palms, soles, and nails are not affected. Histologically, the epidermis is atrophic along with vacuolar degeneration of basal cell layer. The dermis exhibits incontinence of pigment with scattered melanophages and a sparse follicular or perivascular infiltrate. There is a considerable similarity in histopathological findings between LPP and erythema dyschromicum perstans. However, there are immunologic and clinical differences between the two. These observations have led to a controversy regarding the identity of the two entities. While some dermatologists consider them to be the same, others have opined that the two should be considered as distinctly different diseases. A number of associations such as hepatitis C virus infection, frontal fibrosing alopecia, acrokeratosis of Bazex and nephrotic syndrome have been reported with LPP. A rare variant, LPP inversus, with similar clinical and histopathological findings was reported in 2001. As opposed to LPP, this variant occurs in covered intertriginous locations such as groins and axillae and mostly affects white-skinned persons.

A wide prevalence of socio-religious and cultural practices in the Asian subcontinent often leads to multitude of skin diseases which may be missed by the dermatologists because of a lack of awareness. ′Henna′ use causes IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions and contact dermatitis. ′Kumkum′ application can result in pigmented contact dermatitis and lichen planus pigmentosus. Sticker ′bindis′ and ′alta′ induce contact leukoderma. Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis occurs after playing with ′Holi′ colors. Threading and drawstring dermatitis lead to koebnerization of pre-existing dermatoses, infections and even squamous cell carcinoma of skin. Mild irritant reactions and contact sensitization occur secondary to balm and hair oil use. ′Mudichood′ represents the comedogenic effect of hair oils combined with occlusion and humidity. Aromatherapy oils can cause contact dermatitis and photosensitive reactions. Heavy metal and steroid toxicity along with severe cutaneous adverse effects like erythroderma can occur as a consequent to the use of alternative medicines. Squamous cell carcinoma due to chronic heat exposure from the heating device "kangri" is seen in Kashmiris. Prayer nodules in Muslims and traction alopecia in Sikhs illustrate how religious practices can negatively affect the skin. With increasing globalization and migration, the practice of indigenous customs and traditions is no longer limited to regional territories, making it imperative for the dermatologists to be acquainted with the cutaneous side effects they can cause.

Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation (IEMP) is a rather under-reported condition of unknown etiology. Clinically consisting of benign hyperpigmented macules, the condition is characterized histopathologically by dermal melanization. It must be differentiated from lichen planus pigmentosus, erythema dyschromicum perstans, fixed drug eruption and mastocytosis.