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Background: Erbium-YAG laser has been the working horse in dermatology for years. Surprisingly, data on the efficacy and adverse effects of this novel resurfacing and ablative technique of erbium-YAG laser for superficial dermatoses in Indian skin is limited. Aim and Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of erbium-YAG laser ablation in superficial cutaneous lesions. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty patients of various superficial dermatoses, treatable by erbium-YAG laser, were recruited in the study. All the patients were subjected to erbium-YAG laser sessions. The number of laser sessions, fluence, frequency and other parameters were individualized as per the respective dermatosis. The clinical response was evaluated as grade 4 (100% lesion clearance), grade 3 (75–99%), grade 2 (50–75%) or grade 1 (<50%). Results: The overall mean age of our study group was 37.70 years. In our study, 52.38% cases of verruca plana, 36.84% cases of seborrheic keratosis, 56.4% cases of xanthelasma palpebrarum, 22% cases of acquired melanocytic nevus, 23.8% cases of plantar wart and 40% cases of sebaceous hyperplasia showed complete clearance. The most common adverse effect was post-laser erythema in 50.4% of cases, followed by pain in 36.8%. Besides this, scarring and dyspigmentation were observed in 11.6% and 12% of cases, respectively. The rate of recurrence on 3 months follow-up was 9 (23.07%) cases in xanthelasma palpebrarum, 11 (28.9%) cases in seborrheic keratosis, 10 (23.8%) cases in verruca plana and 9 (42.8%) cases in plantar warts. Conclusion: This study suggested that erbium-YAG ablation achieved good results for superficial lesions like verruca plana, seborrheic keratosis, xanthelasma palpebrarum, plantar wart, sebaceous hyperplasia and acquired melanocytic nevus. Thus, Er: YAG laser can offer a one-step procedure with better cosmetic results and a lesser rate of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rapidly adapting neonatal skin, being anatomically and physiologically distinct from an adult, may exhibit a variety of entities, ranging from mild self-limiting to the severe life-threatening ones. The transition of neonatal skin from an aqueous to an air-dominant environment results in various changes, both physiological and pathological. Physiological and pathological dermatoses should be differentiated to avoid unnecessary treatment and psychological distress to parents. The present study was carried out to determine prevalence and patterns of physiological cutaneous manifestations among early neonates in western Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based, descriptive, observational study was carried at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 1 year. After due informed consent, total of 5000 early neonates delivered during this time were included in the study. A detailed history was taken and dermatological examination of each neonate was carried out. Laboratory procedures were performed to confirm diagnosis if required. Data were collected in a predesigned pro forma. Results: Out of 5000 newborns, 64.96% were male and 35.04% female. Ninety-two percentage had physiological changes and 21% had pathological changes. The physiological skin changes observed in order of frequency were sebaceous hyperplasia (65.32%), milia (51.12%), physiological desquamation (41.02%), vernix (35%), and physiological jaundice (9.32%). Cutis marmorata, harlequin skin changes, and lanugo hair were seen more in low-birth weight and preterm neonates. Conclusion: Most of the early neonatal dermatoses are physiological and transient in nature. Hence, it is important to identify and differentiate them from other serious conditions, thereby avoiding unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and provide reassurance to overenthusiastic dermatologists, pediatricians, and parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is effective in treating sebaceous hyperplasia (SH). However, only short pulse-duration PDL (SPDL) has been used in previous studies. Objectives To determine whether long pulse-duration PDL (LPDL) can achieve comparable efficacy in treating SH with fewer side effects versus SPDL. Methods Eight patients with a total of 75 SH lesions were enrolled. Each SH lesion was randomized to be treated with two sessions of 595-nm SPDL with 0.45-millisecond pulse duration or 595-nm LPDL with 20-millisecond pulse duration. The second session was performed 4 weeks after the first session. Side effects including pain and post-treatment purpura were recorded. Follow-up examinations were conducted at 1 week and 4 weeks after the first session, and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after the second session for repeated photography and assessing the diameter and thickness of each lesion, post-treatment purpura, and other adverse events. Results All SH lesions responded to two sessions of PDL treatments. The reduction ratio of lesion diameter was 76.3% in the SPDL group and 70.0% in the LPDL group after two sessions of treatments ( p = 0.644). The reduction ratio of lesion thickness was 79.6% in the SPDL group and 72.7% in the LPDL group after two sessions of treatment ( p = 0.187). The mean intensity of pain was 3.13 on a 0–10-point scale for SPDL and 3.60 for LPDL ( p = 0.660). The intensity of immediate post-treatment purpura was 4.13 on a 0–5-point scale for SPDL, and 1.80 for LPDL ( p < 0.001). Some of the lesions treated by SPDL underwent an erosive stage. No scarring or discoloration was noted at 8 weeks after treatment. Conclusions While SPDL and LPDL have comparable efficacy in treating SH after two sessions of treatment, LPDL can provide a shorter and aesthetically better recovery time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sebaceous hyperplasia (SH), a common, benign condition of sebaceous gland, presents most commonly over face. Lesions are usually described as asymptomatic, soft, discrete, and yellow with a surface that ranges from smooth to slightly verrucous. The pathogenesis is not fully understood. It does not require treatment, but many time lesions can be cosmetically unfavorable than, need to be destroyed or excised. A case of 23-year-old male presenting with the skin colored to hyperpigmented linear hyperkeratotic plaque mimicking a wart, over the right ear is presented here, which was diagnosed as SH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sebaceous hyperplasia of forehead, presenting as pin-sized translucent vesicles in a young girl is presented. The lesion was clinically mistaken for lymphangioma circumscriptum. Microscopic examination of punch biopsy of skin helped to arrive at a proper diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]