Acne vulgaris : Acne vulgaris (or simply acne) is a common human skin disease, characterized by areas of skin with seborrhea (scaly red skin), comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules (pinheads), nodules (large papules), pimples, and possibly scarring. Acne affects mostly skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back.
Treatment - Treatment of acne should be commenced early to prevent scarring. Patients should be counselled that an improvement may not be seen for at least a couple of months. The choice of treatment depends on whether the acne is predominantly inflammatory or comedonal and its severity.
(1) Mild to moderate acne is generally treated with topical preparations such as topical retinoids ( Tretinoin and Isotretinoin),Adapalene, Benzoyl peroxide, Azelaic acid,Salicylic acid, Erythromycin and Clindamycin
(2) Severe acne is generally treated with Oral antibiotics such as oxytetracycline or tetracycline,Erythromycin,Trimethoprim, Doxycycline and minocycline
(3) Hormone treatment - Cyproterone acetate with ethinylestradiol
(4) Oral retinoid for acne -Iisotretinoin
Pellagra : Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease most frequently caused by a chronic lack of niacin (vitamin B3) in the diet. It can be caused by decreased intake of niacin or tryptophan and possibly by excessive intake of leucine. Pellagra is clinically manifested by the 4 D’s: photosensitive dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death. The full tetrad of symptoms is usually not well developed in infants and children. This vitamin deficiency responds to treatment with nicotinic acid Oral therapy with nicotinamide or niacin usually is effective in reversing the clinical manifestations of pellagra. Because patients are often malnourished and have other vitamin deficiencies, provisions for a high-protein diet and the administration of B-complex vitamins are needed for complete recovery.