Background:Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by notable heterogeneity in clinical presentation and behavior.Main observations:We describe 3 patients with lichenoid lesions of the upper lip and upper anterior gingiva. These cases probably represent a clinical subtype of lichenoid lesions associated with microbial antigenicity and are characterized by persistency. All three patients had a long history of previous ineffective treatments and all three showed an excellent response to a combination of clarithromycin (2 x 250 mg/day) and prednisolone (15 mg/day).Conclusion:The combination of clarithromycin and prednisolone may be considered as an alternative intervention in patients with lichenoid lesions of the upper lip and upper anterior gingiva.

Background:Skin metastases occur in 0.7% to 9% of all patients with cancer and are usually considered a late event in the evolution of most visceral carcinomas. The development of a nodular metastatic lesion on the nasal tip is known as clown nose sign.Main observation:We report a 64-year-old man that developed a nodular lesion on his nasal tip as first manifestation of squamous lung carcinoma.Conclusion:The biopsy of the cutaneous metastasis may be helpful to histopathologically confirm the suspected primary tumour avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures.

Background:Topical corticosteroids have become available as over the counter drugs and are widely misused for various conditions.Objective:The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the unjustified use of topical corticosteroids for facial skin.Methods:A total of 200 patients with facial dermatoses and topical corticosteroid misapplication daily over face for not less than 30 days were included in the study. This was a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care dermatology outpatient centre of the Jammu region. A detailed clinical history regarding topical corticosteroid use was taken and adverse effects analysed.Results:A total of 166 patients were women and 34 were men. The predominant age was 31-40 years. A total of 170 patients (85%) were in the age group of 21-50 years. Duration of application was over 1 month up to 3 years, daily. Betamethasone or clobetasol ointments were used in 75 patients (37.5%) and momatasone was used in 15 patients (7.5%). Indication for using steroids were: general / cosmetic purposes (72 patients; 36.0%), acne (59; 29.5%), hyperpigmentation (41; 20.5%), tinea (6; 3%), undiagnosed dermatoses (28; 14.0%). The use of corticosteroids was attributed to the advice of pharmacists (69; 34.5%), friends and relatives (61; 30.5%), cosmetologists (22; 11.0%), non-dermatology physicians (30; 15.0%) and dermatologists (18; 9%). Adverse effects included acneiform lesions, telengiectasias, dyspigmentation, hypertrichosis, perioral dermatitis and tinea incognito. A total of 89 (44.5%) patients fulfilled the criteria of "topical steroid dependent face". These patients reported erythema, burning and itching on stopping the application of topical corticosteroids.Conclusion:In most cases the use prolonged use of topical corticosteroids on facial skin was recommended by non-professional persons. The adverse events ranged from transient to permanent. The results of this study underline the indispensable role of dermatology specialists in diagnosing and treating cutaneous disorders.