Comparison of direct microscopic methods using potassium hydroxide, periodic acid Schiff, and calcofluor white with culture in the diagnosis of onychomycosis

摘要

Sir, Airborne-contact dermatitis (ABCD) caused by the weed Parthenium hysterophorus is a chronic disorder, management of which is a therapeutic challenge. To maintain clinical remission, prolonged courses of systemic corticosteroids are required. However these are associated with many unacceptable side effects. Thus, steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents are used in combination with corticosteroids. There are case reports/series on the use of azathioprine and methotrexate in the treatment of ABCD, but none of these reports have compared their efficacy and safety. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of azathioprine vs methotrexate as steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of extensive ABCD secondary to parthenium.