BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing skin disease in childhood, managed by topical therapies. In the Philippines, use of affordable, widely available and effective alternative therapies such as mineral oil (MO) and virgin coconut oil (VCO), are practical especially in the far-flung areas. OBJECTIVES: This study compares the antimicrobial and barrier repair properties of MO and VCO in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, using SCORAD (SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis), bacterial culture, tewameter, mexameter and corneometer. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled doubleblind trial conducted in two tertiary hospitals. Bacterial colonies, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), level of hydration and erythema were determined at baseline and after 4 weeks using bacterial culture, tewameter, corneometer and mexameter, respectively. SCORAD and adverse effects were also determined at baseline, 2nd and 4th week of treatment. RESULTS: Baseline patient demographics were similar for both treatment groups. The SCORAD, TEWL and level of erythema were significantly decreased throughout the 4-week duration for both treatment groups, but much lower in the VCO group. The hydration level was significantly increased throughout the 4-week duration but much higher for the VCO group. Lastly, there is more proportion of cultures with "no growth" after the 4-week treatment duration in VCO group. CONCLUSION The antimicrobial and barrier repair properties of VCO are very important alternative which is affordable, readily available, safe and effective for children with mild to moderate AD.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Philippines

In an immunocompromised patient such as HIV infection, disseminated herpes zoster is a common cutaneous manifestation. It is very important to have clinical suspicion of HIV, whenever a patient presents with cutaneous manifestation of HIV. This is a case of a 32 year old male who came in at for consult at our institution with a chief complaint of fluid filled bumps which started on the left abdominal area progressing to the trunk, upper and lower extremities with associated pricking pain. Patient was diagnosed with disseminated zoster and was given acyclovir with noted complete resolution of lesions. Laboratory tests were requested which revealed that the patient also had concomitant HIV and Hepatitis B. Patient was referred to the Center for Tropical and Travel Medicine for proper management.
HIV ; Hepatitis B ; Acyclovir