INTRODUCTION: Common warts are frequent benign cutaneous and mucosal infections. However, recommendations from previous studies have focused on personal and public factors to prevent warts and reduce its transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of common warts and its relation to individual, family, school, public, and occupational factors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study wherein the cutaneous surfaces (except the mucosa and genitalia) of residents of Barangay Doña Imelda, Quezon City were examined for the presence of warts. Information on individual, family, school, public, and occupational risk factors was obtained from the respondents themselves, parents or guardian using a data extraction sheet. A PRR of > 1.0 was interpreted as a positive association. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to test for significance. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of common warts among 315 residents was 7.6 %. The presence of family (PRR = 6.41, 1.91), school (PRR = 1.68), and occupational (PRR = 1.50) factors increased the risk of developing warts. In contrast, a personal history of warts and public factors were not associated with the development of warts. CONCLUSION The prevalence of common warts is 7.6%, compatible with the results of previous studies. Having a family member with warts, large family size (more than five family members), having at least one closest school friend with warts, and occupation (fish or meat or poultry vendor) increase the risk of developing warts.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive devices deivering focused low-frequency ultrasonic waves (FLFUW) that reduce circumference and volume of areas with localized fat are becoming more popular.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether FLFUW is safe and effective in reducing localized abdominal fat deposit.
METHODS: A randomized double-blind , placebo-controlled  trial was conducted among Filipino adults with localized abdominal fat deposits. The primary outcome  measured was the mean change in abdominal circumference after four weeks of weekly treatments. The secondary outcomes measured were mean change in abdominal fat thickness, patient, weight, serum lipid profile as well as the occurrence of adverse events
RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the mean abdominal circumference (p=
Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Abdominal Fat ; Adult ; Body Weight ; Double-blind Method ; Lipids ; Obesity ; Ultrasonic Waves

BACKGROUND: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition occurring most often on the face, scalp and chest.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of 10% guava extract shampoo versus 2% ketoconazole shampoo and clobetasol 0.05% shampoo in the treatment of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.
METHODS: Forty-five patients clinically diagnosed with scalp seborrheic dermatitis were randomized to one of the three treatment groups: 10% guava extract shampoo, 2 % ketoconazole shampoo and 0.05% clobetasol shampoo. Patients were followed-up weekly for two weeks to assess the Seborrheic Area Severity Index (SASI) scores, pruritus score, patient's global assessment of improvement and adverse events.
RESULTS: After two weeks of treatment, there was no significant difference in the three groups in terms of the mean change in SASI scores (p= 0.46, ANOVA), pruritus scores and in the patient's global assessment of improvement, and frequency of adverse events.
CONCLUSION: 10% guava extract shampoo is a safe and effective alternative treatment for scalp seborrheic dermatitis.

Human ; Male ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Clobetasol ; Dandruff ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Ketoconazole ; Pruritus ; Psidium ; Scalp ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare subcutaneous mycosis induced by dematiaceous fungi. Clinically, it is characterized by persistent hyperkeratotic nodules that respond poorly to treatment. A 48-year-old male presented with verrucous tumors and plaques on the trunk and extremities of twelve years duration. Histopathologic studies were consistent with a deep fungal infection, and culture studies identified the causative organism to be Veronea botryosa. The patient underwent surgical excision of some tumors and was given full courses of oral antifungals which did not lead to complete clinical cure. Twelve years after his last follow up, he presented with an increase in number and size of tumors,as well as pallor and weight loss. Histopathology of several skin tumors demonstrated fungal organisms and typical features of phaeohyphomycosis, and significantly, squamous cell carcinoma was present.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Antifungal Agents ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dermatomycoses ; Fungi ; Pallor ; Phaeohyphomycosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; Weight Loss