Treating pemphigus foliaceus-a telemedicine way

Abstract

To control the COVID pandemic, lockdown was ordered by the government, leading to travel restrictions which affected the access to the medical facility. A 63-year-old male staying 200 km away in a remote area without dermatological facility was diagnosed and treated successfully by telemedicine. Diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was made on clinical photograph. The patient had extensive involvement. The patient was treated with tablet betamethasone tapered over 4 weeks along with tablet cyclophosphamide 100 mg OD. Clinical photographs along with the laboratory reports were sent by the patient weekly. By the end of the 1st week, the patient started noticing improvement which continued for next 4 weeks. A good clinical improvement was achieved in 4 weeks. No side effects were reported. The improvement achieved in 4 weeks will be maintained with tablet cyclophosphamide. Telemedicine can play an important role in offering medical help to the remote rural area where the health facilities are lacking.

Keywords

• betamethasone
• cyclophosphamide
• pemphigus foliaceus
• telemedicine