Mudi-chood

KT Ashique

 Consultant Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Alshifa Hospital, Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India

Correspondence Address:
K T Ashique
Karalikkattil House, Karakkaparamba, Vaniyambalam. Malappuram - 679 339, Kerala
India

Mudichood (which literally means "heat of the hair" in Malayalam language), was first described by Sugathan and Nair in 1972. It appears as papular eruptions with a firm adherent scale predominantly seen on the nape of the neck, upper back and at times on the pinna of young women and rarely also on the forearm [Figure - 1]a and b]. It is reported mainly from Kerala state in India where the climate is hot and humid. It is thought to be due to the habit of leaving residual coconut oil and other medicated (Ayurvedic) oils in the hair after bath, which on coming in contact with the skin, produces this peculiar reaction pattern. The condition responds well to mild keratolytic ointments with or without steroids.

Figure 1: (a) Hyperpigmented, hyperkeratotic papules distributed over the upper back and pinna of a young girl. Some lesions are also showing Koebnerisation (b) Closer view of the lesions on the pinna