Ichthammol-induced maculopapular rash and itching in a pediatric patient

Ichthammol ointment is a sulfur-containing ointment which is used for the treatment of lower limb leg ulcerations and skin conditions such as atopic eczema and dermatitis. It has been in use for centuries as a topical ointment. The most common adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with ichthammol use is skin irritation. This case was collected from the pediatric outpatient department as a part of the Pharmacovigilance elective under the Department of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, which is an ADR Monitoring Centre. The patient developed skin rashes and itching as adverse reactions to ichthammol and the medication was promptly discontinued to address the symptoms. The Naranjo’s score was 5 (probable) and the causality assessment showed a probable correlation of the current ADR with the suspect product. There are very few studies from India that have shown such reactions. Hence, this case study is rare and worth reporting to raise awareness of the same.