Related Experiment Videos
Eosinophilic pustulosis of the scalp in childhood
A Taïeb1, L Bassan-Andrieu, J Maleville
1Dermatology Service, Hôpital des Enfants, Bordeaux, France.
Insights
Eosinophilic pustulosis of the scalp in childhood presents as sterile, pruritic pustules primarily on the scalp. Topical steroids effectively manage this self-limited condition, offering relief for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Dermatopathology
- Inflammatory Disorders
Background:
- Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in infancy, a pruritic, relapsing, eosinophilic variant of sterile pustulosis, was first described in 1984.
- This study focuses on a specific cohort presenting with this condition.
Observation:
- Six children (five boys, one girl) presented with scalp pustules starting in infancy or early childhood.
- Lesions were primarily sterile, unresponsive to antibiotics, and predominantly located on the scalp, though other areas were also affected.
Findings:
- Pustule smears revealed variable eosinophils, and histopathology confirmed dermal eosinophilia in all patients.
- Transient blood eosinophilia was noted in most patients.
- The inflammatory pattern differed from Ofuji's disease.
Implications:
- Childhood eosinophilic pustulosis of the scalp is a distinct, self-limited dermatosis.
- Topical steroids provide effective relief for inflammatory episodes.
- Dapsone may be a beneficial alternative in some cases.
Background:
Among sterile pustulosis in childhood, a pruritic relapsing eosinophilic variant beginning in infancy and located mostly in the scalp was first described as eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in infancy by Lucky and colleagues in 1984.
Objective:
Our purpose is to describe such a condition in five boys and one girl and comment on differential diagnosis and relation with Ofuji's disease.
Method:
This is a clinicopathologic study.
Results:
All patients had scalp pustules beginning in infancy or early childhood that were unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. Lesions also occurred on other areas but the scalp was the major site of involvement. Although secondary infection was demonstrated in one case, the lesions were primarily sterile. Smears of pustules showed a variable proportion of eosinophils. Histopathologic findings suggested a major role for eosinophils in this disorder because dermal eosinophilia was noted in all patients. The inflammatory pattern was not similar to Ofuji's disease. Transient blood eosinophilia was recorded in five patients. Topical steroids relieved inflammatory episodes. Dapsone was tried in one case with apparent benefit.
Conclusion:
Eosinophilic pustulosis of the scalp in childhood is a self-limited disease that can be relieved by topical steroids.