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[Infantile acropustulosis]
C E Klein1, L Weber, R Kaufmann
1Dermatologische Universitätsklinik Ulm/Donau.
Insights
Infantile acropustulosis causes itchy pustules on infant hands and feet. While usually self-resolving, some cases require treatment for widespread or eosinophilic skin lesions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infantile acropustulosis is a skin condition affecting infants.
- It is characterized by recurrent, itchy pustules primarily on the hands and feet.
Observation:
- Pustules contain neutrophils and appear in episodes lasting 8-14 days.
- Some infants develop widespread lesions with eosinophils, complicating diagnosis.
- Differential diagnosis includes other infantile eosinophilic pustular dermatoses.
Findings:
- The exact cause of infantile acropustulosis remains unknown.
- The condition typically resolves spontaneously within the first few years of life.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial, especially in atypical presentations.
- Further research into etiology and effective treatments is warranted.
- Dapsone therapy (DADPS) may benefit some patients.
Abstract:
Infantile acropustulosis starts in the first few months of life with the recurrent appearance of pruritic intraepidermal pustules containing neutrophils. Predilection sites are the hands and feet. Episodes of pustular eruptions lasting from 8 to 14 days are followed by longer intervals with no symptoms. However, some infants present with skin lesions more widely distributed over the body and with eosinophils as a major constituent of the pustules. In these cases differentiation from other eosinophilic pustular dermatoses of infancy, e.g., the pustular variant of toxic erythema, eosinophilic pustular folliculitis, and transient neonatal pustular melanosis, may become difficult. The etiology of infantile acropustulosis is unknown. The disease clears up spontaneously within the first few years of life. In some cases DADPS therapy has been of benefit.