Case of Bullous Pemphigoid Masquerading as Adult-Onset Atopic Dermatitis

The majority of dermatitis cases in adults result from chronic or relapsing atopic dermatitis in childhood. Adult-onset atopic dermatitis, also known as idiopathic chronic eczematous eruption of aging (CEEA), is a phenomenon seen in adults 50 years and older with no prior history of atopic dermatitis. CEEA is often a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out more serious causes of dermatitis including bullous pemphigoid (BP), allergic conditions, and hematologic malignancies. This report details the case of a 67-year-old woman with no history of atopy who presented with a persistent, eczematous dermatitis not responsive to traditional therapy, consistent with CEEA, but was later identified as BP.