Treatment of Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis Using Fixed-Dose Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene...

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CARP) is a rare, non-systemic disease usually treated using oral antibiotics.

We present a 15-year-old male with CARP for whom initial treatment with doxycycline, ketoconazole shampoo, and topical minocycline was ineffective. He was subsequently treated with a combination of fixed-dose triple-combination clindamycin phosphate 1.2% / adapalene 0.15% / benzoyl peroxide 3.1% (CAB) gel and a sodium hypochlorite-based body wash, resulting in complete clearance after 3 months.

CARP is most often treated with oral or topical antibiotics. This case highlights the successful use of topical combination therapy with CAB, which is FDA approved for acne, plus a sodium hypochlorite-based body wash as a safe and effective alternative.

This case supports the potential role of CAB in CARP management and highlights the value of non-systemic options for treatment-resistant cases.