Diagnosis and treatment of rosacea fulminans

Rosacea fulminans is a rare disease of unknown cause which occurs exclusively in women well past adolescence. It was previously called pyoderma faciale because of its confinement to the face covering most of the surface with innumerable fluctuant inflammatory nodules and papules which frequently fuse and form monstrosities. Seborrhea prior to onset is typical. It is not a pyoderma; neither it is infectious or a variant of acne conglobata. The patients respond well to a therapeutic regimen including isotretinoin in combination with topical and systemic corticosteroids. The response is superior and much more rapid than in patients treated with oral antibiotics. Rosacea fulminans is the only indication for topical or systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of rosacea. Scarring is often minimal when the lesions clear. No recurrence is seen.