Bullous Hemorrhagic Dermatosis: A Rare Benign Cutaneous Complication of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin

Abstract

Enoxaparin-mediated bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis (BHD) is one of the rare side effects during prophylaxis of enoxaparin for various thromboembolic events. We report a case of a 74-year-old female with multiple comorbidities who developed BHD at a distant site from subcutaneous delivery of enoxaparin. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of BHD. Discontinuation of enoxaparin resulted in the gradual resolution of the bullae formation, and the patient was started on novel oral anticoagulation with apixaban. The usual cutaneous adverse effects of enoxaparin include maculopapular rash, pruritus, skin necrosis, eczematous dermatitis, and rarely bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis. This hemorrhagic bullae dermatosis at a distant site from the administration is a relatively rare and benign side effect of enoxaparin which is an under-recognized complication of low-molecular-weight heparin.