Erosive and Pustular Dermatitis of the Scalp, an Under Recognized Condition. Case Reports and Review

Abstract

Erosive pustular dermatitis of the scalp has been reported as a rare chronic and progressive inflammatory condition of the actinically damaged scalp characterized by crusts, erosions and pustules. Less than 150 cases have been reported worldwide. I present 4 representative cases, review the world literature on the condition and postulate the condition is more common than diagnosed. No single treatment has been constantly acceptable, but a review of treatments used to date can help clinicians deal with this difficult to treat chronic condition. Increased awareness of and proper diagnosis of this condition changes the approach to treatment of these patients and while giving them a better outcome, keeps the clinician vigilant of squamous cell carcinomas that can arise in this skin.