Zinc-responsive acral hyperkeratosis as a mimicker of cutaneous tuberculosis

Abstract

Zinc-responsive acral hyperkeratosis is regarded as a novel entity masquerading numerous skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acral necrolytic erythema, and tuberculosis. Tuberculosis itself is a great imitator and so is its cutaneous form. Herein, we present the case of a female misdiagnosed as a case of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis due to clinical, biochemical, and histopathological features. The patient completed a full course of anti-tubercular therapy without an improvement and showed a dramatic response after a therapeutic trial of oral zinc. Thus, the patient was diagnosed as a case of zinc-responsive acral hyperkeratosis. In any form of acral hyperkeratotic lesions, zinc-responsive acral hyperkeratosis must be considered as a differential diagnosis.