Pentoxyfilline as a Treatment for Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis

Abstract

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) is a rare pustular neutrophilic dermatosis in which groups of sterile pustules appear in the superficial (subcorneal) skin. This chronic condition can be associated with significant morbidity and decreased quality of life. Dapsone is the first‐line therapy for subcorneal pustular dermatosis, but some patients fail to respond or cannot tolerate it. In these instances, patients may be treated with second‐line therapies such as phototherapy, topical corticosteroids, or systemic agents including glucocorticoids, acitretin, immunosuppressive or biologic medications. These therapies may not always be efficacious and can be associated with intolerable adverse effects. Here, we report a case of a patient who sustained long‐term remission and no side effects with the novel use of pentoxifylline, a tumor necrosis factor – alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitor, as monotherapy. Pentoxifylline should be considered as a possible therapy in patients with subcorneal pustular dermatosis intolerant to dapsone.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://bit.ly/2RNxZ1F