ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Presentamos un caso típico de Dermatosis Terra Firma-Forme en un adolescente sano de 13 años de edad, visto recientemente en el Servicio de Dermatología de nuestro hospital. Con este caso queremos mostrar las características clínicas de esta dermatosis que con frecuencia no es correctamente diagnosticada o bien pasa desapercibida durante años lo que origina preocupación y ansiedad en el paciente además de pruebas diagnósticas innecesarias. Su diagnóstico es clínico apoyado en la dermatoscopía y el tratamiento sencillo, presentando escasas recidivas.
SUMMARY We report a typical case of a Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis in a 13-year-old healthy male recently seen in the Dermatology Department of our hospital. The aim of the authors is to show clinical features of this frequently misdiagnosed and underreported dermatosis causing concern and anxiety in the patient as well as unnecessary diagnostic tests. Its diagnosis is clinical supported by dermoscopy and its simple treatment presents few recurrences.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Hyperpigmentation/diagnosis , Keratinocytes/pathology , Hyperpigmentation/therapy , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
Terra firma-forme dermatosis is characterized by asymptomatic dirt-like papules and plaques. It appears as dirt-like lesions, but is known to develop in persons with normal hygiene habits. Terra firma-forme dermatosis is rarely reported and has an unknown etiology. It is hypothesized to occur as a result of abnormal keratinization. Terra firma-forme dermatosis is usually detected in children and young adults. Its characteristic features include disappearance with alcohol swabbing. Thus, wiping with alcohol-soaked cotton is recommended before any other examination in cases where terra firma-forme dermatosis is suspected.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Young Adult , Hygiene , Skin DiseasesABSTRACT
Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) is a bizarre, acquired and idiopathic dermatosis that etiology has still not been fully defined. It is characterized by the presence of asymptomatic, brownish dirt-like lesion maybe due to disorder of keratinization. These lesions cannot be removed with ordinary cleansing. Therefore, TFFD can be differentiated from dermatosis neglecta. Patient was a 17-year-old man with brownish lesions on his face for 1 month. The patient had a history of regular washing habit with soap and water. The lesions were asymptomatic however due to cosmetic reasons, the patient wanted to treat his skin lesions. Punch biopsy revealed hyperkeratosis and fungal spore are in stratum corneum. Salicylic acid peeling with alcohol base was performed on the patient's face. The skin lesions disappeared completely on gentle swabbing with peeling. In this point, the diagnosis of TFFD could be considered. Since, this disease can be confused with dermatosis neglecta, we report this case with literature review.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Humans , Biopsy , Diagnosis , Salicylic Acid , Skin , Skin Diseases , Soaps , Spores, Fungal , WaterABSTRACT
Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) is a bizarre, acquired and idiopathic dermatosis that etiology has still not been fully defined. It is characterized by the presence of asymptomatic, brownish dirt-like lesion maybe due to disorder of keratinization. These lesions cannot be removed with ordinary cleansing. Therefore, TFFD can be differentiated from dermatosis neglecta. Patient was a 17-year-old man with brownish lesions on his face for 1 month. The patient had a history of regular washing habit with soap and water. The lesions were asymptomatic however due to cosmetic reasons, the patient wanted to treat his skin lesions. Punch biopsy revealed hyperkeratosis and fungal spore are in stratum corneum. Salicylic acid peeling with alcohol base was performed on the patient's face. The skin lesions disappeared completely on gentle swabbing with peeling. In this point, the diagnosis of TFFD could be considered. Since, this disease can be confused with dermatosis neglecta, we report this case with literature review.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Humans , Biopsy , Diagnosis , Salicylic Acid , Skin , Skin Diseases , Soaps , Spores, Fungal , WaterABSTRACT
Terra firma-forme dermatosis is characterized by 'dirty' brown-grey cutaneous patches and plaques that can simply be eradicated by forceful swabbing with alcohol pads. The pathogenesis has been attributed to abnormal and delayed keratinization. Although affected patients present with typical lesions, the disorder is not well-known by dermatologists. In this report, we describe two patients with terra firma-forme dermatosis in the setting of xerosis cutis and atopic dermatitis. From a clinical point of view, we lay emphasis on its unique expression and diagnosis/treatment. From a histological perspective, we highlight its resemblance to dermatosis neglecta and speculate on the role of 'neglect' in a patient with seemingly adequate hygiene. The role of urea containing emollients in the development of this disorder remains to be determined.