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ANSWER
The correct answer is eczema/atopic dermatitis (choice “c”).
Patients with eczema have a low threshold for itching, so they scratch, often making the condition appear far worse than it really is. In such cases, it’s typical for the problem to be mistaken for impetigo (choice “a”) or yeast infection (choice “d”). The latter, much like psoriasis (choice “b”), is quite rare in the perioral area. Furthermore, the patient had no indicative signs of psoriasis.
DISCUSSION
Eczema is one of several manifestations of atopic dermatitis, a syndrome that affects more than 20% of newborns in this country. These children have extraordinarily dry, thin skin that overreacts to wetting and drying, as well as scratching. Certain areas are especially prone to these changes and consequently develop scaling and itching.
The perioral area is one, in large part because it is kept moist by food, drink, nasal secretions, and saliva (due to habitual lip licking). The scaly rash becomes inflamed; on people with skin of color, this frequently manifests with hyperpigmentation.
When picked enough, this type of rash can become impetiginized—that is, superficially infected with staph or strep. But in this patient’s case, antibiotics were of no practical use.
A topical steroid ointment (hydrocortisone 2.5%) was used, and the patient was urged to stop picking (or licking!) and to use moisturizers (eg, petroleum jelly). The family was educated about the problem and its origins, and the parents were reassured of the self-limiting nature of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (a major source of concern).
In this case, the key to making the correct diagnosis was the significance of the personal and family history of atopy—and an appre
ANSWER
The correct answer is eczema/atopic dermatitis (choice “c”).
Patients with eczema have a low threshold for itching, so they scratch, often making the condition appear far worse than it really is. In such cases, it’s typical for the problem to be mistaken for impetigo (choice “a”) or yeast infection (choice “d”). The latter, much like psoriasis (choice “b”), is quite rare in the perioral area. Furthermore, the patient had no indicative signs of psoriasis.
DISCUSSION
Eczema is one of several manifestations of atopic dermatitis, a syndrome that affects more than 20% of newborns in this country. These children have extraordinarily dry, thin skin that overreacts to wetting and drying, as well as scratching. Certain areas are especially prone to these changes and consequently develop scaling and itching.
The perioral area is one, in large part because it is kept moist by food, drink, nasal secretions, and saliva (due to habitual lip licking). The scaly rash becomes inflamed; on people with skin of color, this frequently manifests with hyperpigmentation.
When picked enough, this type of rash can become impetiginized—that is, superficially infected with staph or strep. But in this patient’s case, antibiotics were of no practical use.
A topical steroid ointment (hydrocortisone 2.5%) was used, and the patient was urged to stop picking (or licking!) and to use moisturizers (eg, petroleum jelly). The family was educated about the problem and its origins, and the parents were reassured of the self-limiting nature of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (a major source of concern).
In this case, the key to making the correct diagnosis was the significance of the personal and family history of atopy—and an appre
ANSWER
The correct answer is eczema/atopic dermatitis (choice “c”).
Patients with eczema have a low threshold for itching, so they scratch, often making the condition appear far worse than it really is. In such cases, it’s typical for the problem to be mistaken for impetigo (choice “a”) or yeast infection (choice “d”). The latter, much like psoriasis (choice “b”), is quite rare in the perioral area. Furthermore, the patient had no indicative signs of psoriasis.
DISCUSSION
Eczema is one of several manifestations of atopic dermatitis, a syndrome that affects more than 20% of newborns in this country. These children have extraordinarily dry, thin skin that overreacts to wetting and drying, as well as scratching. Certain areas are especially prone to these changes and consequently develop scaling and itching.
The perioral area is one, in large part because it is kept moist by food, drink, nasal secretions, and saliva (due to habitual lip licking). The scaly rash becomes inflamed; on people with skin of color, this frequently manifests with hyperpigmentation.
When picked enough, this type of rash can become impetiginized—that is, superficially infected with staph or strep. But in this patient’s case, antibiotics were of no practical use.
A topical steroid ointment (hydrocortisone 2.5%) was used, and the patient was urged to stop picking (or licking!) and to use moisturizers (eg, petroleum jelly). The family was educated about the problem and its origins, and the parents were reassured of the self-limiting nature of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (a major source of concern).
In this case, the key to making the correct diagnosis was the significance of the personal and family history of atopy—and an appre
The persistent rash around this 5-year-old African-American girl’s mouth is causing a great deal of concern for her parents, who request referral to dermatology after four months of attempted treatment. Oral and topical antibiotics, as well as antifungal products (nystatin and fluconazole), have been used to no good effect.
The patient is often seen licking her lips, which dries and irritates them. Fine crusting surrounds her mouth, particularly the left lateral oral commissure. The skin in the affected areas is darker than the rest.
Elsewhere, her type IV skin is quite dry, with focal areas of scaling on the arms and antecubital region. No rash is seen on extensor areas, nor are there any changes in her nails.
The child is markedly atopic, as are her siblings, who are present for the exam. The patient and her siblings are all congested, breathing through their mouths (“allergies,” according to their parents).
