Annular Pustular Psoriasis

Abstract

Generalized pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis characterized by the following four clinical patterns: Zumbusch, annular, exanthematic, and localized. 1 In contrast to the Zumbusch variety, the annular type is less severe and benign. It consists of gyrate, annular lesions with an erythematous, scaly, pustular margin. A history of psoriasis vulgaris is usually absent. Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) is frequently confused with annular pustular psoriasis (APP). 1,2 We report a case of APP in a 3-year-old girl who had a previous diagnosis of SPD. Report of a Case A 3-year-old girl was referred to Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio, in January 1979, with an exacerbation of a pustular eruption that began at 3 weeks of age. A skin biopsy done in January 1977 was read as "psoriasiform dermatitis." A second biopsy specimen in October 1977 showed a subcorneal pustule. A diagnosis of SPD was made and dapsone therapy,