Hallopeau's Acrodermatitis

Abstract

To the Editor.— Notowicz et al 1 have reported the successful use of topical mechlorethamine hydrochloride in Hallopeau's acrodermatitis; according to Arnold, 2 intramuscular administration of triamcinolone acetonide should always be tried in this disorder. These reports prompt me to suggest that ethylester retinoid should be given orally in Hallopeau's acrodermatitis. I saw, as a patient, a 55-year-old woman with an acropustulosis on a finger of her left hand, of 25 years' duration, without any associated skin disorder (Fig 1). After one week of treatment with a 0.075% solution of ethylester retinoid, there was a dramatic improvement. Three more weeks of treatment with a 0.05% concentration resulted in complete remission, with a normal finger and a growing nail plate (Fig 2). Additional patients are under study at the present time and will be reported on shortly.