Terra firma-forme dermatosis: report of a series of 11 cases and a brief review of the literature.

Abstract

Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) is a benign, yet little known disorder with very few cases reported in the literature. TFFD is considered to be only a cosmetic problem but can be a cause of embarrassment for the patients. Eleven patients with TFFD presenting in a tertiary care center over a period of 5 years were analyzed with respect to disease presentation, treatment, and possible factors involved in causation. The commonest cause in our series was ignorance regarding proper cleansing techniques, inadequate pressure while scrubbing the affected area, and a lack of concern, fear, or pain as in the case of surgical sites. Awareness among the clinicians about the existence of TFFD is essential to save time for the clinician and to reduce the economic burden on the patient by avoiding costly investigations and treatment. Proper counseling regarding the cleansing of surgery sites may help prevent the development of this condition in such situations.