Treatment of Hailey-Hailey disease by dermabrasion

Abstract

Hailey-Hailey disease (benign familial chronic pemphigus) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by erosions, blisters, and warty papules localized mainly in intertriginous areas. The disease has a variable course with periods of exacerbation that can be suppressed by topical glucocorticosteroids and antiseptics. However, in recalcitrant cases, surgical procedures appear to be effective. Several authors have reported favorable results obtained by excision of involved skin with subsequent grafting of the defect. 1-5 In 1983 Belhaouari et a1.6 and in 1989 Hamm? described successful dermabrasion in cases of Hailey-Hailey disease resistant to conventional therapy. We report the cases of two patients in whom dermabrasion led to a long-standing absence of skin lesions.