Abstract
Hallopeau-Type Pemphigus Vegetans Emerging Under Long-Term Oral Prednisone Therapy
Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Faculty of Medicine, University of Eastern, Finland
Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia
Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Clinical Immunology, The University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
Dermatol Rev/Przegl Dermatol 2026, 113, 54–59
Introduction
Pemphigus vegetans is a rare subtype of pemphigus vulgaris characterized by papillomatous and vegetating lesions with a tendency for excessive crusting. The lesions most commonly involve intertriginous areas, the oral mucosa, and the scalp. Two clinical subtypes are recognized: the Hallopeau type, with pustules that develop into papillomatous plaques, and the Neumann type, a more severe and treatment-resistant form in which vegetations arise from vesiculobullous eruptions.
Case report
A 72-year-old male presented with extensive verrucous lesions in the groin, oral mucosa, and erythematous lesions on the scalp. Following diagnosis of pemphigus vegetans, the treatment with prednisone 40 mg/day combined with dapsone 100 mg/day was initiated. Marked clinical improvement was observed, with significant reduction and flattening of the lesions.
Conclusions
Early proper diagnosis enables effective disease management with lower doses of systemic steroids, thereby minimizing the risk of treatment-related complications.
Keywords
pemphigus vegetans, Hallopeau type, dapsone, prednisone
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