Introduction

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis is a rare and chronic dermatosis which often has a recurrent course. The differential diagnosis of the condition should include above all pustular psoriasis and IgA pemphigus.

Objective

Presentation of a case of subcorneal pustular dermatosis successfully treated with acitretin.

Case report

A 28-year-old male patient was admitted to the Department with extensive erythematous eruptions arranged in a polycyclic pattern with small pustules on the periphery. The findings of histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of subcorneal pustular dermatosis. After introducing treatment with acitretin a remission of skin lesions was achieved.

Conclusions

The reported case and the literature data show that the differential diagnosis of subcorneal pustular dermatosis continues to be a clinical and histopathological challenge. Because of therapeutic differences associated with the disease entities in question, the establishment of correct diagnosis of subcorneal pustular dermatosis is especially important, while the improvement seen in the patient’s condition confirms the efficacy of acitretin in the treatment of the disease.