Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: Report of seven cases

Seven patients with erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp are reported. They developed chronic, extensive, eroded, crusted and occasionally pustular lesions on the scalp which produced scarring alopecia. Microbiological investigations were essentially negative and skin biopsies showed only non-specific changes. The use of mid-strength or potent local glucocorticoids produced a marked improvement. All the patients gave a history of previous local trauma in the same area where the dermatosis started, mainly shingles in the opthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve extending onto the frontal scalp and topical treatment of solar keratoses with retinoic cream or cryotherapy. As other authors, we consider that scalp injury is an important precipitating factor for this condition.