Case reports on erosive pustular dermatosis of scalp: a cross sectional study at a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) has been reported as a rare chronic and progressive non-infectious inflammatory condition of the actinically damaged scalp characterized by crusts, erosions and pustules. It tends to occur on the scalp of older people who have usually been treated for diffuse actinic damage and actinic keratoses. The list of possible differential diagnosis is long and includes tinea capitis, folliculitis decalvans, neutrophilic dermatosis, autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders, malignancy etc. Notoriously difficult to treat, these cases tend to be chronic and progressive. These patients often present after repeated treatment to various scalp dermatosis that doesn’t result in clearing instead persistence and perpetuation of the process. A cross sectional prospective study was conducted in department of dermatology in a tertiary care centre in which six cases of EPDS attending outpatient department from 2017 to 2019 were included. EPDS is more common but under recognized condition, hence less cases are reported till date. Increased awareness of and proper diagnosis of this condition changes the approach towards these patients, protects the scalp from involuntary insults and other precipitating factors that hinders with a better outcome.