Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases

Dermatosis neglecta is a benign cutaneous condition which is often misdiagnosed. It occurs due to poor local hygiene or inadequate washing of a part of the body resulting in progressive accumulation of sebum, sweat, keratin and other debris which form an adherent crust of dirt. It mainly occurs in i...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Devaraj Yogesh, Nikitha Reddy Mittamidi, Zigu S Krshn, Taranpreet Kaur Kalra, Priyanka Yogananda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2022-12-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/17315/57353_CE(Vi)_F(IS)_PF1(SC_SS_OM)_PFA(OM)_PN(SS).pdf
_version_ 1828056175176843264
author Devaraj Yogesh
Nikitha Reddy Mittamidi
Zigu S Krshn
Taranpreet Kaur Kalra
Priyanka Yogananda
author_facet Devaraj Yogesh
Nikitha Reddy Mittamidi
Zigu S Krshn
Taranpreet Kaur Kalra
Priyanka Yogananda
author_sort Devaraj Yogesh
collection DOAJ
description Dermatosis neglecta is a benign cutaneous condition which is often misdiagnosed. It occurs due to poor local hygiene or inadequate washing of a part of the body resulting in progressive accumulation of sebum, sweat, keratin and other debris which form an adherent crust of dirt. It mainly occurs in individuals who are unable to take care of themselves, like those with physical disability or psychosis. It is usually asymptomatic and is characterised by localised hyperpigmented patch or verrucous papules and plaques. Rubbing the affected area with alcohol-soaked gauze results in complete clearance of the lesion which is both diagnostic and therapeutic. The present case series describes four patients of different age groups. The first patient was a 65-year-old female, who underwent amputation of the gangrenous toes of right foot. She did not wash that leg for several weeks following surgery and developed cornflakes-like scaly lesions. Later lesions were diagnosed as dermatosis neglecta. Second case was an 18-year-old male, who presented with lesions on neck, which was misdiagnosed initially as Pityriasis vesicolor. The third patient was a 20-year-old female, who presented with lesions on neck and was earlier diagnosed and treated as acanthosis nigricans. The fourth patient was a two-year-old female who developed lesions on neck due to accumulation of dirt and debris. In all these patients, lesions resolved on rubbing with alcohol-soaked swab. Very little data is available in medical literature about this condition. Therefore this case series is being reported to bring awareness among dermatologists. This would enable prompt clinical recognition and obviate the need for expensive investigations and treatment strategies.
first_indexed 2024-04-10T20:51:23Z
format Article
id doaj.art-7df1b5b519574d1f8c3ac9088c2d4df0
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2249-782X
0973-709X
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-10T20:51:23Z
publishDate 2022-12-01
publisher JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
record_format Article
series Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
spelling doaj.art-7df1b5b519574d1f8c3ac9088c2d4df02023-01-23T12:05:11ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2022-12-011612WR01WR0410.7860/JCDR/2022/57353.17315Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four CasesDevaraj Yogesh0Nikitha Reddy Mittamidi1Zigu S Krshn2Taranpreet Kaur Kalra3Priyanka Yogananda4Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.Junior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.Senior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.Junior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.Junior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Adichunc hanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.Dermatosis neglecta is a benign cutaneous condition which is often misdiagnosed. It occurs due to poor local hygiene or inadequate washing of a part of the body resulting in progressive accumulation of sebum, sweat, keratin and other debris which form an adherent crust of dirt. It mainly occurs in individuals who are unable to take care of themselves, like those with physical disability or psychosis. It is usually asymptomatic and is characterised by localised hyperpigmented patch or verrucous papules and plaques. Rubbing the affected area with alcohol-soaked gauze results in complete clearance of the lesion which is both diagnostic and therapeutic. The present case series describes four patients of different age groups. The first patient was a 65-year-old female, who underwent amputation of the gangrenous toes of right foot. She did not wash that leg for several weeks following surgery and developed cornflakes-like scaly lesions. Later lesions were diagnosed as dermatosis neglecta. Second case was an 18-year-old male, who presented with lesions on neck, which was misdiagnosed initially as Pityriasis vesicolor. The third patient was a 20-year-old female, who presented with lesions on neck and was earlier diagnosed and treated as acanthosis nigricans. The fourth patient was a two-year-old female who developed lesions on neck due to accumulation of dirt and debris. In all these patients, lesions resolved on rubbing with alcohol-soaked swab. Very little data is available in medical literature about this condition. Therefore this case series is being reported to bring awareness among dermatologists. This would enable prompt clinical recognition and obviate the need for expensive investigations and treatment strategies.https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/17315/57353_CE(Vi)_F(IS)_PF1(SC_SS_OM)_PFA(OM)_PN(SS).pdfunwashed dermatosisdiagnostic challengepoor local hygienepsychosis
spellingShingle Devaraj Yogesh
Nikitha Reddy Mittamidi
Zigu S Krshn
Taranpreet Kaur Kalra
Priyanka Yogananda
Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
unwashed dermatosis
diagnostic challenge
poor local hygiene
psychosis
title Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases
title_full Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases
title_fullStr Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases
title_full_unstemmed Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases
title_short Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases
title_sort dermatosis neglecta involving different age groups a series of four cases
topic unwashed dermatosis
diagnostic challenge
poor local hygiene
psychosis
url https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/17315/57353_CE(Vi)_F(IS)_PF1(SC_SS_OM)_PFA(OM)_PN(SS).pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT devarajyogesh dermatosisneglectainvolvingdifferentagegroupsaseriesoffourcases
AT nikithareddymittamidi dermatosisneglectainvolvingdifferentagegroupsaseriesoffourcases
AT ziguskrshn dermatosisneglectainvolvingdifferentagegroupsaseriesoffourcases
AT taranpreetkaurkalra dermatosisneglectainvolvingdifferentagegroupsaseriesoffourcases
AT priyankayogananda dermatosisneglectainvolvingdifferentagegroupsaseriesoffourcases