Disseminate and Recurrent Infundibular Folliculitis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Stephen W White, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 15, 2011
 

History

  • Most patients report a sudden onset of a widespread pruritic papular eruption.
  • Disseminate and recurrent infundibular folliculitis has been reported to be exacerbated by hot showers and relieved by anything that cools (eg, cool showers, lotions, swimming).
  • Occasionally, a patient may report that a number of peers have been affected at the same time.
  • Often, disseminate and recurrent infundibular folliculitis patients have a personal or family history of atopy.
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Physical

  • Physical examination in disseminate and recurrent infundibular folliculitis reveals a papular eruption that has a follicular location.
  • In a given area, all the follicles are involved, with no skipping of any follicles in the area involved.
  • The usual sites are the chest and mantle and the upper arms.
  • Infundibular folliculitis is rather monomorphic without noted rubor, calor, and dolor.Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files. Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files.
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Causes

  • The exact cause of disseminate and recurrent infundibular folliculitis is unknown.
  • The history often suggests a hot, humid environment as a precipitating cause.
  • Once established, disseminate and recurrent infundibular folliculitis tends to persist or recur over a prolonged period.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Stephen W White, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University Hospital; Chief, Sub-section of Dermatology, Suburban Hospital

Stephen W White, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, International Society of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Christopher R Gorman, MD  Bethesda Dermatology, Private Practice; Assistant Clinical Professor, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Staff Dermatologist, National Naval Medical Center

Christopher R Gorman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James Fulton Jr, MD, PhD  Center for Cosmetic Dermatology; Consultant, Vivant Pharmaceuticals, LLC

James Fulton Jr, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Dermatology Foundation, International Society of Cosmetic and Laser Surgeons, and Skin Cancer Foundation

Disclosure: Vivant Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Consulting

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

  1. Hitch JM, Lund HZ. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulo-folliculitis: report of a case. Arch Dermatol. Apr 1968;97(4):432-5. [Medline].

  2. Barriere H, Litoux P, Bureau B, Stalder JF. [Disseminate and recurrent infundibulo-folliculitis (Hitch and Lund)]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. Apr 1980;107(4):299-302. [Medline].

  3. Hinds GA, Heald PW. A case of disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis responsive to treatment with topical steroids. Dermatol Online J. Nov 15 2008;14(11):11. [Medline].

  4. Ravikumar BC, Balachandran C, Shenoi SD, Sabitha L, Ramnarayan K. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis: response to psoralen plus UVA therapy. Int J Dermatol. Jan 1999;38(1):75-6. [Medline].

  5. Aroni K, Grapsa A, Agapitos E. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis: response to isotretinoin. J Drugs Dermatol. Jul-Aug 2004;3(4):434-5. [Medline].

  6. Owen WR, Wood C. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis. Arch Dermatol. Feb 1979;115(2):174-5. [Medline].

  7. El Shabrawi-Caelen L, Soyer HP. Clinical Pathologic Challenge: Patchy pityriasiform lichenoid eczema. Am J Dermatopathol. Jun 2005;27(3):216, 258.

  8. White SW, Rodman OG. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis. J Assoc Military Dermatol. 1981;22-23.

 
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Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files.
Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files.
Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files.
Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files.
Courtesy of San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium slide files.
 
 
 
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