EOSINOPHILIC PUSTULOUS FOLLICULITIS OF CHILDHOOD AN UNCOMMON DERMATOSIS IN PEDIATRICS!

Abstract

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of infancy is a sterile inflammatory dermatosis that generally affects children under 36 months of age. It is considered a self-limiting disease and typically resolves spontaneously by 3 years of age in most patients 1. Although its pathophysiological mechanism is unclear, it is thought to be caused by an antigenic stimulus that leads to a deregulation of the immune mechanisms and a localized hypersensitivity reaction, with selective chemotaxis of eosinophils 2. It is characterized by recurring papules, pruritic sterile pustules, primarily located on the scalp and may also affect the trunk and extremities.

Although its diagnosis is clinical, it can be confirmed through histopathological examination, which reveals a mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, consisting of neutrophils with a predominance of eosinophils at the follicular and perifollicular level, which is a common characteristic associated with peripheral eosinophilia 3. Currently, antihistamines represent the first line of treatment due to their anti-eosinophilic effect, as well as corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and certain NSAIDs such as indomethacin 4.

This study presents the clinical case of a 1-year-and-3-month-old infant with a dermatosis located on the scalp characterized by some erythematous papules, scabs, pustules, and whitish scales. These symptoms had been developing for 6 months, were associated with itching, and were initially treated as scabies. The relevance of this article lies in the importance of recognizing this pathology to avoid erroneous diagnoses and prescriptions.