What is Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau?
Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau is a rare, chronic, localized, pustular eruption on the fingers and toes. First identified by an accomplished French doctor in 1800s, François Henri Hallopeau; he named the condition after himself as "Hallopeau Syndrome II." Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, which may also be called dermatitis repens, is a rare, chronic, localized, pustular eruption on the fingers and toes. It can spread, eventually covering the hands or feet and causing a deformed appearance or even loss of toenails and fingernails. Although it is considered to be a variant of pustular psoriasis, it is sometimes classified as a separate condition. Acropustulosis is more common in middle-aged women and often begins after localized trauma or infection on a single digit on the hands or feet.
Symptoms of Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau
The symptoms of Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau include skin lesions on the ends of the fingers and sometimes the toes. The eruption occasionally starts after an injury to the skin or infection. Often the lesions are painful and disabling, resulting in a deformity of the nails. Bone changes have been known to occur in severe cases.
Acrodermatitis continua, is characterized by multiple pustules with scale within a patch of redden skin. It is usually confines to an area on one or two digits of the fingers or toes. The pustules may come together to form pools of pus, and, over time, they may spread to include a larger area of the hands, forearms, and feet.
This skin disorder is easily misdiagnosed as bacterial or fungal eruption, owing to its chronic discharge of pus; it may be easily mistaken for allergic contact dermatitis or dyshidrotic eczema.
The cause of Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau
The cause of Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau is still unknown. Because of its similarity to pustular psoriasis, many consider it as a variant of pustular palmoplantar psoriasis. The initial episode may occur after an injury to the skin, however studies investigating the cause of the disease have led scientists to believe that the staphylococcal infection also plays a role.
Acrodermatitis may be related is a genetic disorder which prevents absorption of zinc. Dry skin, acne, white spots on fingernails, delayed wound healing and infections are symptoms of mild to moderate zinc deficiency. Topically applied zinc has been used for centuries to aid in the healing of the skin.
Treatment of Acropustulosis or Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau
Treatment of Acrodermatitis continua is often difficult and there is no established treatment regimen. Because of its similarity to pustular psoriasis, several psoriasis treatment methods have been tried.
Unfortunately, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau has been traditionally hard to treat. Initial treatment may with a steroid based ointment. Oral drugs have been used with some success in clearing the lesions and restoring the nails. As with other forms of pustular psoriasis PUVA therapy may also be used.
Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is also known as Acrodermatitis continua, Acrodermatitis perstans, continua acrodermatitis, Dermatitis repens, perstans acrodermatitis, Recalcitrant pustular eruption of palms and soles, repens dermatitis.
