II. Pathophysiology
- Perforating Dermatosis present with papulonodular rashes characterized by transepidermal elimination of dermal components
- Acquired Perforating Dermatosis (described on this page), is characterized by transepidermal elimination of connective tissue
III. Types: Perforating Dermatosis
- Secondary Perforating Dermatosis (due to CKD, diabetes)- Acquired Perforating Dermatosis (described on this page)
 
- Primary Causes of Perforating Dermatosis- Kyrle Disease (KD)- Transepidermal elimination of abnormal keratin
- May be a variant of Prurigo Nodularis
 
- Reactive Perforating Collagenosis (RPC)- Childhood onset, with an transepidermal elimination of Collagen fibers
 
- Elastosis Perforans Serpinginosum (EPS)- Childhood onset, with an transepidermal elimination of elastic fibers
 
- Perforating Folliculitis (PF)- Transepidermal elimination of follicular contents
 
 
- Kyrle Disease (KD)
IV. Causes
- Chronic Kidney Disease (occurs in 10% of Hemodialysis patients)
- Diabetes Mellitus
V. Findings
- Characteristics
- Distribution- Most common on lower extremities
- May also affect upper extremities and trunk
 
- Provocative- Trauma and scratching result in additional skin lesions (Koebner Phenomenon)
 
VI. Differential Diagnosis
VII. Management
- Treat the underlying conditions
- Symptomatic- Corticosteroids (topical, systemic)
- Keratolytics (e.g. salicylic Acid, Retinoids, urea)
- Antihistamines (e.g. Cetirizine)
- Skin Emollients
- Ultraviolet BPhototherapy
 
VIII. Resources
- Harbaoui (2024) Acquired Perforating Dermatosis, StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL)
IX. References
- Wolff (2017) Fitzpatrick's Clinical Dermatology, 8th ed, McGraw Hill, p. 429
- McConnell (2024) Am Fam Physician 110(1):81-2 [PubMed]
