Ashy dermatosis (Erythema dyschromicum pertans)

Abstract

Erythema dyschromicum perstans or ashy dermatosis was first described by Dr. Oswaldo Ramirez from El Salvador in 1957. It is a worldwide unfrequent disease, chronic, idiopathic hypermelanosis of long-standing evolution that is characterized by blue.gray color macules that look like ash, being the Spanish-American population the most frequently compromised. It usually affects the face, neck, trunk and extremities. Most of the cases have been reported in Latin America and Asia, involving dark skin people of both sexes and from ages rangingfrom one to eighty years. The diagnosis is achieved by clinico-pathological correlation, because of the similarities with other diseases such as lichen planus pigmentosus or idiopathic macular pigmentation. Many different therapeutic regimes have been tried, but Clofazimine and Dapsone are the most commonly used. The aim of this case report was to present a 45 year old women with hyperpigmentated macular lesions, asymptomatic, with locations on the trunk, axilla, neck and submammary region, with an evolution of approximately 6 months. A biopsy specimen was taken on May 2015 and the ashy (cenicient) dermatosis was identified. The patient was treated with hydroquinone 4 [%] plus glycolic acid 10 [%], together with Vitamin A, proving that this association shows a largely satisfactory response, and can be a valid alternative to treat this complaint.