Actinic Superficial Folliculitis

Actinic superficial folliculitis, first described in 1985, had only three prior reports before this study. The case involved a 30-year-old man who developed extensive superficial follicular pustulosis on his back, shoulders, and upper chest after exposure to intense heat and sweating. The pustules appeared within 24-36 hours. Histology and immunohistochemistry showed subcorneal pustules, suppurative folliculitis, and an infiltrate of T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils around hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and small vessels. This was the first report to characterize the inflammatory infiltrate, supporting the notion that actinic superficial folliculitis is a distinct clinical entity.