Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp: Clinical, Trichoscopic, and Histopathologic Features of 20 Cases

The study analyzed 20 patients with erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS), finding that the condition often coexists with androgenetic alopecia and can be triggered by trauma. The mean age of the patients was 59.4 years. Trichoscopy consistently showed an absence of follicular ostia and skin atrophy, while histopathology indicated varying features depending on the stage of the disease. Treatment with topical steroids, particularly clobetasol propionate 0.5% cream, was effective in 16 out of 18 patients, and topical tacrolimus 0.1% also showed promise in 3 patients. The study highlighted the usefulness of trichoscopy in diagnosing EPDS and recommended high-potency steroids or tacrolimus as first-line treatments, though it called for further research due to potential underrecognition of the condition.