Derm News: 2006(23)

Rosacea Fulminans in Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Ayten Ferahbas; Serap Utas; Selcuk Mistik; Umit Uksal; Dilek Peker

Rosacea fulminans is a rare disease of unknown cause, which occurs exclusively in women years after adolescence. Although the etiology is unknown, immunologic, hormonal, and vascular factors have been suggested. When rosacea fulminans occurs during pregnancy and in women taking oral contraceptive pills, hormonal factors may be a trigger. Rosacea fulminans is localized specifically to the face, with the chin, cheeks, and forehead bearing the brunt of the attack. A dull red, cyanotic erythema of all involved facial areas, extending beyond the inflammatory nodules, is typical.

We present the case of a 31-year-old pregnant woman who had rosacea fulminans during the first trimester of her second pregnancy. She had multiple erythematous papules, pustules, nodules, and purulent discharging cysts on the face. Conventional therapeutic approaches with systemic corticosteroids were associated with clear improvement within 2 months, and subsequently only 0.75% metronidazole topical cream was used during the second trimester.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.