ASHY DERMATOSIS - TREATMENT WITH CLOFAZIMINE

Abstract

Ashy dermatosis, or erythema dyschromicum perstans, is a rare dermatosis of unknown etiology. The au- thors report the case of a 46-year-old healthy man that presented with a 1-year history of asymptomatic gray macules on the trunk. The constellation of clinical features, laboratory studies and histopathology allowed the diagnosis of Ashy dermatosis. Treatment with oral clofazimine was started, with complete resolution of the cutaneous lesions and without relapses after 6 months of follow-up. Therapeutic options for Ashy dermatosis are numerous, but none with consistent efficacy. Treatment with clofazimine has been attempted not only for its cosmetic effect, producing a uniform colouring of the skin that masks the pigmented areas, but also because its beneficial effect may be mediated by anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. This report supports the therapeutic efficacy of clofazimine in a patient with Ashy der- matosis.

KEYWORDS – Clofazimine; Erythema; Pigmentation disorders; Skin diseases.