Papuloerythroderma of Ofuji: PUVA bath therapy

Papuloerythroderma of Ofuji is a rare skin disorder described primarily in Japanese patients. It occurs primarily in elderly men. The initital lesions are diffuse red papules,sparing the face, palms and soles. Later the papul es coalesce into an erythroderma, with typical sparing of the skin folds an d creases (the deck chair sign). Pruritus is usually intense. Lymphadenopat hy, peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated IgE levels all are common. B oth systemic corticosteroids and systemic PUVA therapy have been recommende d. We describe a German male who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for papu loerythroderma of Ofuji and responded well to PUVA bath therapy with both i mprovement in skin findings and reduction in pruritus.