JOM

Demodex folliculitis: a masquerading entity

By JOM Staff

03.13.22

A 77-year-old man presented to a dermatology office in August 2021 with a six-month recalcitrant and pruritic facial rash that was initially diagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis and unsuccessfully treated with topical mometasone. Review of systems was unremarkable. A physical examination demonstrated an annular, erythematous, scaly patch with serous crusting on the right central forehead and erythematous patches on the bilateral malar cheeks (Image A). Suspecting tinea incognito, a KOH prep test was performed and revealed a significant infestation of demodex mites with no appreciable dermatophyte features (Image B). A shave biopsy showed a spongiotic dermatitis and chronic perifolliculitis with many demodex mites in the follicles. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain was negative for fungal elements. The above clinical and histopathological correlation confirmed the diagnosis of demodex folliculitis (demodicosis). Mometasone was discontinued as it clinically exacerbated his condition, and he was successfully treated with sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur with complete resolution.