Ulerythema Ophryogenes and Atopy

Abstract

In 15 patients from five different families with ulerythema ophryogenes strong evidence for an atopic diathesis were found. Most patients had a personal history of atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or asthma and many of their family were atopic. They had strongly positive reactions on intracutaneous injection of inhalation allergens, except two who had marked blood and tissue eosinophilia. From the genealogic table of one family it is evident that ulerythema ophryogenes, like keratosis pilaris and atopy, depends on an irregular dominant gene. The genetic defect responsible for ulerythema ophryogenes might be identical or closely linked with the defect responsible for atopy.