FAMILIAL BENIGN CHRONIC PEMPHIGUS

Abstract

FAMILIAL benign chronic pemphigus (Hailey and Hailey's disease) is a rare dermatosis. Its cause is, as yet, not known. The following case is reported chiefly on account of the pathologic interpretation and the response of the lesions to therapy. REPORT OF CASE History.—Miss H. H., a white woman, aged 27 was referred to one of us (S. E.) on June 17, 1944, on account of a long-standing dermatosis of the neck. Since childhood the patient had noticed a brown discoloration on both sides of the neck. For about eight years one of these areas usually had been sore. The eruption starts with little papules and blisters; later oozing occurs and crusts are formed. Some pruritus was constantly present. The lymph nodes of the neck were enlarged and tender during the time the eruption was active. For a few months of the year the lesions seemed virtually healed. This happened