acropustulosis of infancy

This is a chronically recurring skin eruption of the first two or three years of life. It consists of the periodic appearance of small raised pustular lesions on the palms and soles. The pustules sometimes extend to the fingers and back of the hand as well. Treatment is high potency steroid creams, and perhaps antihistamines to counteract the itching.

It is often confused with scabies, and should be suspected when scabies treatment in a young child does not seem to work. The outbreaks first appear in the early months of life, last 5-7 days, and occur every few weeks at first. Over the course of time the attacks become less frequent, and disappear by age 3 or so.

Acropustulosis is most common in black male infants, but girls and other races can also be affected.

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