Dermatose en terre sèche : aspects anatomo-cliniques

Where a diagnosis of terra firma-forme dermatosis is suspected, confirmation is easy to obtain using an alcohol swab. Nevertheless, the disease is not familiar to dermatologists. The most common differential diagnoses are acanthosis nigricans, reticulate and confluent papillomatosis, and Dowling-Degos disease. Their histopathological appearances are very different and skin biopsy can be useful for diagnosis. These entities belong to a group of disorders involving abnormal keratinisation and pigmentation. Anatomoclinical correlation is essential for optimal management. The appearance of the stratum corneum may play an important role in the diagnosis of terra firma-forme dermatosis.