The ‘Dirty Neck’—a reticulate pigmentation in atopics

1365-2230

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Reticulate pigmentation of the neck is seen in some subjects with atopic eczema. It involves the anterior or antero-lateral aspects. It is often interpreted as an unwashed appearance and we have called it the ‘Dirty Neck’. Two patterns have emerged. One is found in mildly eczematous, young patients who have a marked increase in pigment during the summer months; it may be confluent in some parts and reticulate in others. The second pattern is a feature of severe atopic eczema, develops after puberty and shows little seasonal variation. Neither pattern is necessarily associated with eczema of the affected area. The morphological and histological characteristics of the ‘Dirty Neck’ are described and possible aetiologies discussed. Distinctions are drawn from ichthyotic ‘dirty necks’ and other types of reticulate pigmentations.

Electronic Resource