title: HIV associated eosinophilic folliculitis--differential diagnosis and management.
abstract: Eosinophilic folliculitis (EF) is a chronic, intensely pruritic condition of unknown pathogenesis that causes marked morbidity in those HIV patients whom it affects. There is a wide differential diagnosis of itchy skin conditions in HIV which are amenable to different treatments. It is therefore essential to take a biopsy of each suspected case and examine multiple sections of the biopsy to confirm or refute a diagnosis of EF. Treatment of EF can be difficult but we hope that by suggesting a rational approach to this and considering possible therapeutic options more patients may be helped with this troublesome dermatosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simpson-Dent
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Fearfield
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Staughton
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D026023:Permethrin; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D007306:Insecticides; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011722:Pyrethrins; D008795:Metronidazole; D017964:Itraconazole; D026023:Permethrin; D015474:Isotretinoin