Refractory Hailey-Hailey Disease That Responded Well to Photodynamic Therapy

Sequential treatments of Hailey-Hailey disease with photodynamic therapy, botulinum toxin type A and dapsone: A case report

Hailey-Hailey disease is a rare autosomal dominant chronic recalcitrant blistering genodermatosis involving the intertriginous areas. Therapeutic options are various, depending on the type and size of the lesion, and include topical and systemic corticosteroids, topical and systemic retinoids, and DMARDs, but the only true curative approach is represented by the destruction of the affected areas through different techniques like carbon dioxide laser, photodynamic therapy, electron beam radiotherapy, botulinum toxin type A. We report a case of Hailey-Hailey disease successfully treated with a consequential regimen of PDT, botulinum toxin type A and dapsone.

Hailey-Hailey Disease: An Update Review with a Focus on Treatment Data

Hailey-Hailey disease is a rare blistering dermatosis first described in 1939 by the brothers Howard and Hugh Hailey. Its incidence is estimated at 1/50,000. The inheritance is autosomal dominant with complete penetrance, but a variable expressivity in affected family members. Clinically, Hailey-Hailey disease presents between the third and fourth decade as flaccid vesicles and blisters on erythematous skin, giving rise to erosions, fissures, and vegetations. Maceration and superinfections are frequent. The lesions are typically distributed symmetrically within intertriginous regions such as the retroauricular folds, lateral aspects of the neck, axillae, umbilicus, inguinal, and perianal regions. The disease is characterized by a chronic relapsing course with spontaneous remissions and multiple recurrences. Severe disease can be very frustrating and have a major psychological and social impact. Given the dearth of evidence-based guidelines and large clinical trials, the assessment of the efficacy and safety of treatments is difficult. Treatments include topical and systemic agents, and procedural therapy such as lasers and surgery. This review provides a systematic search of the literature with a focus on classical and emerging treatment options for Hailey-Hailey disease.

Familial "benign" pemphigus? Erythroderma and fatal outcome

Hailey-Hailey disease, or familial benign pemphigus, is a rare bullous genodermatosis that usually presents with flaccid blisters, erosions, and maceration limited to flexural areas, resulting in increased morbidity and reduced quality of life for affected patients. The authors report an unusual case of generalized Hailey-Hailey disease with erythroderma and fatal outcome.