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46-Year-Old Female With Itching On Arms

Can you diagnose this case?

David L. Kaplan, MD, University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Kansas, Consultant./strong>

Signs and Symptoms

A 46-year-old female with a history of eczema presents with a 2-month history over the summer of itching on her arms, mostly in a sun distributed pattern. She has some rash on her legs but it is mild and asymptomatic. She denies taking any new medications or exposures. She feels she actually flared a little on a methylprednisolone dose pack.

How would you diagnose her eczema?

Choose one to reveal diagnosis and discussion

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Poymorphous light eruption

Answer: Atopic dermatitis

See the full case at Consultant360

This patient had a biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis of an eczema flare. It was concluded that the sun had produced an exacerbation without any evidence of a photodermatitis. She was given a new topical regimen and placed on dexamethasone in case she was developing a sensitivity to methylprednisolone and did much better.