10 cases of keratoderma climactericum are reported. This keratosis of the palms and soles appears late in women of menopausal age. The keratotic lesions first develop at the plantar pressure points, making walking troublesome. Involvement of the hands remains discrete. Examination for contact allergy, fungal tests, vitamin A serum levels, and sex hormones were negative or normal in all the 10 patients. Microscopy revealed a lichenified eczema with evidence of mechanical irritation. Etretinate (0.78 mg/kg/day) brought about partial or total remission of the hyperkeratosis. Pain on walking disappeared in all the patients.

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This paper describes two episodes of eczema herpeticum occurring in a woman with Darier’s disease. During the first episode, the vesicular eruption represented a primary herpetic infection because there were no IgM herpes antibodies. The second attack suggested a recurrent infection. Herpes simplex, virus type I was isolated from the lesions in both cases.

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