Erythrokeratodermia variabilis. A family study.

Erythrokeratodermia variabilis is a rare genodermatosis; American authors have reported only four previous cases. It had been a problem to obtain a large pedigree for clinical investigation. We studied a family with 12 involved members in five generations. Symmetrically distributed migratory patches and scaling plaques are characteristic and were found to involute with a combination of keratolytic agents and topical steroids. Exacerbations of these patches and plaques were noted in our female patients during such high estrogen states as pregnancy or oral contraceptive usage.