Living with Subcorneal pustular dermatosis
A rare skin condition with pus-filled bumps in skin folds, most common in middle-aged adults and not an infection.
Understanding Subcorneal pustular dermatosis
It is most common in middle-aged adults, particularly women, but can develop in children. Bumps usually appear over a few hours and join into round or wavy patterns. They often form where skin touches or rubs, such as the groin, underarms, inner elbows, and backs of the knees. The bumps are not infected and it is not contagious. It may be linked to autoimmune and blood diseases, infections, and cancers.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these:
- Pus-filled bumps (pustules)
- Redness of the skin
- Mild itching
- Mild pain
- Darkened patches of skin
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Skin Disease Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the cause is not known. There is no evidence it is inherited, and it may be linked to other conditions or, rarely, to some medicines.
Also known as: pustulosis subcornealis; sneddon-wilkinson disease; sneddon-wilkinson disease or syndrome; sneddon-wilkinson syndrome; subcorneal pustular dermatitis
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Subcorneal pustular dermatosis.
Explore research for Subcorneal pustular dermatosis
Explore actively recruiting Subcorneal pustular dermatosis studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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