Acitretin-induced acral hemorrhagic lesions in Darier-White disease

Darier-White disease (DD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited disease characterized by keratotic papules that are usually located in seborrheic areas. Systemic retinoids generally are first-line treatment in cases of diffuse DD. We report the case of an 84-year-old woman with a hypertrophic variant of DD with acral lesions. Oral retinoids (acitretin) were administered as a first treatment of DD, with good clinical results. After a few months, hemorrhagic vesicles developed on palmoplantar surfaces. Suspension of the therapy led to the disappearance of the cutaneous manifestations.