Although not always of definite diagnostic value, regional
predilection may be of corroborative aid. There are certain diseases of the
skin that are found almost exclusively in definite regions, as rosacea on the flush
areas of the face, erythema multiforme on the backs of the hands, forearms, and
face, and tinea barbae of the bearded region. Other conditions are more common
on certain areas, as acne of the face, neck and shoulders, lupus erythematosus of
the face, and seborrheic dermatitis and ringworm on the scalp. Pityriasis
rosea, tinea versicolor, scabies, and pediculosis corporis are usually limited
to trunk and extremities, without involvement above the neck. Nearly every
dermatosis has regional predilections, which constitute an important diagnostic
feature in the clinical picture. Appended is a list of common skin diseases
arranged according to regional predilection.
Scalp
Seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, depilating folliculitides, furunculosis,
alopecia of various kinds, molluscum contagiosum, warts, sebaceous cysts, lupus
erythematosus, carcinoma, melanoma, and, more often in children, ringworm,
favus, pediculosis, and impetigo.
Ears
Seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis due to hair dye, impetigo
associated with pediculosis capitis, lupus erythematosus, frostbite, lupus
vulgaris, keratoses, chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis, basal cell
or squamous cell carcinoma (more often the latter), and leprosy.
Face
Acne, seborrheic dermatitis, milium, molluscum contagiosum, impetigo, furuncle,
erysipelas, rosacea, lupus erythematosus, lupus vulgaris, syphilis, keratosis,
carcinoma, nevi, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, eczema, erythema multiforme,
chloasma, lentigo, vitiligo, radiodermatitis, warts, leprosy, actinomycosis,
ringworm, hydroa vacciniforme, drug eruptions, contact dermatitis from hair dye
and lacquer, perfume, moth preventives, nail polish, feathers in pillows, sensitivity
to cat hair, and dermatitis venenata from ivy, primrose, and various other
plants or pollens.
Eyebrows
Seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia
areata, myxedema, syphilis, sycosis vulgaris, and hypertrichosis.
Eyelids
Xanthelasrna, eczema, contact dermatitis, milium, rodent ulcer, lupus
erythematosus, verrucae, seborrheic dermatitis, hydrocystoma, hordeolum, and
meibomian cyst.
Nose
Keratoses, carcinoma, rosacea, furuncle, lupus erythematosus, tertiary
syphilis, iododerma, and ephedrine dermatitis.
Lips
Herpes simplex, eczema, angioneurotic edema, sycosis vulgaris, sporadic
elephantiasis, chancre, Fordyce's condition, cheilitis exfoliativa, and
cheilitis glandularis, leukoplakia, lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme,
keratoses, carcinoma—upper lip usually basal cell and lower lip nearly always
squamous cell type—lipstick dermatitis, aphthae.
Bearded Region
Staphylococcic sycosis, ringworm, impetigo,
alopecia areata, hypertrichosis, eczema, carcinoma, sebaceous cyst, nevi.
Neck
Furuncle, carbuncle, ringworm, seborrheic dermatitis, neurodermatitis,
tinea versicolor, syphilitic leukoderma, pellagra, dermatitis papillaris
capillitii, scrofuloderma, keloid, dermatitis due to dye in fur collars, and
nail polish.
Chest
Seborrheic dermatitis,
acne, keratoses, herpes zoster, tinea versicolor, pityriasis rosea, eczema,
psoriasis, syphilis, scleroderma, keloid, and dermatitis due to nail polish,
perfume, and prickly heat.
Abdomen
Scabies, syphilis, pityriasis rosea, tinea versicolor, eczema,
pediculosis corporis, herpes zoster, urticaria, lichen planus, exanthernata,
drug eruptions, dermatitis due to rubber girdle, prickly heat.
Back.
Acne, syphilis, herpes
zoster, eczema, pityriasis rosea, pedicu-losis corporis, tinea versicolor,
psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, keratoses, carcinoma, and dermatitis
herpetiformis.
Buttocks
Acne, furuncle, scabies, syphilis, eczema, urticaria,
scrofulo-derma, and dermatitis herpetiformis.
Gluteal Crease and Anus
Pruritus, seborrheic dermatitis, dermatophy-tosis, eczema, psoriasis, condyloma
latum, condyloma acuminatum, granuloma inguinale, lymphogranuloma venereum.
Genitalia
Chancre, chancroid, condyloma acuminatum, leukoplakia,
moniliasis, herpes simplex, scabies, lichen planus, psoriasis, lymphogranuloma
venereum, pruritus, neurodermatitis, pediculosis pubis, dermatitis venenata,
and epithelioma.
Groins
Tinea cruris, pityriasis rosea, seborrheic dermatitis, intertrigo, psoriasis, furuncle, pemphigus, pediculosis corporis, granuloma inguinale, molluscum contagiosum, lymphogranuloma venereum.
Groins
Tinea cruris, pityriasis rosea, seborrheic dermatitis, intertrigo, psoriasis, furuncle, pemphigus, pediculosis corporis, granuloma inguinale, molluscum contagiosum, lymphogranuloma venereum.
Thighs
Scabies, urticaria, eczema, psoriasis, ecchymosis, parapsoriasis, keratosis pilaris, exanthemata, dermatitis due to rubber garters.
Scabies, urticaria, eczema, psoriasis, ecchymosis, parapsoriasis, keratosis pilaris, exanthemata, dermatitis due to rubber garters.
Legs
Lichen planus, prurigo, pruritus, erythema nodosum, erythema induratum, varicose ulcers, varicose eczema, purpura, syphilis, elephantiasis, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, leprosy, flea bites, dermatitis due to poison ivy.
Lichen planus, prurigo, pruritus, erythema nodosum, erythema induratum, varicose ulcers, varicose eczema, purpura, syphilis, elephantiasis, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, leprosy, flea bites, dermatitis due to poison ivy.
Feet
Dermatophytosis plantar warts, arsenical keratoses, hyperhi-drosis, frostbite, eczema, psoriasis, syphilis, leprosy, callus, corn, Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma, dermatitis from shoe dyes, antimildew compounds and leather, and in infants, scabies.
Dermatophytosis plantar warts, arsenical keratoses, hyperhi-drosis, frostbite, eczema, psoriasis, syphilis, leprosy, callus, corn, Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma, dermatitis from shoe dyes, antimildew compounds and leather, and in infants, scabies.
Hands
Dermatophytosis, warts, scabies, furuncle, occupational dermatitis, dermatitis venenata, infectious eczematoid dermatitis, eczema, erythema multiforme, hyperhidrosis, erysipeloid, leukoderma, pellagra, granuloma annulare, syphilis, radiodermatitis, keratoses, carcinoma, and leprosy.
Dermatophytosis, warts, scabies, furuncle, occupational dermatitis, dermatitis venenata, infectious eczematoid dermatitis, eczema, erythema multiforme, hyperhidrosis, erysipeloid, leukoderma, pellagra, granuloma annulare, syphilis, radiodermatitis, keratoses, carcinoma, and leprosy.
Forearms and Wrists
Dermatitis venenata, occupational dermatitis, pellagra, warts, scabies, erythema multiforme, lichen planus, prurigo, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, contact dermatitis from wrist watch or leather strap, or from strong soaps.
Dermatitis venenata, occupational dermatitis, pellagra, warts, scabies, erythema multiforme, lichen planus, prurigo, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, contact dermatitis from wrist watch or leather strap, or from strong soaps.
Elbows and Knees
Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, xanthoma, scabies, ichthyosis, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, subcutaneous fibrotic gummas, epidermolysis bullosa, and verruca plana.
Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, xanthoma, scabies, ichthyosis, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, subcutaneous fibrotic gummas, epidermolysis bullosa, and verruca plana.
Axillae
Ringworm, furuncle, molluscum contagiosum, Fox-Fordyce disease, hyperhidrosis, seborrheic dermatitis, intertrigo, pityriasis rosea, scabies, erythrasma, and infectious eczematoid dermatitis, contact dermatitis from rubber dress shields, dyestuffs, perspiration correctives and toilet waters, and hidrosadenitis axillaris.
Ringworm, furuncle, molluscum contagiosum, Fox-Fordyce disease, hyperhidrosis, seborrheic dermatitis, intertrigo, pityriasis rosea, scabies, erythrasma, and infectious eczematoid dermatitis, contact dermatitis from rubber dress shields, dyestuffs, perspiration correctives and toilet waters, and hidrosadenitis axillaris.