Diffuse vegetating bromoderma

Halogenoderma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Halogenoderma (HD) is an uncommon dermatosis that develops following exposure to halogens such as iodide and bromide, referred to as iododerma and bromoderma, respectively. Here, we report the case of a 40-year-old male who presented with a three-week history of slightly itchy progressive skin lesions associated with low-grade fever and malaise. The patient had a history of using food supplements containing iodide and bromide for four months prior to the appearance of skin rashes. Skin examination revealed multiple crusted papules and nodules scattered on his face, neck, and trunk. A skin biopsy was taken from the lesions. The epidermis showed crustation, exocytosis of neutrophils, and multiple intraepidermal abscesses. The dermis showed heavy cellular infiltrates composed mainly of neutrophils. The skin lesions disappeared completely after the cessation of food supplements, along with the use of topical corticosteroids for a few weeks.

Disseminated vegetating infantile bromoderma: A dramatic response to systemic steroids

Bromoderma is a rare hypersensitivity reaction caused by bromide intake. It was relatively frequent in the early years of the previous century because of the common use of bromide-containing solutions in pediatrics due to their antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects. Although recently prohibited in many countries, bromides are still used as an adjuvant anticonvulsant drug and still present in some over the counter antispasmodics and analgesics. Bromoderma usually present with pustular and vegetating lesions that may represent a diagnostic challenge for dermatologists. We describe a severe case of vegetating bromoderma that showed an excellent response to the withdrawal of the bromide-containing medication associated with systemic steroid administration.