Terra firma–forme dermatosis

Abstract

Terra firma–forme dermatosis (TFFD) is an uncommon disorder of keratinization with an unknown etiology in which patients present with dirt-like lesions that are resistant to washing. A 6-year old girl presented with the complaint of an asymptomatic brownish black dirt-like eruption on her body. Her parents reported no response to washing with soap and water. Dermatologic examination revealed brown hyperpigmented patches on the trunk and abdominal region. TFFD was suspected, and isopropyl alcohol was applied to the patient’s lesions. All lesions completely disappeared after rubbing with alcohol. Terra firma–forme dermatosis is a relatively recently described entity that is much more common than might be expected when surveying the medical literature. With the very few reports found in the literature about TFFD, we believe that an increased awareness of this entity among primary care physicians would help decrease unnecessary worries or medical procedures, since TFFD lesions simply resolve by rubbing with isopropyl alcohol.

Keywords::

• Terra firma–forme dermatosis
• isopropyl alcohol
• hyperpigmented patches