Bernard A Cohen, MD, is the section editor for Dermcase and professor of pediatrics and dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Bruise-like marks on a healthy teenage male’s back
October 9th 2020A 15-year-old male first noticed the marks on his back during a recent vertical growth spurt. On exam there are multiple horizontal violaceous linear striae on his back. He is otherwise healthy and denies any history of back injury or exposure to topical or systemic steroids. What's the diagnosis?
Bully bullae in a toddler spreads across the body
August 17th 2020You are asked to evaluate a healthy 19-month-old boy with a history of recurrent blisters on his arms and legs for over a year that have now spread to his face. The blisters scab over quickly, ulcerate, and heal with post-inflammatory pigmentary changes. What's the diagnosis?
Protuberant blister over newborn’s lumbar spine
January 1st 2018A healthy full-term newborn presented with a prominent sacral dimple within an oval patch. Ultrasound showed no evidence of spinal anomalies, and the child was discharged home. Three days later, the patch became elevated, red, and moist appearing, and she was brought to the emergency department (ED) for further evaluation of the “growing blister.”