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Review
. 2015 Jul 31;5(3):29-33.
doi: 10.5826/dpc.0503a08. eCollection 2015 Jul.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis: A report of ten individuals with Duncan's dirty dermatosis and literature review

Tanya Greywal  1 , Philip R Cohen  2
Affiliations
Review

Terra firma-forme dermatosis: A report of ten individuals with Duncan's dirty dermatosis and literature review

Tanya Greywal et al. Dermatol Pract Concept. .

Abstract

Background: Terra-firma forme dermatosis, also known as Duncan's dirty dermatosis, is a benign skin condition that presents as dirt-like plaques in patients of all ages.

Purpose: We describe a series of ten patients that presented with terra-firma forme dermatosis.

Methods and materials: We reviewed PubMed for the following terms: dermatosis, Duncan's dirty dermatosis, isopropyl alcohol, terra firma, and terra firma-forme dermatosis. We also reviewed papers containing these terms and their references.

Results: The diagnosis of terra firma-forme dermatosis was confirmed in all patients who had complete resolution of each lesion after the application of 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Conclusions: Terra-firma forme dermatosis is easily diagnosed and treated with 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is important to recognize this benign dermatologic condition since it can be confused with other cutaneous disorders. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary referrals, biopsies, blood tests, and medications, we suggest a trial of wiping the skin lesion with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads when the diagnosis of terra-firma forme dermatosis is considered.

Keywords: Duncan’s dirty dermatosis; dermatosis; isopropyl alcohol; terra firma; terra firma-forme.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Terra firma-forme dermatosis in an 82-year-old man (case 7). A brown plaque is present on the concave skin of the right distal neck (A). Resolution of the brown plaque after rubbing with several 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). The isopropyl alcohol pads before (C) and after (D) use, showing evidence of the brown pigmentation that was removed. [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Terra firma-forme dermatosis in an 82-year-old man (case 7). A brown plaque is present on the concave skin of the right distal neck (A). Resolution of the brown plaque after rubbing with several 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). The isopropyl alcohol pads before (C) and after (D) use, showing evidence of the brown pigmentation that was removed. [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Terra firma-forme dermatosis in an 82-year-old man (case 7). A brown plaque is present on the concave skin of the right distal neck (A). Resolution of the brown plaque after rubbing with several 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). The isopropyl alcohol pads before (C) and after (D) use, showing evidence of the brown pigmentation that was removed. [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Terra firma-forme dermatosis in an 82-year-old man (case 7). A brown plaque is present on the concave skin of the right distal neck (A). Resolution of the brown plaque after rubbing with several 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). The isopropyl alcohol pads before (C) and after (D) use, showing evidence of the brown pigmentation that was removed. [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The initial appearance of a brown plaque on the subclavicular chest of an 86-year-old man (case 9) (A). Resolution of the brown plaque after rubbing with 70% isopropyl alcohol (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The initial appearance of a brown plaque on the subclavicular chest of an 86-year-old man (case 9) (A). Resolution of the brown plaque after rubbing with 70% isopropyl alcohol (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
An 82-year-old man (case 8) with a hyperkeratotic brown plaque in the inguinal fold, as seen on initial presentation (A). Clearing of the lesion in the inguinal fold after aggressive wiping with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
An 82-year-old man (case 8) with a hyperkeratotic brown plaque in the inguinal fold, as seen on initial presentation (A). Clearing of the lesion in the inguinal fold after aggressive wiping with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Clinical presentation of terra firma-forme dermatosis in a 58-year-old man (case 2). Brown plaques affecting the interspaces between the first through fourth toes, bilaterally (A). Clearing of terra firma-forme dermatosis after wiping with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Clinical presentation of terra firma-forme dermatosis in a 58-year-old man (case 2). Brown plaques affecting the interspaces between the first through fourth toes, bilaterally (A). Clearing of terra firma-forme dermatosis after wiping with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Terra firma-forme dermatosis in a 66-year-old man (case 4). Initial presentation of black and brown papules and plaques on the concha of the right ear (A). Resolution of all pigmentation after the application of 70% isopropyl alcohol (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Terra firma-forme dermatosis in a 66-year-old man (case 4). Initial presentation of black and brown papules and plaques on the concha of the right ear (A). Resolution of all pigmentation after the application of 70% isopropyl alcohol (B). [Copyright: ©2015 Greywal et al.]
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References

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