Bullosis diabeticorum in a morbidly obese woman in Haiti

Abstract

Bullosis diabeticorum is a rare skin complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by sudden onset bullous lesions with no history of trauma. It predominantly affects men and has an acral asymmetric presentation. Here, we report a case of bullous disease in a diabetic patient with morbid obesity, the first described in Haiti. A 40-year-old woman, with a strong history of diabetic for five years, poorly controlled and morbidly obese presented to our emergency for bullosis lesions in her limb. She had a prior presentation about two years ago and, approximately a week before this actual presentation, the same symptomatology occurred suddenly without any trauma. After evaluation and screening, the diagnosis of bullosis diabeticorum was kept. She was initially treated with antibiotics due to signs of superinfection. However, as soon as the symptoms improved, antibiotics were discontinued. An antiseptic lotion and topical antibiotic, neomycin, were used along with daily dressings. About a week after, her blood glucose came to control, signs of infection disappeared as did the bullous lesions and surgical evaluation was performed to ensure proper wound evolution. She was educated by a nutritionist, and our team emphasized the importance of regular follow-up at the hospital. Diabetic bullous disease is very rare and easy to confuse with other diabetic skin complications. A good clinical history is essential to make the diagnosis, and management requires good therapeutic education to avoid the burdensome complications of diabetes.

Keywords: bullosis diabeticorum; diabetes management; diabetic foot; diabetic skin complication.

Fig. 1

Presentation of bullous lesions two years after the first hospitalization.

Fig. 2

Presentation of the lesions during the second hospitalization.

Fig. 3

Disappearance of bullous lesions after two weeks of management.