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Case Reports
. 2025 Apr 6;17(4):e81788.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.81788. eCollection 2025 Apr.

A Reticulated Rash With Rapid Recovery

Dana Simon  1 , Michelle Gallagher  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Reticulated Rash With Rapid Recovery

Dana Simon et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis (CARP) is a rare and benign dermatosis, however, it can cause immense cosmetic insecurities in affected patients. It is most common on the trunk and neck, more common in female patients than male patients, and there appears to be a correlation with overweight and obese body mass index levels. Many of the patients presenting with CARP are adolescents who are especially vulnerable to resultant social isolation and embarrassment due to the cosmetic insecurities they face from CARP. For this reason, prompt diagnosis and treatment of the condition is critical. There are many conditions that can mimic CARP, with acanthosis nigricans being the most common, however, CARP has a much more direct and timely treatment option. We present a case of a 13-year-old female patient with a complaint of a three-year history of stable discoloration to the chest and neck who was able to achieve clearance in just eight weeks with the appropriate treatment.

Keywords: acanthosis nigricans; carp; confluent and reticulated papillomatosis; hyperpigmented reticular rash; reticulated rash.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Hyperpigmented papules and plaques in a reticular pattern in subxiphoid region.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Hyperpigmented papules and plaques in a reticular pattern on posterior neck.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Rapid clearance and almost full resolution of hyperpigmented reticular rash at her four-week follow-up appointment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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