Impetigo Herpetiformis Unresponsive to Therapy in a Pregnant Adolescent

Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare pustular disorder affecting mainly pregnant women. We report a 16-yr-old adolescent primigravida, who presented with impetigo herpetiformis at 27 weeks gestation. She had a pustular erythroderma covering her entire body, except face, scalp, and palmoplantar regions, with severe pruritus and pain. After unsuccessful attempts of treatment with systemic corticosteroids, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics, treatment was switched to cyclosporine, but no therapeutic effect could be achieved. Because of the deteriorating condition of the patient, an early delivery decision was made. Her symptoms resolved after delivery, and at day 20 postpartum her skin lesions were completely resolved.