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‘Tin‐tack’ sign in localized pemphigus foliaceus
Author(s) -
PARAMSOTHY Y.,
LAWRENCE C.M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb05800.x
Subject(s) - pemphigus foliaceus , sign (mathematics) , dermatology , tin , medicine , materials science , mathematics , immunology , metallurgy , mathematical analysis , antibody , autoantibody
SUMMARY Two patients with localized pemphigus foliaceus are described, in whom a positive ‘tin‐tack’ sign was a significant feature; this is the appearance of small horny plugs attached to the under‐surface of the scale removed from the affected site. This report is intended as a reminder that a positive ‘tin‐tack’ sign is not exclusively a feature of discoid lupus erythematosus but is also seen in localized pemphigus foliaceus. Localized pemphigus foliaceus or pemphigus erythematosus 1 is characterized by well demarcated erythematous areas of scaling and crusting which on the face may adopt a butterfly distribution, 2 thus resembling discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Removal of these scales reveals the presence of small horny plugs attached to the under‐surface, thus resembling ‘tin‐tacks’ or ‘carpet tacks’ penetrating the under‐surface. 2 Whilst a positive ‘tin‐tack’ sign is a well described clinical feature of DLE, it is not diagnostic. The same appearance is seen in localized pemphigus foliaceus, 2 although this physical sign has received little attention in the literature or standard textbooks. We report two patients with localized pemphigus foliaceus, both of whom demonstrated a positive ‘tin‐tack’ sign.