Occupational Favre-Racouchot syndrome.

We report the case of a man with a history of sun exposure and cigarette smoking and development of Favre‐Racouchot syndrome describing its characteristics and possible prevention.

The patient is a 61‐year‐old‐man who presents at our clinic because of an asymmetric dermatosis on the left malar region that spread to the left back part of the nose and has evolved during the last 5 years. Physical examination revealed, on the left malar region, cysts 6‐8 mm in size and several comedones. Facial examination also showed severe actinically damaged skin (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Asymmetric dermatosis with cysts 6–8 mm in size and several comedones (left side of face)

The patient had a 22‐pack‐year history of cigarette smoking, and he also mentioned driving a taxi for 12 years with continuous exposure to the sun with no photoprotection.

A clinical diagnosis of Favre‐Racouchot syndrome was made and confirmed by pathology. The skin lesion was manually and surgically removed and the skin later managed with topical retinoids with moderate improvement.

Favre‐Racouchot syndrome is a disorder that is characterized by comedones, cysts, and actinically damaged skin (elastosis). It is more prevalent in Caucasian males, and its etiology is unknown, although sun exposure and smoking are thought to be triggering agents. One theory is that sun exposure induces collagen degeneration and sebum retention. In this case, skin damage caused by sun exposure is evident (left [window] side of face).1, 2

The diagnosis is clinical and can be confirmed by pathology. Treatment is based on topical retinoids, mechanical removal, dermoabrasion, and pulsed carbon dioxide laser, and in severe cases, surgical removal can be an option.2

Solar protection and education in avoiding excessive sun exposure in the general population are essential for the prevention of this entity and other photosensitive dermatoses, such as skin cancer, actinic keratoses.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article.

INFORMED CONSENT

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.