Localized subepidermal bullae after intravenous phenobarbital.

The occurrence of subepidermal bullae and sweat gland necrosis in barbiturate-induced coma is well recognized. We report the case of a patient who received intravenous phenobarbital for refractory seizures and subsequently sustained subepidermal bullae without sweat gland necrosis in the skin around and proximal to the intravenous site. Although this may have been secondary to extravasation, a different mechanism of barbiturate-induced bulla formation may exist.