Disseminate and Recurrent Infundibulofolliculitis: An Under-Recognized Yet Treatable Entity

December 2021 | Volume 20 | Issue 12 | Features | 1353 | Copyright © December 2021


Published online November 30, 2021

Betty C. Ma BA,a Vikram Nath Sahni BS,b Dev Ram Sahni MD MHA,c Aaron M. Secrest MD PhDc

aSchool of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
bCollege of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
cDepartment of Dermatology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT



disorder. A question that should arise in clinicians’ minds when they encounter a patient with DRIF is whether the condition requires treatment. Factors such as the severity of the patient’s DRIF and its impact on the patient’s quality of life should be considered due to the often benign and self-limiting course of the condition.2 Systemic therapies should be reserved for prolonged or recalcitrant disease.

This brief communication summarizes effective treatments for disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis and highlights a barrier to standardizing DRIF treatment. DRIF is often underrecognized, and identification is paramount for efficacious treatment. Clinicians should be aware that this skin condition can spontaneously resolve and the variety of modalities available for treatment.

DISCLOSURES

The authors declare no conflicts of interest or funding.

REFERENCES

1. Shakoei S, Ghanadan A, Razavi Z, Seraji S. A case of disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis successfully responded to oral doxycycline: A case report. Australas J Dermatol. 2020;61(4):e453-e454. doi: 10.1111/ ajd.13357. Epub 2020 Jun 16.
2. Owen WR, Wood C. Disseminate and Recurrent Infundibulofolliculitis. Arch Dermatol. 1979;115(2):174–175. doi:10.1001/archderm.1979.04010020020007
3. Ravikumar BC, Balachandran C, Shenoi SD, Sabitha L, Ramnarayan K. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis: response to psoralen plus UVA therapy. Int J Dermatol. 1999;38(1):75-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1365- 4362.1999.00482.x.
4. Hinds GA, Heald PW. A case of disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis responsive to treatment with topical steroids. Dermatol Online J. 2008;14(11):11.
5. Nair SP, Gomathy M, Kumar GN. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis in an Indian patient: A case report with review of literature. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8:39–41.
6. Calka O, Metin A, Ozen S. A case of disseminated and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis responsive to treatment with systemic isotretinoin. J Dermatol. 2002;29(7):431-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00300.x. 7. Aroni K, Grapsa A, Agapitos E. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis: response to isotretinoin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2004;3(4):434-5.
8. Aroni K, Aivaliotis M, Davaris P. Disseminated and recurrent infundibular folliculitis (D.R.I.F.): report of a case successfully treated with isotretinoin. J Dermatol. 1998;25(1):51-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1998.tb02346.x.
9. Thew MA, Wood MG. Disseminate and Recurrent Infundibulo-Folliculitis: Report of a Second Case. Arch Dermatol. 1969;100(6):728–733. doi:10.1001/ archderm.1969.01610300078013. 10. Hitch JM, Lund HZ. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulo-folliculitis. Arch Dermatol. 1972;105(4):580–583. doi:10.1001/archderm.1972.01620070052019.

AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Dev Sahni MD MHA dev.sahni@hsc.utah.edu
Close Menu