Phrynoderma: a forgotten entity in a developed country

Chia MW, Tay YK, Liu TT
Correspondence: Dr Chia Min Wee, chia_min_wee@yahoo.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Phrynoderma is a type of follicular hyperkeratosis attributed to various nutritional deficiencies, most notably vitamin A. We report a case of a 31-year-old mentally-deficient man who was a resident of a voluntary welfare nursing home. He presented with characteristic hyperkeratotic follicular papules on his trunk in a setting of low serum level of vitamin A and malnutrition. Although commonly seen in South and East Asia, it is rarely reported in Singapore. However, there is still a population at risk here--patients with malabsorption and eating disorders, and institutionalised persons. Phrynoderma should, therefore, be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with hyperkeratotic folliculitis, especially when malnutrition is also present.

Keywords: follicular hyperkeratosis , hypovitaminosis A, malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies, phrynoderma
Singapore Med J 2008; 49(6):e160-e162