A case report of Hailey-Hailey disease treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser

Abstract

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) or familial benign pemphigus is a rare genetic condition, characterized by recurrent blisters and erosions, with a predilection for intertriginous areas. There is no specific treatment for HHD. Topical and systemic treatment tends to provide temporary remission. Alternative treatment (surgical interventions, such as dermabrasion, excision, and laser) has been shown to prolong remission. Considering the risk of complications associated with surgical modalities, laser is often preferred as an alternative for patients failing to respond to first-line therapies. We report a case of recalcitrant HHD successfully treated with a fractional ablative CO2 laser procedure (wavelength of 10600 nm, power of 7-10 W, 2-3 passes) on a 35-year-old female. The patient has a seven-year history of therapy-resistant HHD. A 2-month follow-up showed substantially resolved lesions, with mild erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in treated areas.

Keywords

• Hailey-Hailey disease
• familial pemphigus
• laser therapy
• carbon dioxide laser