Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2020;29(1):118-121

Wells’ syndrome in an 18-year-old Filipino female: A case report

Jarische Frances S. Lao-Ang 1 ; Claudine Yap-Silva 2

Affiliations

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Keywords

eosinophilic

Country

Philippines

Language

English

Abstract

This is a case of an 18-year-old Filipino female with no known comorbidities, who presented with a three-year history of recurrent erythematous papules, vesicles, and nodules over her bilateral side of the chin. She was initially managed as a case of infected acne vulgaris, and was given oral antibiotics such as Cloxacillin, Rifampicin, and Clarithromycin, but with minimal improvement. She was then referred to Dermatology service for further evaluation. A 3-mm skin punch biopsy on an erythematous nodule on the left chin was done, and histopathologic findings were diffuse eosinophilic infiltrates, exhibiting flame figures admixed with few lymphocytes and neutrophils, consistent with Wells’ syndrome, otherwise known as eosinophilic cellulitis. Serology also revealed elevated IgE level at 949.2 IU/mL but normal eosinophil count. Patient was then given oral corticosteroid for eight weeks, resulting in complete resolution of lesions and no residual scarring.