Blistering Distal Dactylitis in an Adult

This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables. Abstract To the Editor.— Blistering distal dactylitis is a superficial infection of the anterior fat pad of the distal portion of the fingers, caused by group A β-hemolytic streptococci.1 The disease has been described in children but, to our knowledge, no case in adults has been previously reported.1-5 We herein report a case of blistering distal dactylitis in an adult fishmonger. Report of a Case.— A 35-year-old male fishmonger was referred to our office because of persistent purulent bullous lesions with an erythematous and edematous base. The locations of the lesions on the right hand were the volar fat pads (Fig 1) of the first, second, and third fingers and the dorsum of the fourth finger proximal interphalangeal joint (Fig 2). He complained of pain and functional disability without systemic symptoms.A thin, pale, purulent exudate was aspirated from these lesions. Group A β-hemolytic streptococci were isolated in culture.