June 1990
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62 Citations
Archives of Dermatology
To the Editor.— Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola is a rare condition. We have found a total of 35 cases published in the literature to date. Both the nipple and areola were involved in 25 cases, whereas the nipple alone was affected in 10 cases (Table). The condition is of cosmetic importance only. Treatment with topically applied retinoic acid may induce an acceptable response. Report of a Case.— A 21-year-old woman presented with pigmentation and desquamation of the right nipple (but not the areola) present since the age of 11 (menarche occurred at age 9). New lesions appeared following pregnancy at age 20, in this case affecting the left nipple but not the areola; this made breast feeding impossible. No personal or family history of warts, epidermal nevi, or ichthyosis was reported. Examination revealed warty, asymptomatic hyperkeratosis confined to both nipples, but no other anomalies (Fig 1). Histologic examination