Summer-associated dermatitis: A cross-sectional study of a unique eczematous dermatosis in south India

Background: In our hospital setup located in the tropical zone, during each summer, we frequently come across a unique eczematous dermatosis among elderly females that typically occur in summer. Aims and Objectives: We carried out this study with the objective of studying the demographic and clinical features of this dermatosis. Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based descriptive study, we enrolled twenty consecutive patients presenting with typical features of the dermatosis of interest, such as itchy eczematous scaly papule and plaques distributed predominantly over flexures, self-limiting in nature, and with summer exacerbation. Detailed history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations were carried out. Results: All were females with a mean age of 52.35±15.74 years. Mean age at onset of the disease was 50.80±15.77 years. The onset and exacerbation of lesions typically occurred during summer. The mean duration of the disease was 17.75±15.80 months. The typical lesions were multiple well-defined erythematous scaly papules and plaques bilaterally symmetrically distributed predominantly over the flexures. All biopsies showed spongiotic dermatitis picture and direct immunofluorescence was negative in all of them. Conclusion: This unique dermatosis which occurs in elderly females has not been widely reported. With clinical features and results of various investigations, it would be appropriate to call it “summer-associated dermatitis.