Grover's disease: successful treatment with acitretin and calcipotriol.

A 74-year-old man presented with a five-month history of highly pruritic keratotic papules on the trunk and extremities. Laboratory data revealed mild eosinophilia, elevated IgE (483KE/I) and no other signs of atopy. Tests to exclude parasitic infestation were negative. Two biopsies showed non-specific changes. The third biopsy revealed small acantholytic clefts in the upper part of the epidermis and confirmed the diagnosis of Grover's disease. Topical treatment with calcipotriol ointment and systemic treatment with acitretin in low doses successfully reduced the pruritus within one week, and brought about a complete remission within three weeks without any recurrence.