A 33-year-old man recently consulted Dr. Girish Kumar Chalawadi at G Square Skin, Hair & Plastic Surgery Clinic, Hubli with a recurrent itchy rash affecting his neck and armpits. Initially, the redness and inflammation resembled common eczema. However, the repeated episodes, location of the lesions and clinical appearance suggested that the diagnosis might not be straightforward.
Skin Biopsy Revealed Hailey-Hailey Disease
A skin biopsy provided the important diagnostic clue.
Histopathology demonstrated acantholysis, where skin cells lose their normal adhesion, creating the characteristic “dilapidated brick wall” appearance associated with Hailey-Hailey disease. This is a recognised histological feature of the condition.
Hailey-Hailey disease, also called familial benign chronic pemphigus, is a rare inherited skin disorder associated with changes in the ATP2C1 gene. It commonly affects skin-fold areas such as the armpits, neck, groin and other regions exposed to friction and sweating.
Why Hailey-Hailey Disease Can Be Mistaken for Eczema
Many skin conditions occurring in body folds can look similar.
A recurring rash may initially resemble:
- Eczema
- Contact dermatitis
- Fungal infection
- Intertrigo
- Hailey-Hailey disease
- Other inflammatory skin disorders
This is why patients with a rash that repeatedly returns or fails to improve with routine treatment should consider consulting a dermatologist rather than repeatedly self-treating it.
Skin biopsy may be required when the clinical diagnosis remains uncertain.
Accurate Diagnosis Comes Before Treatment
This case highlights an important part of Dr. Girish Kumar Chalawadi's dermatology practice:
Treat the diagnosis—not simply the appearance of the rash.
At G Square Clinic in Hubli, his work includes clinical dermatology, dermatosurgery and evidence-based management of skin, hair and nail disorders. His official profile lists him as Chief Dermatologist at G Square Clinic with experience in both clinical dermatology and procedural dermatology.
For patients searching for a best dermatologist in Hubli, skin specialist near me, eczema doctor in Hubli, recurrent rash specialist or dermatologist for skin biopsy, a detailed clinical assessment can help identify uncommon conditions that may otherwise resemble everyday skin problems.
The Important Message for Patients
Not every itchy rash is eczema, and not every underarm rash is fungal infection.
If a skin condition is recurrent, unusual, painful, raw, cracked or does not respond as expected, reconsidering the diagnosis may be more important than simply trying another cream.
In this case, a rash that appeared similar to eczema was ultimately identified as Hailey-Hailey disease through skin biopsy.
Your skin may look simple on the surface, but sometimes the correct diagnosis lies deeper.
Consult Dr. Girish Kumar Chalawadi – Dermatologist in Hubli
Experiencing a recurrent skin rash, persistent itching, eczema-like patches, underarm rash, neck rash, fungal infection or another unusual skin condition?
Consult Dr. Girish Kumar M. Chalawadi at G Square Skin, Hair & Plastic Surgery Clinic for appropriate dermatological evaluation and treatment.
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First Floor, Shriya Lakshmi Business Centre,
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Hubli – 580021, Karnataka. The phone number, email and clinic address are currently listed on the official website.
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Dr. Girish Kumar M. Chalawadi
Dermatologist | G Square Skin, Hair & Plastic Surgery Clinic