New-onset head and neck dermatitis in adolescent patients after dupilumab therapy for atopic dermatitis.

Background/objectives: Head and neck dermatitis after dupilumab therapy for atopic dermatitis has been frequently reported in adults and only rarely in adolescents. No cases detailing disease course and treatment response have previously been described in adolescents.

Methods/results: This case series presents five adolescent patients who developed new-onset or worsening head and neck dermatitis after dupilumab therapy for atopic dermatitis. All five patients improved after oral antifungal therapy.

Conclusions: The clinical features, treatment response, and potential disease pathogenesis in pediatric patients are described. Adolescents with new-onset head and neck dermatitis after dupilumab therapy may clinically improve with antifungal therapy, suggesting that Malassezia species may be a contributing factor or antifungal therapy may be an effective antiinflammatory agent.