Favre Racouchot Disease: Presentation of a Clinical Case View PDF

Myriam Dahbar
Department Of Dermatology, Hospital De Clínicas “José De San Martín”, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
^*Graciela Manzur
Department Of Dermatology, Hospital De Clínicas “José De San Martín”, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Florencia Diaz De La Fuente
Department Of Dermatology, Hospital De Clínicas José De San Martin, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
^*Jonathan Adrian Cisneros
Department Of Dermatology, José De San Martín Clinical Hospital, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gustavo Haller
Department Of Dermatology, José De San Martín Clinical Hospital, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

^*Corresponding Author:

Graciela Manzur
Department Of Dermatology, Hospital De Clínicas “José De San Martín”, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Jonathan Adrian Cisneros
Department Of Dermatology, José De San Martín Clinical Hospital, Faculty Of Medicine, University Of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Published on: 2026-06-22

Abstract

Favre-Racouchot disease is a condition caused by accumulated solar damage, which leads to the degeneration of the skin. Risk factors include smoking, age over 50, and occupational exposure to high levels of sunlight, such as among farmers and fishermen. Cases have also been documented in patients who have received radiotherapy. Clinically, it manifests as multiple comedones and follicular cysts, primarily yellow in color, in the periorbital region. The diagnosis is primarily clinical. Treatment is based on topical retinoids, dermabrasion, manual extraction of comedones, and, in severe cases, surgical excision of the lesions.

Keywords

Favre-Racouchot, Comedo, Retinoids, Solar elastosis

Introduction

Favre-Racouchot disease is a condition caused by chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation, leading to skin degeneration in susceptible individuals [1]. Susceptible individuals are considered to be those with risk factors such as smoking, age over 50, exposure to low and high temperatures, chemical substances, and radiotherapy [2].

The pathophysiology is based on damage caused by prolonged sun exposure, which causes oxidative stress in cells, leading to a decrease in elastic and collagen fibers, with sebum retention and comedone formation [3].

Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of deep furrows and marked wrinkles as signs of solar elastosis; along with follicular cysts and open comedones, especially in the most sun-exposed regions: periorbital, malar, neck, retroauricular, and nose [4].

The diagnosis is clinical, supported by questioning about associated factors. Histopathologically, solar elastosis is evident, associated with epidermal atrophy and large cystic spaces lined with flattened epidermis. These contain keratinized material [5].

Treatment is cosmetic and consists of facial cleansing, manual extraction of comedones, use of topical and/or systemic retinoids, dermabrasion, chemical peels, and, in severe and refractory cases, surgical excision of lesions [6].