How are pustules classified?

 
Pustules may be classified on the basis of where the acute inflammatory cells accumulate (e.g., subcorneal, follicular), pathogenesis (e.g., infectious, autoimmune), predominant inflammatory cells (e.g., neutrophils, eosinophils), and clinical presentation (Table 11-1). Pustules may be unilocular or multilocular.


Table 11-1. Classification of Pustules
  PATHOGENESIS SITE OF ACCUMULATION
 
Autoimmune
 
IgA pemphigus
Subcorneal
 
Infectious
 
Arthropod reactions
Intraepidermal
 
Candidiasis
Subcorneal
 
Furuncle/carbuncle
Follicular
 
Impetigo
Subcorneal
 
Hot tub (pseudomonal) folliculitis
Follicular
 
Kerion (tinea capitis)
Follicular
 
Pityrosporum folliculitis
Follicular
 
Vaccinia infection/vaccination
Intraepidermal
 
Inherited
 
Pustular psoriasis
Subcorneal, intraepidermal
 
Reiter’s syndrome
Subcorneal, intraepidermal
 
Drug eruptions
 
Acneiform drug-induced eruptions
Follicular
 
Toxic erythema with pustules
Subcorneal
 
Halogenodermas
Intraepidermal
 
Miscellaneous
 
Acne necrotica miliaris
Follicular
 
Acne vulgaris
Follicular
 
Erythema toxicum neonatorum
Follicular
 
Folliculitis decalvans
Follicular
 
Infantile acropustulosis
Subcorneal, intraepidermal
 
Miliaria pustulosa
Sweat duct
 
Pustular bacterid
Intraepidermal
 
Rosacea
Follicular
 
Subcorneal pustular dermatosis
Subcorneal
 
Transient neonatal pustular dermatosis
Subcorneal