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Rathi US, Kharkar V, Joshi V, et al. Delving into Wolf’s isotopic phenomenon: tale of two cases of psoriasis localized to the site of scars. RFP Jr of Drea. 2025;10(2):65-70.
Timeline
Received : May 21, 2025
Accepted : July 21, 2025
Published : December 24, 2025
Abstract
Wolf’s isotopic response refers to the occurrence of a new dermatosis at the site of a previously healed and unrelated skin condition. While commonly associated with viral triggers such as herpes simplex or zoster, non-viral initiators are rarely reported. We present two unique cases of psoriasis developing exclusively at sites of old scars from non-viral causes. The first case involved a 33-year-old male who developed a psoriatic plaque over a thermal burn scar on the dorsum of the hand. The second case featured a 28-year-old male with psoriatic lesions localized to an atrophic scar following a traumatic injury to the shin. Both cases lacked involvement of other body areas. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical features, dermoscopy, and histopathology. These cases highlight an atypical presentation of Wolf’s isotopic phenomenon and underscore the potential role of localized immune dysregulation and scar-mediated vulnerability in the development of secondary dermatoses.
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Rathi US, Kharkar V, Joshi V, et al. Delving into Wolf’s isotopic phenomenon: tale of two cases of psoriasis localized to the site of scars. RFP Jr of Drea. 2025;10(2):65-70.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Pathophysiological cascade involved in Wolf's isotopic response
Description: No description available.
Clinical image depicting erythematous plaque (3 cm x 2cm) with minimal scaling, present over dorsum of right hand, over an atrophic burn scar
Description: No description available.
Dermoscopy (DinoLite II, Pro HR dermatoscope) at 10x magnification, in polarized mode revealed, regularly arranged red dots indicative of dotted vessels, on diffuse pink background
Description: No description available.
Regular acanthosis with club-shaped rete ridges and superficial dermal, perivascular infiltrate (H & E, 4X),
Clinical image depicting multiple erythematous plaques ranging in size from 1.5 cm x 1 cm to 3 cm x 2cm with minimal scaling, present over left lower shin, overlying an atrophic post- traumatic scar, Polarised dermoscopy (DinoLite II pro HR dermatoscope) at 10x magnification highlighted regularly arranged red dots,
Description: No description available.
Reminiscent of dotted vessels, on diffuse pink background
Description: No description available.
] Regular acanthosis with club-shaped rete ridges and superficial dermal, perivascular infiltrate (H & E, 4X)
Description: No description available.
Munro’s microabscess (green star) and dilated papillary dermal blood vessels with perivascular infiltrate (yellow rectangle) (H &E, 40 X).