Oral minocycline improved keratosis follicularis squamosa (Dohi) and related disorder: bacterial factors are possibly involved in abberant keratinization.

Three cases of keratosis follicularis squamosa (Dohi) and one case of papillomatose confluente et reticulee were successfully treated with oral minocycline (50-100 mg/day). The clinical effect first appeared at 2 weeks after the initiation of therapy and no recurrence was observed for more than 3 months without minocycline. Gram positive cocci were demonstrated inside the hair follicle and horny layers in all 4 case. Minocycline might modulate abberant keratinization through its bactericidal effects in these keratinizing disorders.