Dermatitis Neglecta Presenting as Smegmolith in Healthy Adult Male

Abstract

Smegmoliths are hard local accumulations of smegma, mostly seen in children with phimosis. This is due to difficulty in adequate cleansing of the subpreputial area. It is not a common finding in adults. We report a case of smegmolith occurring in an adult male as a manifestation of dermatitis neglecta. Dermatitis neglecta occurs secondary to improper hygiene when a person avoids cleansing a part of his body either due to physical disability, neurodeficits or psychiatric disorder. It should be diagnosed promptly as only cleansing the part with nwormal saline would effectively treat this condition without the need for any sophisticated investigation and intervention. In the index case, smegmolith has occurred because of dermatitis neglecta in an otherwise healthy male without any underlying comorbidity.