Letters to the Editor

Unilateral facial flushing and anhidrosis: a case of idiopathic Harlequin syndrome with successful botulinum toxin treatment

Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 21 July 2026
24
Views
20
Downloads

Authors

Dear Editor,

Harlequin syndrome is a rare autonomic disorder characterized by unilateral facial flushing and sweating caused by dysfunction of sympathetic innervation. Although generally considered a benign condition, it may occasionally represent the first manifestation of underlying neurological or structural abnormalities, including brainstem lesions, multiple sclerosis, or thoracic spinal cord disorders. Due to its striking clinical appearance, Harlequin syndrome may be misinterpreted as an allergic reaction, chronic urticaria, or other dermatological conditions, potentially delaying diagnosis. We report a case of idiopathic Harlequin syndrome in a middle-aged woman, highlighting the importance of recognizing this uncommon autonomic disorder in dermatological practice. [...]

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

1. Heinrich M, Maier LS, Müller T, et al. Case report of a cardiac Harlequin syndrome—electrical storm during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2025;9:ytaf059.
2. Moutafi M, Kyriazoglou A, Kotsantis I, et al. Harlequin syndrome in a young patient with osteosarcoma after pleural metastasectomy: A case report and a mini review of the literature. Exp Ther Med 2025;29:62.

How to Cite



1.
Sorrentino P, Licata G, Nicoletti MM, Malaspina M, Argenziano G, Di Brizzi EV, et al. Unilateral facial flushing and anhidrosis: a case of idiopathic Harlequin syndrome with successful botulinum toxin treatment. Dermatol Reports [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 21 [cited 2026 Jul. 26];. Available from: https://journals.pagepress.net/dr/article/view/10912