Tufted hair folliculitis in a woman treated with trastuzumab

Chemotherapeutic agents targeting the human epidermal receptor (HER) family are being used with increasing frequency for a variety of solid tumors. Cutaneous side effects are commonly reported with HER inhibitors, especially those agents that inhibit epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or HER1. However, inhibitors of HER2 are not associated with specific skin toxicity. We present a case of tufted hair folliculitis, an inflammatory scalp condition causing scaling and pruritus, in a woman being treated with trastuzumab, a selective HER2 inhibitor. This finding has not previously been reported as a side effect of trastuzumab therapy.