Malnutrition is a rare occurrence in developed countries, but Australian doctors have described a local case of phrynoderma in an elderly man who presented with scaly skin lesions all over his body.

The 65-year-old was referred to a dermatologist for management of the hyperkeratotic, scaly, pruritic eruption that had failed to respond to moderate potency topical steroids.

The patient, who migrated to Australia from South America in 1969, had a history of VTE, pulmonary TB and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, but no regular prescription or OTC medications.

He had reportedly struggled with low mood and poor appetite since becoming unemployed 12 months earlier — which was also when the lesions first appeared.