Pityriasis lichenoides chronica is an uncommon,
idiopathic
An idiopathic disease is any disease with an unknown cause or mechanism of apparent spontaneous origin. From Greek ἴδιος ''idios'' "one's own" and πάθος ''pathos'' "suffering", ''idiopathy'' means approximately "a disease of its own kin ...
, acquired
dermatosis, characterized by evolving groups of
erythematous
Erythema (from the Greek , meaning red) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not assoc ...
, scaly
papule
A papule is a small, well-defined bump in the skin. It may have a rounded, pointed or flat top, and may have a dip. It can appear with a stalk, be thread-like or look warty. It can be soft or firm and its surface may be rough or smooth. Some h ...
s that may persist for months.
[Freedberg, et al. (2003). ''Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine''. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. .]
Symptoms and signs
Although other forms of the disease occur at younger ages, some individuals start having long term symptoms at thirty years of age. This disease also affects adolescents and young adults. This also affects the immune system which therefore results in rashes. The symptoms rarely affect the face or scalp, but occurs at other sites of the body. The duration may last for months or even several years. For instance, new crops of lesions appear every few weeks.
Causes
Pityriasis lichenoides chronica is probably caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to infectious agents such as the
Epstein–Barr virus
The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), formally called ''Human gammaherpesvirus 4'', is one of the nine known human herpesvirus types in the herpes family, and is one of the most common viruses in humans. EBV is a double-stranded DNA virus.
It is b ...
. Other infectious agents include the adenovirus and
Parvovirus B19.
Treatment
There is no standard treatment for pityriasis lichenoides chronica. Treatments may include ultraviolet phototherapy, sun exposure, oral antibiotics, and corticosteroid creams and ointments to treat rash and itching.
One study identified the enzyme bromelain as an effective therapeutic option for pityriasis lichenoides chronica.
See also
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Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
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Parapsoriasis
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Pityriasis lichenoides
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List of cutaneous conditions
References
External links
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{{Papulosquamous disorders
Immune system disorders
Lymphoid-related cutaneous conditions