What is pityriasis lichenoides?
Pityriasis lichenoides is a rare skin disorder that will not harm
your general health. The condition ‘pityriasis lichenoides’ means that
the rash is scaly (pityriasis) and that it was once thought to look a
bit like lichen (a type of plant that lives on rocks) because it is made
up of small bumpy areas.
There are two types, i) a short-lived form usually found in
children (known as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
(PLEVA)), and ii) a more long-lasting form known as pityriasis
lichenoides chronica (PLC).
What causes pityriasis lichenoides?
The cause of pityriasis lichenoides is not known, but the symptoms
that occur in the childhood form suggest that it may follow a viral
infection. It is more common in males than females. Neither type of
pityriasis lichenoides is infectious.
Is it hereditary?
No.
What are the symptoms of pityriasis lichenoides?
The main thing you will notice is raised spots that tend to come in crops. New spots can itch or irritate as they come up.
What does pityriasis lichenoides look like?
The short-lived acute form (PLEVA): There may be a mild illness
with a fever. The rash starts as separate pink spots, which form a
little blister and may turn black. A crust forms on the surface and
drops off to leave a small scar. The spots come up in crops, and so the
rash consists of spots at various stages of development; some are small
pink bumps, others have small blisters on top, and others are black in
colour. The rash can look like chickenpox but takes much longer to
clear. It rarely affects the face, but the spots are usually scattered
on the trunk and limbs.
The chronic form (PLC): The spots look less angry and are covered
with a firm shiny scale. A good diagnostic pointer is the way this
scale, covering the top of a spot, can be scraped off as a single chunk,
to reveal a shiny brownish surface underneath. The spots fade within 3
to 4 weeks, but new spots may then arise. The rash can clear up within a
few weeks or persist for years.
How will it be diagnosed?
The look of the rash suggests the diagnosis; however, PLEVA can
look like chickenpox (though it lasts much longer) and PLC can look like
psoriasis, lichen planus or even insect bites. The examination of a
small sample of the rash (a skin biopsy) under the microscope should
confirm the diagnosis.
Can it be cured?
No treatment is certain to cure pityriasis lichenoides.
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