Home » Diseases and Conditions » Pityriasis Lichenoides

Pityriasis Lichenoides

What is Pityriasis Lichenoides?

This is a rare skin condition that is divided into two different categories which are:

Acute Pityriasis Lichenoides

This form is usually found in children and is more severe. It has a sudden onset and is short-lived. This form is also known as Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA)

Chronic Pityriasis Lichenoides

This is a longer-lasting form but is much milder. This form is also referred to as pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC). When a person has this form it can clear up in a weeks or can persist for many years with the lesions disappearing and then reappearing on a continual basis.

This rare skin condition will usually affect adolescents and young adults before the age of thirty. It is uncommon for infants and the elderly to have pityriasis lichenoides. It is also a skin condition that is more commonly found in males than females. You will normally see pityriasis lichenoides on your thighs, arms, and trunk but seldom on your feet, face, or head. It affects approximately one in two thousand people each year.

Pityriasis Lichenoides Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of pityriasis lichenoides can include:

A small papule that is first pink in color and will eventually turn reddish-brown in color
In some of these papules there will be clear fluid and if left alone they will break on their own
Along with the rash you may have a feeling having a mild case of the flu along with a headache and fever
When new spots appear they can be irritating

Chronic form of pityriasis lichenoides

It can show up as papules that are dome-shaped, reddened, and elevated lesions. In time they can enlarge, flatten out, and show a fine scale on the surface along with possibly a brown mark on your skin as it flattens out. If it does leave a brown mark it can take several months before they start to fade away.

Acute form of pityriasis lichenoides

It can show up as an eruption of bright red oval lesions that range from two to ten millimeters in diameter and can be slightly raised to flat. Eventually they will evolve into pustules and small blisters and then will ulcerate and crust over. This type can appear in groups or singularly. Typically the only symptoms will be mild burning or itching. The rash can come and go and last from one to eighteen months. Some people will even have skin discoloration and scarring.

Causes

The exact cause of pityriasis lichenoides is unknown but when the symptoms occur in children it is often because of a virus infection. The reason is that pityriasis lichenoides is probably a hypersensitivity reaction to the microorganisms that is the virus. The reason that it shows up as a rash on your skin is because your immune system has been affected.

Pityriasis Lichenoides Treatment

There are many different ways that you can treat pityriasis lichenoides but before treating it you should see your dermatologist or physician for an accurate diagnosis. Some of the treatments used can be over-the-counter or by prescription. When talking to your dermatologist or physician they will decide which treatment is best.

Some of the treatments in which you can use over-the-counter medications can include:

Antihistamines like Benadryl to help with the itching
Corticosteroid ointments and creams to help control the rash on your skin but you need to make sure that it is not causing more problems because your skin is sensitive in these areas where the rash is
Natural sunlight therapy may be effective sometimes

Some of the treatments that will require a prescription necessitating a visit to your dermatologist or physician can include:

Local applications of steroids
Photo therapy sessions which involves using Ultraviolet A therapy. Sometimes they will also use Ultraviolet-B therapy
If there are a few lesions present the dermatologist or physician may have to prescribe potent topical steroids
Prescription strength corticosteroid ointments and creams if the over-the-counter ones do not work
Prescription strength antihistamines like Zithromax or Methotrexate
Taking antibiotics like tetracycline or oral erythromycin.