Pityriasis Lichenoides - Symptoms & Treatment

Pityriasis lichenoides is the name given to an uncommon rash of unknown cause. Pityriasis Lichenoides is a rare skin disorder that appears as a red or brown rash at first. This skin disorder is sometimes mistaken for chicken pox. The rash is raised and scaly. It is a disease of the immune system. It is possible that once the rash flattens out a brown mark will be left on the individual's skin. These brown marks do begin to fade after several months. This condition is not at all dangerous or contagious. Pityriasis Lichenoides can affect all individuals equally. It seems to affect more males than females. Rarely it affects infants and individuals of old age. This skin disorder usually begins in the thirty's, but it can also affect adolescents and young adults. The disease can run over weeks, months, or even years,in which lesions appearing and disappearing continually. There are two types: a short-lived form usually found in children (known as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA)); and a more long-lasting form known as pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC).

Pityriasis lichenoides is a rare skin disorder that will not harm your general health. Pityriasis lichenoides is a clonal T-cell disorder that may develop in response to foreign antigens (eg, infections or drugs) and may be associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Pityriasis lichenoides has acute and chronic forms existing in a clinical continuum. The acute form typically appears in children and young adults, with crops of asymptomatic chickenpox-like lesions that typically resolve within weeks to months. Antibiotics ( tetracycline , erythromycin) or phototherapy may help. The chronic form presents as flatter, reddish brown, scaling papules that may take months or longer to resolve. There are two forms of pityriasis: rosea, described above, and pityriasis lichenoides. Lichenoides can cause scaling, even though its formation resembles rosea. It also suggests one may have an autoimmune disorder. Those diagnosed with lichenoides will probably need follow-up care and testing to rule out HIV, mononucleosis , and certain forms of Hepatitis as these can be causal factors. Both forms of pityriasis can occur without any underlying symptoms and are thought to be of viral origin. Neither form is particularly contagious, though occasionally in families one will see more than one person with pityriasis. This is probably a result of exposure to the same viral cause.

Causes of Pityriasis Lichenoides

Find common causes and risk factors of Pityriasis Lichenoides :

• The cause is unknown.
• Pityriasis lichenoides is probably a hypersensitivity reaction to a microorganism such as a virus.
• The disease is more common in males.
• Usually begins during the first thirty years of life but can start at any age.
• A person suffering from Pityriasis Lichenoides generally has their immune system affected, as a result the rashes come out on the skin.

Signs and Symptoms of Pityriasis Lichenoides

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• It almost feels like the case of flu.
• New spots can irritate as they come up.
• Rash may be accompanied with a fever and headache, but these are very mild.
• In the start a small raised rash that is red-brown in color appears .

Treatment for Pityriasis Lichenoides

Treatment may include:

• Corticosteroids creams and ointments can be used to control the skin rash,but precaution should be taken if the skin is sensitive to these areas.
• Antihistamines such as Benadryl and other medicines such as methotrexate and Zithromax are generally prescribed by the doctors to relieve from itching.
• Potent topical steroids may have a use if only a few lesions are present.
• Agents like Erythromycin and tetracycline are frequently used.
• Sometimes ultraviolet light treatment will improve pityriasis lichenoides.