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Pityriasis lichenoides

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 10 May 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • acute to subacute recurrent skin eruption
  • polymorphic, generalized, nonpruritic skin eruption
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • scars or pigment changes
  • immunosuppression
  • recent illness
  • family history of pityriasis lichenoides
  • headache
  • myalgias/arthralgias
  • malaise
  • burning/pruritus
  • multiorgan failure
Full details

Risk factors

  • childhood to early adult age
  • male sex
  • HIV
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • dermoscopy
  • skin biopsy
Full details

Tests to consider

  • antistreptolysin titers
  • Epstein-Barr virus IgM/IgG viral capsid antigen and nuclear antigen antibody
  • monospot or heterophil antibody test
  • hepatitis B surface antigen, antisurface antibody, and anticore IgM
  • hepatitis C virus antibody
  • HIV screening
  • rapid plasma reagin
  • throat cultures
  • toxoplasma Sabin-Feldman dye test, indirect immunofluorescence/hemagglutination
  • erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • CRP
  • serum LDH
  • WBC count
  • serum albumin
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ONGOING

mild to moderate disease

severe disease or treatment resistance

Contributors

Authors

Amy Musiek, MD

Professor of Dermatology

Division of Dermatology

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

St. Louis

MO

Disclosures

AM is a paid lecturer in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma for Dermatology Week, is the author of the UpToDate article on Pityriasis lichenoides chronica, and is an investigator for multiple industry sponsored studies all unrelated to pityriasis lichenoides.

Acknowledgements

Dr Amy Musiek would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Amer Khachemoune and Dr Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

AK and MB-K declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Andrew D. Lee, MD

Resident

Department of Dermatology

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Winston-Salem

NC

Disclosures

ADL declares that he has no competing interests.

Abdulhafez Selim, MD

Assistant Professor

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Dhahran

Saudi Arabia

Disclosures

AS declares that he has no competing interests.

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