Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
Encyclopedia
Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (also known as "Acute guttate parapsoriasis," "Acute parapsoriasis," "Acute pityriasis lichenoides," "Mucha-Habermann disease," "Parapsoriasis acuta," "Parapsoriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta," and "Parapsoriasis varioliformis") is a disease
of the immune system. It is the more severe version of Pityriasis lichenoides chronica
. The disease is characterized by rash
es and small lesion
s on the skin. The disease is most common in females and usually occurs in young adulthood, although it has been seen in every age group and every race. It is possible for the disease to go into remission for short periods of time or forever.
. Pleva is also often misidentified as a form of Staph. The most accurate way to diagnose
is by biopsy
. This disease has not been known to be life threatening. However, there may be mutations of the disease that can cause ulcers on the exterior.
.
The easiest way to understand this disease is to think of it like this: Everyone has T cells that fight disease; in a person with PLEVA, the T cells get mixed up and decide to form in the skin, causing the lesions. It is unknown why this happens.
The trigger which causes the dysfunctional immune system response, PLEVA, is unknown; bacterial, viral, and environmental causes are suspected, but not conclusively demonstrated.
There is another theory that the cause of PLEVA may be linked to lymphs and/or lymph nodes.
s and antibiotic
s.
Treatment often involves multiple therapies that address the immune system and bacterial, viral, or dermatological causes.
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
of the immune system. It is the more severe version of Pityriasis lichenoides chronica
Pityriasis lichenoides chronica
Pityriasis lichenoides chronica is an uncommon, idiopathic, acquired dermatosis, characterized by evolving groups of erythematous, scaly papules that may persist for months.- Causes :Pityriasis...
. The disease is characterized by rash
Rash
A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and...
es and small lesion
Lesion
A lesion is any abnormality in the tissue of an organism , usually caused by disease or trauma. Lesion is derived from the Latin word laesio which means injury.- Types :...
s on the skin. The disease is most common in females and usually occurs in young adulthood, although it has been seen in every age group and every race. It is possible for the disease to go into remission for short periods of time or forever.
Diagnosis
It is commonly misdiagnosed as chickenpox or rosaceaRosacea
Rosacea is a chronic condition characterized by facial erythema . Pimples are sometimes included as part of the definition. Unless it affects the eyes, it is typically a harmless cosmetic condition...
. Pleva is also often misidentified as a form of Staph. The most accurate way to diagnose
Medical diagnosis
Medical diagnosis refers both to the process of attempting to determine or identify a possible disease or disorder , and to the opinion reached by this process...
is by biopsy
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical test involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically...
. This disease has not been known to be life threatening. However, there may be mutations of the disease that can cause ulcers on the exterior.
Causes
There is no known cause of this disease; however, many links from viruses, vaccines, and other illnesses have been made. There is some evidence associating it with Parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19
The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus...
.
The easiest way to understand this disease is to think of it like this: Everyone has T cells that fight disease; in a person with PLEVA, the T cells get mixed up and decide to form in the skin, causing the lesions. It is unknown why this happens.
The trigger which causes the dysfunctional immune system response, PLEVA, is unknown; bacterial, viral, and environmental causes are suspected, but not conclusively demonstrated.
There is another theory that the cause of PLEVA may be linked to lymphs and/or lymph nodes.
Treatment
It is not contagious and currently there is no cure for the disease, although the lesions can be treated with ultraviolet therapy as well as topical steroidSteroid
A steroid is a type of organic compound that contains a characteristic arrangement of four cycloalkane rings that are joined to each other. Examples of steroids include the dietary fat cholesterol, the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.The core...
s and antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
s.
Treatment often involves multiple therapies that address the immune system and bacterial, viral, or dermatological causes.
See also
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Pityriasis lichenoidesPityriasis lichenoidesPityriasis lichenoides is a form of pityriasis.Types include:* Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta* Pityriasis lichenoides chronica...
- ParapsoriasisParapsoriasisParapsoriasis refers to one of a group of skin disorders that are characterized primarily by their resemblance to psoriasis , rather than by their underlying etiology.Neoplasms can develop from parapsoriasis...
- List of cutaneous conditions