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Pityriasis Lichenoides Acuta

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European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments

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Abstract

Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) is an uncommon inflammatory skin disease. Generally, it is a self-healing process that resolves in a few months but, sometimes, may evolve into pityriasis lichenoides chronica. Cutaneous manifestation may vary from cases with mild presentation to forms with multiple ulcero-necrotic lesions associated to systemic symptoms. Generally, treatment is not necessary in the mild form. If the patient presents fever, an antibiotic treatment is recommended. Erythromycin is the antibiotic of choice in children, while tetracycline is preferable in adults. Cases with moderate cutaneous lesions, in the absence of fever, could be treated with topical corticosteroids and phototherapy. In adults, NB UVB or PUVA may be preferable. In more severe forms, usually associated to systemic symptoms, in addition to an oral antibiotic, it could be appropriate to prescribe a systemic steroid or methotrexate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immsacolata-IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Luca Fania & Biagio Didona

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  1. Luca Fania
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  2. Biagio Didona
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Correspondence to Luca Fania .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Andreas D. Katsambas

  2. Research Center CSRMR, Marconi University, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Torello M. Lotti

  3. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Clio Dessinioti

  4. Dermatoloy Unit, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy

    Angelo Massimiliano D'Erme

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Fania, L., Didona, B. (2023). Pityriasis Lichenoides Acuta. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D'Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_71

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_71

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15129-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15130-9

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