Disease Information for Pityriasis rubra pilaris

A chronic skin disease characterized by small follicular papules, disseminated reddish-brown scaly patches, and often, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis; The papules are about the size of a pin and topped by a horny plug;-------------------------------- Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare condition that is often initially mistaken for another skin disorder, usually psoriasis; PRP is not really a single condition, but rather a group of unusual eruptions that cause red scaly patches containing dry plugged pores; It may cover the entire body, or just the elbows and knees;

PRP mostly affects adults over 40, but some children are also affected; The cause of PRP is unknown; Sometimes minor burns rashes and infections seem to trigger it; There is no blood test for PRP; It is usually diagnosed when a dermatologist, suspecting the condition, does a biopsy and specifically asks it to be checked for PRP; Sometimes PRP is suspected only after the usual creams, pills and even ultraviolet light treatments used for skin conditions have no effect; PRP most often starts as a patchy rash on the scalp, face or chest; Over a period as short a several weeks it extends downward, and often covers much of the body; It spares areas of old scars and injuries, and leaves small islands of entirely unaffected skin; The rash has an orange-red color ("salmon") and the palms and soles become thickened; Rough, dry plugs can be felt within the rash; The itching is usually severe at first, and then later is not as bad as you would think considering how bad the rash looks; The best treatment is Accutane or Soriatane pills; These are closely related "retinoid" medications; While these have many minor side effects, they do not usually cause any serious harm to the body; A more potent and more effective treatment is methotrexate tablets, but as these can have dangerous side effects they are saved for people who don"t improve with the retinoids; Methotrexate may put the PRP into remission, so it goes away and stays away; [AOL website 2005]

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