Lichen Planus Archives

General Dermatology

Dermatological Reactions to Anti-Glaucoma Eye Drops

By

Emily Pond

February 23, 2022

A review of dermatological adverse events associated with anti-glaucoma eye drop is provided.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, inflammatory, papulosquamous, autoimmune disease that is estimated to occur in <1% of the general population.1 It appears to be more common in individuals with HCV, with 1 study reporting a 4.80 times higher prevalence in this population.4 LP can affect the skin, scalp, genitals, oral cavity and other mucus membranes, and nails. Its etiology is not well understood, but genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. An immune mechanism directed by activated CD81 T cells against basal keratinocytes has been suggested to play a major role in the pathophysiology of the disease, with cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 thought to contribute in the setting of HCV infection.1 Cutaneous LP is a self-limited disease that usually resolves within 6 to 12 months and mainly affects adults. Photo Credit: ISM/CID.

General Dermatology

Antioxidants as an Adjunctive Treatment for Lichen Planus

By

Estie Mermelstein, MSN, FNP-BC

January 18, 2022

A prospective, case-control study examines the effectiveness of antioxidants in treating lichen planus.

General Dermatology

Updated Guidelines on Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Ocular Involvement of Lichenoid Dermatoses

By

Estie Mermelstein, MSN, FNP-BC

November 4, 2021

An up-to-date review for dermatologists on ocular manifestations of lichen planus (LP), lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP), and lichen planopilaris (LPL), as well as guidelines on when to refer patients to the ophthalmologist, are provided.

General Medicine

EADV Releases Guidelines on Diagnosis, Assessment of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

By

Brandon May

October 15, 2021

The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) has published new consensus-based European guidelines on the diagnosis and assessment of mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP).

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulin (Ig) complexes that precipitate from the serum at low blood temperatures (<37°C) and then redissolve during incubation.1 Cryoglobulinemia occurs when excess cryoglobulins circulate in serum, resulting in different clinical manifestations based on the immunologic composition of the cryoglobulins. Three immunochemical types of cryoglobulins have been described. Of these, type 2, or MC, is most commonly found in patients with chronic HCV infection, with HCV infection accounting for 95% of all MC cases.1,2 Patients with MC have a mixture of circulating monoclonal IgMs and polyclonal IgGs, with the IgMs having rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity. Rarely, patients with chronic HCV infection may have immunochemical type 3, in which both IgM and IgG are polyclonal. Patients with type 2 or 3 cryoglobulinemia should be screened for HCV infection, and those with HCV and worsening renal function or cutaneous involvement should be tested for cryoglobulinemia.3 Photo Credit: ISM/Pr JL KEMENY.

General Dermatology

HCV Infection Linked to Risk for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases

By

Brandon May

October 12, 2021

The association between hepatitis C virus infection and chronic inflammatory skin diseases is assessed.

General Dermatology

Skin Type Diversity Lacking in Dermatology Textbooks

By

Colby Stong

July 27, 2021

Investigators sought to determine whether the content of dermatology textbooks used by medical students in Scandinavia reflects the ethnic diversity of the population.

Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis in Black Patients: Societal and Biologic Causes

By

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 2, 2021

Clinician competence in treating patients of various racial and ethnic backgrounds and the critical need for greater inclusion of diverse populations in trials investigating the pathophysiology and treatment of AD are underscored.