What does lichen amyloidosis look like?

Lichen amyloidosis appears as clusters of small skin coloured, reddish or brown scaly spots, which can merge together to form raised thickened areas especially on the shins and lower limbs. The arms and back can also be affected.

How do you treat lichen amyloidosis?

Sedating antihistamines have been found to be moderately effective. Menthol, in combination with other agents (eg, antihistamines), has been used successfully to relieve the pruritus associated with lichen amyloidosis. Topical and intralesional steroids are beneficial if combined with other modalities.

What is cutaneous lichen amyloidosis?

Lichen amyloidosis is characterized by severely itchy patches of thickened skin with multiple small bumps. The patches are scaly and reddish brown in color. These patches usually occur on the shins but can also occur on the forearms, other parts of the legs, and elsewhere on the body.

Does lichen amyloidosis spread?

Lichen amyloidosis manifests as small, red-brown hyperkeratotic pruritic papules distributed over the shins and possibly spreading to the dorsa of the feet, distal arms, and the thighs.

How is lichen amyloidosis related to lupus?

Lichen Amyloidosis. Lichen amyloidosis accounts for approximately 10% of cutaneous amyloidoses. It is a cutaneous type of amyloidosis not associated with systemic amyloidosis but may occasionally be associated with other systemic conditions including: primary biliary cirrhosis, systemic lupus erythromatosis and Sjögren’s Syndrome.

How is chronic friction related to lichen amyloidosis?

Chronic friction is a common etiological cause of lichen amyloidosis and treatment is usually directed at relieving the associated pruritus. Sedating antihistamines may help with relieving the itch, not because of their inherent antihistamine effects, but because of their inherent sedating qualities.

Is there such a thing as cutaneous amyloidosis?

Cutaneous amyloidosis may also occur as a manifestation of systemic amyloidosis, most often in immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of cutaneous amyloidosis, with a focus on primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis, will be reviewed here.