Prurigo Pigmentosa: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study
March 2023
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study reports that prurigo pigmentosa did not appear linked to a specific common trigger such as the ketogenic diet, but suggests that oral antibiotics might effectively resolve the condition.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This multi-institutional retrospective study examined 30 patients with prurigo pigmentosa (PP) from three academic centers in the U.S. over a 10-year period. The study found that PP predominantly affects White and Asian females, with an average age of 41 years. All patients experienced pruritic erythematous papules and hyperpigmentation, primarily on the back and chest. Notably, 40% of patients were on a ketogenic diet before symptom onset. The study did not find a strong association between PP and autoimmune conditions or common atopic conditions. Higher body mass index was prevalent among patients, a novel finding. Oral antibiotics, particularly doxycycline and minocycline, were effective in achieving complete resolution in treated patients. The study suggests that PP has varied etiologies and that biopsy can help rule out other diagnoses but is not definitive for PP.
