Pityriasis lichenoides chronica in black patients.

Pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC) is a cutaneous disease of unknown etiology that most commonly affects children and young adults. The highly variable presentation of this condition often poses a diagnostic challenge. The clinical presentation of PLC in black patients is not well described. We report a series of 5 black patients (4 children and 1 young adult) with PLC who presented with extensive hypopigmentation and prominent facial involvement. One patient had concomitant mycosis fungoides (MF). The diagnosis of PLC should be included in the differential diagnosis in dark-skinned patients who present with widespread hypopigmented macules and patches. The presence of MF in one of our patients underscores the potential relationship between MF and PLC.

Propionic acidemia manifesting with low isoleucine generalized exfoliative dermatosis.

We describe an infant with propionic acidemia who developed a generalized exfoliative eruption. Preceding the eruption, he was on an amino acid restricted formula. Within days of liberalizing his restricted diet, the eruption resolved completely. A similar dermatitis has been reported in infants with inborn errors of metabolism who were on amino acid modified formulas. However, in most instances, the eruption was predominantly limited to the periorificial regions. Most critical in the etiology of cutaneous eruptions in these patients is low serum isoleucine. Amino acid malnutrition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of generalized exfoliative dermatosis in an infant. Supplementation with isoleucine-containing dietary proteins results in rapid clinical resolution.