The answer is simple. In most cases, the biopsy is the missing piece of the puzzle. A proper diagnosis of pityriasis rubra pilaris is based on the clinical observations of a dermatologist and the supporting report of a dermatopathologist. A skin biopsy is part of the diagnostic process. The additional information obtained from the biopsy can help identify diagnostic clues […]
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A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope. ✽ A skin biopsy is usually undertaken using a local anaesthetic injection into the skin to numb the area. ✽ After the procedure, a suture or dressing may be applied to the
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Editor’s Note: The long-term prognosis for PRP is not set in stone. There are some guidelines that dermatologists feel comfortable in treating as Gospel. Suffice it to say that there has been insufficient research to be able to predict when Type 1, 3 and 5 will “run it’s course.” Adult Onset PRP Type 1 — Classical
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It has been estimated that only one in 20 dermatologists will diagnose or treat pityriasis rubra pilaris during their professional careers. While that estimate may be totally bogus, we can say without fear of contradiction that very few dermatologists will consider themselves PRP savvy. There are at least four reasons to seek out a PRP-savvy dermatologist:
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There is no cure for PRP. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms. According to the National Organization of Rare Diseases: “PRP tends to follow a natural waxing and waning course, with episodes in which there is periodic worsening (exacerbation) or cessation (remission) of symptoms.” Source: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/pityriasis-rubra-pilaris/ From the PRP perspective, there
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Editor’s Note: While all patients with PRP share a common core of symptoms, the specific symptoms that patients experience may vary dramatically. PRP causes pink, red, or orange-red scaly patches on the skin — usually everywhere, but not always. But that is just the beginning. Each PRP patient diagnosed with PRP — and their caregiver
How bad is my version of PRP going to get? Read More »
When your dermatologist entered the diagnostic code L44.0 into your medical record, the diagnosis of pityriasis rubra pilaris became official. If you now question the accuracy of that diagnosis — for any reason — ask your dermatologist to confirm the following: ❏ What SPECIFIC clinical observations were made that supported the “official” diagnosis of PRP?
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Editor’s Note — Dan M, Rutland, Vermont, a dermatologist, was diagnosed with PRP in July, 2015 and is currently in remission. He recently posted the following to fellow members of the PRP Facebook Support Group “PRP can mimic other much more common skin like contact dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. A biopsy can be helpful. Unfortunately, PRP is very rare so dermatologists do
Why is it so difficult to diagnose PRP? Read More »
The PRP timeline varies from sequential to haphazard. For some PRP patients the inflammation spreads like a wildfire. Others watch a slow, methodical movement from “hither to yon” where neither hither nor yon is predictable. Here are some of the symptoms fellow PRP patients and their caregivers have reported. ✽ The skin on the palms
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When a dermatologist examines a patient who will eventually be diagnosed with PRP, they may see signs and symptoms that suggest a more common skin disorder. When that dermatologist combines medical training, clinical observations and biopsies and makes a diagnosis of psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, it is called a differential diagnosis — not a mistake. A differential diagnosis
What are the symptoms of PRP? Read More »