Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare and chronic skin disorder that often has a sudden onset. Symptoms include reddish orange discolouration scaling, and severe flaking of the skin. Dr. W.A.D. Griffiths has classified six forms of PRP. At this time, the cause of PRP is unknown, and a cure is also unknown. The disease affects persons of all ages, races, and nationalities. Both are affected equally. Many Support Group members report a varied clinical progression of the disease. Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a skin disorder that causes constant inflammation and scaling of the skin. It is generally accompanied by elevated erythematous spots (papules) on the skin. The papules are the most important diagnostic feature, being more or less acuminate, reddish brown, about pinhead size, and topped by a central horny plug. Pityriasis rubra pilaris most often starts as a patchy rash on the scalp, face or chest. Over a period as short a several weeks it extends downward, and often covers much of the body. It spares areas of old scars and injuries, and leaves small islands of entirely unaffected skin. The rash has an orange-red color and the palms and soles become thickened. Rough, dry plugs can be felt within the rash. The itching is usually severe at first, and then later is not as bad as you would think considering how bad the rash looks. The best treatment is Accutane or Soriatane pills. These are closely related "retinoid" medications. While these have many minor side effects, they do not usually cause any serious harm to the body. A more potent and more effective treatment is methotrexate tablets, but as these can have dangerous side effects they are saved for people who don't improve with the retinoids.



Pityriasis rubra pilaris is the name given to a group of rare skin disorders that present with reddish-orange coloured scaling patches with well defined borders. The disease may affect entire body or just restrict to some parts such as the elbows and knees, palms and soles. The Disease generally produces elevated spots on the skin. These spots grow and become connected, producing red plaques over large areas containing dry plugged pores. It is found to be having association with abnormal metabolism of vitamin A. It could take as long as one to three years for an individual to fully recover from this skin disorder. It may occur in any race, and both male and female are equally affected. -The cause of pityriasis rubra pilaris is unknown. The 2 most common forms of the disease are juvenile classic, characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and childhood onset, and adult classic, characterized by no apparent inheritance and adult onset. Atypical forms exist in both age groups. Sunlight can trigger a flare. Diagnosis is by clinical appearance and may be supported by biopsy. Differential diagnosis includes seborrheic dermatitis (in children) and psoriasis when disease occurs on the scalp, elbows, and knees.

Causes of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris

Find common causes and risk factors of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris :

Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris is generally sporadic, but in some forms it may be partially inherited.

Fungal infection may also be a cause of the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

Seborrhea of the scalp.

Pink swellings.

Lesions of the face.

Scaling lesions.

Itchy.

Rashes.

Treatment for Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris

Treatment may include :

Steroid creams and ointments may also be used to remove the rashes.

Methotrexate a strong drug used for suppressing the immune system may be used as a treatment for pityriasis rubra pilaris, but it too has many side effects.

Topical medications such as emollients may be used to get relive from dryness and cracking.

Treated with a derivative of vitamin A known as acitretin also useful in Pityriasis rubra pilaris but the treatment has some severe side effects.

Accutane or Soriatane pills are the best treatment .