Affiliations 

  • 1 MB BCh (Soton), MRCP (UK) Medical Department, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia., Email: gohsiewwen@gmail.com
  • 2 MB BCh BAO, MMed (UKM) AdvMDerm (UKM), University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia., Email: adda_jamil@yahoo.com
  • 3 MBBCH (Cardiff), MRCP (UK), AdvMDerm (UKM), Medical Department, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Email: norazirah78@gmail.com
  • 4 MD (UNIMAS), MRCP (UK), AdvMDerm (UKM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia, Email: woodzlamp@gmail.com
  • 5 MD (UKM), MRCP (UK), AdvMDerm (UKM), Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Email: peterchng@peterchngskinspecialist.com
  • 6 MBBS (Malaya), MRCP (UK), AdvMDerm (UKM), Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Email: ccchor@gmail.com
Malays Fam Physician, 2019;14(1):42-46.
PMID: 31289632

Abstract

Prurigo pigmentosa is an inflammatory dermatosis characterized by a pruritic, symmetrically distributed erythematous papular or papulo-vesicular eruption on the trunk arranged in a reticulated pattern that resolves with hyperpigmentation. It is typically non-responsive to topical or systemic steroid therapy. The exact etiology is unknown, but it is more commonly described in the Far East countries. Dietary change is one of the predisposing factors. We report on nine young adult patients with prurigo pigmentosa, among whom five were on ketogenic diets prior to the onset of the eruptions. All cases resolved with oral doxycycline with no recurrence. We hope to improve the awareness of this uncommon skin condition among general practitioners and physicians so that disfiguring hyperpigmentation due to delayed diagnosis and treatment can be avoided.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.