Pityriasis Lichenoides et Varioliformis Acuta

Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) is a disease of the immune system. It is the more severe version of Pityriasis lichenoides chronica. The disease is characterized by rashes and small lesions on the skin. The disease is most common in males and usually occurs in childhood, although it has been seen in every age group and every race. It is possible for the disease to go into remission for short periods of time or forever.

 Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta is commonly misdiagnosed as chickenpox or rosacea. Pleva is also often misidentified as a form of Staph. The most accurate way to diagnose is by biopsy. This disease has not been known to be life threatening. However, there may be mutations of the disease that can cause ulcers on the exterior.

There is no known cause of this disease, however, many links from viruses, vaccines, and other illnesses have been made. There is some evidence associating it with Parvovirus B19.

The easiest way to understand this disease is to think of it like this: Everyone has T cells that fight disease; in a person with PLEVA, the T cells get mixed up and decide to form in the skin, causing the lesions. It is unknown why this happens.

The trigger which causes the dysfunctional immune system response, PLEVA, is unknown; bacterial, viral, and environmental causes are suspected, but not conclusively demonstrated. There is another theory that the cause of PLEVA may be linked to lymphs and/or lymph nodes.

It is not contagious and currently there is no known cure for the disease, although the lesions can be treated with ultraviolet therapy as well as topical steroids and antibiotics.

Treatment often involves multiple therapies that address the immune system and bacterial, viral, or dermatological causes.