October 7th 2025
Psoriasis, lichen planus, and pityriasis rosea share overlapping presentations and comorbidities, but distinct pathophysiologies require accurate diagnosis and tailored therapeutic approaches.
Elephantiasis Verrucosa Nostrum
September 1st 2003A 62-year-old obese woman with adult-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus had a 6-year history of bilateral leg edema. During the last year, the edema worsened and the skin on her legs thickened. She also had multiple, bilateral, painful, superficial ulcers that drained copiously.
Obese Young Girl With Acanthosis Nigricans and Vaginal Yeast Infection
September 1st 2003A 12-year-old African American girl comes to youroffice for a well-child checkup. She is tall for herage (height above the 95th percentile) and obese(body mass index [BMI] above the 95th percentile).Physical examination reveals acanthosisnigricans on her neck, axilla, and upper abdominalregion (Figure) and a vaginal yeast infection.Routine urinalysis reveals a glucose level ofgreater than 1000 mg/dL, with negative proteinand ketones. A random blood glucose test, obtainedbecause of the glucosuria, is 249 mg/dL.
Dyshidrosis and Photoallergic Drug Reaction
August 2nd 2003A slightly pruritic, red, scaly rash on an 8-year-old boy’shands has been progressively worsening since it appeared4 months earlier. Nail pitting also was noted. There are noother rashes on his body. The patient is active in sports;denies any new exposure to soaps, clothing, or other contactants;and spends time in the homes of his recently divorcedparents.
Various Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
July 1st 2003The manifestations of this multisystemdisorder range from relativelybenign, self-limited cutaneous involvementto severe, potentially fatal systemicillness. Skin lesions associatedwith lupus erythematosus (LE) areclassified histologically as LE-specificor LE-nonspecific.
Fournier Gangrene in a 77-Year-Old African American Man
June 1st 2003A 77-year-old African American man with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease presented to the emergency department with acute scrotal swelling and pain. His testicles were erythematous with focal areas of necrosis and associated tissue destruction. Similar skin changes were apparent in the lower abdominal and inguinal regions.
CASE 5: Palmoplantar Psoriasis
June 1st 2003A 63-year-old woman presents withdiffuse hyperkeratosis of the solesand palms. She also has onycholysis-separation of the nail plate fromthe nail bed-and salmon-coloredplaques behind her ears. Biopsy ofone of the plaques confirms the suspecteddiagnosis of psoriasis.
Psoriasis: Update on Therapy for the Various Manifestations
June 1st 2003A middle-aged man with"jock itch" that has failed torespond to antifungal creams.An older woman who has diffusehyperkeratosis of predominantlyweight-bearing surfaces.A young man with mildlypruritic, small, salmon pinkpapules and thick white scaleon his trunk and arms.
CASES 4A AND 4B: Guttate Psoriasis
June 1st 20034A:Small, slightly pruritic, salmonpink papules with thick white scalehave arisen over the past 5 days onthe trunk and arms of a 24-year-oldman. The patient has a history ofvery mild psoriasis vulgaris of the elbows,knees, and scalp; he deniesstreptococcal pharyngitis or other recentinfections. Guttate psoriasis isdiagnosed.
CASE 8: Erythrodermic or Pustular Psoriasis
June 1st 2003A 60-year-old man with a long historyof psoriasis vulgaris required a systemiccorticosteroid for a severe exacerbationof asthma. Soon after theErythrodermic or Pustular Psoriasiscorticosteroid was discontinued, generalizederythema and scaling of theskin developed.
Well-Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma
May 1st 2003A 1-cm, tan-brown lesion had developed years earlier at the posterior helix of a61-year-old man’s right ear. Central ulceration and crusting were noted on thepapule. The patient sought medical evaluation when the lesion became nodularand began to flake.