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Dermatitis herpetiformis in association with lichen planopilaris
LETTERS
Dermatitis herpetiformis in association with lichen planopilaris To the Editor: Both dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planus may be accompanied by a number of other autoimmune diseases. The coexistence of dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planopilaris is anecdotal and has only been reported once. We saw a 30-year-old Iranian man who suffered from multiple pruritic papules and vesicles for 5 to 6 months before referral. A biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis was made. He was treated with dapsone and a gluten-free diet and responded well. Three years later several hyperpigmented pruritic macules developed on his scalp, which led to scarring alopecia; the biopsy specimen showed changes consistent with lichen planopilaris. In this Journal an association of dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planopilaris in one patient was reported by Isaac and McNeely.1 The presentation of the disease in both our patient and theirs is remarkably similar. A review of the literature also reveals that on two other occasions dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planus (but without any reference to the involvement of the scalp) have been reported to coexist.2,3 The pathogenesis of the two diseases may involve common mechanisms. Whether any association between dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen J AM ACAD DERMATOL
MARCH 2002 467
468 Letters
J AM ACAD DERMATOL MARCH 2002
planopilaris occurs for any reason other than chance remains to be seen. Hamideh Moravedge, MD Amirali Salamat, MD Department of Dermatology Shohada Hospital Tajrish, Tehran, Iran REFERENCES 1. Isaac M, McNeely C. Dermatitis herpetiformis associated with lichen planopilaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 1995;33:1050-1. 2. Bologa EI, Valda FR. [Lichen ruber planus in regression with following Duhring’s dermatitis herpetiformis]. Dermatol Monatsschr 1971;157:447-52. German. 3. Christensen OB, Hindsen M, Svensson A. Natural history of dermatitis herpetiformis in southern Sweden. Dermatologica 1986;173:271-7. 16/8/118348 doi:10.1067/mjd.2002.118348
Dermatitis herpetiformis in association with lichen planopilaris To the Editor: Both dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planus may be accompanied by a number of other autoimmune diseases. The coexistence of dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planopilaris is anecdotal and has only been reported once. We saw a 30-year-old Iranian man who suffered from multiple pruritic papules and vesicles for 5 to 6 months before referral. A biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis was made. He was treated with dapsone and a gluten-free diet and responded well. Three years later several hyperpigmented pruritic macules developed on his scalp, which led to scarring alopecia; the biopsy specimen showed changes consistent with lichen planopilaris. In this Journal an association of dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planopilaris in one patient was reported by Isaac and McNeely.1 The presentation of the disease in both our patient and theirs is remarkably similar. A review of the literature also reveals that on two other occasions dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen planus (but without any reference to the involvement of the scalp) have been reported to coexist.2,3 The pathogenesis of the two diseases may involve common mechanisms. Whether any association between dermatitis herpetiformis and lichen J AM ACAD DERMATOL
MARCH 2002 467
468 Letters
J AM ACAD DERMATOL MARCH 2002
planopilaris occurs for any reason other than chance remains to be seen. Hamideh Moravedge, MD Amirali Salamat, MD Department of Dermatology Shohada Hospital Tajrish, Tehran, Iran REFERENCES 1. Isaac M, McNeely C. Dermatitis herpetiformis associated with lichen planopilaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 1995;33:1050-1. 2. Bologa EI, Valda FR. [Lichen ruber planus in regression with following Duhring’s dermatitis herpetiformis]. Dermatol Monatsschr 1971;157:447-52. German. 3. Christensen OB, Hindsen M, Svensson A. Natural history of dermatitis herpetiformis in southern Sweden. Dermatologica 1986;173:271-7. 16/8/118348 doi:10.1067/mjd.2002.118348