Rare Skin Disorder - PLEVA

[markjeep51]

Went to the dermatologistyesterday to get some funny dark spots remove with liquid nitrogen; they were nothing really to be concerned about but I wanted them removed anyway. While I was there, I also mentioned in passing that I was apparently getting insect bite; lots of them at night while in bed. I stated that I thought the dogs might have brought somekind of strange bug into the house. This peaked the doctors attention and he immediately delayed his work using the nitrogen to look at my bite marks. It took the doctor about 10 seconds to state that these were not insect bites but something else.

The following is what the doctor thought I had: Mucha-Habermann disease, also known as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta or PLEVA, is a rare skin disorder. The lesions most often appear on the trunk and the arms and legs. Lesions tend to develop in small groups.

The doctor took a biopsy of one of the bumps and I will see him again in early September for a confirmed diagnosis. He thought is may be related to my degraded immune system as a result of my leukemia. I was told that there are treaments for this condition but it may take several months to clear up the condition. Has anyone else heard of this PLEVA thing ?

[studebaker]

Never heard of it. Good there is a cure for it 👍🏻Dana

[michaelmac]

I will be VERY interested to hear what you Doc comes up with. I get Bumps and lesions. Both my hematologist and my dermatologist have biopsy them. They have not come up with a diagnosis. They know some things it is not,but do not know what it is. Everyone (non-med people) that see "the bumps" thinks bug bites, or a hypersensitivity to such bite . But , they are not. Bites are one of the many things they have eliminated. I'm seeing my Hematologist on Thru. I'll ask if they tested for Mucha-Habermann disease..

Here's hoping you get relife

Michae

[markjeep51 in reply to michaelmac]

That's a good idea to get tested for what I have. I do plan to ask my doctor what they look for in the biopsy sample; i.e high levels of a certain inflamatory proteins. I do take some nutritional supplements which are supposed to inhibit certain inflamatory proteins.

[markjeep51 in reply to michaelmac]

I just met with my dermatologist a few days ago. The biopsy came up negative, meaning that they could not confirm if what I had, was what the doctor thought I had. In other words, the biopsy did not identify any possible cause of my bug bite like symptoms. But 99.9 % of my bug bite like symptoms have gone away naturally and have not reappeared. Therefore, I did not need any possible treatments, for example, light therapy.

[michaelmac in reply to markjeep51]

Thanks for the reply. I'm still getting recurring bumps. not pretty ,but not a real problem . Or, at least as long as the bumps don't get infected,not a problem.

I have been using steroid cream on them ,it helps a bit.

Good luck

M

[markjeep51 in reply to michaelmac]

Steroid crreams did nothing for me. But the doctor did prescribe me Tretinoin cream, which is supposed to help with the scarring.

[Peggy206]

I had this years ago. I had to go through light therapy about twice a week for about 4-6 weeks and it eventually ran it’s course and went away.

[markjeep51 in reply to Peggy206]

Yes, I have heard that light therapy is one of the treatments. Thanks for your input.

[Vlaminck]

Interesting, just came to this post because trying to research the bumps I have been getting. During the month of April, maybe also some March, I have been getting itchy bumps (around bra -- think chiggers), but also other bumps that are red and don't itch and feel more like a pimple (most are on my back and back of neck so can only see through mirror.) I just got a new one back of neck. The bumps have looked a lot like photos of this new-to-me thing PLEVA (not a slew of bumps as in some photos, just some). In fact, was thinking of asking the group if they find they get pimples. I'm in W&W. I think I'll mention to my doc (whom I won't see again until Oct--6 months off) assuming it doesn't get worse.