Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Parapsoriasis is poorly defined, and its causes are largely unknown. Parapsoriasis isn’t related topsoriasis, even though they have similar names. “Para” is a prefix meaning closely resembling. While there is some overlap in symptoms, including the appearance of skin lesions, parapsoriasis and psoriasis are two different conditions.
Suriyawut Suriya / EyeEm / Getty Images
Large-plaque parapsoriasis (LPP) is also chronic, but it’s considered a premalignant dermatosis. LPP may progress tomycosis fungoides, the most common type ofcutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a form of skin cancer. People with LPP will have patches that are larger than 2 inches in diameter on the skin. They are usually on the trunk, but they can also be present on the buttocks.
Pityriasis lichenoides, red lesions that quickly evolve into papules 5 to 15 mm (millimeters) in diameter, was included in earlier studies of parapsoriasis. However, due to disagreement among experts, it is no longer considered a type of parapsoriasis.
Plaque Psoriasis: Pictures and Symptoms of the Types You May See on Your Body
Parapsoriasis shows up on the skin as a patchy rash. Usually, the patches are red or pink, but they can be brown or yellow.The number of patches varies, and the lesions could be scaly or wrinkly.
Other than the rash, there are typically no other symptoms. SPP rarely progresses, while large-plaque parapsoriasis has the potential to progress. LPP presents similarly to the patch stage of mycosis fungoides.
The cause of parapsoriasis is unknown. However, experts believe parapsoriasis is a stage in the continuum from chronic dermatitis to lymphoproliferative disorders, conditions in the blood involving uncontrolled growth oflymphocytes(white blood cells), including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
To diagnose parapsoriasis, your healthcare provider will examine the patches on your skin, considering where they appear on your body, their size, and their texture.
Sometimes a skin biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions. A biopsy can check for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma as well.
How to Identify Common Skin Growths
Treatment for small-plaque parapsoriasis may not be required, but your healthcare provider may recommend treatment with high-potencytopical corticosteroids. If this treatment doesn’t clear up the patches, your practitioner may recommend other treatments, includingphototherapy, skin moisturizers, or a combination.
Large-plaque parapsoriasis usually requires treatment. Topical steroids also are used in LPP, at high potency.
People with parapsoriasis generally need follow-up care, especially those with LPP, to ensure their condition does not progress to malignancy.
The prognosis of SPP and LPP is unpredictable.This means follow-up visits with your healthcare provider are essential. There is a risk of SPP or LPP developing into cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, so skin biopsies may also be needed to track the progression of your condition.
What is parapsoriasis?
How likely is parapsoriasis to become lymphoma?
Progression to malignancy is seen most often in large-plaque parapsoriasis. One study found that 10% of people with small-plaque parapsoriasis and 35% of people with large-plaque parapsoriasis developed histologically confirmed mycosis fungoides, a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
What causes parapsoriasis?
The underlying cause of small-plaque and large-plaque parapsoriasis is unknown. Research is ongoing to identify the causes of parapsoriasis.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UpToDate.Parapsoriasis (small plaque and large plaque parapsoriasis).American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Parapsoriasis.Väkevä L, Sarna S, Vaalasti A, Pukkala E, Kariniemi AL, Ranki A.A retrospective study of the probability of the evolution of parapsoriasis en plaques into mycosis fungoides.Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(4):318-23. doi:10.1080/00015550510030087
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UpToDate.Parapsoriasis (small plaque and large plaque parapsoriasis).American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Parapsoriasis.Väkevä L, Sarna S, Vaalasti A, Pukkala E, Kariniemi AL, Ranki A.A retrospective study of the probability of the evolution of parapsoriasis en plaques into mycosis fungoides.Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(4):318-23. doi:10.1080/00015550510030087
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UpToDate.Parapsoriasis (small plaque and large plaque parapsoriasis).American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Parapsoriasis.Väkevä L, Sarna S, Vaalasti A, Pukkala E, Kariniemi AL, Ranki A.A retrospective study of the probability of the evolution of parapsoriasis en plaques into mycosis fungoides.Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(4):318-23. doi:10.1080/00015550510030087
UpToDate.Parapsoriasis (small plaque and large plaque parapsoriasis).
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Parapsoriasis.
Väkevä L, Sarna S, Vaalasti A, Pukkala E, Kariniemi AL, Ranki A.A retrospective study of the probability of the evolution of parapsoriasis en plaques into mycosis fungoides.Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(4):318-23. doi:10.1080/00015550510030087
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