Prurigo pigmentosa: not an uncommon disease in the Turkish population.
BACKGROUND
Prurigo pigmentosa (PP) is a rare inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology. It is characterized by erythematous papules of the trunk that resolve leaving a reticulate hyperpigmentation. The original report from Japan in 1971 was followed by new cases, mostly of Japanese origin.


METHODS
We scrutinized PP cases diagnosed in our clinic and reviewed the English, German, French, and Turkish language literature.


RESULTS
We report six additional Turkish patients. We found more than 40 cases reported from various countries outside Japan. The patients had different racial origins. The number of Turkish patients reported in recent years is higher than the number of other non-Japanese patients reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The disease is not uncommon in the Turkish population. It may be underestimated in other countries with Caucasian populations. Therapeutic results with tetracycline and doxycycline was successful in our patients.
Baykal
Can
C
Department of Dermatology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. baykalc@istanbul.edu.tr
Buyukbabani
Nesimi
N
Akinturk
Semra
S
Saglik
Ebru
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000473:pathology*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000473:pathology*; D014421:Turkey