Reactive Perforating Collagenosis

Reactive Perforating Collagenosis General Information

Most of you may not be familiar with the medical condition that is commonly referred to as Reactive Perforating Collagenosis, as it is a rare skin medical condition in which the individual presents abnormal fibers of collagen that penetrate his or her outer layer of the skin (professionally called epidermis). After closely studying this clinical skin disorder, scientists have identified two distinct forms of this clinical illness. For example, a patient may be suffering from the inherited form of this condition (in such cases, the disorder generally manifests in the patient’s childhood years) or from the acquired form of this kind of condition. The latter form of this medical disorder is known to generally develop during the patient’s adulthood; it usually affects individuals who are suffering from chronic renal failure (especially those who are undergoing regular dialysis sessions) or who are suffering from diabetes.

One of the most important perforating medical disorders is known as Elastosis perforans serpiginosa. The inherited form of Reactive Perforating Collagenosis is very rare (less than 50 cases have been reported so far in the entire world). However, the acquired form of this skin medical disorder is far more common, as it affects about 10 out of 100 patients who receive regular dialysis sessions. Scientists have not been able to find out (discover) the true cause of this medical disorder. However, it is known that the lesions that are characteristic to this skin clinical condition are actually a response to a certain type of superficial trauma (scratching, for example). The symptoms of this disease are known to worsen due to cold weather, especially in the inherited form of this skin medical condition. Scientists have not been able to determine the exact mode of inheritance.

Reactive Perforating Collagenosis Symptoms

The presence of this skin medical condition is known to trigger a set of common clinical manifestations (physical features) that have been associated with this disorder (Reactive Perforating Collagenosis). The symptoms that the presence of this condition will determine are known to depend on the type of reactive collagenosis that the individual is suffering from. The severity of the symptoms are known to vary from one clinical case to another as they depend on the age, sex, general health condition of the individual, and so on.

The inherited form of this clinical disorder (Reactive Perforating Collagenosis) determines the development of keratotic papules which have a diameter that ranges between 1 and 6 mm. The presence of these papules does not trigger any pain. Such lesions may be present on the extensor surface of the patient’s hands, on the knees, elbows, and so on, after a certain type of superficial trauma. The size of the lesions grows in time, as in the early stages of the disease they appear as pin sized red spots that then turn into a 6 mm papule (this development may take a month). These lesions spontaneously cure after about two months. Their presence determines the remaining of minor residual scarring. The individual will develop such lesions throughout his entire life. Weather conditions (especially cold weather) may worsen the symptoms of this disease or trigger their recurrence.

If a patient is suffering from the acquired form of this disorder (Reactive Perforating Collagenosis), his keratotic skin lesions will appear on his or her extremities and trunk. The presence of the lesions is often accompanied by severe itching (pruritus). Such lesions do not necessarily have to be related to a prior trauma of a superficial nature.

Reactive Perforating Collagenosis Treatment

Although the disturbing symptoms of this medical condition (Reactive Perforating Collagenosis) are known to eventually self heal without any clinical therapy, the patient often experiences disturbing reoccurring of his or her symptoms. For this reason, scientists have perfected a set of clinical treatment options that are widely employed in the treatment against the lesions and in the prevention of their potential reoccurring. The most common therapy of this kind is medication therapy that involves a wide range of medical products. The most common drugs that are employed for such purposes include: Doxycycline, Allopurinol, Isotretinoin, and so on. Phototherapy is also a common therapy option for patients who are suffering from Reactive Perforating Collagenosis, especially if the individual presents an adjacent renal medical disorder and / or pruritus. The use of topical steroids does not generally provide any satisfactory results.

Some individuals who have been diagnosed with the presence of this skin medical condition are also administered various types of remedies in order to ease their unpleasant symptoms. For example, in the fight against itching, the patient may start the intake of oral antihistamines. Applying certain emollients is also effective against itching, especially in the acquired form of Reactive Perforating Collagenosis. One of the most common medicines that is employed in the therapy against this skin medical disorder is Allopurinol. This drug can be acquired under the brand name of Zyloprim. It is an effective xanthine oxidase inhibitor that is able to diminish the production of uric acid in the human organism. Although a therapy with such a medication may help the patient’s Reactive Perforating Collagenosis, if the individual is suffering from a severe allergic reaction to any of this drug’s main ingredients, he or she will not be allowed to start the intake of this medical product.

Each dose of this medicine should be accompanied by a full glass of liquid. During one’s therapy with Allopurinol, he or she should drink plenty of fluids. During the patient’s treatment trial with this medical product, he or she should make regular visits to their personal health care provider, in order to enable their physician to closely monitor the effects of their therapy against Reactive Perforating Collagenosis. The presence of other clinical disorders may impair one’s ability to start the intake of this drug. For example, if an individual is suffering from diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and so on, their personal health care provider will have to prescribe them alternative therapy options for their condition. An individual who is currently undergoing chemotherapy should not be allowed to start a treatment with this medical product. Ask your doctor for further recommendations.