clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • well circumscribed, raised, coin shaped lesions ranging from 4 to 10 cm or more in diameter
  • usually symmetrical affecting the extensor surfaces of limbs (especially in older patients) and dorsal aspects of hands and feet (especially in younger patients); occasionally, they occur on nail folds causing ridging; rarely, the face
  • usually subacute with erythema, mild oedema, and in some cases, vesiculation; scaling and lichenification in more chronic cases
  • surface may be moist and secondary infection is common
  • pruritus is variable
  • lesions usually persist for many months, fade spontaneously, then relapse. In older patients the rash tends to be more persistent.
  • rare in patients less than 20 years of age