Ulerythema Treatment & Management

Author: Camila K Janniger, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD more...

Updated: May 27, 2011

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Medical Care
Surgical Care
Diet
Activity
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Medical Care

The disease often improves with age. The risk-benefit correlation does not support the use of systemic retinoids for the treatment of ulerythema ophryogenes.

Mild keratolytics, such as lactic acid 5%, urea 5%, or salicylic acid 2-5%, may be interchanged with cold creams, while low-potency corticosteroids may also be applied for short periods. Topical retinoid therapy may be worth trying.^[11]

Sun protection creams are recommended when sun exposure is anticipated because frequent exposure to UV radiation exacerbates ulerythema ophryogenes. Local retinoids may not be effective.

Surgical Care

Successful treatment with carbon dioxide laser was reported in 2 patients, and the 585-nm pulsed dye lasers seemed efficient^[12]; however, in general, the treatment is rather unrewarding. Treatment with intense pulsed light may be worth considering.^[13]

Diet

No special diet is necessary.

Activity

Excessive sunlight should be avoided.

Proceed to Follow-up

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Camila K Janniger, MD Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Camila K Janniger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James J Nordlund, MD Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

James J Nordlund, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Glen H Crawford, MD Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital

Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

Burnett JW, Schwartz MF, Berberian BJ. Ulerythema ophryogenes with multiple congenital anomalies. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 1988;18(2 Pt 2):437-40. [Medline].
Gómez Centeno P, Rosón E, Peteiro C, Mercedes Pereiro M, Toribio J. Rubinstein--Taybi syndrome and ulerythema ophryogenes in a 9-year-old boy. Pediatr Dermatol. Mar-Apr 1999;16(2):134-6. [Medline].
Snell JA, Mallory SB. Ulerythema ophryogenes in Noonan syndrome. Pediatr Dermatol. Mar 1990;7(1):77-8. [Medline].
Luria RB, Conologue T. Atrophoderma vermiculatum: a case report and review of the literature on keratosis pilaris atrophicans. Cutis. Feb 2009;83(2):83-6. [Medline].
Nazarenko SA, Ostroverkhova NV, Vasiljeva EO, Nazarenko LP, Puzyrev VP, Malet P, et al. Keratosis pilaris and ulerythema ophryogenes associated with an 18p deletion caused by a Y/18 translocation. Am J Med Genet. Jul 16 1999;85(2):179-82. [Medline].
Zouboulis CC, Stratakis CA, Rinck G, Wegner RD, Gollnick H, Orfanos CE. Ulerythema ophryogenes and keratosis pilaris in a child with monosomy 18p. Pediatr Dermatol. Jun 1994;11(2):172-5. [Medline].
Zouboulis CC, Stratakis CA, Gollnick HP, Orfanos CE. Keratosis pilaris/ulerythema ophryogenes and 18p deletion: is it possible that the LAMA1 gene is involved?. J Med Genet. Feb 2001;38(2):127-8. [Medline].
Klein OD, Cotter PD, Schmidt AM, et al. Interstitial deletion of chromosome 12q: genotype-phenotype correlation of two patients utilizing array comparative genomic hybridization. Am J Med Genet A. Nov 1 2005;138(4):349-54. [Medline].
Zegarska B, Kallas D, Schwartz RA, Czajkowski R, Uchanska G, Placek W. Graham-Little syndrome. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. Oct 2010;19(3):39-42. [Medline].
Dajani ZA, Kerns MJ, Mutasim DF. Unilateral keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei mimicking follicular mucinosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 2011;64(5):e71-2. [Medline].
Layton AM, Cunliffe WJ. A case of ulerythema ophryogenes responding to isotretinoin. Br J Dermatol. Nov 1993;129(5):645-6. [Medline].
Handrick C, Alster TS. Laser treatment of atrophoderma vermiculata. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 2001;44(4):693-5. [Medline].
Rodriguez-Lojo R, Pozo JD, Barja JM, et al. Keratosis pilaris atrophicans: treatment with intense pulsed light in four patients. J Cosmet Laser Ther. Aug 2010;12(4):188-90. [Medline].

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