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Living with Acute lichenoid pityriasis

A rare skin condition with itchy, burning bumps that form open sores with red-brown crusts.

Understanding Acute lichenoid pityriasis

Acute lichenoid pityriasis is a rare skin disorder that is considered a more severe form of pityriasis lichenoides.

It causes itchy, burning bumps (papules) that form open sores with red-brown crusts. A low-grade fever, headache, feeling unwell, and joint pain may sometimes come before or along with the skin changes.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary. GARD's summary says they may include:

  • Itchy, burning skin bumps
  • Open sores with red-brown crusts
  • Low-grade fever
  • Headache
  • Feeling generally unwell (malaise)
  • Joint pain (arthralgia)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is this different from other forms of pityriasis lichenoides?
What can ease the itching and burning?
Should I see a skin specialist (dermatologist)?

Quick facts

GARD says the cause of this condition is unknown.

Also known as: mucha habermann disease; mucha-habermann disease; mucha-habermann syndrome; parapsoriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta; parapsoriasis varioliformis; parapsoriasis varioliformis acuta

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Acute lichenoid pityriasisGARD ID 9768 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Acute lichenoid pityriasis.

Explore the Acute lichenoid pityriasis blog

Explore research for Acute lichenoid pityriasis

Explore actively recruiting Acute lichenoid pityriasis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Acute lichenoid pityriasis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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