Living with Elastosis perforans serpiginosa
A rare skin condition with small rough bumps in ring or curved patterns, mostly on the neck, face, and arms.
Understanding Elastosis perforans serpiginosa
The bumps are arranged in curved or ring-shaped patterns, mainly on the neck, face, and arms. It usually begins in childhood or early adulthood and is more frequent in men. The bumps can fade by themselves, but they often last a long time. GARD describes it as acquired, and also lists autosomal dominant inheritance.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Small rough bumps (hyperkeratotic papules)
- Red or skin-colored papules
- Skin plaques
- Ring-shaped (annular) patterns
- Curved (serpiginous) patterns
- Changes on the neck, face, or arms
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- 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 Children's Skin Disease Foundation
- 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
Quick facts
GARD describes it as an acquired condition and lists autosomal dominant inheritance, meaning one changed copy of a gene can cause it. It doesn't list a specific gene.
Also known as: elastoma intrapapillare perforans verruciformis; elastosis perforans; eps; keratosis follicularis serpiginosa; miescher elastoma; miescher's elastoma
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Elastosis perforans serpiginosa.
Explore research for Elastosis perforans serpiginosa
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