Lichenoid dermatitis.

Abstract

The term lichenoid eruption is used for dermatitis characterized clinically by papules reminiscent of lichen and histologically by degeneration of the basal layer and band-like lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis (3). Rarely lichenoid eruptions are caused by a contact sensitization to chemical substances such as photographic processing solutions (2). Other lichenoid eruptions may be due to the intake of several drugs, including beta-blockers, and in particular propranolol (1). But in the majority of cases the diagnosis of lichenoid dermatitis hides as in the current case our ignorance of the causative factors. The clinical features of the present case are: -presence of asymptomatic, brownish yellow macules and papules; -distribution to the cheeks and root of upper limbs; -chronic course of years.