Successful treatment of therapy-resistant pruritus in lichen amyloidosis with menthol.

Journal Compilation © 2009 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Sir, Lichen amyloidosis, a variant of localized cutaneous amyloidosis, is characterized by discrete, intensely pruritic, hyperkeratotic brown-coloured papules and plaques (1). Genetic and viral factors, as well as chronic friction due to scratching, are possible causes (2–4). Therapeutic management of lichen amyloidosis comprises the use of topical treatments, such as glucocorticosteroids, calcipotriene, hydrocolloid dressings, psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) photochemotherapy, intralesional glucocorticosteroids, systemic treatments, such as acitretin, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine, as well as curettage, cryotherapy, surgical excision, electrodessication, dermabrasion and laser therapy. All are characterized by variable and limited response frequently followed by reoccurrence of lichen amyloidosis.