Post by lanacoral on May 2, 2014 19:20:29 GMT -5
I am being assessed for autoimmune progesterone dermatitis which is a sensitivity to progesterone. It can happen to women being treated for endo, or it could be underlying all along.
Wondering if anyone else has it, or if these symptoms sound familiar to you?
As quoted from dermnetnz.org/reactions/progesterone-dermatitis.html
Wondering if anyone else has it, or if these symptoms sound familiar to you?
As quoted from dermnetnz.org/reactions/progesterone-dermatitis.html
Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is a rare skin condition in women that recurs in a cyclical manner corresponding to their menstrual cycles. It is thought to be a response of the skin to the hormonal changes that happen just before menses.
Characteristically, the skin eruptions occur during the luteal phase or the late pre-menstrual phase of the cycle. This is when the blood level of the sex-hormone progesterone rises. The skin rash happens as an autoimmune response to the body's own progesterone, hence its name.
Within a few days of menstruation when progesterone level falls, there is partial to complete resolution of the rash. It will recur during the next cycle.
Some patients have had previous exposure to external progesterone in the form of oral contraceptive pills. This is thought to pre-sensitize patients to react against their own internal progesterone. However, not all patients with APD are exposed to previous hormone therapy. It has been postulated that these patients produce an altered form of progesterone that incites an immunologic response against it. In another theory, progesterone is thought to heighten a patient's hypersensitivity response to another allergen.
A variety of rashes has been described. The most common are urticaria and erythema multiforme. Other presentations include:
Papulovesicles (eczema-like)
Annular erythema
Angioedema
Mouth erosions (stomatitis and aphthous ulcers)
Itch (the most common complaint)
Several other skin conditions may be more severe during the perimenstrual period, but these are not classified as autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. These include:
Herpes simplex infection (cold sores)
Acne and seborrhoea
Rosacea
Atopic dermatitis
Contact allergy to nickel
Lupus erythematosus
Psoriasis
On average, the skin rash happens 7 days before onset of menstruation and lasts for 1-3 days after menstruation.
The age of onset is variable, the youngest case occurred at menarche and the disease can begin as late as 48 years of age.
Characteristically, the skin eruptions occur during the luteal phase or the late pre-menstrual phase of the cycle. This is when the blood level of the sex-hormone progesterone rises. The skin rash happens as an autoimmune response to the body's own progesterone, hence its name.
Within a few days of menstruation when progesterone level falls, there is partial to complete resolution of the rash. It will recur during the next cycle.
Some patients have had previous exposure to external progesterone in the form of oral contraceptive pills. This is thought to pre-sensitize patients to react against their own internal progesterone. However, not all patients with APD are exposed to previous hormone therapy. It has been postulated that these patients produce an altered form of progesterone that incites an immunologic response against it. In another theory, progesterone is thought to heighten a patient's hypersensitivity response to another allergen.
A variety of rashes has been described. The most common are urticaria and erythema multiforme. Other presentations include:
Papulovesicles (eczema-like)
Annular erythema
Angioedema
Mouth erosions (stomatitis and aphthous ulcers)
Itch (the most common complaint)
Several other skin conditions may be more severe during the perimenstrual period, but these are not classified as autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. These include:
Herpes simplex infection (cold sores)
Acne and seborrhoea
Rosacea
Atopic dermatitis
Contact allergy to nickel
Lupus erythematosus
Psoriasis
On average, the skin rash happens 7 days before onset of menstruation and lasts for 1-3 days after menstruation.
The age of onset is variable, the youngest case occurred at menarche and the disease can begin as late as 48 years of age.