Cold Injury and Perniosis (Chilblain)
Abstract
Perniosis (chilblain) is inflammatory cutaneous lesions located on acral surfaces (fingers, toes, nose, aurikula) which present in association with cold exposure. They can appear as an idiopathic (primary) dermatosis or with an underlying autoimmune disease (secondary). The primary or idiopathic form is not associated with an underlying disease and is clinically indistinguishable from the secondary form. The secondary form is associated with an underlying condition such as connective tissue disease, monoclonal gammopathy, cryoglobulinemia, or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Histopathology cannot accurately help distinguish the primary from secondary forms of chilblains. This review aims to raise the awareness ofperniosis to avoid excessive investigation and anxiety and to help patients with only appropriate simple advice and treatment.
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References
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