Systemic treatment of papular dermatitis: A retrospective study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Papular dermatitis is an intensely pruritic eruption that is often refractory to conventional therapy. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different non-steroidal systemic therapies for long-term control of disease in patients with papular dermatitis. METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective study involving a chart review of patients with a diagnosis of papular dermatitis who were prescribed systemic therapy between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2012. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were identified that were treated with a systemic agent. Median duration of treatment was 25 months. Methotrexate was used first line in 12 patients, with control of disease achieved in eight patients with a dose between 2.5 and 10 mg weekly. Azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil also provided control of disease when used as first-line therapy in the remaining two patients. While azathiopurine was effective in patients who failed methotrexate, gastrointestinal side effects limited its use long term. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose weekly methotrexate, as well as, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil are long-term treatment options for patients with papular dermatitis refractory to other therapies.