Plaque parapsoriasis (or Broca’s disease) is a skin disease that most often occurs in men over the age of 30. The English scientist Brock was the first to write about the disease in 1897. In our country, this disease is described in detail in the works of Professor I.M. Raznatovsky.  

Plaque parapsoriasis is characterized by a characteristic rash that appears on the skin around the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. Looks like patches of yellow-pink or brownish-yellow hue. In moments of exacerbation of the disease, spots can acquire a reddish-brown tint. It happens that the skin looks speckled due to the fact that the areas of the skin around the hair follicles have a slightly different color. On the distal (farthest from the base) parts of the limbs sometimes acquire a bluish tint.  

The shape of the spots can be round, oval, elongated-elliptical, they can be arranged in stripes, the outlines of the spots are uneven. The most common spots are stripes with pointed tips. They are located on the limbs symmetrically to each other, the long axis of the spot runs parallel to the axis of the limb. If the spots are located on the abdomen, then they run parallel to the ribs. General resorption of rashes is characteristic of plaque parapsoriasis .   

 On the surface of the spots, sometimes fine peeling can be noticed. It is usually only found after the skin has been scraped. The keratinous layer of the skin is often folded, resembling wrinkled paper in appearance. The skin pattern is usually underlined. 

The size of the spots is most often related to their shape. Round spots usually do not grow more than 3 cm in diameter, elongated-elliptical – they reach 5 cm in length and 3 in width, spots in the form of stripes can grow up to 8 cm in length , in width – also up to 3 cm.In some cases spots can be up to 15 cm in length. In some places, spots can merge with each other, but this is due to friction of the skin on clothing or due to improper external therapy. 

Plaque parapsoriasis most often occurs on the inner side of the shoulder (while going out to the back), on the sides of the chest, in front of the abdomen, in the lumbar region. On the legs, spots may appear on the inside of the thighs and lower legs. The rash is usually symmetrical. The skin on the face, head, feet, and palms is usually unaffected.

Having formed and reaching a certain size, the spots can calmly exist for months and years. At the same time, in winter, the disease is somewhat aggravated, and in summer, the skin can partially recover and be masked by a tan. Sometimes there are spontaneous improvements, rarely – complete restoration of the skin. In place of the disappeared spots, the skin remains normal, atrophy does not occur. 

Doctors cannot yet say with certainty what causes the development of Broca’s disease. Often it is associated with the presence in patients of any chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (such as colitis, gastritis, ulcers, which are accompanied by constipation). This gives doctors reason to assume a connection between the occurrence of parapsoriasis and chronic intoxication.

As a treatment, remedies are used that correct the violation of the work of internal organs. They conduct courses of injections of B vitamins (once every 2-3 months), and also prescribe the intake of ascorbic and niacin. In moments of exacerbation of the disease, doctors prescribe the use of local ointments based on glucocorticoids. During the period of quiet development of the disease, a good effect can be achieved by applying UV therapy methods in small erythemal doses.

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