home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
/
CDRT.iso
/
dp
/
0364
/
03649.txt
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
7KB
|
172 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK03649}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Darier Disease}
$Subject{Darier Disease Dyskeratosis Follicularis Vegetans Keratosis
Follicularis Psorospermosis Follicularis White-Darier Disease Acrokeratosis
Verruciformis of Hopf Hyperkeratosis Follicularis in Cutem Penetrans (Kyrle
Disease) Keratosis Pilaris (Follicular Ichthyosis) Psoriasis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1990, 1991 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.
485:
Darier Disease
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Darier Disease) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by
this article.
Synonyms
Dyskeratosis Follicularis Vegetans
Keratosis Follicularis
Psorospermosis Follicularis
White-Darier Disease
Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Acrokeratosis Verruciformis of Hopf
Hyperkeratosis Follicularis in Cutem Penetrans (Kyrle Disease)
Keratosis Pilaris (Follicular Ichthyosis)
Psoriasis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Darier Disease is a gradually progressive, hereditary skin disorder. It
is characterized by elevated spots (papules) on the scalp, forehead, face,
neck, area behind the ears, and middle of the back.
Symptoms
Darier Disease usually begins without apparent symptoms. Gradually, burning
and itching skin occurs. Firm spots (papules) become larger and darker, and
may be covered with gray/brown scales or crusts. These spots may increase in
size and grow together into patches. The disorder is gradually progressive,
and tends to become more severe with exposure to sunshine and/or emotional
stress. Symptoms may improve during the winter.
Causes
Darier Disease is a dominant hereditary disorder. (Human traits including
the classic genetic diseases, are the product of the interaction of two genes
for that condition, one received from the father and one from the mother. In
dominant disorders, a single copy of the disease gene (received from either
the mother or father) will be expressed "dominating" the normal gene and
resulting in appearance of the disease. The risk of transmitting the
disorder from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy
regardless of the sex of the resulting child.)
Affected Population
Darier Disease usually begins during childhood, but it may appear as late as
the 7th decade of life. Males are affected in greater numbers than females.
In Denmark the incidence of this disorder is estimated at 1 in 10,000
persons. In the United States, Darier Disease affects about 1 in 50,000
persons or 20 per million. There are a total of 5,000 affected by the
disease and seventy-five births of babies with Darier Disease occur
annually.
Related Disorders
Acrokeratosis Verruciformis of Hopf is a dominant hereditary skin disorder
which tends to occur in members of families affected by dermatological
conditions characterized by hardened skin. Symptoms of the disorder include
flat-topped or slightly convex, smooth, firm, elevated spots (papules)
usually distributed symmetrically on the back of both hands, feet, wrists
and/or ankles. Spots may be few or numerous; they may range in size from
1/16 to 1/4 inch. Spots are mostly flesh-colored, some are light brown. The
palms of the hands and the soles of the feet may be hardened
(hyperkeratotic). Nails are opaque and brittle.
Hyperkeratosis Follicularis in Cutem Penetrans (Kyrle Disease) is a rare
skin disease occurring mostly in female adults. It is characterized by
painful, scattered eruptions with horn-like cone-shaped plugs. Usually only
the extremities, buttocks and cheeks are involved.
Keratosis Pilaris (Follicular Ichthyosis) is a common skin disorder
occurring during adolescence. It is characterized by mild redness of the
skin with elevated hardened spots (keratotic papules) in irregular
distribution, and the appearance of gooseflesh, especially on thighs and
arms. (To locate information about other types of Ichthyosis, choose
"Ichthyosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Psoriasis is a common chronic and recurrent skin disease characterized by
dry, well circumscribed, silvery, scaling elevated spots (papules) and
plaques of various sizes. Psoriasis varies in severity from mild to severe.
(For more information on this disorder, choose "Psoriasis" as your search
term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Darier Disease can be diagnosed from examination of nail tissue. The
disorder is usually treated with the aromatic retinoid drug etretinate.
Surgical removal of foreign and dead tissue from the lesions (debridement)
may also be helpful.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1991. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Darier Disease, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (F.I.R.S.T.)
P.O. Box 410453
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 591-1653
The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 495-4484
For genetic information and genetic counseling referrals, please contact:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
GENETICALLY TRANSMITTED, GENERALIZED DISORDERS OF CORNIFICATION: THE
ICHTHYOSES: M.L. Williams, et al.; Dermatologic Clinics (January 1987: issue
5(1)). Pp. 173-175.
ETRETINATE: EFFECT OF MILK INTAKE ON ABSORPTION: J.J. DiGiovanna, et
al.; Journal Invest Dermatol (June 1984: issue 82(6)). Pp. 636-640.
THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC DARIER'S DISEASE: R.G. Wheeland,
et al.; Journal Dermatol Surg Oncol (April 1985: issue 11(4)). Pp. 420-423.