Lichen spinulosus in a black patient. Case report
Keywords:
Palabras clave: liquen espinuloso, queratosis pilar, piel negra, fototipo alto, retinoides tópicos.Abstract
Introduction: lichen spinulosus is a rare dermatosis characterized by plaques of follicular papules with central horny spines, giving them a sandpaper-like texture. Although its classic presentation is well documented in the literature, reports describing this entity in patients with darker skin tones are scarce.
Objective: to present a clinical case of lichen spinulosus in a black patient.
Case presentation: a 28-year-old male patient with a history of bronchial asthma presented with lesions on his back that had been present for two months. Physical examination revealed multiple plaques composed of follicular papules with central horny spines, which were slightly pruritic and had a rough texture. The skin biopsy showed dilated pilosebaceous follicles with keratin plugs and mild perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate, findings consistent with lichen spinulosus. Treatment consisted of adapalene gel every other night and 10% urea cream daily. After 8 weeks, complete resolution of the lesions and recovery of normal skin texture were observed.
Conclusions: this case confirms that the classic clinical manifestations of lichen spinulosus persist in Black skin and that combined treatment with retinoids and topical keratolytic agents is effective. The importance of considering this dermatosis in higher phototypes, where reports are scarce, is highlighted.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Alvaro Rojas-Mora, Graciela Fundora-Guerra , Isandra Alfonso-Graña , Aylet Pérez-López
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