Porokeratosis is a skin condition characterized by patches of thin skin surrounded by a bordering ridge. There are several types, including porokeratosis of Mibelli, linear porokeratosis and disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). There is some evidence the condition is inherited. The New Zealand Dermatological Society website, DermNet NZ, reports there is no cure for porokeratosis, but there is some evidence that medicines derived from vitamin A may help relieve symptoms.
Vitamin A
The Office of Dietary Supplements, an agency of the National Institutes of Health, reports vitamin A is an essential nutrient for healthy vision, bones and cell growth. It helps the skin to form a barrier against bacteria and viruses. There are two forms of vitamin A: retinol and carotenoid. Animal sources such as liver and dairy products provide retinol. Colorful fruits and vegetables, including carrots, spinach and cantaloupe, are sources of carotenoid, which your body converts to retinol. Though a healthy diet is an important part of fighting any disease, vitamin A does not directly help with symptoms of porokeratosis. However, compounds similar to vitamin A, called retinoids, have shown some success.
Retinoids
Synthetic retinoids have been used to treat skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis for 15 years. A case study published in Dermatology Online Journal showed a patient with porokeratosis responded best to retinoid tretinoin over two other treatments, calcipotriol cream and 5-fluorouracil. The article cited two other studies which had success with another retinoid called etretinate. The researchers concluded that retinoids were the best treatment for porokeratosis. Other articles have shown excellent results with acitretin, and moderate results with isotretinoin.
Not a Cure
Although some studies show potential for retinoid treatment of porokeratosis, not all patients have responded equally well. The New Zealand Dermatological Society reports their efforts to treat the condition have been "generally disappointing." They report that oral acitren or isotretinoin may improve the skin's appearance, but retinoids do not cure the underlying condition.
Warnings
Retinoids are similar to vitamin A, but not the same. Although some patients have shown relief of symptoms when taking oral retinoids, taking vitamin A pills is not the same as taking acitren or tretinoin. If you are undergoing retinoid therapy, do not take vitamin A supplements without talking to your doctor first. It could cause a toxic buildup of vitamin A in your system, leading to liver problems and reduced bone density. Both retinoids and large doses of vitamin A are known to cause birth defects, so should be avoided by women who are or are planning to become pregnant.
References
- DermNet NZ: Porokeratosis of Mibelli
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- Dermatology Online Journal: Seborrheic Keratosis-like Porokeratosis -- A Case Report
- Dermatology Online Journal: A Rare Entity With Excellent Response to Acitretin
- The Australasian Journal of Dermatology: Facial Porokeratosis -- A Series of Six Patients
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