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Female with itchy eruption over neck and back
Last reviewed: December 2022
Author: Dr Ian Coulson, Consultant Dermatologist and Editor-in-Chief, 2022.
Edited by the DermNet content department
Background
This 40-year-old lady has developed an itchy eruption over her neck and upper back. It has not improved with the use of emollients and topical steroids.
Describe what you see?
There is a rippled hyperpigmented maculopapular eruption on the neck.
What is this condition?
These features are typical of macular amyloidosis, a reaction that is thought to result from perpetual scratching of the affected areas. It is common in both men and women of Asian heritage.
How can this be confirmed?
Histopathologically, amyloid deposits are seen within a skin biopsy; furthermore, macular amyloid is not associated with systemic disease as opposed to systemic AL amyloid that is associated with plasma cell dyscrasias.