Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans

Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans
Synonyms	ACA
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Skin discoloration, atrophy, neuropathy
Complications	Peripheral neuropathy, skin cancer
Onset	Months to years after initial Borrelia burgdorferi infection
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Borrelia afzelii infection
Risks	Tick exposure, Lyme disease
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis, serology
Differential diagnosis	Scleroderma, Morphea, Lichen sclerosus
Prevention	Tick bite prevention, early treatment of Lyme disease
Treatment	Antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin
Medication	Doxycycline, Amoxicillin
Prognosis	Variable, can lead to permanent skin changes
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans is a skin condition, and as the name suggests, it leads to chronic atrophy of the skin and polyneuropathy.

Bacterial infection

This progressive skin condition caused by spirochete Borrelia afzelii, and to some lesser degree, B. afzelii, and Borrelia garinii.

Clinical presentation

The skin rash is seen most commonly on extremities.

Stages

• It begins with an inflammatory stage and later with an atrophic phase.
• Sclerotic skin plaques may also develop.
• ACA progresses the skin begins to wrinkle.

Testing

1)Screening test- IgM and IgG ELISA 2) If 1 is positive or there is high clinical suspicion in spite of Elisa being negative than confirmatory test - Western Blot.

Other methods

Microscopy and culture (in modified Kelly's medium) of skin biopsy or blood samples.

Doxycycline

Treatment consists of antibiotics including doxycycline and penicillin for up to four weeks in the acute case and sometimes longer.

See also

• Erythema migrans
• Lyme disease