Petiriasis Rubra Polara

Dear doctor, my granddaughter, Caroline, 4, suffers from Petiriasis rubra polara.  She is the only one of my daughter's  three children who have it.  Her father, as well as his seven brothers and sisters, all have it, some worse than others.  Her grandfather also had it.
I have dermatoyositis, being diagnosed in 1965, at age 25. I have taken prednisone daily for the past 35 years.  I was expecting my daughter, Shannan, Caroline's mother, when I first got the symptoms of my disease.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Carol Ann:

I assume that you are wondering whether there is any connection between pityriasis rubra pilaris and dermatomyositis.  To my knowledge, there is not, and the presence in your family of both is coincidental.

best.

Dr. R

[sillica124]

A related discussion, My mother has Dermatomyositis? was started.