Pica Progressive Reticular Melanosis

Pika Progressive Reticular Melanosis: what is this disease?

Pica Progressive Reticular Melanosis (PRM) is a rare skin disease that is characterized by the appearance of multiple black spots on the skin. This is a genetic disorder that can be inherited from one or both parents.

The disease was described by the Czech physician Pika in 1867, and its name comes from his surname. PPM develops in people of any age, but usually appears during childhood or adolescence.

Symptoms of PPM include the appearance of black spots on the skin, which can vary in shape and size. The spots usually start on the face, neck and hands and then spread to other parts of the body, including the torso and limbs. The spots may be separate or combined into large spots that cover most of the body. In addition, the spots may change color from black to gray.

Patients with PPM may also have other symptoms, such as an enlarged liver and spleen, anemia, and low platelet levels in the blood.

The diagnosis of PRM is made based on clinical examination and skin biopsy. Treatment for PPM aims to reduce the appearance of skin spots and may include laser therapy and surgical removal of the spots. However, these methods do not guarantee a complete cure and may require repeated procedures.

Overall, PRM is a rare and complex disease that requires close medical monitoring and long-term treatment. Patients suspected of having PPM should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.



**Pica progressive reticular pigmentary melasma** (PPRM) is a disease of melanic skin metabolism, not associated in its development with the pathology of the endocrine glands and/or other known monogenic hereditary diseases, manifested mainly by pathological (as in a tumor disease) excessive deposition of pigment in dermis, subcutaneous tissue and/or retina. PPRM is dangerous due to changes in the skin and eyes and can be detected by basic clinical signs, such as the appearance of pigmentation on the skin and conjunctiva. These changes are called Jameson syndrome. Treatment of this disease is a process of selecting therapy using various combinations of drugs. PPRM is a genetic disease and can change over time and can even cause the amount of melanin in the skin to decrease and even become smaller. The diagnosis of PPRM can be made if the amount of melanin in the skin is at a level of 15 to 25% only if the patient has symptoms such as swelling in the area of ​​​​increased pigment (which, however, is not a diagnostic criterion). You also need to take into account that the manifestations of the peak are only one of the possible options for a person’s complaints with PPRM (you can read about this in the next paragraph). However, if these signs are present in you, then you should consult a dermatologist, and also undergo an in-depth examination of the body with the help of specialists in this field of medicine. Known varieties: 1. When melanin is distributed evenly, they speak of PM. 2. With uneven distribution, melanin gets only under the skin and forms multiple subcutaneous compactions (syn.: so-called Koplik patterns) measuring up to (up to 1 cm). This is a very typical manifestation. 3. In addition to melanin accumulations, there are the following diagnostic criteria for Jameson's syndrome: 4. Swelling in PM is always present, but it may be minor or even absent altogether. The manifestation of edema during PM depends on several factors, including the functioning of the nervous system and the secretory function of the sweat glands. Thus, this syndrome can manifest itself as a full set of clinical signs (medicinal melanosis, Koplik spots and others),