BAJAN SUN
SKIN
GURU
Bajan Sun Magazine
MAY 2014
By Dr. Andrew Forde
CRP is also known as Gougerot-Carteaud Syndrome. It was first
described in 1927 and even though it is said to be rare, it is a common
skin condition in the West Indian black population.
The condition can affect the face, neck, armpits and the trunk. The
forehead, cheeks and the perioral area are most common on the face.
On the trunk the favourite areas are the centre of the chest/back and in
the love handles. Skin coloured, light grey or black macules (small flat
areas) and bumps (papules) join up to form a net like (reticulate)
pattern or larger flat (patch) or raised (plaque) areas.
CRP is usually asymptomatic but there can be associated itching. The
dryness is most commonly noticed after bathing or sweating.
Obese individuals with hormonal disturbances like diabetes and thyroid
disease or physiological conditions like pregnancy are at risk. There are
also reports of family members being affected by the condition. The
cells in affected areas multiply faster and also produce more protein
called keratin. Yeast, fungi and bacteria have been isolated in affected
skin. Unfortunately the real cause of the condition is still unknown.
The natural history of the disease ranges from an isolated episode to
chronic recurrence. It responds beautifully to low dose antibiotics for
two to six weeks. A few patients respond to oral antifungals.
There is no specific test for CRP and this accounts for a high
percentage of misdiagnosis by non-dermatologists. CRP is often
mistaken for fungal infections like “liver spots” and eczema.
10
www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | [email protected] | @BajanSunOnline