Case series of Pityriasis lichenoides in the post-COVID era: Clinical features and response to erythromycin monotherapy

Pityriasis Lichenoides (PL) is a rare dermatological condition marked by erythematous papules and plaques, presenting in acute and chronic forms. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a surge in PL cases, potentially linked to post-viral immune dysregulation, highlighting a novel aspect of post-COVID dermatological manifestations. This article presents a case series of PL patients diagnosed in the post-COVID era, detailing their clinical features and treatment responses. Notably, all patients in this series responded favorably to erythromycin monotherapy. The cases revealed that erythema, scaling, and pruritus were common symptoms, which significantly improved with erythromycin. This consistent positive response underscores erythromycin's potential as a first-line therapeutic option for PL, especially when considering the emerging pattern of post-viral dermatological conditions. The findings suggest that erythromycin may modulate the immune response altered by COVID-19, providing symptomatic relief and disease resolution. These observations pave the way for further research into the mechanisms of PL in the context of post-viral immune dysregulation and reinforce the need for heightened awareness among clinicians of the possible dermatological sequelae of COVID-19.