National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis


Other Names:
Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis; PLCA; Lichen amyloidosis familial; Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis; PLCA; Lichen amyloidosis familial; Amyloidosis familial cutaneous lichen; Amyloidosis 9; Amyloidosis IX See More
Categories:
Primary cutaneous amyloidosis is a form of amyloidosis, a group of conditions in which an abnormal protein (called amyloid) builds up in various organs and tissues throughout the body. In primary cutaneous amyloidosis, specifically, this protein accumulates in the skin. There are three main forms of primary cutaneous amyloidosis:[1][2]
  • Lichen amyloidosis - multiple itchy, raised spots which are scaly and red/brown in color. This rash generally affects the shins, thighs, feet and forearms.
  • Macular amyloidosis - mild to severely itchy, flat, dusky-brown or greyish colored spots that may come together to form patches of darkened skin. This rash generally appears on the upper back between the shoulder blades, the chest and less commonly, the arms.
  • Nodular amyloidosis - asymptomatic firm bumps that may be pinkish-brown to red in color. This rash may occur on the trunk, limbs, face, and/or genitals.
The exact underlying cause of primary cutaneous amyloidosis is poorly understood. It is sometimes associated with other conditions such as atopic dermatitis, sarcoidosis, and psoriasis. Although most cases occur sporadically in people with no family history of the condition, there are rare familial forms caused by changes (mutations) in the OSMR or IL31RA gene.[3][4] Treatment is based on the signs and symptoms present in each person and may include surgery to remove amyloid deposits and/or certain medications to relieve itching.[1][2]
Last updated: 3/29/2016

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormal cranial nerve morphology 0001291
Adult onset
Symptoms begin in adulthood
0003581
Amyloidosis 0011034
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Cutaneous amyloidosis 0012309
Cutis laxa
Loose and inelastic skin
0000973
Dry skin 0000958
Lattice corneal dystrophy 0001149
Lichenification 0100725
Pruritus
Itching
Itchy skin
Skin itching
[ more ] 		0000989
Scaling skin
flaking skin
peeling skin
scaly skin
[ more ] 		0040189
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

  • RareConnect has an online community for patients and families with this condition so they can connect with others and share their experiences living with a rare disease. The project is a joint collaboration between EURORDIS (European Rare Disease Organisation) and NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders).

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • Amyloidosis Awareness is an illustrated booklet for patients and physicians developed by Amyloidosis Support Groups Inc. Versions of the booklet are also available in Spanish and Portuguese.
  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Primary cutaneous amyloidosis. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
    Lichen Amyloidosis
    Macular Amyloidosis
    Nodular Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
    Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis 1
    Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis 2
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Primary cutaneous amyloidosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Amyloidosis. DermNet NZ. June 2014; http://www.dermnetnz.org/systemic/amyloidosis.html.
  2. Al Yahya RS. Treatment of primary cutaneous amyloidosis with laser: a review of the literature. Lasers Med Sci. July 2016; 31(5):1027-1035. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26984345.
  3. AMYLOIDOSIS, PRIMARY LOCALIZED CUTANEOUS, 1. OMIM. May 2011; http://www.omim.org/entry/105250.
  4. AMYLOIDOSIS, PRIMARY LOCALIZED CUTANEOUS, 2. OMIM. May 2011; http://www.omim.org/entry/613955.